Uzebox

The Uzebox is an open- source game console with an absolutely minimalist hardware consisting of an AVR 8 -bit microcontroller ( ATmega644 ) and an RGB -to- NTSC converter AD725 manages. The resulting processing power comparable to a NES console.

History and Background

The project is being developed by the Canadian Alec Bourque since 2007. The goal was to create the simplest possible hardware platform that can be easily copied by hobbyists. In the meantime, there are different hardware versions for different applications and regions.

Features

  • Game console with minimal hardware and at minimal cost
  • Interrupt -driven kernel: Sound and video production running in the background
  • 256-color output via R- 2R network
  • 4 -channel PCM sound engine: 3 wavetable channels and a PCM channel.
  • Optional MIDI input: to compose your own music with a connected MIDI sequencer
  • SNES gamepad: It can be connected Standard-NES/SNES-Gamepads.
  • SNES mouse support
  • SD / MicroSD card slot: load different games from the SD card via Game Loader ( boot loader )
  • Expandable: For your own extensions available I / O ports, UART and an SPI interface.
  • Emulator: For the Uzebox exists a fully -functional emulator for MAC & PC.
  • API: Developers can rely on a well-documented API that supports different video modes.
  • Open Source: Software and hardware are licensed under GPL.

Hardware Specification

  • CPU: ATmega644 microcontroller
  • RAM: 4K
  • Flash memory: 64K
  • Clock: 28.61818 MHz ( overclocked )
  • Color: 256 colors (red: 3 bits, Green: 3 bits, Blue: 2 bits)
  • Video output: NTSC CVBS, S-Video and SCART
  • Sound: 8-bit mono, ~ 15 KHz sample rate, output via PWM
  • Inputs: 2x NES / SNES -compatible gamepads
  • External Storage: SD / MicroSD
  • Options: MIDI - in Interface

Games

There are now over 60 demos and games. Above all, 8 -bit classics such as Arkanoid, Pacman or Tetris were ported on this console. Here is a partial list:

  • Arkanoid
  • B.C. Dash ( Jump & Run)
  • Boulderdash
  • Chuckie Egg
  • Corrida Nebososa (car racing)
  • Donkey Kong
  • Dr. Mario
  • Frogger
  • Lode Runner
  • Maze
  • Megatris ( Tetris )
  • Memory
  • Ninja Beatdown
  • Pac -Man
  • Pengo
  • Pentago
  • Pong
  • Ruby Crush
  • Snakes
  • Sokoban
  • Space Invaders
  • Submarine
  • Tron
  • Uze Feud
  • Uze Snakes
  • Uzesweeper ( Minesweeper )
  • Whack- a-Mole
  • Zombienator

Available kits and ready devices

The first commercial implementation was carried out in 2009 with the now no longer available Fuzebox kit from Adafruit. In 2010, the AVCore followed, consisting of two pre-placed and ready to use printed circuit boards. 2011 published two more kits - the Uzebox DIY kit with AV output and EUzebox DIY Kit with SCART output for the European market. The Uzebox Jamma from the year 2012, the last time being and development represents a Uzebox -compatible plug-in for gaming machines with a so-called JAMMA interface dar.

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