ESP32 Gaming Console - Homemade Emulator Less Than 20$

[@ELECTRONOOBS]

DISCLAIMER: After posting the project just realized that using that website for NES games might be considered piracy. I'm not an legal expert but have in mind that using those files might be illegal and you do it at your own risk. Sorry for that!

[@JosephFitts]

You really should consider reposting without that part. Great video overall though!

[@erikburman530]

Thank you for posting the website.

[@tacitus_]

Yeah, UA-cam might penalize you or your sponsor(s) might drop you for advocating for piracy. Consider reuploading.

[@adamfosfi691]

How can I get the custom PCB?

[@jstro-hobbytech]

How optimized is the code? It's still crazy.

[@brandoncarpenter1338]

thanks for doing through all the pain to make this project work and document it, Im working on a project myself currently and relate to the pains of having certain pins that work for buttons and others that don't and after searching all the documentation still being confused. keep up the good work and thanks for making this!

[@SeanLavery]

The ESP32 can use internal resisters, you just have to specify the pin to pullup or pulldown. You don't need to add your own resisters into the button circuit.

[@dol_codm]

5k resisters is ok

[@SeanLavery]

@@dol_codm It's wasteful and redundant. It's OK, but its not needed.

[@riteshpradhan9328]

@@SeanLavery 1st of all on this code ... when pressing right button it also act as button A .. then i tried new code from NCAT there is same issue then i tried to remove the resistor then when i pressed the button it just rest the code

[@minecraftjavaedition1597]

I dont get my TFT Display to Work. Where do i have to Connect the CS Pin? Just to GND? I checked the Internet and IT says that the TFT Display needs 3.3v Input and Not 5v. Did i destroy it with that?

[@riteshpradhan9328]

@@minecraftjavaedition1597 vcc needs to connect on 3.3v and CS pin connects to GNV

[@thevideoman12]

This is so awesome. Thank you for the project.

[@MCsCreations]

Fantastic project indeed! Thanks a bunch, dude!!! 😃
Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@protoTYPElab44]

Nice project. This will be added to my to do list this year.

[@PixelOutlaw]

Looks like it came out pretty good! I would highly suggest you take a d-pad from a Nintendo controller and note the pivot ball on the bottom. If you're going to 3D print your own dpad, that ball prevents more than two directions for being pressed at once and it's quite often forgotten even in commercially made products. 😉

[@soniadelapaz8351]

Yeah great attention to detail

[@ArduinoTex]

As always, your project is on top.

[@MundoYakara]

increíble amigo, tomare inspiración de tu video para hacer una micro consola!!

[@deroskar]

Awesome! Looking forward to get a professional pcb!

[@natsennil6066]

thumbs up and respect for your honesty !

[@u.koenig]

Great stuff -- subscribed :-)

[@ArnovSharma]

pretty awesome project mate

[@AJB2K3]

Thank you for this project.

[@jacksparrow2000]

Battle City, same here. Good work bro!

[@5L4P5T1CK]

Hey mate ! Awesome video as usual ! Very interesting idea & project and fun to watch video. I`d really get in touch with you for a previous version of one of your projects, the DIY hotplate v2. Are you interested in a v3 maybe ? Best regards and keep on with your work !
Just a little hint : those breadboards are great for tiny tests. But be assured - the bigger the circuits get, the more "strange" errors will occur. This is due to poor quality of those breadboards in many cases, as well as unpredictable data lines. If you use I2C or SPI to address additional devices from the microcontroller, those are extremely dependend on very(!) good connections. Even different cable lengths on breadboards can make a difference for high speed I2C.
Thats why I actually work on a way to produces smd quality pcbs at home for prototype iterations (using UV foil PCBs and a msla printer) to be able to produce more predictable "bigger" circuits with several devices (sensors, display and so on) without strange errors.
Also make sure to check different pin capabilities - sometimes interrupt capable pins are initialized differently than non interrupt capable, pure GPIO ones.

[@ELECTRONOOBS]

Thanks for your tips! Yeah I know the breadboards give us errors but they are good for fast prototyping...

[@ub_tv3745]

Great video, thank you!

[@Oshan_Dissanayaka]

Wow!. Great video, Thanks....!!

