| Arduboy | |
| Arduboy | |
| Aka: | Bateske Arduboy, Arduboy FX |
| Developer: | Kevin Bates |
| Type: | Handheld video game console |
| Price: | $29 (Arduboy) $54 (Arduboy FX) |
| Media: | Digital distribution |
| Power: | Rechargeable 180mAh battery |
| Cpu: | ATMega32u4 |
| Memory: | 2.5 KB |
| Storage: | 32 KB (Arduboy) |
| Display: | 1.3" 128x64px 1-bit OLED |
| Sound: | Stereo piezo speakers |
| Connectivity: | microUSB |
| Platform: | Arduino |
| Successor: | Arduboy FX |
| Marketing Target: | DIY, education, programming |
| Language: | C, C++ |
The Arduboy is a handheld game console with open source software, based on the Arduino hardware platform.
The original version of the Arduboy was 1.6mm thick, with the height and width of a credit card, and was initially designed by Kevin Bates, an american Arduino enthusiast, as an electronic business card.[1] [2]
In preparation for a consumer version, the developer moved to Shenzhen, China to work on the Arduboy at the HAX accelerator.[3] [4]
Later consumer versions replaced the first version's touch-sensitive panels by physical buttons, and include a protective plastic case, raising the thickness to 5mm.
A non-production smaller formfactor "Arduboy Mini" was demonstrated in 2019.[5] Another non-production system, the "Arduboy Nano" was demonstrated in 2021 with a smaller formfactor than the Arduboy Mini.[6]
A Kickstarter campaign was being planned in 2014.[7] Development was funded through a Kickstarter campaign in 2015.[8] The launch price of the original Arduboy was either $29[9] or $39.[10] [11]
In August 2020, Arduboy announced 'Arduboy FX', an upgraded version that includes a flash memory chip that stores over 250 games on the device itself. This version shipped around 2021 at a price of $54.[12]
As well as the open-source Arduboy itself, a single-game version featuring an officially licensed (non-open) version of Tetris is also available.
The Arduboy is open source.[5]
The compute platform of the Arduboy is based on that of the Arduino. Both the Arduboy and the Arduboy FX use an 8-bit ATMega32u4 microcontroller as the primary processor, RAM, and storage device of the system.[12] The system ships with 2.5 kilobytes of RAM.[13]
The Arduboy has 32 kilobytes of flash storage,[13] as well as 1 kilobyte of EEPROM. The Arduboy FX features additional storage through the use of an official modchip, installed either from the factory or aftermarket.[12] [14]
The system uses an [13] 128x64px 1-bit OLED display.[8] [12]
Audio is handled by stereo Piezoelectric speakers.[9] [13]
The system is powered for about 5-8 hours on a rechargeable thin film lithium polymer battery with a capacity of 180 mAh.[12] [13] [15] The system has a microUSB connector.[9] The console can also be used as a simple controller or input device for other systems.[16]
Casing is made from both aluminum and polycarbonate.[15]