FPGBC - FunnyPlaying's All-New FPGA Handheld is a Dream Come True
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ก.พ. 2024
- FunnyPlaying recently released a kit that allows you to build a fully working handheld console, containing no Nintendo hardware, that plays original Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges.
I got my hands on the latest HW 1.11 version of this kit last week.
Is it any good? Watch and find out.
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Great video, very thorough and answered all my questions about the FPGA. You've got me considering picking one of these up now haha. Excited for your tray! Looks great!
Thanks Ally! Wasn't sure if it was too long but I'm glad you enjoyed it being in depth 😊
Oh good, I ordered mine a couple days ago and thought I was gonna have to find a way to get rid of their boot up logo myself. Thanks for all the troubleshooting tips too.
Well there are a lot of videos out there that go through the process smoothly. If I've experienced setbacks I always like sharing those too because it's interesting to hear who else has similar issues!
This is really interesting! Thanks for showing it off as always, Joe!
I also LOVE the little Game Boy rest you built, I'd definitely buy them if you sell them!
Thank you on both counts! It was fun testing out the build tray 😊
@@JoeBleepsthat looks useful. I just lay mine down on a microfiber cloth but that looks like a much better option
@@ChewyChicken589 thanks! I was just getting annoyed with the buttons not being seated neatly
Awesome video Joe, ordered!
Excellent! You're going to love it.
This looks amazing!!! 4x modded gameboys in and even then it’s soooo tempting!!! 😂 fab review - ta!
I'm wayyyy beyond 4 and I still love it 😜
I'm definitely grabbing one of these. Can't wait til they make an FPGBA now!
It's a great console. A GBA version would be so good especially if it retains GB and GBC compatibility
I got mine a few days back. It was a super easy build and very satisfying to do. Really recommend the kit.
I think the balance is just right. Easy enough to do, but feels like a good accomplishment when it's finished
@@JoeBleeps exactly. Its a really accessible way to begin your journey into this kind of hobby.
Super cool innovation in GB tech, and fantastic review. I hope they do a GBA version eventually.
Thank you for the kind words. I hope they do a GBA too!
I had the same experience on updating. Downloading the raw worked for me as well.
Scary when it all goes blank isn't it?
Defijitely ordering one, great product
Thank you for watching!
very interesting device! and great video! :)
Thank you!
You earned a new sub!
Thank you so much!
Love this product, I do wonder if the other screen is compatible though, I love the gameboy color motif on the other IPS display they do.
I don't think so but I'd love to be proven wrong. If they end up doing this kit with an OLED screen it would be amazing.
great video!!! earned a sub :)
Thank you!
The GBC_Colorfix setting is for when you're playing a GB game using the GBC color palette. Games like Donkey Kong and Super Mario Land 2 will have weirdly thick sprites when that setting is off. Turn it on to simulate certain aspects of the original reflective screen to make the sprites look correct.
If you turn the setting on when you're place a GBC game, it will screw up the palette and you'll see the problems like you saw on Tetris DX. (Which is ironic as the original Tetris GB definitely needs the setting on.)
What I generally do is I save with the setting off, then flip the setting on when I'm playing a GB game without saving the setting. That way I can just take care of it when I start the game and not worry about it.
Just got to the part where you tried Tetris GB. Trust me, you'll need that GBC_Colorfix once you get to the actual game screen.
Great detailed knowledge, thank you. Makes perfect sense
I was looking at this, unsure if I wanted to go for it. I think this video convinced me to do it. I am kind of scared to start soldering so I wanteds to try something like this before I went full in. I do have a soldering kit on the way though so eventually I'll mod my original dandelion gbc.
That's exactly what's great about this kit. It's a nice introduction to the hobby for someone new to it, at the same time as being a satisfying build for someone more experienced.
