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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : Pico Gamer
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Geoffg Guru  Joined: 06/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 3165 |
The April issue of Silicon Chip magazine is hitting the streets about now and it features the Pico Gamer. This is a game playing console similar to the Nintendo Game Boy Advance but using the PicoMite. It is based on thwill’s concept for the Game*Mite but with a 3D printed case, a different circuit and different firmware. It is however software compatible, so games written for the Game*Mite will run unchanged on the Pico Gamer and vice versa. The default firmware comes with most games available on the Game*Mite (with the authors' permission) plus my versions of Pac Man and Tetris. Adding more games is easy, just copy them to the PicoMite’s drive A: and they will immediately appear in the menu.  An important component is the 3D printed case which can be made by many companies in China, typically costing less than US$20. The case has a smooth rounded feel which sits well in the hands but it’s most important feature is that it holds the switch buttons steady – without this buttons have too much side to side “wobble” which ruins the game playing experience. The design files are on my website ready to be sent to China.  A full description plus all the construction data and firmware is on my website at: http://geoffg.net/picogamer.html. You can watch a short video describing the Pico Gamer here: https://youtu.be/Koi4JSnmtNg Silicon Chip has made a video demonstrating the games: https://www.siliconchip.com.au/Videos/ Silicon Chip is selling full kits plus some components (PCB, case, etc) here: https://www.siliconchip.com.au/Shop/?article=16207 If you are going to build it you should also consider purchasing an electronic copy of the April magazine (AU$10) as it goes into more detail. The online and downloadable versions of the April issue will be available from 28th March here: https://www.siliconchip.com.au/ I have a web page describing the design of the 3D printed case here: http://geoffg.net/3D_Printed_Cases.html Credit to thwill for thinking up the Game*Mite. It is a great concept. Geoff Edited 2024-03-20 16:51 by Geoffg Geoff Graham - http://geoffg.net |
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| Volhout Guru Joined: 05/03/2018 Location: NetherlandsPosts: 3532 |
Congratulations wit the new Pico Gamer !! I looks very nice. And a good thing that you could keep it compatible with the Game*Mite. That will definitly help with growing a larger game base. I also read your text about designing the case. That is something on my wish list for the comming year. Volhout PicomiteVGA PETSCII ROBOTS |
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| JohnS Guru Joined: 18/11/2011 Location: United KingdomPosts: 3659 |
Looks great - congrats! John |
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thwill Guru Joined: 16/09/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 3845 |
Very pretty. "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery ..." - Oscar Wilde Game*Mite, CMM2 Welcome Tape, Creaky old text adventures |
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Mixtel90 Guru Joined: 05/10/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 5729 |
Sometimes I think 3D printing is a curse. Probably one of the worst that could be imagined for hobbyists. :( Mick Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini Preliminary MMBasic docs & my PCB designs |
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| thwill Guru Joined: 16/09/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 3845 |
I wonder about that too. Not only do we have to be programmers and electronic engineers (or pretend to be in my case) we also have to be mechanical engineers and learn to drive 3D CAD ... there aren't enough hours in the day. It still looks great though  .Best wishes, Tom Edited 2024-03-20 20:27 by thwill Game*Mite, CMM2 Welcome Tape, Creaky old text adventures |
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Martin H. Guru Joined: 04/06/2022 Location: GermanyPosts: 901 |
When I realized in 2016 that I had to change jobs again, I started working with 3d printing, as measuring/controlling/regulating was also part of my training, which I had completed in 1988. Just to see how it had developed over time. So for me, the printers were more self-study of the structure and technology than the actual 3D printing. That's why I was only marginally involved in creating 3D objects. And why I only use Tinkercad's online CAD and haven't yet found any motivation to familiarize myself with Fusion360. Cheers Martin 'no comment |
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| Mixtel90 Guru Joined: 05/10/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 5729 |
My CAD training was all 2D. I did occasionally attempt 3D, but I found it incredibly difficult. I'm not sure that my ancient brain ever got the 3D spacial system upgrade. A custom case is great. It makes the use of buttons etc. so much easier. It also looks great. I've no problems with any of that. You can even use rubber buttons and printed contacts instead of tactile switches. But where do you stop? At what point does a hobbyist build become a commercial prototype? Personally, I will only design around commercially available enclosures (or none). I don't have a problem with my designs looking home-made because that's what they are. :) Standard enclosures look expensive at first, but they aren't if you compare them to an equally complex 3D printed design. If you already have a good 3D printer and suitable filament then the cost reduces, but you still end up with a case that needs a lot of sanding and finishing if you want it to match the quality of most commercial enclosures. Just a bit of a moan from someone brought up chassis-bashing aluminium sheet for valve amps and radios. :) Times move on! Mick Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini Preliminary MMBasic docs & my PCB designs |
