Those of you who follow the homebrew coding scene might already be aware of CHIP, a self-contained computer which costs just $9. This super-cheap piece of hardware is now being put inside a portable shell to host "Fantasy Console" platform PICO-8, and the end result is looking fantastic.
Created by Next Thing and dubbed PocketCHIP, this new handheld is powered by a 1GHz CHIP and boasts a 4.3-inch, 480 x 272 pixel resistive LED backlit touchscreen, as well as gaming controls and a full, physical QWERTY keyboard. PICO-8 comes pre-installed, and hosts games which aren't a million miles away from those seen on the Game Boy Color in terms of presentation and gameplay.
The really exciting part is that PICO-8 has built-in tools for making games and even offers sprite and sound editing features. Also, every single game produced for the platform can be hacked and tweaked. Over a thousand free games are already available, ranging from simplistic reflex tests to more complex affairs.
Because it's a homebrew platform, emulation is possible - and the guys behind this project have managed to get Virtual Boy games running via a special 3D-printed headset. PockulusCHIP started life as an April Fools' joke, but it actually works:
Next Thing CEO Dave Rauchwerk feels that PocketCHIP could become as influential as home computers such as the Commodore 64, which got an entire generation into coding:
A lot of people that are working on this project, that was their first computer. The idea that experience isn't really around today is kind of weird. PocketCHIP is kind of that thing we all wanted when we were 13, and now we're in a spot that we can make it real.
What's really interesting about the PocketCHIP is that it feels to us very much like a continuation of Nintendo's Game Boy line, and arguably employs the same "Lateral Thinking of Withered Technology" approach popularised by the late Gunpei Yokoi, designer of the original Game Boy. By using parts which are cheap and common, Next Thing is able to sell the unit at an incredibly low price - if you order now you'll get the PocketCHIP for $49, but that will eventually rise to a stil-reasonable $69.
While it's not a Nintendo product we'll still be keeping a close eye on PocketCHIP to see how things develop. Let us know if you're tempted to lay down some green for this intriguing little machine.
Comments 40
That is really Cool! I will have to check out possibly building one myself.
Ahhh I love homebrew consoles. Pretty cool article, might just have to pick one up.
Yeahh..I'll stick to the Nintendo and Sony handhelds. They actually get supported and receive good games.
It was stupid fun the virtualboy gag in the first video. Like there are screens made for 3D but screw them, lets attach some lenses oldschool style.
For the device itself, it seems like an interesting buy for tinkerers.
You had me at SUPERClicky.
This seems like a cool piece of hardware, but honestly... I have no idea how it actually works.
It's time for GOOGLING!!! WHEE...
Funny that Nintendo never bothered to put the Virtual Boy games on 3DS. They finally make a machine that could kinda do these games a little justice and not give you eyesore and headaches, and then they ignore the games entirely. Wouldn't it just be cool to have them as dollar downloads for 3DS Virtual Console or whatever? The Wario game on Virtual Boy is actually good.
PocketCHIP has been a thing since the inception of the CHIP, at least since the kickstarter. The ONLY news here is that it's getting the PICO-8 software and license preinstalled for no extra charge. That's it.
Anyway, it'd be cool if they and EvilDragon can somehow work together to get CHIP working inside a fully functional OpenPandora case, as the CHIP has relatively similar specs to the 1 GHz Pandora.
@AVahne Seeing as pretty much every person who left a comment above yours hasn't heard of this device before, I'd say it's news to them that it even exists.
There was one point in my life where I was planning on buying another SNES or a mini just so I could take it apart, go to instrucables.com, and build a portable SNES with a custom made handheld housing, but then I realized I no nothing about soldering :/. Needless to say now that SNES games are on the 3ds ID rather support Nintendo by buying games on VC , than getting a 60 cart for a junky homade portable SNES
@Damo
While that's true, it should be noted in the original article that the PocketCHIP device itself isn't exactly new. I'm sure the people who never heard of this thing have never heard of the CHIP either, so it'd be news to them regardless.
I'm sorry if this sounds rude in any way; I've only just woken up.
I'm a sucker for interesting tech, and $50 seems like such a low barrier of entry to be able to fiddle around with programing portably.
Though, it'd be nice if they had a general release window for those who pre-order. It seems like Kickstarter supporters are getting theirs late May/early June, so I wonder if private orders will be shipped around the same time?
Wasn't there something like this last year but it had just two buttons and was the size of a credit card??
@Kirk Couldn't agree more; the 3DS is the perfect platform for the Virtual Boy games.
Looks about as fun as playing on a graphing calculator.
@DTFaux They're saying that backers are getting theirs now, new orders will be June. Still a bit vague but at least it's a window!
I don't like this cheap looking "skeleton on the outside" kind of mini computers. I think it's really ugly and to compare this with the Game Boy or call this a continuation of the idea behind that is a downright insult to a high quality product that this thing can in no way compare itself with.
Also, most of the games on it will be rubbish because they are either glorified tech demo's made by the various users/home brewers, or they will be knock-offs from existing titles.
And handheld consoles shouldn't have keyboards; various attempts from commercial parties have already shown that people want a handheld experience that is simple and straightforward, not something that looks like a mini PC.
I'd love to make some silly games for this thing, but I can't see anything about what language is used. I guess it's either specific for this platform or Python
Virtual Boy games should be released on Nintendo 3DS, you can watch Virtual Boy 3D videos on it and they look good, so it is possible.
