[mellott124]

Hi,

I just completed schematic entry and PCB design on a Virtual Boy Multicart design I’m calling MultiBoy 32.
Specs first and then some more discussion.

1. Flash space: 32 slots of 32Mbit RAM via a 1Gbit Flash.
2. RAM space: 256k x 16 SRAM space (8k x 16 per slot) using MRAM (no battery needed).
3. Full 16bit SRAM bus instead of the production 8bit width.
4. On board 32bit microcontroller (MCU) for programming slots.
5. USB input for interfacing and control.
6. Games loaded via SD card slot.
7. On screen game selection themed around my 8bit VB character Do-Do.
8. Arduino compatible MCU (custom firmware development if you’re so inclined).

MultiBoy name for obvious reasons. Several reasons for the 32 number. There will be 32 slots of 32Mbit for a total of 1Gbit Flash (ROM) space. Also 256k x 16 of SRAM space which is divided among the 32 slots to give 8k x 16 (close to the production cart SRAM space of 8k x 8 but wider bus width). The microcontroller on board is also 32bit (cheaper than comparable 8 bit, faster to program slots, built in USB). I’ll probably run the MCU at 32MHz just for fun.

I have a stretch goal of using the USB port as a built in USB link cable as well. Hardware hooks are in place. Firmware should work but some details will need testing.

The reason I’m announcing now is because the board is dense, and with several BGAs, there will be NO hand assembling of these units. I will have to get this assembled by my PCB house and that means knowing up front how many to order.

So if you think this is something you’re interested in, then please let me know. Only collecting an email list for now. Please email me at mellottsvrpage@gmail.com . How many get ordered will affect the pricing. Can’t commit to a price at the moment but based on my experience with VB projects and the current BOM cost, think ~$150. More details to follow.

Timeline, we’re probably looking around 4-5 months from now. I also need the on-screen code for the title selection (volunteers?). Even 5 months might be aggressive if ducks don’t all line up. Think summer release. I will do a small 25 unit prototype run initially before doing the full hopefully ~100 unit production batch. Next steps are to get fabrication and assembly quotes.

Background on myself since not everyone may be familiar with me. I’ve been an R&D Electrical Engineer for the last 10 years. An electrical technician for 7 years before that. I’ve designed and/or built quite a few VB related projects in the last 3-4 years including: VB link cable, USB link cable, VB cart programmer, SNES to VB adapters, VB controller to PC adapters, first VB 128/256Mbit reprogrammable cart, 16Mbit reprogrammable cart, and others. Professionally I do system and electrical design for very high end head mounted displays and other AR/VR related gear. I’ve been designing and building VR related projects for over 20 years. I’ve maintained and updated http://www.mellottsvrpage.com with VR projects and reviews I’ve done since 1998.

So there it is. Lets see what the reaction is and if we can finally get a VB multicart built for the VB.

Thanks,
Kevin

• This topic was modified 5 years, 8 months ago by mellott124.

Attachments:

1. 

   vb-multiboy-32-final-pcb.png
   

I’m in. Super excited and perfect timing for me. I’ve recently been in the market for a solder fixed VB & lurking around here :>

Wow this came out the blue, thanks for this. I have emailed you and posted on my VB FB group as well.

This is fantastic news.
Have emailed you Kevin.
Great work!

Awesome news. I’m interested, email sent!

I am also interested and I sent you an email!

Excited for this! 🙂
Email sent!

Fantastic work!Thank you!I’m interested.E-mail send.

Very good news! Mailed you earlier today.

So excited.

I emailed as well, and also asked for clarification about what he means by the USB link support being a “stretch goal”, as well as what kind of cabling we’d need (Micro-B to Micro-B? Micro-B to A and a hub?), whether we’d be able to use a hub for >2 players, and if there are any port strain concerns having the MicroUSB port mounted horizontally. (Micro-B is notoriously fragile compared to Mini-B.)

There’s been more than enough interest to move this forward. Very excited to get these in peoples hands. Like I mentioned, I’ll be doing a small pilot/prototype run first, and then the bulk assembly. Working out details now. I’ll reply to individual questions this weekend, as well as email out confirmations that I have received your emails. Until then another teaser image below. Thanks!

Attachments:

1. 

   3f364c5b-a87c-4565-b091-687fa993166e.jpeg
   

I won’t email you about it at this time as I can not give some concrete promise as I just got a flashboy plus. If and when this is nearing release I see I have funds and that more things develop they would well utilize all that era speed and feature set I would be a player after ditching what I have. Right now that works as it keeps me from getting crazy hopping all over those files.

[JoePassive]

I have 3 questions:

1.Can It load Any ROM? which means Hyper Fighting is playable.
2.Can It save?
3.Do I need to convert it to 2mb like with the Flashboy?

email sent though, i need it asap.

• This reply was modified 5 years, 9 months ago by JoePassive.

You’re going to be waiting awhile, and you know if you combed through all his comments around so far you’d have those answers.

1) In theory yes, it would have the room including that game
2) Yes
3) No padding needed

VmprHntrD schrieb:
You’re going to be waiting awhile, and you know if you combed through all his comments around so far you’d have those answers.

1) In theory yes, it would have the room including that game
2) Yes
3) No padding needed

Where’s the info coming from that padding is not needed? AFAIK this cart basically has Kevin’s Cart Programmer build-in, which does not support automatic padding yet in the latest firmware.

I want one of these! I already have the Flash Boy Prus, but another cart which allows me to store more than one rom is amazingsauce! Don’t have any money until end of month tho! I sent an email!

Email sent 🙂 Hope u have it, i want one 😀

Very exciting. Email sent.

Very interested! email sent! you’re a genius!

Mail sent as well!

mail sent!!