I really enjoy the Gamebuino, but it has some issues and limitations. Also I always wanted to create, sell and build something myself, so adekto, I and a few others came together and started creating the microcat game console.
It will have many new functions that the Gamebuino doesn't have:
- Loading and executing binary code from SD without reflashing (we do a Lua based firmware and eventually a C based one that allows loading binaries that are linked to the library stored in flash).
- Wireless capabilites (we have WiFi).
- a faster processor (ARMv7 running at up to 120MHz).
- more external IO (the GB has none, we try to break out as much unused IO as possible - 10 or more pins).
- Better display! (the display of the Gamebuino is the worst display I ever used - we have a color OLED).
- More RAM and storage (we have 128KB RAM and 512 KB Flash though the flash is not holding any games).
- More buttons and more digital controls (we have a soft power button, 4 action buttons, 1 menu button, 4 directional buttons and we control the volume using an amplifier with digital volume control).
- USB 2.0 full speed, host and slave mode (allowing memory sticks, keyboards and game controllers).
- and some more features
BUT:
- the Gamebuino has a great community and good games already. We don't want to bring any people over and we really love rodot's awsome console and both bought one and made games for them.
- our console is significantly more expensive (currently 45 EUR for a bare console and 60 EUR for a full starter kit).
We don't want to annoy anybody, but want to present you our new project and we are open for all feedback
You can track the progress here if you want:
- https://codewalr.us/index.php?board=40.0
- http://microcat.ninja/