A lot of online game expertise development over the previous 60 years has been centered on bettering graphics. As an example, the soar from fourth-generation to fifth-generation consoles, just like the Nintendo 64, was unimaginable, as 3D video games have been instantly commonplace. However as mainstream video video games get nearer and nearer to photorealism, many avid gamers have turn into satisfied that graphics are far much less necessary than sturdy gameplay. With that in thoughts, Chris Parker of the Tech Random YouTube designed the low-res, open supply Blink Boy handheld console.
After we say “low-res,” we’re not speaking about 720p and even 480i. Blink Boy’s show is an 11×11 grid of individually addressable RGB LEDs. Even the unique Recreation Boy’s 160×144 display screen appears positively lavish as compared. Although, after all, the total RGB colour definitely provides depth that wasn’t potential on the Recreation Boy’s four-shade monochrome display screen.
The Blink Boy’s controls are equally unconventional. It has simply three buttons and a rotary encoder with one other built-in button. These and the LEDs solder onto a customized PCB, which additionally hosts an ESP32-S3 microcontroller and the lithium battery charger circuitry.
The customized PCB and battery match into a really well-designed 3D-printable enclosure. It’s about as minimalist as a design can get: principally, only a block. But it surely appears very nice—particularly as a result of Blink Boy took benefit of the multi-material printing capabilities of a Prusa XL so as to add a pleasant contrasting “BLINK BOY” brand on the again.
As an indication, Parker programmed a Snake sport that runs on the {hardware}. That isn’t groundbreaking, however it’s undeniably addicting and the colourful, chunky graphics make it actually nice to have a look at. That is an open supply mission, so hopefully different contributors will give you some artistic video games that benefit from the low-res, high-color show.
Nonetheless, it doesn’t cease there. Parker had extra in thoughts than simply gaming. As a result of the ESP32-S3 has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, Parker was in a position to create apps that talk with exterior units. One instance is a “Forged App” that lets Parker management his enormous LED wall utilizing the Blink Boy. It does that via MQTT messages coordinated by Dwelling Assistant.
Blink Boy won’t ever substitute a contemporary console, but it surely has all types of attention-grabbing potential that’s positive to enchantment to many.