This original video game console has a VFD
VFDs (vacuum fluorescent displays) were common a few decades ago and have a nice, distinct glow that many find attractive. But like Nixie tubes and CRTs, VFDs are obsolete and nearly obsolete at this point. They can't come close to the price or functionality of modern LCD and OLED displays, but they still pack a lot of charm. Simon Boak tapped into that charm when he built this custom video game console featuring a VFD.
This console is 100% custom made and looks fantastic. It has two parts: the screen and the controller. Both have formed sheet metal enclosures and wooden side panels, which enhance the retro aesthetic. Users can run Conway's Game of Life, play a snake game, watch a snow animation, or draw as part of a paint program. If the user wants to keep their art, they can save it to EEPROM for later viewing.
Boak originally planned to build this as a custom 6502 machine and program everything in assembly, but realized that plan was a little too ambitious. Instead, he built this console around an Arduino Nano board. The screen is a Noritake Itron Gu20x8, which can display three different colors on the 20x8 grid of pixels. The controller uses a set of push buttons and there is a piezo buzzer for sound effects.
Although the current selection of games/programs is limited, Boak now has a console for which he can develop as many games as he wants.
VFDs (vacuum fluorescent displays) were common a few decades ago and have a nice, distinct glow that many find attractive. But like Nixie tubes and CRTs, VFDs are obsolete and nearly obsolete at this point. They can't come close to the price or functionality of modern LCD and OLED displays, but they still pack a lot of charm. Simon Boak tapped into that charm when he built this custom video game console featuring a VFD.
This console is 100% custom made and looks fantastic. It has two parts: the screen and the controller. Both have formed sheet metal enclosures and wooden side panels, which enhance the retro aesthetic. Users can run Conway's Game of Life, play a snake game, watch a snow animation, or draw as part of a paint program. If the user wants to keep their art, they can save it to EEPROM for later viewing.
Boak originally planned to build this as a custom 6502 machine and program everything in assembly, but realized that plan was a little too ambitious. Instead, he built this console around an Arduino Nano board. The screen is a Noritake Itron Gu20x8, which can display three different colors on the 20x8 grid of pixels. The controller uses a set of push buttons and there is a piezo buzzer for sound effects.
Although the current selection of games/programs is limited, Boak now has a console for which he can develop as many games as he wants.
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