CrackedConsole

Arduboy on ATMega4809

July 9, 2021 by CrackedConsole

Porting Arduboy to the ATMega4809 and making it run on a Arduino Nano Every.

After learning about the Arduboy challenge, we (team Karooza) decided to join in the fun and port Arduboy to a new microcontroller. In the spirit of staying with true 8 bit gaming we chose the ATMega4809. This relatively new microcontroller is also used in the Arduino Nano Every, making it available to the average maker. For this very reason we also chose the Nano Every as our initial target. Then we designed a PCB which handles battery charging, boosting to 5V and breaking out the buttons, LEDs and piezo speaker. Using slightly off-center pads the Nano (with headers) can plug into the breakout board without needing to solder it (a cool idea we borrowed from the Curiosity Nano board).

Racing the Beam Explained – Atari 2600 CPU vs. CRT Television

July 9, 2021 by CrackedConsole

How does the Atari 2600 display images to the screen with so little memory dedicated to video graphics? It’s all explained right here.

Building the world’s first ‘breathing’ PC

July 8, 2021 by CrackedConsole

Ever wondered if a PC could cool itself by… ‘breathing’?

How a 3DBenchy can tell where your 3D prints need improvement

July 8, 2021 by CrackedConsole

The 3DBenchy is a tremendously popular item to 3D print. In this video we look at why this is, as well as how to use it as a serious benchmarking tool to improve your 3D printers. We also touch on the #speedboatrace challenge, a competition to print 3DBenchy as fast as possible.

Now You Can Turn the Commodore 64 Into a Delightfully Chunky Game Boy

July 7, 2021 by CrackedConsole

For many of us, the Atari or the NES wasn’t our first gaming console. Instead, it was the Commodore 64, which was marketed as an incredibly affordable home computer, but was also a solid gaming machine. It was very much worthy of a second life as a Game Boy-sized portable, which anyone can now hack together with the right parts and skills.

For around $36, a website called UNI64 will sell you a kit containing custom designed PCBs that, with some technical know-how, can be turned into the Handheld 64: a portable version of the classic ‘80s computer, complete with a tiny QWERTY keyboard so you can even write your own BASIC programs on the go. Just keep in mind that the $36 kit is just the starting point to creating a portable C64.

DarkfullDante’s Flight Sim Switch Box Is Powered by a Raspberry Pi Pico Running CircuitPython

July 7, 2021 by CrackedConsole

Driven by a combination of hid_gamepad and hid_keyboard, the switch is designed for use with Microsoft Flight Simulator and Elite Dangerous.
Pseudonymous developer “DarkfullDante” has put together a low-cost switch board for flight simulators, powered by a Raspberry Pi Pico running CircuitPython and housed in an attractive and sturdy case.

DIY Tiny Handheld Computer Puts BASIC in the Palm of Your Hand

July 6, 2021 by CrackedConsole

It may not be practical, but it’s at least functional!

This project puts the power of BASIC in your hands, literally. Designed by Anders Mygind, this tiny handheld computer runs a modified version of TinyBasic and is built around the ATmega328-PU, a chip similar to the ones used in the Arduino Uno. Though it’s not exactly user-friendly, both the keyboard and screen actually work. The device utilizes 12C-communication with the display and a button-matrix for the keyboard.

RaspberryPi Pico Oscilloscope

July 6, 2021 by CrackedConsole

As you dive deeper into the world of electronics, a good oscilloscope quickly is an indispensable tool. However, for many use cases where you’re debugging low voltage, low speed circuits, that expensive oscilloscope is using only a fraction of its capabilities. As a minimalist alternative for these use cases [fhdm-dev] created Scoppy, a combination of firmware for the Raspberry Pi Pico and an Android app to create a functional oscilloscope.

Experiments with Metal 3D Printing Using a Welder

July 4, 2021 by CrackedConsole

To make metal 3D printing accessible, YouTuber Integza is experimenting with metal 3D printing with a welder.

3D printing has come a very long way in the past decade, particularly in the consumer market. But all consumer 3D printers produce plastic parts and metal 3D printing is out of the reach of hobbyists. Today’s metal 3D printers utilize the SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) process, in which a laser melts and fuses metallic powder. But SLS 3D printers are very expensive — often hundreds of thousands of dollars. If we’re lucky, more affordable options will hit the market in the future. In the mean time, YouTuber Integza, AKA Joel, is experimenting with metal 3D printing with a welder.

Gameboy Color Gets a Rechargeable Battery

July 2, 2021 by CrackedConsole

Nintendo’s classic Game Boy has long been the darling queen of the handheld scene. However, with many fans modifying their handhelds with power-sucking features like modern backlit LCDs, running on AA batteries can become a frustrating exercise as they rapidly run out. [esotericsean] gets around that by modifying his Game Boys with a USB rechargeable battery setup. (Video, embedded below.)

The hack is a simple one, but the execution is quite tidy. [esotericsean] starts by removing the original DC jack from the Game Boy motherboard, and hogs out the hole in the case to fit a micro USB port. The original battery housing is similarly carved out to suit a 2000 mAh lithium-polymer pouch cell. A single-cell charging board is used to manage the battery, with its original connector removed and replaced with a neater-looking panel mount micro USB port instead. The electronics is then wrapped up in Kapton tape and stuffed inside the shell as everything is put back together.