Kit/boards recommendation for handheld game console

[KarlY]

Hi,

I have for dream to be able to create a handheld game console like the PSP when I was younger. It's for this main reason I study electronics.

I wonder if there is a kit that help me to understand and learn about the concept of it or something not too far to do something "basic".. like a controller board with 2-3 buttons, a screen or a screen as expansion board. 

I want to start slowly since I'm a beginner but I also want to work on the project

For now I just want to learn how to develop a console for pong game. Do you have any recommendation ?

[######]

Some of the STM32 discovery boards have TFT screens onboard and can be used with STM Touch GFX, or alternatively you can dive deeper and program bare-metal depending on your preference.

Examples:

https://www.st.com/en/evaluation-tools/32f429idiscovery.html

https://www.st.com/en/evaluation-tools/32f746gdiscovery.html

[SofLit]

Some Game examples on Youtube running on 32f429idiscovery.html :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oz4leSl8n-U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PIqe_9VftY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtNLctyoxU8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRNcfsDIc2A

[KarlY]

Hi @###### @SofLit 

Thank you for providing recommendation.

About the 32f429idiscovery, since both of you mentionned this board it seems to be a great reference.

The 32f746gdiscovery seems interesting too, it is touch sensitive and look like games with higher quality can work on it based on that video.

So I don't know which one to use between both of them. Could you guys help me? Who has the most detailed tutorial for instance?

[###### · Accepted solution]

Hello. I would suggest starting with the F429. Other community members have shared some resources previously. This link might help you:

https://community.st.com/t5/stm32-mcus-touch-gfx-and-gui/how-to-program-the-tft-lcd-in-stm32f429/td-p/385729

[KarlY]

Hello, 

I'll start with the F429 then.

Thank you !

[Tesla DeLorean]

Personally I would have thought finding the information, examples and communities would be part of learning experience.

And be realistic, most things you see today are the results of 100's of people and 10's of millions of dollars. In the 1980's it was often kids in high-school using the 8-bit computers of the day. Lot of magazines, and video arcades.

https://www.google.com/search?q=stm32+arcade

https://www.mouser.com/new/ghi-electronics/ghi-electronics-brainpad-arcade/ 

Several people have made boards + screens. Nintendo uses an STM32H7B for their game-n-watch.

Look at places like Hackaday, and places dealing with retro gaming

[Nikita91]

Why start with an old MCU?

Have a look to the STM32H5 with the STM32H573I-DK, which is affordable and has all the resources for a graphics application (you can ignore the security features)

 

[stocky55]

If you're looking for a good kit or board for a handheld game console, I recommend going for a Raspberry Pi 4 kit or the GPD XD Plus board. These offer great performance and compatibility. You can enjoy a smooth experience running games like SimCity, with excellent graphics and responsiveness.