[@sjacobson42]

I have a student following this tutorial exactly, all the same parts, etc. Was hoping your GITHUB would have the compiled version available to save us the trouble we are having

[@auden_builds]

1. I wonder if you can overclock an esp32 or find a faster variant, the mario game seems to run slow.
2. you should try limit switches for buttons, thatd prolly make presses faster and easier.

[@Idlyresearching]

Hey! I am curious how much you would need to change to turn this into a DIY music player? It seems to have all the basic buttons and features to run Mp3 dual audio

[@kavin2110]

That AV video connection will be super cool

[@iamkian]

NICE. Please add me to the list for the PCB.
Feliz año nuevo!
PS. My dad was also experimenting with a ESP32 and a CAN bus module (and some buttons).
For some reason he could also not get the buttons to work on certain pins.

[@aidansmith1549]

Hi did you replicate his project? I am all finished with the code stuff but when I click compile it says that something is missing but when I go through the files I can see what it says is missing right there I can go more into detail if you need me to please help!

[@jordiburgos]

I would like to see more videos related with the NES emulator in the ESP32. Could this be modified to output the audio and video with RCA connectors? Would be amazing to put the ESP32 inside a real NES case!!

[@aidansmith1549]

Can I use a 5 way breakout joystick for this?? Also how come when I go into the nes file thing to get the games and I go to pac man there is no download files to get pac man?

[@josephgomez9155]

ufff brutal, que gran proyecto

[@justinlangiewicz975]

You need to denounce the buttons through code. Not good at it myself but there are good tutorials. Had the same issue with a radio remote I made for my car. Buttons pit up the small electric feedback and denouncing helps the program ignore this by adding tolerance I believe.

[@100uno100]

Hola!!. Muy buen proyecto @ELECTRONOOBS !!. ¿Se puede hacer con un ST32?

[@DIYRobotGirl]

I am just still trying to figure out if there is way to use those type of screens for displaying arduino ide on a robot. I guess we would still need to have a keyboard or a mouse to it. I tried making smart glasses out of a oled screen while back ago. It didn't work for me. If it can have enough resolution for mario brothers it should be able have the resoulution for arduino ide. Watching this video made me think to go back and look again at that old project. I just think a small pair of smart glasses it don't have to be vr or ar just a simple two dimensional screen would go well with a mobile robot.

[@pantanomonstruodel7453]

hello electronoobs, this setup can be adapted to a arduino shield tft 480*320 with ili9486/9488 ? (using the esp32 dev module)

[@phamtranhoang251]

I really love this tus

[@jstro-hobbytech]

It's still crazy to believe that the esp32 is more powerful than the 6502 and double ppu units that were in the Nintendo haha. I agree, it's a crap shoot when you buy those little screens. I gave up. I use character screens again for fun and they can be used as crude debuggers to know where your code is at haha

[@bencapobianco2045]

Would be cool to have a separate pcb for a controller too maybe Bluetooth? Then you can wire it to a tv and have made your own gaming system.

[@toppeople8120]

can i use any variant of esp32?

[@emo666man122]

very nice respect

[@vadimpoliakovskyi695]

I have found the way how to avoid all the compilation warnings in the original sketch caused by the newer 11 version of C++ applied in Arduino IDE since certain period of time. Now it compiles without any red line!

[@minecraftjavaedition1597]

My Code compiles but i dont get my TFT Display to Work. Do i have to Put Resistors in Front of some of the Pins ? And CS Justs Connect to Ground ? And why did he Put a capacitor between ground and ground?

[@vadimpoliakovskyi695]

@@minecraftjavaedition1597 My display works fine, at least it shows the menu and moving up and down selection arrow. I've connected it as suggested in the initial sketch: DC (5), RST (19), MOSI (or SDA) (23), SCLK (18). I don't have CS pin at my ST7789 240x240 display version. Perhaps it is really needed to be grounded via 100nF capacitor when it is there, I can't say exactly. An author suggests doing so to avoid artifacts on the screen, don't see the reason not to trust him. But if CS pin is present at the display module, then you need to connect it to a free allowed pin at ESP32 module and define it in the sketch in the line #define TFT_CS -1 where you need to replace -1 with actual number of the used pin at ESP32 module.
However, I am still struggling with games launch. When I pick up a game and push 'Select' button sometimes I get a white square on the whole screen when it seems to be loaded correctly, but sometimes it just resets when there is something wrong with rom file size. In this case it shows a wrong size of the file upon uploading starts and it means that uploading will fail in the end. But sometimes uploading is OK, but then I get a white screen anyhow. So still in search of the right way to get it working in full. I suspect that there are many small differences in hardware (ESP32 and SD card modules and displays) which could influent the right operation of the emulator and they have to be found in each case separately, which takes certain time and efforts. But never give up!

