Gamebuino: Make your own Gameboy and 8-bit games

If you’ve ever wanted to create your own game system, but haven’t found the time to research the parts and actually sit down and carry the out actual build, then the new Gamebuino Arduino kit is for you. 

The kit is much like other Arduino kits in that it gives the user everything he/she needs to assemble the actual, physical gaming device. What’s fun, though, is that it also offers the ability to create 8-bit games, coupled with some pretty cool added features, including an SD card slot for easy switching between games, small size (roughly the size of a credit card), and an old school monochrome screen. 

A laser-cut case protects the components when the device is packaged up, and multiplayer capabilities are available vis-à-vis the device’s 12C ports or optional wireless communication module.

There are some modern features to the device, of course. The front lit screen automatically adjusts to ambient light levels, the speaker has four channels, and its battery can last up to 24 hours per charge. There’s a wide range of task commands that can be utilized, ranging from simple to complex, so as to address the needs of hobbyists and DIYers of all levels. For example, a user can launch a program simply by providing Gamebuino with the single command line of “play(tetris)”. A collection of instructions of more complex tasks is also available, so as to allow programmers better versed in this language to go a bit deeper into the program; the Gamebuino website features a section that is specially designed to support users who decide to go this route. 

Gamebuino is not available just yet — the developer behind it, r0d0t has just started an Indiogogo campaign for the device. Luckily for us, though, the campaign’s already doubled his target goal . . . and is actually pretty close to tripling it.

Learn more about Gamebuino in the video below.

To show your support, go to the Indiegogo site, where a pledge of 35 euros will guarantee you your very own Gamebuino device.