Sn76489

This is the third blog-post regarding “building a video-game console for (my) kids”. See Part II: chiptune, and Part I: gamepad. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ne4RNotvTO0 Quico We have name: Quico. From now on, I’ll refer to this project as “Quico”: Quico ( /ˈkiko/), short for Kids Console (or Kids Computer) Also, one of the main characters of El Chavo del Ocho Sound Shield I converted the breadboard into “shield” for the MatrixPortal M4. Shield for the MatrixPortal M4 “Shield” features: Output: Headphones: Audio jack or Speaker: 5V/GND/AudioOut pins Fits perfectly on top of the MatrixPortal M4 Sturdy connection: 8 pins + 2 screws Easy to solder: All components are through-hole, except audio-jack (SMD) but it is as easy to solder as the rest. Open source / open hardware ( docs, schematics, layout) Shield + MatrixPortal M4 + LED matrix

The ideal modern-retro video game console https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_Fzt8RlbFc My goal is to build a video game console for (my) kids. I want to teach them programming in a fun way: fun for them… and also fun for me. The video-game console features are: Modern components, with a retro “spirit”. Easy to program, a must. Chosen: Python, in particular CircuitPython Gamepad support: Multiple gamepads at the same time (multiplayer is a must). Chosen: Bluepad32 firmware since it supports all modern Bluetooth gamepads ( see my previous post) “Retro” sound: Chosen: SN76489 (more info down below) “Retro” screen: Chosen: 64x32 LED matrix. Let’s see what we can do in this extremely low-resolution screen. A powerful enough micro-controller: Chosen: Matrix Portal M4, mostly for convenience since it comes with an ARM Cortex M4, ESP32, “expansion port” + header to connect to the matrix LED. It already supports CircuitPython. As a bonus it has an accelerometer. Portability: It should be portable, no need to use an external power supply. In other words, I’m building a Nintendo Switch killer. What will happen next is that Nintendo will run out of business. If this happens, my 7-year-old kid will kill me, since his dream is to be a video game designer at Nintendo… so probably I shouldn’t be that aggressive in my marketing campaign.