NES game console based on ESP32

Table of Contents generated with DocToc

• Introduction
• new version update
• characteristic
• Precautions
• keymap
• IO mapping
• Example
  • Run Contra game
  • Run routine as ESP32 development board (LittleVGL)
• How to make?
  • Prepare materials
  • Prepare the crust
  • Prototyping PCB
  • Start making
• Download new games
• Picture appreciation

Introduction

An open source game handheld based on ESP32, which can run standard NES (Japanese version is FC) games and supports mono audio. Let you reminisce about your childhood at any time.

The firmware is based on the secondary development project of Espressif Systems and moononournation. Github address: https://github.com/moononournation/esp32-nesemu

(This link is currently invalid. It may be that the author deleted the code himself, but there are other forks of this project on GitHub. Just search for esp32-nesemu on Github)

new version update

【V1.1-200807】

• Different games can now be selected by pressing the D-pad while booting up. Supports up to 5 built-in games. (The firmware needs to be re-programmed. For details on how to download the game, see the chapter "Downloading the Game")

characteristic

• Low cost: Only one ESP32-WROOM-32 module implements all functions without external Flash, SRAM and DAC.
• Easy to make: The RC components are packaged in 0805 and are easy to weld. The tolerance issues of low-end 3D printers have been taken into account when producing the 3D file of the shell, which improves the success rate of shell production.
• Good compatibility: Most NES games tested can run perfectly
• Conveniently download games: Games can be downloaded without recompiling the source code. The built-in ESP32 automatic download circuit eliminates the need for manual reset during downloading.
• Built-in battery: Built-in lithium battery charging circuit and low battery indicator circuit.
• Low power consumption: The 400mAh battery can last for about 3 hours.
• Multi-function: All available IOs of ESP32 are introduced on the board and can be used as an ESP32 development board.
• Three indicator lights: red: low battery; blue: charging; green: battery full.
• [2020/08/07]You can download 5 games at one time

Precautions

• Be sure to turn on the power switch when downloading the game!
• Game ROM size should not exceed 1M
• The default charging current is about 400mA. If you use batteries of different capacities when making your own, please modify the value of R19 according to the datasheet of the TP4056 charging management IC to reset the charging current.

keymap

IO mapping

Example

Run Contra game

Run routine as ESP32 development board (LittleVGL)

How to make?

Prepare materials

The following products need to be purchased on third-party platforms

• Screen: Both of the following are available. Note, choose the 9341 version.
  • (Verified) 2.4-inch tft LCD display ILI9341SPI serial port screen
  • (Not verified, PCB packaging needs to be checked, PCB may need to be modified) Zhongjingyuan 2.4-inch LCD screen 320x240 TFT LCD SPI serial port TFT color LCD screen 9341
• M3*12 screws x4

Other components can be purchased in Lichuang Mall according to the BOM form. The battery link is: lithium battery 700mA.

Prepare the crust

Use a third-party 3D printing service or print the shell yourself. The model file of the shell is in the attachment.

Prototyping PCB

Start making

1. Solder the front components of the PCB (do not solder the screen)

2. Solder the components on the reverse side of the PCB (do not solder the battery)

3. Power the PCB through the red box position, the power supply voltage is 3.3V, and connect the PCB to the computer through USB.

4. Use the serial port assistant software on the computer to check whether the ESP32 outputs the startup Log normally. If not, please recheck whether the component welding is correct (you don’t need to care about the Log content, as long as the log is output normally)

5. Close the serial port assistant and download the "ESP32-FLASH Download Tool-Already Setup.zip" in the attachment.

6. Run the tool

7.Select ESP32 Download Tool

8. Check whether the key settings are consistent with the following pictures (the downloaded tool has already been set, and no changes are required under normal circumstances)

9. Select the correct COM port and click Start to start downloading.

10. Under normal circumstances, the download should start automatically, and the progress bar will start to move, as shown in the figure:

11. If the download does not start automatically for a long time, press and hold the "Download" button, then click "Reset", and then click "START" on the download tool again.

12. If the error is still reported after following step 11, the component may be damaged or the welding is poor. Please recheck the welding.

13. After waiting for the program to download normally, disconnect the USB connection and power supply. The picture below shows the download ends normally.

14. Weld the screen, but do not fix the screen yet.

15. Make sure the power switch is off (the lever is at the top when it is off), and then solder the battery

16. Turn on the power switch. If there is no abnormality, the "TANK" game screen should appear. If the screen is white or the screen is not bright. Please recheck the welding and downloading from the first step after disconnecting the battery.

17. Use a 2.5mm diameter drill bit to expand the screw hole. If you do not have the relevant tools, you can also use self-tapping screws.

18. Tear off the LCD screen protective film (follow your own habits, you don’t have to tear it off if you don’t want to). Use the double-sided tape that comes with the LCD screen or glue it yourself to fix the screen (be sure not to fix it crookedly!), put the PCB into the bottom case, place the buttons, cover the top case, and tighten the screws.

19. Done, let’s start playing~

Download new games

1. Prepare the game ROM file (*.nes)

2. Run the "ESP32-Flash Download Tool-Download Multiple Games" in the attachment

3. Click the button in the red box, select the file type as "All Files" in the pop-up file selection dialog box, and then select the game ROM file you want to download.

4. Turn on the power of the game console (important!!!) , connect the game console to the computer via USB, then select the correct COM port and click START to start downloading

5. After the download is completed, press the "Reset" button of the game console to run the first game by default.

6. Press and hold the direction key without losing it, then turn on the power (press the reset key when it is on), and different games will automatically start according to the direction key pressed. Contrast as follows

Picture appreciation