I’ve noticed that ever since Hardkernel launched their ODROID-GO “10th anniversary” portable game console based on ESP32 processor, most of the talk on IRC and social media is about this new toy, and people almost seem to have forgotten about the company’s Arm Linux boards 🙂
But recently, I’ve come across a somewhat similar ESP32 device called WiFiBoy32 that acts as both a portable game console and an IoT development kit.
WiFIBoy32 specifications:
- Wireless module – ESP32-WROOM-32 wireless module with 802.11 b/g/n WiFi and Bluetooth 4.2 LE connectivity
- Display – 2.4″ 240×320 color SPI TFT LCD display
- Expansion – 2x 8-pin through holes with GPIOs, SPI, DAC, I2S,ADC, VP/VN, and power signals (3.3V, Vin, GND)
- Misc
- Top – 6x large gaming buttons, select and start push buttons, buzzer
- Bottom – PROG and RESET buttons, user LED
- USB – 1x micro USB port for power and programming (CP2102)
- Dimensions – 120 x 73 mm
The board can be programmed with the Arduino IDE, MicroPython, or Python Blocky visual programming. You’ll find some Arduino tutorials in English teaching how to create various games, use WiFiBoy32 as a drone controller, and draw photos and fonts on the display, but most information is only available in Chinese from WiFiboy Club website. WiFiBoy32 is partially open source hardware with PDF schematics, and mechanimal design (DXF) files released.
That looks all good, until you actually try to buy WiFiBoy32, as the company only seems to offer it Taiwan, or during events like Maker Faire Tokyo which took place last week-end.
Normal price is 1800 TWD ($59 US) for WifiBoy32, and 1,200 TWD ($39) for their earlier ESP8266 based WiFiBoy model, and if I understand correctly you need to order by private message in the forums.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
Support CNX Software! Donate via cryptocurrencies, become a Patron on Patreon, or purchase goods on Amazon or Aliexpress
But the ODROID GO is more capable and cheaper 😉
If you like esp32 games machines, I watched a set of 4 videos on YouTube by bitluni’s lab, where he makes a esp32 game console to composite TV .
I found the series informative.