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| Geoffg Guru Joined: 06/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 3165 |
The thing that surprised me about the commercial Stereolithography (SLA) process was how perfectly smooth the finish was, no "lot of sanding and finishing" was required. The result was also quite strong with no warping. And this was for something that cost just US$17.50 for a one off print run. Creating a 3D design does not require any special skills. You start with a solid cube and then cut holes, extrude parts, bevel corners, etc until you get what you want. The complex part is learning the software package but I would rate it as similar to the effort required when I first used a PCB design app. I too grew up bending aluminium to make enclosures and for something like a PicoMite VGA design an ordinary plastic box is fine. But the Pico Gamer demanded something much more sophisticated. Now that I have put the time into learning the Blender app I'm going to be using more custom boxes... it is so easy. Geoff Geoff Graham - http://geoffg.net |
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knivd Regular Member  Joined: 07/09/2014 Location: United KingdomPosts: 71 |
Looks great! |
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| Martin H. Guru Joined: 04/06/2022 Location: GermanyPosts: 901 |
ask a pianist if it is difficult to play the piano. everything is easy for those who can do it  good Work geoff 'no comment |
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| matherp Guru Joined: 11/12/2012 Location: United KingdomPosts: 8583 |
Geoff Just one comment on your website article You state that the firmware can be upgraded. But 5.09 causes a complete reset of the flash (and has to) so the A: drive will be cleared. Tom has a mechanism of rebuilding the Game*Mite from the source programs. You may need something similar as new games may start to rely on 5.09 capabilities. Otherwise users will be locked into an older version of the firmware. |
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| thwill Guru Joined: 16/09/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 3845 |
I believe Peter is referring to the instructions in "Appendix C - Alternative firmware and software installation instructions - Installing the GameMite software" of the Game*Mite User Manual. Also note that the pieces of my software included in the Pico Gamer firmware do not appear to be the very latest versions: https://github.com/thwill1000/mmbasic-gamemite/releases/download/v1.2.0/GameMite-1.2.0-alternative.zip ... and are all missing the MIT license line with my copyright. Best wishes, Tom Game*Mite, CMM2 Welcome Tape, Creaky old text adventures |
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Chopperp Guru Joined: 03/01/2018 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1032 |
@ Geoff Is it possible to have a version of the lid with the lettering either recessed into the top or omitted altogether rather than sitting out proud so it can be printed face down flat with a standard printer if desired. Your comments on printing rounded corners etc lead me to search & then find this for OpenSCAD. Got it working OK on a test box. Brian ChopperP |
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LeoNicolas Guru Joined: 07/10/2020 Location: CanadaPosts: 445 |
Nice project. I'm looking forward to have Knightmare running on it  |
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| Amnesie Guru Joined: 30/06/2020 Location: GermanyPosts: 382 |
Haha! For me, 3D printing is just ugly. Yeah there are methods to "clean" all those filament stuff but honestly, for me it is just a piece of plastic toy feeling to it. I much prefer proper CNC milling of steel, aluminium etc. Laser becomes cheaper and cheaper, too. I really understand that it also has some benefits, it boosts creativity und a lot of people tinker with it and learn something on the way - epecially to design and work with all those CAD software. But in the end it is an ugly piece of plastic. Often I see projects even gooped up with hot glue, too. Awful, just awful. |
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| knivd Regular Member Joined: 07/09/2014 Location: United KingdomPosts: 71 |
One additional comment from me. I stopped playing portable gaming consoles long time ago in line with the prevailing trend to have the movement controls on the left hand. Maybe there could be *one* exception where it is on the right? |
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stanleyella Guru Joined: 25/06/2022 Location: United KingdomPosts: 1644 |
guess which one I 3D printed. ha ha ebay flatpack build yourself £80, it's not got auto levelling and you got to flash a sd card then transfer that to sd card slot on printer but 3 years ago it was ok for the money.  |
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SimpleSafeName Senior Member  Joined: 28/07/2019 Location: United StatesPosts: 286 |
It's hard to beat resin for the quality of its finish. There are a myriad of issues with resin, but the quality of its finish is not on that list. |
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| SimpleSafeName Senior Member Joined: 28/07/2019 Location: United StatesPosts: 286 |
I was going to suggest OpenSCAD. You can easily import Geoffg's STL files (thanks for providing them Geoff!) and then remove the printing. |
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