What would your videogame console/handheld look like?

[dante]

What would you make if you were in charge of making a video game console/handheld?

You could release this hypothetical device in the past, present, or future.


For a modern handheld I'd nickname mine 'Curses'; after the screen handling library by Ken Arnold.

Attributes:
- Text mode only (80x24), but has color for ANSI.
- No sound.
- Built in keyboard.  Micro-USB/Bluetooth to use your own.
- Runs things like Roguelikes (ie: NetHack), Dwarf Fortress, Netris, Zork, etc...
- Extremely energy efficient.  The goal would be to let it be left on for over a month.
- Composite output should you want it on a CRT. The screen would then shut off for additional energy savings.
- Networkable so you can copy files over, play multiuser games (mAngband?), SSH remote into servers.
- Would have a solar panel accessory that would it allow it to run completely off basic lighting.
- Utilities are included to view ANSI art and run Interactive Fiction files.

Audience?
- For those who love text based games.
- Those unwilling to let go of the past.
- Folks in countries that don't have reliable power.
- And preppers. 

[davkol]

Sounds a bit like banana oat, ahem, Ben Nanonote.

[dante]

Sounds a bit like banana oat, ahem, Ben Nanonote.

I just checked out that device; yes similiar!  I changed my specs above to add a built in keyboard.  A micro USB/bluetooth interface would be available to use your own board.

The Ben Nanonote contains high resolution graphics which add to complexity and energy consumption.  It also has no networking capabilities and very little data storage.

[davkol]

It supports networking over USB and there's a microSD slot (which, I believe, could be used to host a WiFi card).

[dante]

It supports networking over USB and there's a microSD slot (which, I believe, could be used to host a WiFi card).

I stand corrected.  Still it would need wifi for access to free internet.

[davkol]

Then you're getting close to OpenPandora or (more recently) Dragonbox Pyra.

[demik]

It would fit in my hands

[beehatch]

It would fit in my small feminine hands

FTFY

[demik]

It would fit in my small feminine hands

FTFY

I've yet to hear a complaint

[beehatch]

It would fit in my small feminine hands

FTFY

I've yet to hear a complaint

I think we all know guys don't complain over handjobs.

[demik]

It would fit in my small feminine hands

FTFY

I've yet to hear a complaint

I think we all know guys don't complain over handjobs.

At least one of us has a good track record.

[tp4tissue]

Ok, mine would look as follows.

It would be a standard size desktop.

Completely NONE mobile.

No wireless capabilities what-so-ever.

++ ERGODOX

Wired mice.

6700k overclocked to 4.8ghz.



Yup, that's what my handheld would look like.

And NO, i don't want to take it anywhere.

[GuilleAcoustic]

Very interesting ! I recently bought an Odroid-W, which uses the same SOC than the Raspberry Pi A+/B+. The differences are:

• 2x 12 bits ADC connectors
• RTC clock
• LiPo battery header
• Battery "fuel" gauge
• eMMC connector
• half the size of the Raspberry

Planning to use it to build a retrogaming handheld console.