Raspberry64
I’m working on a new little hardware project. A Raspberry Pi 3 in a C64 case. Thanks to the Keyrah2 interface, you can even hook the original keyboard and make it work via USB.
I got the basic setup up and running pretty fast, there’s no magic behind it. The keyboard of the C64 connects to the Keyrah2, which itself connects to the Pi3 via USB.
There are several Linux Distributions out there that either have full emulator support (like the RetroPie) or focus on one vintage computer only and make the emulator boot at start. After trying out some options (I have a full RetroPie emulator already working on another Pi), I decided to setup my own configuration with Ubuntu Mate as a basis.
My ToDo list:
Finish Ubuntu Mate setup with Vice64 configured to start fullscreen
Make the Pollin Display work correct with the Pi3
eventually solder the USB connection to the Keyrah so that it’s not going out the case and back in anymore
Find a good solution to have sound playing from inside the case
Fix all moving parts properly inside the case
Clean the case and the keyboard
Fix the nonworking space bar
Eventually custom paint the case
...deal with tons of annoying problems on the way
So, another nice project that will keep me occupied for quite a while I suppose. Fun times!