retro News - CNX Software - Embedded Systems News

June 3, 2026June 5, 2026 by Debashis Das - 3 Comments

ModRetro M64 – An AMD Artix UltraScale+ FPGA based open-source Nintendo 64-compatible console with original cartridge support

ModRetro has announced the M64, an open-source Nintendo 64-compatible console powered by an AMD Artix UltraScale+ FPGA, designed to play original cartridges using hardware-level emulation instead of software. The M64’s reliance on an AMD Artix FPGA enables accurate and responsive gameplay, and the console supports original game cartridges and controllers, while also adding modern connectivity features such as HDMI, WiFi, Bluetooth, and USB-C. ModRetro M64 specifications: FPGA – AMD Artix UltraScale+ (16nm architecture) Memory – PSRAM Storage – MicroSD card slot (for firmware updates and potential homebrew applications) Media Interfaces – Dedicated Nintendo 64 physical cartridge slot for original retro media preservation and play. Display – HDMI port (upscaling for modern TVs, supporting custom video filters like Scan Line and CRT profiles) Audio – Digital audio output via HDMI Connectivity Bluetooth with advanced “SCI” wireless mode (ModRetro’s own low-latency protocol) Wi-Fi support for firmware upgrade USB – 3x USB-C ports […]

May 25, 2026May 25, 2026 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 2 Comments

CardputerZero – A Raspberry Pi CM0 pocket computer for makers (Crowdfunding)

CardputerZero is a pocket-sized computer based on the Raspberry Pi Compute Module Zero (CM0) and designed for makers with a 46-key matrix keyboard, a 1.9-inch LCD, HDMI video output, Fast Ethernet, three USB ports, a microphone and a speaker for voice interaction, a 14-pin GPIO header, a Grove interface, and an IR transceiver (Rx/Tx). The credit card-sized device comes in two models: CardputerZero Lite and CardputerZero. The latter also adds an 8MP camera, a 6-axis IMU, and a 32GB microSD card preloaded with the software. Both models are powered by a rechargeable 1,500 mAh LiPo battery or directly via a USB-C port. Cardputer Zero specifications: SoM – Raspberry Pi CM0 Lite SoC – Broadcom BCM2710A1 CPU – Quad-core Cortex-A53 processor @ 1.0 GHz GPU – VideoCore IV GPU supporting OpenGL ES 1.1, 2.0 graphics VPU – H.264/MPEG-4 1080p30 video decoding, H.264 1080p30 video encoding System Memory – 512MB LPDDR2 RAM Storage […]

April 14, 2026April 15, 2026 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 15 Comments

PocketTerm35 – A Raspberry Pi 4/5-based handheld Linux terminal with 3.5-inch touch display and built-in keyboard

Waveshare PocketTerm35 is a portable handheld terminal for the Raspberry Pi 4 or 5 single board computers featuring a 3.5-inch touchscreen display and a built-in QWERTY keyboard. The device also features Gigabit Ethernet and USB 3.0/2.0 ports from the Raspberry Pi SBC, gaming buttons, a built-in stereo speaker, a 3.5mm audio jack, a USB Type-C port for power, and an optional 5,000 mAh battery. PocketTerm35 specifications: Compatible SBC – Raspberry Pi 4 Model B and Raspberry Pi 5 MCU – Raspberry Pi RP2040 MCU for keyboard, brightness, and volume Storage – Optional 64GB microSD card with OS Display – 3.5-inch 640 × 480 IPS display with 5-point capacitive touch; toughened glass panel, 6H hardness Audio Built-in 8Ω 2W stereo speaker 3.5mm audio jack Networking – Gigabit Ethernet ports (on Pi 4/5) USB – 2x USB 3.0 ports, 2x USB 2.0 ports (on Pi 4/5) User Input 67 keys QWERTY silicone keyboard […]

March 26, 2026March 26, 2026 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 10 Comments

picoZ80 – A Z80 microprocessor drop-in replacement based on Raspberry Pi RP2350B and ESP32

The picoZ80 board is a drop-in replacement for the Z80 microprocessor based on the Raspberry Pi RP2350B dual-core Cortex-M33 microcontroller and an ESP32 wireless SoC for WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity. My first computer was a ZX81 powered by a Zilog Z80 microprocessor, which was eventually phased out in 2024 after almost 50 years of production. But retro computing enthusiasts keep the platform alive, usually with softcore FPGA implementations such as MiSTer. The picoZ80 is different as it relies on the programmable I/O (PIO) state machines from the RP2350B MCU to reproduce cycle-accurate address, data, and control buses of the Z80 MPU. picoZ80 specifications: MCU – Raspberry Pi RP2350B CPU – Dual-core Arm Cortex-M33 CPU @ up to 150/300 MHz (the two RISC-V cores do not appear to be used by the project) Memory – 520KB SRAM Storage – 8KB OTP flash Package – QFN-80 Memory – 8MB PSRAM Storage 16MB flash […]

