[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 ago by mellott124.

Attachments:

1. 

   vb-multiboy-32-final-pcb.png
   

Either way is okay for me.

I’d prefer paying directly to avoid fees but having kickstarter would help with marketing. that way youtubers and news articles might talk about it and increase demand.

(Long time lurker, first time poster)

I echo everyone here that says anything is great! However…

The only concern I have with Kickstarter would be making sure that there’s some kind of upper cap to the funding. That way, you can produce to the exact scale that you want without being flooded with too many orders.

From reading through their docs, Kickstarter also feels more geared towards creative projects as opposed to technology products. Perhaps consider Indiegogo or Crowd Supply instead? I don’t know if their platforms are better or worse, but it looks like Crowd Supply at least has their own warehouse for shipping/fulfillment – I’d gladly pay an extra $5 per unit if you find a vendor that makes this stuff easier for you.

Good luck!

Sorry if I overlooked this or if it’s too early to tell, but will it possibly be getting it’s own box like the Flashboy+ did?

to keep cost down it probably wont but im sure he’d offer it as an option or have a 3rd party make some like UncleTUSK.

I just know I’d like different labels or color variation since I plan to get two of them and will be able to remember which one has which games on them.

I have to admit I’d be willing to sell my flashboy plus off to pay for one of these but I wish there was more firm info but understandably that just can’t happen now.

Sent you an email and never got a response, but I’ll buy one on release!

Hi,

I wanted to give an update since its been awhile. The MultiBoy 32 is still on the list to be worked on. I got sucked into another project much deeper than I was expecting and its been taking all of my spare time. I haven’t ordered the prototypes yet for development. I hope to place the order in the next few months as my other project wraps up. Currently the prototypes are looking like this summer now with ‘production’ units coming months after that.

I am reading this forum, as well as all emails that come in.

Thanks,
Kevin

Direct pay or kickstarter works. This is awesome.

Count me in! I’ve dropped you an email as stated on the first post. However it gets funded I’m in!

I forgot to mention since that last post of mine in mid-April I sold my flashboy off.

I’ll be in for this when it becomes a reality. A great person designing what appears to finally be a great kit for the little 3D device that could before its time.

I’ve just found this page, and sent an email right after reading this. Great project! I’m happy to know that more people is still enjoying this system.

I’d be in for this, but I’d probably prefer having it with a box. I generally collect CIB so I’d like to keep some uniformity on my shelf.

Let me know when the prototypes are done, and I’ll send a paypal to back it.

Also once it’s confirmed working (the prototypes) I’d be up for doing a video for it on my (still rather small) youtube channel and blog.

Im in for a production unit.

I also sign up for one unit to Germany. I would love one for dev-purposes mostly (and checking available games/demos naturally 😉 so I do not mind too much about proper/best cases etc. and early (functional) versions would be fine, too.

Pretty excited for this. Hope it gets off the ground! I also sent off an email and I’m willing to help with whatever, firmware or game selection front end.

Just sent an email 😀
Looking forward to it!

Email sent 😉

Great news !! I am in too ! I emailed you also 🙂

Super excited for this! I think VirtualBoy is my favorite console I own.

Emailed you back in July but figured I would chuck my reply in here as well.