Gameboy Device For PC
01. Bringing Retro Gaming to Modern Systems with a Gameboy-to-PC Interface
This project focuses on bridging the gap between retro gaming and modern computing by creating a Gameboy-like hardware interface powered by the NUC220 microcontroller. The device allows users to insert original Gameboy cartridges and play the games directly on a custom PC application, preserving the nostalgic feel while leveraging today’s processing and display capabilities. Designed for hobbyists, collectors, and retro gaming enthusiasts, this system brings the charm of physical cartridges to the digital world without sacrificing authenticity.
02. Things used in this project
Several core challenges were addressed in this project:
Reading and parsing legacy Gameboy cartridge formats
Ensuring stable USB communication between the device and the PC
Achieving real-time data transfer for uninterrupted gameplay
Supporting various cartridge mappers and memory banks
Creating an intuitive PC-based emulator interface
To overcome these, we utilized the NUC220 ARM Cortex-M0 microcontroller, known for its reliable USB and GPIO handling. Using low-level C programming, we developed firmware capable of identifying cartridge headers, managing memory reads, and streaming game ROM data to the PC in real time. On the software side, a lightweight PC application was created to act as the front-end for gameplay—handling video, input, and save-state management. The result is a plug-and-play retro gaming device that offers high compatibility and low latency.
03. Story
The development began with reverse engineering cartridge pinouts and communication protocols used in classic Gameboy titles. The NUC220 MCU was chosen for its USB interface, efficient power consumption, and ARM architecture, making it suitable for continuous data streaming and device interfacing.
Firmware was written in C, focusing on precise GPIO timing to capture ROM data accurately and emulate the cartridge behavior. Once cartridge reading and ROM extraction were stable, a custom PC application was developed to load and run these games in real time. The app includes features like:
Gamepad or keyboard control mapping
Save/load states
Screen scaling and filters
Cartridge ID and metadata recognition
The final device was designed to be compact, USB-powered, and durable—offering a nostalgic experience to users while preserving the feel of physical cartridges.