I want a gameboy pocket form factor. The pocket was my first gameboy and I would love a color version with that form factor
I think with the current craze of PoCo mods )have you seen those?) I wouldn't be at all surprised if that's what FunnyPlaying do next. They kind of attempted it already but there were issues with the quality, but after this one I'd say hopefully a few lessons learned. Either way I'm excited to see what comes next
This is great - thanks, Joe. It really helps to make the decision to pick one up; the full screen looks great, I agree.
Wondering - is it as I expect, charge with a standard power/USB A to C or does the charging circuit allow for C to C?
(I don't mean 'fast charging', just will it negotiate and charge, or is it not happy).
Cheers for the vid! 🤘
Yes it will. I just tried plugging it into my phone's fast charger with USB-C to USB-C and it charged with no problems. Thanks for watching!
@@JoeBleeps good stuff! 🤘
I also have it and this is a great product.
And i had the exact same issue with the firmware update 😂
I highly recommend it.
Display is fantastic, sound is great (but minimum sound level is still too high I think), and it's highly compatible.
Compared to a modded original gbc, this is a way better solution.
I agree with you on all points. Apparently the minimum volume thing is their way to hide the noise from the speaker at low volumes. Seems like it may be addressed by future updates. I'm glad I'm not the only one who suffered with the updating but I'm sorry you had that. Hopefully you got it sorted okay!
My only, and I mean only complaint is the size of the screen and how it bleeds into the body of the console if you have translucent shell. My guess is they change the screen size in the future. Mine is in the mail and I got an opaque black case just because of that issue. Other than that this is perfect as I can play my small GB library without adding wear and tear to original consoles.
Very cool! Can this be used with other cores like lynx, game gear, etc?
No, just game boy and game boy color (for now at least)
I've used their screens before, and I'm actually on the verge of putting another one together, so I think I'll just grab this
Oh the screen on this is the best one of theirs yet. It's awesome.
You should consider making a video specifically about the black screen update scare. I had that and am so relieved I found this video.
That's a good point! It definitely scared me. I did the update to 1.08 today and even then it went to a blank screen with no restart. But after I switched it off it booted up to 1.08 no problem, thankfully!
I can’t for the life of me get 1.08 to take. It always ends up black, even when I turn off and on.
@@JesekVaughnan it went black for me, but then when I turned it back on it was updated.i had a couple of goes. Did you download the raw version of the file?
Nice! Does the link cable work for example if you want to trade Pokemon with another GameBoy? Thanks
Haven't tried yet! Will give it a go
Just tested using the official Nintendo link cable on 2-player Tetris and it works great
Great video! Got an FPGBC myself too and it's truly amazing. But LSDJ works only fine in GBC mode, in GB mode my tracks sound garbled. Have you tried GB mode?
Ahhh I knew there was something I forgot to mention. Yes you're absolutely right. I tried it in GB mode first and I was gutted it was sounding so bad. Then in GBC mode it was awesome and I never looked back. Forgot until you mentioned it there. Thanks for watching!
@@JoeBleeps soundwise it would probably not make much of difference anyway, so let's enjoy the colors ;)
@@pedesen absolutely! Looks great
Couldn't help but notice there's a second speaker connector there... So it's stereo-speakers capable?? Would love to see a modded build like that.
Yeah, I assumed it was to give you the option of soldering a speaker on if you didn't have the upgraded speaker. Your theory is more exciting though.
Is there any soldering involved with the FPGA kit? I am interested in getting an FPGA video game kit.
No soldering at all. Speaker and battery plug into pre installed sockets
Would love one of these but I’m
Hoping they do a revision with a built in flash cart and sd card
I'm torn about that. I have loads of consoles that play roms but I love that this plays my original cartridges
@@JoeBleepsI too would welcome the addition of some sort of internal sd card support as well as being able to play physical carts as well.