[@minecraftjavaedition1597]

I might Destroyed the Display because i powered it with 5V instead of 3.3V, or because i soldered the CS Pin on it because i thougt i need it. When i Order a new Display, should i rather Take a Display with or without the CS Pin? I think without is better, because its easier and also cheaper i think. What do you think? When i get it to Work i May get the Same Problem as you, and if Not in can help you Out.

[@vadimpoliakovskyi695]

@@minecraftjavaedition1597 If you have CS pin at your display module you need to configure it in the sketch, it could be GPIO 4 for example. Of course, less connections are better as soon as it increases the reliability, so the display without CS pin is preferable. Meanwhile, I've got my assembly working almost OK, at least SD card recognized correctly now and roms are loaded with right memory volumes. All the games files are running so far. The thing was that CS pin at SD card module should be grounded and not connected to ESP32 module (GPIO 22 originally). Now experimenting with I2S sound, MP3 player works fine, but still struggling with game sound - it is not there still. Suspect some sound module initialization problem in NES emulator mode.

[@minhnguyentuan8403]

any version of this project but for ILI9341 or with joystick and 4 buttons??

[@technologyanimals]

I just wish the screen was bigger. Holy moly that's small

[@adamfosfi691]

when is the estimated time for a 3D printed case and PCB?

[@ASNoffical]

hello, do you have any suggestions for marketing my products? low-frequency encapsulated transformers?

[@scaredcrew]

I tried everything as you said but code doesnt work. lots of library is missing or outdated.

[@ThePaulLondoner]

Not bad! It's a pity the TFT screen is so small, though. Isn't it possible to get a bigger TFT display of the same resolution which is compatible? Of course, that AV output would be a good alternative. It's a pity you didn't demonstrate this. It seems the NES graphics resolution is 256x240, which is about the same as most 8 bit computers, so people would be used to seeing that on a much larger display anyway.

[@PaulGrayUK]

Was thinking about if this was possible, friend likes old games, Defender his fav and was wondering if could pull that off with just an ESP32.

[@resads8422]

Is only using two gfx and st7789 libraries I get an error code while compiling in SDfat and bluetooth_PS4

[@seanocansey2956]

Awesome video! Do you know if there's a GBC version?

[@realbyte2048]

Pretty sure NCAT is an NES and GBC emulator; you might be able to use .gbc files instead of .nes files for GBC games.

[@shakil_1166]

How I diy adjustable apms and volts Buck converter useing "uc3845" ic

[@bbbbbb4107]

Is it possible to connect a USB NES controller to this?

[@MrMic18650]

Can you create a link for where to get the large bread board plz, I can’t find one.

[@dekipet]

The NesCat INO from a ZIP file you provided on your web page can not compile just as is. There are some issues with the SdFat lib. What exact lib did you use and what version?
Thank you for your awesome work!

[@aidansmith1549]

Hi did you replicate his project? I am all finished with the code stuff but when I click compile it says that something is missing but when I go through the files I can see what it says is missing right there I can go more into detail if you need me to please help!

[@dekipet]

@@aidansmith1549 Nope. Stuck in compiling, and have no time to mess it up further.

[@aidansmith1549]

@@dekipet Dangit I already got all the stuff and got it soldered and the code won’t even work

[@dekipet]

@@aidansmith1549 I believe the lib is updated, so now it won't work as is. It needs a tweak or two. But, it would be nice for the author of this video to say a word or two.

[@itsnd64]

im late af but u need to use the libraries provided in the folder

[@divyaprakashbiswas8781]

Great project. As usual 😊

[@dekipet]

Starting a topic nr4#
It happens very often it doesn't select the game from the list. I can press Select as many times as I want, but nothing happens. Eventually, after some time, after I press the Select button it just starts. Meanwhile, I can scroll through games with no problems. I checked contacts, and everything is good. The HIGH state comes from the button to the ESP32.
In addition, the serial terminal is empty. Nothing is printing. As the ESP32 is stuck at menu level.

