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Micro Joy Home Video Computer is a hardware-based and free and open source software (FOSS) setup for a DIY retro styled home computer similar to TIC-80.
This home computer must meet the following minimum requirements:
- MCU: RP2040 with MicroPython
- AUDIO: AY-3-8910 compatible Programmable Sound Generator (PSG)
- VIDEO: TMS9918 compatible Video Display Processor (VDP)
- INPUT: Parallel In Serial Out (PISO) Shift Register based gamepad
These components can be upgraded in the future if desired to improve their capabilities. The ideal hardware setup consists of the following components:
- MCU: RP2040 with MicroPython
- AUDIO: AY-3-8910 Programmable Sound Generator (PSG) + Konami SCC emulation with LPC810/812 via SoundCortexLPC + Waytronic WT588D Voice module
- VIDEO: SEGA Master System 315-5124/315-5246 Video Display Processor (VDP)
- INPUT: x2 Parallel In Serial Out (PISO) Shift Register based gamepad + PS/2 Keyboard
To make a retro styled game, the whole process of creation takes place under some technical limitations:
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 256x192 pixel display |
| Color | 16 color palette |
| Input | 2 gamepads / keyboard |
| Sprites | 32 foreground sprites (chosen from 256 8x8 or 64 16x16) (only 4 visible at each scanline) |
| Name table | 40x24 (text mode) or 32x24 characters (graphics mode) (chosen from 256 8x8) |
| Sound | 3 square or noise channels + 5 wavetable channels (using SoundCortex) |
| Code | Python 3.x compatible code for microcontrollers (MicroPython) |
| Memory | 2/4/8/16MB Flash / 264KB of RAM / 16KB of VRAM |