• Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!

Arduboy Gets a Kickstarter: Credit Card Sized Handheld

So how/why exactly is there a company and manufacturing plant somewhere actually devoting capacity, raw materials, and manpower to components weaker than a 1989 Gameboy? This doesn't seem like something that should exist in 2015, at some point it has to become a waste resources.
 
Reallink said:
So how/why exactly is there a company and manufacturing plant somewhere actually devoting capacity, raw materials, and manpower to components weaker than a 1989 Gameboy? This doesn't seem like something that should exist in 2015, at some point it has to become a waste resources.
Click to expand...

Ummm... maybe because they had a Kickstarter and made their goal 17 times over?

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/903888394/arduboy-card-sized-gaming/description

If you're comparing this to everything else on the market, then you're completely missing the point of this device. It's a very cheap hobbyist device and it looks like it'll be a lot of fun. Don't worry, no one's going to come take away your modern consoles... not even from your cold dead hands.
 
I ordered my dev kit the other day. Looking forward to testing it out. Will attempt to get a simple Tower Defense action going!
 
Tempy said:
It reminds me a little of the Pokemon Mini:



Which was a cute little device. (People have made homebrew for it and even a backlit screen mod)

4522007870_6b32196958_o.jpg
Click to expand...

holy crap these all look awesome
 
NoFaceNico said:
Ummm... maybe because they had a Kickstarter and made their goal 17 times over?

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/903888394/arduboy-card-sized-gaming/description

If you're comparing this to everything else on the market, then you're completely missing the point of this device. It's a very cheap hobbyist device and it looks like it'll be a lot of fun. Don't worry, no one's going to come take away your modern consoles... not even from your cold dead hands.
Click to expand...

I was actually referring to the companies producing the CPU, memory, and screen, not the guys putting it all together. Just from the labor, raw materials, and assembly capacity, you would think we'd be long past the point it's actually cost effective to produce stuff with that level of performance.
 
Reallink said:
I was actually referring to the companies producing the CPU, memory, and screen, not the guys putting it all together. Just from the labor, raw materials, and assembly capacity, you would think we'd be long past the point it's actually cost effective to produce stuff with that level of performance.
Click to expand...
Buddy, welcome to the embedded world.

Now excuse me, I'm gonna get some 386 DXs off Digikey.
 
I got mine too! Make sure to upgrade to the new Araknoid game because the one they shipped it with is a buggy old version apparently.

And because I had to look everywhere to find it, it uses a CR2016 battery. To everyone else- don't worry of course the final product has a rechargeable battery.
 
Thanks for letting me know the type! I ordered a CR2032. Just cancelled it and re-ordered CR2016. Luckily it also is powered when connected via USB too.
 
Kinda wish I had gone for 2 or more units. No experience programming arduino stuff, but I'm sure it'll be fun to tinker with.
 
Unfortunately, some of my info is now out of date, while I was uploading it an update was sent with a notice that there's going to be a delay in deliveries. But that update came with some good news too!

tutorial.png


Oh man, I really want to create a game for this thing. If other people feel the same way this could turn into a really vibrant community!
 
outunderthestars said:
In for one! Any update on when the KS backer units will start shipping?
Click to expand...

The same day I made that video they announced a delay so they're going to ship in January/February. So I guess the production line just keeps running and the new pre-orders go out right after backers get theirs.

Today they also announced another version of the Arduboy going on sale in the Spring of 2016 as well. This one has a more GBA style and a vertical screen. It comes with an official licensed version of Tetris.

TetrisMicroCard-Gameplay.gif


https://www.arduboy.com/store/products/tetris-microcard

To be honest, I'm not feelin' it. I like the GameBoy look of the standard Arduboy much more. But if people start creating some decent vertical scrolling shoot em' ups, that might change my mind.
 
NoFaceNico said:
The same day I made that video they announced a delay so they're going to ship in January/February. So I guess the production line just keeps running and the new pre-orders go out right after backers get theirs.

Today they also announced another version of the Arduboy going on sale in the Spring of 2016 as well. This one has a more GBA style and a vertical screen. It comes with an official licensed version of Tetris.

TetrisMicroCard-Gameplay.gif


https://www.arduboy.com/store/products/tetris-microcard

To be honest, I'm not feelin' it. I like the GameBoy look of the standard Arduboy much more. But if people start creating some decent vertical scrolling shoot em' ups, that might change my mind.
Click to expand...

ditto. That said, I am sure I will end up with both....
 
I'm excited to get my hands on mine.

That Tetris thing being $10 more is strange. Does it really cost that much for the Tetris License?
 
krae_man said:
I got an email asking to make sure my address is still correct and my Arduboy will ship on the 15th!
Click to expand...

same. totally forgot I backed this thing till I just saw this thread on the front page.
I have no idea what I'm planning on doing with the actual device. I think the pitch video just really sold me.
 
jaxapollo said:
Do want.

Also, why isn't there a wallet sized MFi controller yet?
Click to expand...

I think making a controller that thin would destroy the playability of it. The buttons wouldn't have a lot of feel because the membrane/microswitch would be so small.

But there are some similar products that fit on a keychain and work well. I have the iMpulse and it works great. I think there's also a Chinese copy but it uses an analog nub instead of a d-pad.

Back on topic though, I'm glad to see orders are close to going out!
 
I got it in original GameBoy colors. White with red buttons and black d-pad. It looks really good, feels nice with good quality too!

Make sure to check out my quick start guide I made for the early dev kits if you need help setting your up!
 
dallow_bg said:
Your video was helpful, thanks!
However I think I just killed the unit while swapping games. :(
Doesn't seem to wake up anymore.

Pics of my Arduboy:
Click to expand...


Ran across this over on their community forums. It was posted by Kevin the creator in response to another bricked Arduboy. Hopefully it helps.
To recover an arduboy that won't auto-reset and program, you'll need to use the reset button. The reset button is located at the bottom of the device to the left of the usb connector. You'll need a paperclip to activate it.

Prepare a known working software within the Arduino software, like hello world or some other example. Press the reset button on the arduboy and it will reset into bootloader mode, giving you about 6 seconds to press the upload button on Arduino. This is a little bit of an art because of the timing involved. You will want to compile the code once before pressing upload, because otherwise the delay of the code compiling will miss your reset window.
Click to expand...


Super interested in getting one of these to mess around with programming on. With great limits comes great creativity!
 
levelplane said:
Ran across this over on their community forums. It was posted by Kevin the creator in response to another bricked Arduboy. Hopefully it helps.

Super interested in getting one of these to mess around with programming on. With great limits comes great creativity!
Click to expand...

It did actually, he posted a video today showing how it's done, and it worked. Thanks!

NoFaceNico said:
That looks great!!! I wish I had thought of getting the gold back with yellow face.
Click to expand...

I kinda want more now with different colors. haha
 
dallow_bg said:
I kinda want more now with different colors. haha
Click to expand...

Same here, I know this gold back was a KS exclusive but wonder if they'll ever offer it later.

I wish I had thought of doing this- a gold back with red PCB and black buttons would be a great tribute to the original Famicom!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Gaming Credit Cards
27
288
Susurrus replied
Hideo Kojima announces the Hideo Kojima Credit Card
2
89
2K
EviLore replied
Should Sony release their handheld PS6 as a “PS6” at all?
2 3 4
153
962
vaibhavpisal replied
Panther Lake handheld PC will cost you ALOT
24
420
Shogmaster replied
RPCS3: Improving the Handheld Experience
Trailer Platform 
1
166
StereoVsn replied
Top Bottom