What Flash Card do you recommend concerning Game Boy Color games? Sorry for the question but my EZ Flash Jr does not have compatibility with 90% of the games. Is there anything i could do for that issue? 1.08 FW is installed btw
I heard ez flash isn't great with this one. I have everdrive which is okay, there's another cheap one that's meant to be good but I haven't tried it
@@JoeBleeps thank you so much
Crazy good value considering what modding one would cost.
Very nice.
I agree! And new parts means reliability is less of a risk
16:07 you can 100% notice the wonky scaling on full mode. Just look at the squares within squares on the tetronimos.
I think my shaky hands and wonky focus are more of an issue there! I know the 4x integer scaling is better but the full screen is better for me with the size
if theres a way to add other cores and maybe gba compatability you can really make a good analogue pocket alternative right there
Not yet at least. There's only two face buttons and no triggers but I love it for that
@@JoeBleepsmaybe on a future revision have the options to solder some shoulder pads? but at that point why not make an fpga gba motherboard. maybe a future idea if this makes some money
@@smeqwack7337 yes, I love this as it is. Would very much like to have neo geo pocket colour playable on it though! For game boy advance I would prefer them to release a dedicated new hardware kit and keep this one for game boy and game boy color
For the core choice, couldnt you just leave it on GBC since that was always backwards compatible?
Yes you can. Swap to the GB core for the monochromatic display
does it play lsdj tracks at the same speed as a geniuine gbc? since the processor speed is slightly different i would like to know
Technically it will be a slightly different speed but in reality it wouldn't be noticeable. I am curious as to how it would affect a 2xLSDJ setup linked to an original console though. Plenty more to explore with this thing. Being able to lower the clock speed should enable some pretty epic bass, in theory
This will help reducing the number of gameboys brutalized by mods
I agree!
one question, does it supports ''emulation'' without a flashcard like the analogue?
No it doesn't. Just the cartridges but you can use an Everdrive with the SD card
had this in my cart. Kind of want to wait to see if they will come out with one for the GBA.
I think they will both be worth considering if they come up with a GBA version anyway. I'd been weighing up maybe buying that newly announced metal game boy color but I still think this FPGBC is still such a strong contender for the price.
@JoeBleeps saw that new metal gbc also. That's also in the mix aswell lol
@@gardenislandbradda I'm thinking of sharing my thoughts about that in a video this weekend
@JoeBleeps ill be waiting to watch it. Thanks
@@gardenislandbradda It's uploaded now. I hope it's useful! I tried to keep in balanced.
Awesome build! I think they call the clear themed gadgets prison tech sometimes because it's harder to hide forbidden things inside them.
I've never heard that before! Makes sense though
7:09 make it modular. so we dont have to buy 4 different holders... make it fit the largest handheld and add or remove foam panels to fit each.
Great input and something I had considered. I'll make it a focus on the next iterations
Hows the framerate? They where having issues with the game speeds not being one to one with a real gameboy color
I hadn't noticed any issues at all with that, even on scrolling it was fine so long as the right setting was on
@@JoeBleeps well i went and bought the kit but zedlabs had sold out but i picked up a kit from th US for £65.thanks fora great review
This is awesome. I'm hoping they eventually come out with a GBA version.
That really would be great
@@JoeBleepsthey are mostly there since they have those aftermarket motherboards that you have to solder the CPU and RAM to.
@@ChewyChicken589 that's a good point. And based on the analogue pocket, we know GBA is possible with FPGA
I have no nostalgia for the GBC(though I still want this), but I would order the GBA version of this in a heartbeat.
@@ExhaustedHobbit GBA has such a solid back catalogue of games
Will it work with the everdrive X5 and X7? If so I’m sold, if not I’ll wait out until they do
I don't own either of these to give it a try but the original Everdrive works so I'd be optimistic about the more modern ones working.
I wish the would make a vertical gba version (like those metal ones but way cheaper) of this so we can play gb, gbc and gba games all in one package.
Time will tell what they come up with next. For now, I like having the original form factor to enjoy GB and GBC games
Do you know how to update the software? I’ve got one coming in but haven’t been able to figure that out yet.