[@PY4ROE]

Top top top !!!!!

[@user-tb8mt4gg6g]

Can I use different sizes of displays too?

[@roshanjosephjoseph-ws4bc]

Sir i made this circuit but the display is showing blank ....But in serial monitor it shows the output

[@roshanjosephjoseph-ws4bc]

Plzzz helpe@electonoobs

[@alpha_pixel_]

Small suggestion.. use esp cam module without cam. SD card already attached.

[@mohabossama8084]

is there another way to output the sound because i can't order the i2s module ?
and even i can't find the module here in any e-shops in my country

[@ELECTRONOOBS]

hmm, I don't know...

[@danishbhai5920]

Please make esc for brushed motor upto 200A with low voltage protection (cut off)

[@UHC-xu1gj]

i dont get the button schematics

[@vsdsas]

bro i havent see you for long where have you been

[@jonasrnb7586]

can I output to a CRT?

[@jstro-hobbytech]

Battle city is a port of tanks from the atari

[@Jkauppa]

arrow terasic sockit was 50 bucks, and has all the parts in it

[@bisy2174]

Hi! I don't know if anyone can help me with this but I use the esp32 with 30 pins instead of 38, and it said the SD card can't be initialized. I hope it wasn't the issue so it would be helpful if someone can tell me about this. Thank you.

[@minecraftjavaedition1597]

I also have the 30 Pin Version i think. But my SD Card Reader is functioning ( i can See that it load the Games and i can even start them in the seriell console of Arduino IDE ). But i dont get my TFT Display to Work.
Have you created the NES Folder and Put one two Games on?

[@bisy2174]

@@minecraftjavaedition1597 Yes I did create a NES folder and put 2 NES game files in it but it didn't seems to detect it, and also ur problem kinda opposite of mine, my display is worked and showed the error.
Maybe u can check the wiring again, and if ur display doesn't CS pin, u should change the #define TFT_CS to -1.
I'm not sure if that's the issue but worth to try.

[@sethbaker5827]

Still waiting for the PCB

[@eugeneswanson7508]

Any relatively modern android smartphone can run enulators

[@anonuser2640]

Very nice project (be careful by nintendo)

[@amikayr4897]

Can you make speed checker for mini 4wd ?

[@Bang-qv9pd]

Please make a variable dc power supply controllable from PC

[@dekipet]

Ok, starting a new "topic".
It compiles, but ESP32 lib MUST be 1.0.5 or 1.0.6. SDfat MUST be 1.1.4.
So far, so good.
Next step, download NES games in the NES folder of the SD card.
When powering up, it lists all games, and I can scroll through them, but when I press SELECT on any of them, the game doesn't start.
I am stuck here. Any idea what to try? What to check?

[@minecraftjavaedition1597]

I dont eaven get so far.... I dont get the TFT Display to work. How did you Connect the CS Pin?

[@minecraftjavaedition1597]

When i use SDFat library in the Version 1.1.4 it doesnt compile. When i use Version 1.0.5 it does???
What do i make wrong

[@minecraftjavaedition1597]

I even See ( in the seriell console of the Arduino IDE ) that it load the Games and i can selcet one. I See the Name of the .nes File and that it is currently loading. Then there is the Message that the Rom Download is successed. But i cant get the TFT Display to Work. I once powered it with 5V. Have i destroyed it with that?

[@itsnd64]

@@minecraftjavaedition1597 can u tell me how? im stuck at loading game process

[@minisynthmaniac]

It can run Doom too!

[@replica707]

i think there are some errors in circuit diagram you are not mentioning about sda pin of screen on esp 32

[@aidansmith1549]

Yeah I’m trying to figure out what that is about to

[@legendsnmvsworld5428]

What want to do to get a mobile pcb

[@ajaysrena.g10b91]

Please help me I need this project ...

[@Xavier_Everwhere]

u made that i was waiting for a long time

[@MehmedFrida]

Can we use LCD display instead of OLED ?

[@30svich]

hmmm it depends... if your eyes can see images on lcd, you can use lcd

[@adamfosfi691]

Where is the pcb

[@ajaysrena.g10b91]

Your code doesn't working .

[@codebeat4192]

Nice. In your example (Mario game) it looks like the ESP is running at the wrong (slow clock) speed.