This project interested me when it was listed on KickStarter, and I still think it looks really cool. But instead of a dedicated tool of unknown quality I decided to spend some time with SmileBASIC and create/play games directly on my 3DS instead. It's kind of an apples-to-oranges comparison in many ways... but SmileBASIC seemed more convenient and easier to get started with (and it's been available for a while now).
@madelk
From the FAQ:
"What programming languages does CHIP support?
C.H.I.P. is a real computer, and can run software written in all kinds of programming languages, so long as there’s a compiler for them. Python, Java (via JDK8), Ruby, PHP, Squeak, C++, JS, Assembly, BF.. even our favorite, ArnoldC, and lots lots more."
I think it's running a stripped-down version of Linux, so you probably have lots of flexibility. Performance will be an issue to work around, but that's a given with a setup like this.
Preordered mine! Looking forward to trying it out.
@ejamer Man, no idea why I couldn't find that. Thanks!
@madelk
No worries. It was buried pretty deep in the FAQ.
Also worth noting that for the specific application being discussed here (Pico-8) coding is done using Lua - more accurately a subset of Lua, if I understand correctly. You could create other custom applications using just about any language you want, but Pico-8 has some nice built-in advantages that make it easier to experiment with creating and sharing cute little games.
@Kirk Been saying that since the very beginning. Plus, a colorized option would be wonderful, as well...
Now you're playing with power! A tiny little bit of power!
@ejamer I went and ordered one. My mind is swimming with ideas for silly games to make. Kinda makes me want to build a fake "Mario Land maker"
They should have released a 3D classics line on 3DS for Virtual Boy games, at least the 1st party ones. Remaster and add color, sell for $9.99 each. I'd be all over that.
@madelk
Yeah, after looking at it and thinking for a bit I ordered one too.
Doubtful that a "Super Mario Land Maker" is possible with the PICO-8 editing package - the limitations are (probably) just too strict. You could use other programming languages if so inclined though!
I also think that this would be a great project to attempt with SmileBASIC running on 3DS. You could definitely do it with that platform, although you'd want to avoid running into copyright issues if planning to distribute via their sharing network.
@ThanosReXXX
I think the point about the Game Boy was that this is built on technology that is intentionally older to help with the price.
I also think you're missing the point of this if you don't think it should have a keyboard. This is aimed at the maker community. It's for tinkering, not to be a simple game playing device. A keyboard makes it great for tinkering on the go.
I love the idea that all the game can have their assets edited with touch-enabled editors. I haven't looked into it but that's what the video implied. Appeals to the kid geek in me quite a bit. My children, especially my son, might go nuts for this.
The Pinkish one looks cute. But I don't know anything about programming or modding so buying one wouldn't be very fun for me.
@aaronsullivan
So glad to see another person (there are a bunch here) who "get it".
I feel like many people here watched the video - maybe not even -and then made incorrect assumptions that the device is intended for gamers. It's really not, although potential coders will probably find it very appealing.
@aaronsullivan Yeah, you've got a point. I'm already being bashed over that in the other topic about this Franken-device...
But they should have worded it differently then, and not propose that it was in the spirit of the Game Boy or mimicking the lateral thinking of Nintendo, because it simply doesn't.
It both ticked me off and gave me the completely wrong idea about this device and so I made some off-base assumptions. Guess I'm human after all...
And in all honesty, the video didn't really help either, because that also seems to suggest it is a play on the go device instead of a developer's system.
But I guess this is going to be interesting to tinkerers, like you said. Good for them, and I hope that some can grow from there to become the triple A developers of the future, but I just want a normal handheld that I can play games on.
I used to do a little programming in BASIC, back in the MSX and Amiga days, but that is decades ago, so this is not for me and probably also not for most of the other NLifers either, since we only have a handful of developers and programmers on here. And not all of them will be interested in this specific device or Operating System, so it is very niche.
@ThanosReXXX Yup; just one more obvious thing Nintendo missed. If it hit all the things it should have hit as basically a matter of default with the Wii U and 3DS, all the stuff that's generally pretty obvious, I think it would be in a lot better position right about now.
@SuperToe Nice
@A01 ...then again, the Pocket CHIP is actually a generic computer that just happens to be able to play a Pico-8.
This looks awesome, and right up my alley! I wish there was a kit where I could put it together myself, but at least I'd be able to tinker with pre-made games. I may have to get this for summer...
@ThanosReXXX It is basically a mini PC though, so what's your point?
@SaKo My point was that it is my opinion, not to be confused with a fact, that I think it's an ugly thing and that it should not be seen as being in line with the idea behind the Game Boy, as was proposed in one of the articles about this gizmo.
Feel free to read my other comments in this thread and the other one about this "handheld that's not a handheld" and you'll see that it was just me stating my opinion, making some wrongful assumptions and even correcting myself, so really nothing to fuss about, young man.
I know it's a developers platform and that it's not primarily meant for gaming, so I really don't feel like going into that AGAIN. No offense, but I've had more than enough of people trying to "correct" me.
Nothing personal, but I was already done with this topic yesterday.
@davidevoid you're talking about the Arduboy which is a Arduino based OLED monochrome handheld gaming console. This and the CHIP are completely different. Though both encourage the user to code their own games and programs from scratch.
here's the link to the Arduboy: https://www.arduboy.com/
@Gio32k that's the one! They seem like relatives somehow. It will be interesting to see how devices like these change the industry, still curious how they fit in with everything else.
@davidevoid there's also the Gamebuino, which is also Arduino based. It's been around for quite a while. http://gamebuino.com/
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