Arcade consoles are great nostalgic fun, but their immense size makes it unrealistic for most people to personally own one -- unless the tech wizards at Adafruit get involved. Using a Raspberry Pi Zero computer and some technological know-how, Phillip Burgess built the world's smallest Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator, or MAME.
The tiny MAME from Adafruit is fully playable and hosts classic games like Pac-Man and Donkey Kong. Though its screen is just 0.96 inches from corner to corner, it is a high-definition RGB OLED display that can play arcade games in their original colors. Not to sacrifice the glorious 8-bit sound that accompanied classic arcade games, the miniature machine somehow manages to squeeze in an audio amplifier as well.
Though the machine is not for sale on the Adafruit site, the company gives a moderate overview of how to build it for oneself.
Tiny Arcade Consoles
Adafruit Built the World's Smallest Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator
Trend Themes
1. Tiny Arcade Machines - Building playful, tabletop-sized arcade machines using Raspberry Pi Zero computers presents opportunities for compact and portable gaming devices.
2. Smaller Gaming Consoles - Developing smaller gaming consoles that can run classic games could attract customers who want a nostalgic gaming experience on the go.
3. DIY Gaming Kits - Providing instructions and materials for DIY gaming kits like the tiny MAME from Adafruit could tap into the gaming audience that enjoys building and tinkering with technology.
Industry Implications
1. Gaming - Developing tabletop-sized games that use modern and retro technology could be a way for gaming companies to appeal to a broader audience.
2. DIY Electronics - Providing instructions and kits for building small, complex electronics like the tiny MAME from Adafruit could spark a trend in DIY electronics kits.
3. Maker Community - Collaborating with the maker community to create and sell DIY electronics kits and tabletop-sized games could create new opportunities in the hobbyist market.