Uzebox-alike open source console platform

[danboid]

I had great fun building and writing a game for the open source Uzebox games console. Today I got to thinking about what sort of spec and form a Uzebox successor, or at least another fully open source console platform like the Uzebox might have and thats how I've ended up here when I found FabGL.

I see there are a few boards which are capable of running FabGL but most of them don't see to be available any more except for the Lilygo FabGL VGA32. Is there a better board for running FabGL thats currently available to order from the UK?

None of the boards I see listed on https://github.com/fdivitto/FabGL/wiki/Boards seem to be intended for gaming, non of them feature any joystick ports unless you can get a Bluetooth game controller working.

Have you considered creating an open source console and API similar to the Uzebox by creating an affordable board with a couple (or 4) SNES or Playstation style controller sockets (Uzebox and Commander X16 opted for SNES) and creating a simple bootloader/menu system for loading games from TF/SD card? It seems that FabGL already provides most of what is required for a 2D games engine.

Had you heard of the Uzebox before I posted this?

uzebox.org

[mobluse]

There is ESP32-SBC-FabGL in UK https://thepihut.com/products/olimex-esp32-sbc-fabgl and also from the original place: https://www.olimex.com/Products/Retro-Computers/ESP32-SBC-FabGL/open-source-hardware . I don't own one and still only have TTGO VGA32 V1.4 (€15/$15 including shipping).

ESP32-SBC-FabGL can use one Nunchuck (but needs an adapter): https://olimex.wordpress.com/2023/06/27/esp32-sbc-fabgl-update-now-you-can-play-invaders-with-wii-nunchuck-via-the-uext-port/

There is a port splitter that might work with 4 Nunchucks, but I cannot guarantee that:
https://www.olimex.com/Products/Modules/Interface/UEXTx5/

Of course that would need software support that doesn't exist today.

WII NUNCHUCK CONTROLLER WITH UEXT CONNECTOR:
https://www.olimex.com/Products/Modules/Sensors/MOD-WII/MOD-Wii-UEXT-NUNCHUCK/open-source-hardware

Otherwise many PC gamers are happy with just keyboard and mouse, and that works now.