Yes I explained that in the video but as you'll see I encountered problems too. My main tip would be to download the raw file.
@@JoeBleeps thanks!
I have a problem with the speaker, it isn’t displaying any sound and I’ve replaced it with a new one but still nothing. Used a everdrive GB X3 and pokemon blue and made sure the volume is maxed but still nothing.
If you've tried two speakers I suspect it's a problem with the motherboard, as the plug goes in place fairly easily for that part. Sorry to hear that's happening though!
@@JoeBleeps Thought that be the case, emailed funnyplaying and the reseller and hoping for a message back soon. Thanks!
@@KanyeWestLover12345 fingers crossed for you 🤞
I'll wait until they had a hardware revision with the IR blaster. I use it A LOT for my Pokemon playing time and then migrating to my N64 Pokemon Stadium 2. I need those daily gifts.
Yeah if you rely on the IR blaster that's a deal breaker. As someone who uses it regularly can I ask a question? A lot of third party game boy color shells come with the lens part for the IR blaster made from an opaque piece of plastic instead of the dark tinted transparent piece. Does the signal get through these or do they make the IR feature redundant?
@@JoeBleeps I have a regular GBC without any mods, I do have a GBA with mods (screen and such) but I keep my GBC clean. Then, I use my Analogue Pocket that has a TINY little IR blaster and I never had an issue using between those but it has to be VERY close and an specific height to make the trick. I use it between my Pokemon Gold and Pokemon Crystal. I was trying to get a new shell as I want to migrate my Dark Blue GBC into my childhood Kiwi Lime one and adding USB C battery and such. I'll tell you once I get those parts and a few tests.
@@Mobik_ sounds very interesting! Good luck
The only reason I want this is the idea of building it. If it came preassembled it would feel more like a poor man's analogue pocket
I 100% agree. And the fact that you can choose your colour scheme
Was honestly considering one until I learned that everdrive compatibility is very finicky. I do have a pretty sizable gameboy and gameboy color collection, but there's a lot that I'd like to have with the convenience of one cart. I find it odd many of the reviews fail to mention this very vital piece of information. Not everyone building one of these is going to want to hunt down cartridges for Pokemon Crystal for upwards of $100. Hopefully in a future firmware update this is fixed.
I hope so!
It's great and really appeals to me, but it doesn't ship to my country, which is a pity...
That's a shame, whereabouts are you?
Wait, you said you've used an Everdrive on it? The only flash cart I've gotten to work is one of those cheap knock-off ones that take 15-20 seconds to write a GBC ROM to an EEPROM. If an actual Everdrive works, which one?
It's the original one, the first everdrive released for game boy. It does work but it's been a little hit or miss I'm not sure what the best conditions are for it
I’ve been having some trouble installing the battery and I haven’t been able to get it seated properly. Do you have any tips?
As I said in the video this is the tricky part. Do you mean the battery itself or the connector?
@@JoeBleeps The connector.
@@KanyeWestLover12345 absolutely. As I said in the video it needs more force than you'd think to click it in place. A spudger helps
@@JoeBleeps Just got it working, thanks!
@@KanyeWestLover12345 fantastic!
Careful with that middle screw though, I saw another TH-camr who cracked his shell by accident and it really didn't take much.
Wow that's really bad!
If they can fix accuracy issues (speed, better flashcart compatibility) and implement automatic core switching I'll grab one. I just can't while there's no guarantee it'll behave closer to real GBC hardware. Not gonna lie though, I've been hovering over the purchase button for a while, as I've got a stack of childhood GB carts and no dedicated hardware to use them on.
Honestly, my expectations weren't very high. But really, the shortcomings are so minor and far outweighed by the advantages. It's definitely worth your consideration. The clock speed issue really isn't noticeable if you set it like I did in the video.
Automatic core switching would be great. I'm already looking forward to seeing what else they create after this.
How's the battery life on a single charge?
