Worklog Jakks Pacific Plug & Play - Consolizer

[trevor403]

The Namco Pac-Man TV Game.

This is something I have been thinking about doing for a couple years now and I think I'm finally going to start the project! This is one of the few undumped ROMs that is not currently playable on MAME. It is a nostalgic cheap TV Plug-n-Play console that I had as a kid. It's pretty unique because it had several Namco classics on it even though it was billed as a Pac-Man game.

The plan:
I have to find the best way to pull the CVBS and convert it to HDMI... I think I will likely use a Retro Scalar 2X (I know sorry about the ali crap)

For input I am going to write my own USB controller that will accept any controller with a button mapping mode. I will likely use the wired Trooper 2 Atari controller most of the time. But I also want to be able to use the 8BitDo adapter.

Extras:
Lastly I have a special extra feature if I have time.

I want the power USB-C port to double as an actual USB device with UVC and CDC endpoints. This way I could take the unit with me on the go and play on my laptop in the browser.

This would require a very simple Composite Webcam device and any old UART converter pipes into the USB Controller. I can likely use the PIO USB on an rp2040 so I can use it as a Host and a Device simultaneously.

Final thoughts:
I was thinking I would make the case as thin as possible in the Z axis and adhere to the shape of the original board but scaled up. Sort of like credit card aspect ratio.

If anybody has input please feel free to share your thoughts and ideas!!

 

[cy]

I know this is a bit of a different animal, but this is reminding me of a 6 in 1 Sega Genesis mini console I had growing up. I always thought it'd be neat to try and make like a portable version of it.

That said, I think the idea of having this console's video feed accessible locally via browser locally is a really neat idea! These older plug & play consoles don't get enough love when it comes to modding. Needless to say, I'm stoked to see you bring this project to life!

 

[trevor403]

console's video feed accessible locally via browser locally

Yeah!! I want to see if I could make a version with a full Linux IC onboard (likely a Milk-V Duo) that uses WHEP with a data channel to make this accessible over WiFi too (maybe using a TS3USB30E for the USB)

 

[trevor403]

Okay a small update on this project.

I have come up with several potential case designs in the past including:
- Small board stackup with pogo pins and shelves in a 3D printed case
- Putting it in a 3D printed soda can sized Arcade cabinet
- Nearly flat wide case

But I think I came up with a good solution for V1

This PiStation case from RetroFlag caught my eye on account of the built-in screen. I love the idea of using this for short Desk gaming sessions between tasks.

It is pretty snazy and actually quite small. You can see from the USB-A ports for scale. It also has a nice push-push power button and a reset button to match the Jakks original Reset button. I will likely not wire up the second USB port.

Anyway after ~20min of trimming I got the inside to a state where there is ample room for all of the components I need to install.

This includes:
- The Arcade board
- An rp2040 for USB-Host
- A second rp2040 for R2R DAC based Composite (used for Controller mapping mode)
- A small analog MUX for the AV pins
- An AV to HDMI converter

I am actually able to fit the RetroScaler-2x which I like because it has better video output quality than the no-name converters. I also have a RetroTrink 2x Mini but I don't want to use that in this project.