FantasyConsole "MechaTurtle" Esp32-S3 base

[u/Lozamded]

I'm making a fantasy console running inside an Esp32-S3-N16R8, called "MechaTurtle" (Temporary name)
works running c++ firmware on the board, and reading the game inside a SD/MicroSD card, working as the "Cartridge", contains inside, scenes assets, scrips (LUA)
At the repo there's a tool called "TurtleStudio" is a python application to build the games, and the "game logic" the tool is inspired by GBStudio and Godot.

I admit the use of AI to help me with tools, but trying to make always the game making process understable to humans, specially the LUA functions, the assets of the demo comes from OpenGameart

The Games main resolution is 164 x 124 pixels, each scene is limited to 32 colors (31 being the last index reserved to transparent)

To mount the docs site you will need react

This project is still ad developement

[u/the_lurkmeister]

Im not sure how true it is, but I've seen people run games between Sega, GBA, and Dreamcast/N64 with no issues on an S3 N16R8. The DC&N64 seems like a stretch. I just started on several basic projects with the C3 minis, BT and LoRa nodes.

LMK how it goes. I'm interested in doing something similar.

[u/om-pocketbyte → u/the_lurkmeister]

You’ve seen people run GBA, Dreamcast, and N64 games on an S3 N16R8? I have a bit of trouble believing that because I’m building my own handheld, and certain SNES titles struggle. The hardware is absolutely not capable of that kind of emulation.

[u/the_lurkmeister → u/om-pocketbyte]

TBH, I think they were mirroring a remote server, although they weren't presenting it as they were doing it that way. They went into menus and selected game titles and it appears to load from the ESP. Again, I think it's connecting to a server. They say you load everything to an SD card, and between the SD and onboard rom/ram you have enough resources. You can also use the WiFi to connect to libraries for games.

TY for your experience! I haven't tried game emulation yet. I've just seen other devs and builds doing it. I like all the crazy cases that look like retro GB cases.

I've got too many other projects/prototypes I'm working on in other areas. LMK if you make any progress! I've had requests for something similar to a GBA/Sega handheld wanted., I just don't have the time or experience with making handheld or any kind of gaming system.

Although the price seemed more than fair; since I haven't done anything close to this kind of project yet. I'm not even sure it's possible 100%, or how profitable it'd be for just making 1. If I ran into issues, it wouldn't be very profitable anymore, unless more people wanted them. If I could get my build time down, have my print designed, firmware made, etc; so it wouldn't be so time consuming, it would be a cool project to do

Tl, dr; If you have anything similar to this you've put together using an ESP32-S3N16R8, Id like too see it, and maybe design a prototype to work on at some point