[@realbyte2048]

nah it's running at 240MHz its just that super mario bros is laggy

[@codebeat4192]

@@realbyte2048 Your own experience or just thinking?

[@realbyte2048]

@@codebeat4192 he literally flashed with the 240MHz selected in front of our eyes at 7:22 why don't you use your brain

[@codebeat4192]

@@realbyte2048 Okay, not your own experience, just an argue, assuming. I quess you also never made a video and cannot imagine that the shots you see is taken on another moment in time to show how to do this. Never heard of video montage, editing? Never heard of planning and you forgot something, add it later? In the video it looks a very clean and seamless process because of the editing but in reality it can be totally different. It is possible that he shoot the later footage first and the first footage later. Maybe in this process he made a mistake. A video is not a blue print of the real world. You must use your brain. It is still possible he compiled it and run it at the wrong frequency.

[@deedd4401]

i am somewhat disapointed with esp32 documentation and community .. although it's really active... getting stuff like simple web radio ( playing audio / internet radio stations ) working is pain in the ...

[@rohitchaturvedi2271]

The super Mario is not running at 100% speed. Is esp32 not fast enough for this project ?

[@ELECTRONOOBS]

I realized that. But when you eliminate the audio module the speed goes up so I guess that the ESP is still too slow or maybe the code is not fast enough :(

[@adamfosfi691]

@@ELECTRONOOBS Maybe if PCB was made alongside a 3D model and we eliminate all the wires we maybe able to get higher speed

[@realbyte2048]

@@adamfosfi691 That is not how electronics work.

[@minecraftjavaedition1597]

Nice video!
But i always get Errors when i try to conmpile the code because of the "... .h" Files. Can someone help me?

[@aidansmith1549]

Same here!!!! I keep getting that problem with like a video.h file or something and when I go into the files it says to I can see it right there and open it and everything please tell me if you figured this out

[@minecraftjavaedition1597]

I progressed!
So if the error message comes then you have to first look that ONLY the file name is in the quotation marks (for example: #include "video.h"). Once you have done that, you must then put this file in the folder where the code (.ino) is saved. Now I did that and it works, but now I have a new error message (SDFat...). :(

[@aidansmith1549]

@@minecraftjavaedition1597 thanks and I fixed that problem what I did is I went to the sdfat zip file in the libraries and I installed it and that got rid of the problem but now it has a hard time compiling because of something else

[@minecraftjavaedition1597]

Thank,
I will try to load IT to my Esp32. I already soldered everything together... I will see If it works( when i have time).

[@minecraftjavaedition1597]

I've got it to Upload to the esp32! I unsoldered everything an it worked. I soldered the Display and Sd- Card Reader Back in Place. Now when i give power to the esp, in the seriell consol (in the Arduino IDE) i can See how many Games are loaded to the Sd Card. But now i dont get my TFT Display to work it Just Show black Screen :( . Why did He Put the capacitor between ground and ground??!
What should i Connect to the CS Pin?

[@blackskrull8206]

can u make in costom pcb

[@jstro-hobbytech]

The esp32 wroom32 s3 should be more powerful. They added a floating point block to the new version. That's the worst thing about risc V man. They have to pay for the ip license to tape it out

[@dol_codm]

Why I get this error:arduino: 1.8.12 (windows 10), board: "esp32 dev module, enabled, default 4mb with spiffs (1.2mb app/1.5mb spiffs), 240mhz (wifi/bt), qio, 80mhz, 4mb (32mb), 921600, core 0, core 1, none, disabled" in file included from sketch\bluetooth.h:77, from c:\users\asus\desktop
cat-main
cat-main
cat_esp32
cat_esp32.ino:1463: sketch\btstack/src/btstack_crypto.c:89:10: fatal error: uecc.h: no such file or directory #include "uecc.h" ^~~~~~~~ compilation terminated. exit status 1 error compiling for board esp32 dev module. this report would have more information with "show verbose output during compilation" option enabled in file -> preferences.
Pls help

[@dekipet]

Starting a topic nr3#
I made a custom board. It WORKS!!!!!
What works:
-I can go through the SD card games and choose any.
-I can load any game from the SD card.
-I can start any game.
-Game works
-I have sound
What does not work, or not work as it should:
-At first, when I connect an 8ohm speaker, the ESP32 crashes. So I added a 470uF cap on PVDD of the PAM8403. Module I used for testing and the schematic for it does not require it. BUT, the DS says it is a MUST.
-After adding a cap, my screen flickers when there is a louder sound. So it is a power issue.
-While playing Super Mario I can move left and right, I can jump, but I can not shoot. No button does the shooting.
Any help would be nice. I can move the schematic to GitHub if there are some of you to move on. The game console will have battery management, two speakers, power up/down buttons, etc.

