Introduction
The PiBoy DMG is a kit that transforms a Raspberry Pi Zero, 3B+ or 4 in to a Game Boy inspired handheld. The handheld is the same size as the original but feature a 3.5″ color IPS screen. The system can run a wide range of games from multiple platforms because it can run a variety of emulation suites such as RetroPie and Lakka. 8 buttons and an analog joystick give the handheld the controls to play just about any retro game imaginable. A large internal lithium polymer battery allows for hours of gameplay.
Video
3.5″ IPS screen
The PiBoy DMG features a 3.5″ color IPS screen with a resolution of 640 by 480 pixels.
DPI mode
The interface between the Raspberry Pi and the screen uses what is known as a DPI (Display Parallel Interface) interface. This is a faster interface than the commonly used SPI interface found in other Raspberry Pi based products. DPI allows the PiBoy to reach a full 60 frames per second framerate for games that require it.
HDMI Out
The PiBoy has an optional mini sized HDMI output so that the gaming action can be extended to a TV or monitor. Order an HDMI adapter based on which Pi you plan to install in the PiBoy DMG.
Controls
Figure 1: Overview of the PiBoy DMG.
8 Gameplay Buttons
This iteration of a handheld gaming systems has a total of 8 buttons that can be used for gameplay. There are six buttons on the front of the case and a pair of shoulder buttons on the back.
D Pad
A classic style D Pad can be found on the left-hand side of the system and is the same size as the original.
Joystick
A joystick has been added to the PiBoy DMG for games that require one. The joystick is located below the D pad in the lower left-hand corner of the PiBoy.
Start and Select
As with the original Game Boy there are dedicated Start and Select buttons.
Configurable
All of the buttons on the handheld can be mapped globally or specific to each game. Unhappy with the way the original game played? Make it custom and make it your own!
High Quality Silicone
The D Pad and all 8 buttons are backed by high quality silicone that emulates the feel on the orginal handheld.
Power
Lithium Polymer Battery
The PiBoy is powered by a high capacity Lithium Polymer (LiPO) battery for hours of reliable gameplay. Replacement batteries can be easily found anywhere quality electronics are sold.
Built In Charger
The handheld feature a built-in charger capable of quickly charging the internal battery. To charge the battery simply connect a USB charger to the micro USB port.
Battery Protection
The system features a handful of safety features to protect the battery and the SD card of the Raspberry Pi. When the battery reaches a minimum voltage the system will turn itself off to protect tha battery. When shutting down the handheld will properly shutdown the operating system instead of simply removing power abruptly. This protect against the SD card on the Raspberry Pi from becoming corrupted.
Audio
Speaker
The sound of your favorite classic games can be heard loud and clear from the amplified speaker built in to the PiBoy.
Audio Jack
For times when a speaker isn’t appropriate you can use the 3.5mm audio jack to pipe sound to a pair of headphones.
Volume Control
The PiBoy also has a handy volume control to crank up the audio or lower is to a whisper.
Software and Configuration
Emulator Suite Support
The PiBoy hardware can run both RetroPie and Lakka which feature easy to use interfaces for dozens of emulators allowing you to play games from multiple generations of gaming hardware.
Customizable Controls
The combination of the PiBoy’s 8 buttons and RetroPie’s flexibility allows you to create a custom control scheme for any game you choose.
On Screen Display
The PiBoy DMG features customizable on screen status information for battery capacity, voltage, CPU utilization, current draw and network interface status.
Additional Features
We’ve also added custom settings that allow you to control the power saving features of the hardware. You can choose when to turn off the display and when to shutdown the system to extend your battery life.
Available as Kit
Easy to Assemble
The PiBoy comes as a kit that can be easily assembled by anyone. The only thing you need to provide is a Raspberry Pi 3 and a micro SD card.
Kit Versions
The PiBoy DMG is available is three versions. The base kit contains the case, screen and controls but requires that you purchase the Pi, micro SD card, battery and charger separately. The full kit includes the same parts as the base kit with the inclusion of a battery, fan and charger, you simply provide the Pi and micro SD card. The fully assembled version comes complete with everything needed.
Options
Pi Version in Fully Assembled Kit
When ordering a fully assembled kit you have the option of either the 2GB Pi 4 or the 4GB Pi 4.
Optional Cases
Optional colored cases can be ordered. The available colors are: black, transparent black, transparent purple, crystal clear and yellow.
Figure 2: An optional PiBoy DMG colored case.
