Game Guy
A small controller that contains a 0.96 inch OLED display, with a buzzer for sound and two buttons for game control. The microcontroller used will be the seeed Xiao RP 2350 containing games. The device will be powered by a LiPo battery.
Created by
Toki
Tier 4
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Toki
submitted Game Guy for ship review ago
Toki
added to the journal ago
Finished schematic, finished PCB and coding firmware
I went back on what I said in the last entry and decided to go with the RP2350 anyways. To simplify things, I didn't assign a battery footprint or the slide switch. Those will be done physically. One big hurdle was the footprints. I had to scour all throughout the internet to find the footprints I can use. The DIP footprint for the MCU was especially scarce. I found one that had a bit too many holes for my usecase but decided to keep them just in case. I also ran into bunch of errors because I was using an SMD footprint and changed it to a DIP one. The DIP one was missing a few of the pads which I later copy pasted from the SMD one. The routing was quite easy. I used vias and copper filling for grounding. I will be using the Arduino IDE since it's simple and commonly used. I have the menu and one game for now. Will add more later after testing with the physical hardware.
Toki
added to the journal ago
Changed design and components for simplicity
This is my second ever hardware project and I think I was getting a little carried away. I was having trouble with the project and I couldn't visualize how exactly the rechargeable battery thing would work out. So, I decided to use the Attiny85-20PU, which is a common choice for a project like this. It will be powered by a coin cell battery, no charge needed. I will also use external resistors because game code already exists and I don't want to mess around with the code to try and get internal pull up resistors working. I worked on the schematic for a while and assigned some footprints.
Toki
added to the journal ago
Redesigned device and worked on schematic
I redid the design to go for more of a GameBoy style look. I also added an extra button to the device and the keychain will hang off the bottom.
Next, I moved on to the schematic design which took a long long time to do. I also switched from the RP 2040 to the RP 2350 as it has a built in charging module which would make my life much easier. The battery has also changed because a coin cell battery is not enough to power the chip and all the components so an LiPo battery will be used instead. Next step is to make sure the schematic design is all correct and assign footprints.
Toki
added to the journal ago
Sketching and planning the overall design and parts
On a notebook, I wrote down the general purpose and description of the device. I also planned out how the selection and controls would work. I also got an idea to use the device as a keychain if the device doesn't turn out to be too big. I jotted down some potential games that would work well with only two buttons. Lastly, I made a simplified bill of materials/specs list.
Toki
started Game Guy ago
1/3/2026 - Sketching and planning the overall design and parts
On a notebook, I wrote down the general purpose and description of the device. I also planned out how the selection and controls would work. I also got an idea to use the device as a keychain if the device doesn't turn out to be too big. I jotted down some potential games that would work well with only two buttons. Lastly, I made a simplified bill of materials/specs list.
1/11/2026 - Redesigned device and worked on schematic
I redid the design to go for more of a GameBoy style look. I also added an extra button to the device and the keychain will hang off the bottom.
Next, I moved on to the schematic design which took a long long time to do. I also switched from the RP 2040 to the RP 2350 as it has a built in charging module which would make my life much easier. The battery has also changed because a coin cell battery is not enough to power the chip and all the components so an LiPo battery will be used instead. Next step is to make sure the schematic design is all correct and assign footprints.
3/19/2026 - Changed design and components for simplicity
This is my second ever hardware project and I think I was getting a little carried away. I was having trouble with the project and I couldn't visualize how exactly the rechargeable battery thing would work out. So, I decided to use the Attiny85-20PU, which is a common choice for a project like this. It will be powered by a coin cell battery, no charge needed. I will also use external resistors because game code already exists and I don't want to mess around with the code to try and get internal pull up resistors working. I worked on the schematic for a while and assigned some footprints.
3/22/2026 - Finished schematic, finished PCB and coding firmware
I went back on what I said in the last entry and decided to go with the RP2350 anyways. To simplify things, I didn't assign a battery footprint or the slide switch. Those will be done physically. One big hurdle was the footprints. I had to scour all throughout the internet to find the footprints I can use. The DIP footprint for the MCU was especially scarce. I found one that had a bit too many holes for my usecase but decided to keep them just in case. I also ran into bunch of errors because I was using an SMD footprint and changed it to a DIP one. The DIP one was missing a few of the pads which I later copy pasted from the SMD one. The routing was quite easy. I used vias and copper filling for grounding. I will be using the Arduino IDE since it's simple and commonly used. I have the menu and one game for now. Will add more later after testing with the physical hardware.