[@LieutenantPhys]

I'm getting many errors, could you send your code and current setup?

[@dekipet]

@@LieutenantPhys The code is the same. I have made a few topics here. Here....
"It compiles, but ESP32 lib MUST be 1.0.5 or 1.0.6. SDfat MUST be 1.1.4."

[@scaredcrew]

@@dekipet can you please help? mine doesnt compile.

[@dekipet]

@@scaredcrew downgrade your libs, and read all the comments.

[@scaredcrew]

@@dekipet downgrade which library to which version? also getting some error with C++ version 11

[@ShahZahid]

fingers crossed that Nintendo wont try to take this video down, they have pretty bad history

[@riteshpradhan9328]

I certainly loved this project i did tried before but didnt work and also sir my code is lost nd now ur console code link didnt open pls pls provide a good place where to find "nescat 1.0” code or whatever version u r using of nescat

[@ELECTRONOOBS]

The code link is on the tutorial page and it will downlaod a .zip file with the code

[@riteshpradhan9328]

@@ELECTRONOOBS thanks a lot earlier it wasnt now sir its works may be just may be my network issues

[@riteshpradhan9328]

M done sir its works so well now just trying to make case for it

[@adamfosfi691]

@@riteshpradhan9328 Let me know once you make the case, thanks!

[@riteshpradhan9328]

@@adamfosfi691 m done

[@amarmanojchouhan3287]

can anyone share the source code ? Thanks!

[@Sebastian_ok.]

Where is the coustom pcb

[@ELECTRONOOBS]

Not ready yet... :/

[@electromagnetepm]

Coilgun please

[@SantaDragon]

Is it legal to download this retro games?

[@ELECTRONOOBS]

I don't know :(

[@narayanbandodker5482]

Not really, but it is more likely for the "distributor" to be caught than you and legality also depends on your local laws. Some allow to have a digital backup for "archive" purpose, given you own the physical copy of it. But if you want to live the seven seas life, go ahead and enjoy :)

[@craftymulligar]

If you want diy it would be a starter.

[@user-fm5fg7yh5h]

Make a plc power line communication device

[@Rohan-su9en]

Wait is this legal ? You cant promote others to use (or use urself) NES game ROMs unless you own them. Isnt this piracy ?
I mean i dont have any hate against electronoobs, in fact i love his content , but i was just shocked to see him promote piracy. (disclaimer not even in description ? come on!).

[@ELECTRONOOBS]

Uff didn't even though of that... It might be... :(

[@MR_NoBoDY469]

Bro I am still waiting for the improved pcb version of this project
BTW Great and cheap project ever👍👍🔥🔥

[@realbyte2048]

Learn English.

[@CoolDudeClem]

It's certainly an interesting project but the speed needs some work. I could tell just by the sound alone that Super Mario was running too slow.

[@gearamihai2782]

2 th yay

[@adrianedwinmaldonadogarcia5835]

pass your code please because the other one doesn't compile

[@aidansmith1549]

Have you got the code to work?

[@thomasvnl]

Channel isn't active anymore as this is illegal and Nintendo is going to haunt you until you've removed every bit of source code...

[@ELECTRONOOBS]

Uff didn't know that :(

[@anonuser2640]

Yes true

[@Xavier_Everwhere]

i didn't care about that, i will make

[@narayanbandodker5482]

@thomasv No this code is just for the Emulator, not the actual game. Emulators afaik are not illegal in any way, as long as @Electronoobs does not also put the Super Mario Bros. ROM with it, in that case it is very illegal. You can however run any emulator you want, be it your PC or a microcontroller with whatever ROM you want, as long as it is distributed standalone

[@Xavier_Everwhere]

@@narayanbandodker5482 yes, its right

[@sammin5764]

🌟🌟🌷🌟🌟