Jump to content

Arduboy

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Arduboy
Arduboy in the front and back
Also known asBateske Arduboy, Arduboy FX
DeveloperKevin Bates
TypeHandheld video game console
Introductory price$29 (Arduboy)
$54 (Arduboy FX)
MediaDigital distribution
CPUATMega32u4
Memory2.5 KB
Storage32 KB (Arduboy)
Display1.3" 128x64px 1-bit OLED
SoundStereo piezo speakers
ConnectivitymicroUSB
PowerRechargeable 180mAh battery
PlatformArduino
Marketing targetDIY, education, programming
SuccessorArduboy FX
Websitearduboy.com
LanguageC, C++

The Arduboy is a handheld game console with open source software, based on the Arduino hardware platform.

History

[edit]

Development

[edit]

The original version of the Arduboy was 1.6 millimetres (0.063 in) thick, with the height and width of a credit card, and was initially designed by Kevin Bates, an american Arduino enthusiast, as an electronic business card.[1][2]

In preparation for a consumer version, the developer moved to Shenzhen, China to work on the Arduboy at the HAX accelerator.[3][4][5]

Later consumer versions replaced the first version's touch-sensitive panels by physical buttons, and include a protective plastic case, raising the thickness to 5 millimetres (0.20 in).

A non-production smaller formfactor "Arduboy Mini" was demonstrated in 2019.[6] Another non-production system, the "Arduboy Nano" was demonstrated in 2021 with a smaller formfactor than the Arduboy Mini.[7]

Consumer versions

[edit]

A Kickstarter campaign was being planned in 2014.[8] Development was funded through a Kickstarter campaign in 2015.[9][10] The launch price of the original Arduboy was either $29[5] or $39.[11][12]

In August 2020, Arduboy announced 'Arduboy FX', an upgraded version that includes a flash memory chip that stores over 250 games on the device itself. This version shipped around 2021 at a price of $54.[13]

Tetris Microcard

[edit]
Arduboy-based Tetris MicroCard

As well as the open-source Arduboy itself, a single-game version featuring an officially licensed (non-open) version of Tetris is also available.[14]

Hardware

[edit]

The Arduboy is open source.[6]

The compute platform of the Arduboy is based on that of the Arduino.[15] Both the Arduboy and the Arduboy FX use an 8-bit ATMega32u4 microcontroller as the primary processor, RAM, and storage device of the system.[16][13] The system ships with 2.5 kilobytes of RAM.[15]

The Arduboy has 32 kilobytes of flash storage,[15] as well as 1 kilobyte of EEPROM.[16] The Arduboy FX features additional storage through the use of an official modchip, installed either from the factory or aftermarket.[13][16]

The system uses an 1.3 inches (33 mm)[15] 128x64px 1-bit OLED display.[10][13]

Audio is handled by stereo Piezoelectric speakers.[5][15]

The system is powered for about 5-8 hours on a rechargeable thin film lithium polymer battery with a capacity of 180 mAh.[13][15][17] The system has a microUSB connector.[5] The console can also be used as a simple controller or input device for other systems.[18]

Casing is made from both aluminum and polycarbonate.[17]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Liszewski, Andrew (March 3, 2014), "Make an Awesome First Impression With a Tetris-Playing Business Card", Gizmodo.
  2. ^ Frauenfelder, Mark (March 3, 2014), "Arduboy: tiny Arduino-based video game player", Boing Boing.
  3. ^ "Experience dysentery on an Arduino-powered 'Gameboy'". Engadget. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  4. ^ "Technological Innovation in Health Tech, Robotics and Smart Sensors Take Stage at HAX's Sixth Demo Day". www.businesswire.com. 12 May 2015. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  5. ^ a b c d "A Tiny Video Game-Playing Business Card You Can Smuggle In Your Wallet". Gizmodo. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  6. ^ a b "Arduboy Mini Is a Tiny Handheld Game Console". PCMAG. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  7. ^ "You'll Need a Microscope to Play This Inch-Tall Game Boy Clone". Gizmodo. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  8. ^ "Business Card Plays Tetris, Might Be for Sale Soon". Time. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  9. ^ Khan, Imad (May 14, 2015), "You can now order a Game Boy the size of a credit card", The Daily Dot
  10. ^ a b "Arduboy is a credit card-size gaming backup for your iPhone". www.cultofmac.com. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  11. ^ Lynch, Alison (20 May 2015). "You can now get a Game Boy the size of a credit card". Metro. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  12. ^ Solon, Olivia (15 May 2015). "Arduboy is a 'Game Boy' the size of a credit card". mirror. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  13. ^ a b c d e "The Arduboy FX is no quirky Playdate, but it's still adorably dope". Input. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  14. ^ Liszewski, Andrew (April 13, 2017), "Playing Tetris on a Business Card Is Everything I Hoped It Would Be", Gizmodo
  15. ^ a b c d e f Kastrenakes, Jacob (19 May 2016). "This tiny, open-source Game Boy lookalike has started shipping". The Verge. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  16. ^ a b c "Its Time To Upgrade To Arduboy FX RetroTech Gaming Console". Electronics-Lab.com. 2021-05-04. Retrieved 2022-05-15.
  17. ^ a b "Arduboy: a credit card size game system with 8-bit look & feel!". Elektor. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  18. ^ "This tiny gaming device lets you play and code". GeekWire. 2015-05-11. Retrieved 2022-05-15.
[edit]