32blit The open, retro-inspired, handheld console for creators

[gwald]

Hi, I hope I posted this in the right forum.

 

Just wondering if other homebrew/hackers have seen this project?

 

https://32blit.com/

 

It's currently being kickstarted here, by the reputable pimoroni: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/pimoroni/32blit-retro-inspired-handheld-with-open-source-fi

 

You don't just get hardware and a SDK, looks like they'll be providing lectures (twitch.tv videos tutorials) and dev support (via discord).

 

 

Which I think is pretty cool for learners (Lua) or pro's (C++) a like.

I was a Net Yaroze member (Sony's programmable playstation for hobbyist) in the 90's, and a program like this which provides education, support, community and custom hardware, to make video games is pretty rare!

And this is also English (UK based) which again, is also nostalgic for me!

 

 

It's powered by a micro-controller, with 1MB of RAM.

• Brilliant 3.5” IPS screen
• 400MHz ARM Cortex-M7
• Analog thumbstick and D-pad
• Built-in speaker
• 4+ hour battery life

 

It's very under powered (by today's standards) but it's heart is 'real' retro (blitting pixels), yet powerful enough to do some interesting gameplay!

 

 

And as good console manufactures, they're also developing tools:

* Sprite editor- prepare spritesheets, palettes, and animations

* Map editor- layout levels, define dungeons, and become a map master!

* SFX editor- create those essential bleeps, bloops, and crashes

* Music editor- compose a four-channel 8-bit masterpiece for your project

 

It's all opensourced (firmware/sdk), toolchain is win/linux compatible, and they also have royalty free assets (pixel art, SF BG audio)

 

They also have a few interesting blog post too:

Tilt

Particle effects

 

 

Anyway, I'm not affiliated with the project, I'm an excited backed, beta tester!

For me it's interesting seeing hardware and software coming together, pre gamedev!

Seeing as there's talk about playdate and Intellivision Amico already here, I thought I would put it this here also

 

What you guys think?

Mike.

http://mgarcia.org

Edited June 3, 2019 by gwald

[gwald]

Can't see myself developing on this thing to be honest. Given that my design style is high-colour psychedelia, a B&W display doesn't really appeal, crank or no crank.

@Yak,That's playdate, but what do you think of this one Jeff?

[zzip]

Can't they give the hardware a little bit of style? That looks extremely generic

[pacman000]

Only so many ways a system can fit comfortably in a person's hand.

[Osgeld]

152 dollars! I was writing bad lua games on a 333mhz psp a decade ago

 

This is in the "mildly interesting toy" department not buy an off lease laptop department (which has plenty of programming resources)

Edited June 3, 2019 by Osgeld