Seems really good! I only charged when i tested the charging, have played a lot and not had to recharge it yet so with that battery capacity I'd expect plenty of hours
will they add bluetooth?
I'd love to be able to play with my Bluetooth headphones on
The only issue is playing GB games, it doesn’t directly portray how games on the OG DMG screen looks like.
I think they look pretty good! I've got plenty of DMG consoles to compare with and really I like how it looks. Any particular games that make the difference obvious?
Would be perfect if it played GBA as well...
I have to say I'm glad they stuck with just Game Boy and Game Boy Color, the simplicity is a win for me, as is keeping the Game Boy's control system. Having GBA would mean accommodating shoulder buttons and a different screen aspect ratio, and the form factor is fantastic as it is. That said, I'd love for them to bring out a similar kit for Game Boy Advance!
Can I ask on how to get the N boot logo?
Yes that's with the 1.06 update on Makho's page. Open the folder for the HW1.1 updates and then 1.06, the custom boot logo update file is in there
@@JoeBleeps Thx a lot, I should had a closer look before asking 😅
@@PS3ClassicGamesHD no worries!
i want that gameboy 4 real and i want a supernintendo too analogue is too expensive
It's definitely more accessible for more people. I love that something like the analogue exists though
One of the benefits of FPGA over software emulation is the potential for cycle accuracy, despite the FPGBC being promising I won't buy one until FunnyPlaying nail the timing, I'm surprised so many reviewers are overlooking something so fundamental.
I think it should be possible with an update. Adjustment is only in digital increments so with a slight tweak one of those settings should be game boy accurate. It's not necessarily that I'm overlooking it, I mentioned it here and demonstrated it, but honestly it doesn't bother me that much. I'm definitely open to explanations to convince me otherwise 😊
How accurate is the FPGBC as of now?
@@-dash for me, it's easily good enough. And I've been playing game boys since 1990. For those that dive right down into the details, there's always disappointment to be found. Personally, I think it's great.
@@JoeBleeps It sounds super cool. I grew up with GBA, so there’s a lot of GB and GBC games on my backlog. I’ve basically only played Link’s Awakening.
I definitely want to play the other Zeldas, Castlevanias, Dragon Quest III, Contra… lots more.
@@-dash Link's Awakening is truly magnificent.
I just broke the battery connector.. FML :(
I guess my only option is to try to solder the battery wires directly on the board then?
Yeah, fixed it by soldering short wires on the pcb, then soldering the battery wires on those wires!
@@Thykka I'm sorry, I'd seen your comment while I was at work but only just able to reply now. You did exactly what I would have suggested though. Good save! Great being able to use those contacts.
It isn't worth it when you add every component. Just get the Analogue Pocket and you get so much more...
It feels worth it for me. Costs three times as much to get the analogue pocket here and I love having the OG form factor
@@JoeBleeps yeah, the AP it's pretty expensive with shipping and customs 🫤 but it has a LOT of cores available right now. But you're totally right, the original form factor of that handheld it's pretty cool. Maybe I'll end up getting one of those also.
@@xalalalala for me, the budget is better compared to a modded game boy than analogue pocket. But I can see why people would choose either.
it feels to me that they used the smaller of the 2 FPGA chips in the pocket and probably just copied the cores made by spiritualized and slapped them into this one.
seems they didn’t even care to tune the clocks for each core to be perfect.
It’s cool to have the customization and surely lower price if you’re only after gameboy stuff. But otoh, it also feels like they’re just ripping somebody else’s work and don’t even care enough to make it just work.
it’s also weird that the screen is not a perfect integer scale, considering that it’s only doing gameboy…
Anbernic products are better
Anbernic products are great but I don't think it's relevant here. It's like comparing apples and oranges
That would be like saying an og GBC is not worthwhile due to the 353v existing. But, owning both, I dont think this is the case. I am super happy something like this exists!
@@jtfernandez5594 same here!