The Sega Dreamcast was a very quirky console and whereas it was underappreciated when it was obtainable, with comparatively poor gross sales, it has garnered a considerable cult following since Sega discontinued the consoles in 2001. One in all its most fascinating options was the Digital Reminiscence Unit (VMU), which was a reminiscence card packaged in a module with its personal tiny LCD and buttons. It had some fascinating capabilities, together with supporting some minigames all by itself, individually from the Dreamcast console. DynaMight dramatically expanded on that by making a VMU able to operating “actual” video games, together with Doom.
To allow its distinctive performance, Sega gave the VMU a CPU and RAM of its personal. However that was extraordinarily restricted—virtually any pocket calculator obtainable as we speak could have extra energy. There is no such thing as a probability {that a} VMU might run something past the sorts of simplistic minigames it was designed for, which is why DynaMight needed to substitute all of that. They’re, basically, utilizing the VMU shell and buttons for contemporary {hardware} that has much more processing energy and RAM.
That {hardware} is an ESP32-WROVER-E N4R8 microcontroller. For a microcontroller, that’s fairly highly effective. It has an Xtensa dual-core 32-bit LX6 processor that may run at 240MHz and 520KB of SRAM, plus a further 8MB of PSRAM linked by quad SPI. DynaMight paired that with a full-color 1.69” IPS show and a tiny speaker. These parts go on a customized PCB with built-in button pads. Energy comes from a 600mAh lithium battery.
DynaMight designed the PCB to suit right into a VMU shell, but it surely isn’t a easy drop-in substitute. Some modification of the VMU shell is critical to make room — largely trimming the inner ribs that present structural help. A easy 3D-printable spacer helps to help the show after making these modifications.
To run video games, DynaMight chosen Retro-Go. That’s firmware constructed for ESP32 microcontrollers to run emulators for a number of methods, together with the NES, SNES, Sport Boy, Sport Boy Shade, Sega Genesis, Sega Sport Gear, Colecovision, and Atari Lynx. Retro-Go has lots of optimization tips beneath the hood to assist run these emulators on the comparatively low-spec {hardware}.
And, better of all, Retro-Go helps Doom and which means DynaMight was in a position to accomplish the standard feat of operating Doom on their gadget. DynaMight says that really enjoying video games on the VMU isn’t very comfy, as a consequence of its small measurement, however that is nonetheless a really cool challenge.