February 2, 2026February 2, 2026 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 3 Comments

PicoIDE – An open-source hardware IDE/ATAPI drive emulator for vintage computers (Crowdfunding)

PicoIDE is an open-source hardware IDE/ATAPI drive emulator based on a Raspberry Pi RP2350 board and designed to replace hard drives and CD-ROM drives in vintage computers with microSD card storage. Users don’t need to burn optical discs or deal with old IDE hard drives with bad blocks, and instead, they can simply put their disk images on a microSD card and swap between them as needed. Two versions are offered, namely the PicoIDE Base featuring full IDE/ATAPI emulation in a standard 3.5-inch enclosure with a microSD card slot, and CD audio output, and the PicoIDE Deluxe, adding an ESP32-C3-based front panel with WiFi connectivity, an OLED, and navigation buttons. PicoIDE specifications: MCU – Raspberry Pi RP2350 microcontroller CPU 2x Arm Cortex-M33 cores @ 150 MHz 2x Hazard3 RISC-V cores @ 150 MHz Up to two cores can be used at any time (configured at boot) Memory – 520KB SRAM […]

January 25, 2026January 25, 2026 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 13 Comments

Mecha Comet is an open-source hardware, modular Linux handheld computer (Crowdfunding)

Mecha Comet open-source hardware modular Linux handheld computer can be used as a gaming console, a Linux terminal, an electronic measurement tool, and more, thanks to a 40-pin magnetic expansion connector for modules such as a gamepad, a QWERTY keyboard, a 40-pin GPIO header, and more. The Mecha Comet is powered by an NXP i.MX 8M Plus or i.MX 95 Arm SoC, ships with up to 8GB RAM and 128GB flash, but also supports MicroSD and NVMe storage. It also features a 3.91-inch touchscreen display, a mini HDMI 2.1 port, an 8MP camera, a dual-mic array and a speaker, a 3.5mm audio jack, WiFi 5 and optional 4G LTE/5G cellular connectivity, as well as a few USB-C ports and built-in sensors. Mecha Comet specifications: SoC (one or the other) NXP i.MX8M Plus CPU – Quad-core Arm Cortex-A53 @ up to 1.8 GHz Real-time MCU – Arm Cortex-M7 @ up to […]

November 22, 2025November 22, 2025 by Debashis Das - 8 Comments

Pocket8086 – An handheld x86 retro computer with an XT-class 8086/V30 CPU running DOS 6.22 or Windows 3.0

The Pocket8086 is a handheld retro computer built around classic 8086, 8088, NEC V20, or NEC V30 processors, giving it the performance and behavior of an 8086-class retro computer while still offering the convenience of a compact handheld form factor. Designed for vintage-computing enthusiasts, DOS gamers, and makers, it delivers a handheld retro computing experience suitable for DOS 6.22 as well as Windows 3.0/3.1, effectively packing an XT-class machine into a portable device. The device integrates a 4.77–10 MHz CPU, 768 KB RAM, a replaceable TVGA9000i-based VGA card with 512 KB VRAM, OPL3 (YMF262) audio, a built-in mouse, PS/2 support, VGA output, CH375B-based USB mass-storage (U-disk) support, and a 512 MB CF card for IDE-mode storage. It features an IPS LCD with 4:3 and 16:9 modes (640×480 / 800×480), and includes OSD/SOSD menus for display tuning and system status. A 4,000 mAh lithium battery, open hardware documentation, and expansion options […]

August 27, 2025August 30, 2025 by Debashis Das - No Comments

Adafruit Fruit Jam – An RP2350 mini computer running classic Macintosh

The Adafruit Fruit Jam is a credit card-sized RP2350-powered mini computer that is designed to run classic Macintosh through the uMac emulator. It supports System 2.0 up to System 7.5.5, 720p video via DVI, audio, and USB keyboard and mouse. Built around the Raspberry Pi RP2350 MCU, the Fruit Jam board also features an ESP32-C6 wireless module and offers DVI output via the RP2350’s HSTX interface, USB-C for bootloading, a microSD card slot for storage, and an onboard TLV320DAC3100 I2S audio DAC for stereo headphones and a mono speaker. There’s also a 16-pin GPIO header, NeoPixels LEDs, tactile switches, and STEMMA QT and JST connectors for expansion. These features make this board suitable for retro emulation, educational projects, and lightweight standalone computing. Adafruit Fruit Jam specifications: Microcontroller – Raspberry Pi RP2350B CPU Dual-core Arm Cortex-M33 @ 150 MHz with Arm Trustzone, Secure boot OR Dual-core RISC-V Hazard3 @ 150 MHz […]