Inspiration:
I always wanted to build my own handheld console but lacked the coding skills to do so. One day my dad came in with a garbage find, a beaten down Gameboy original. I fixed it back into proper condition and it was the spark that started my project. Bought a Arduino for Dummies book and a starterskit and started learning coding (I normally only do Siemens Step7/TIA programming). So completely new coding style for me. Thing is with Codex and ChatGPT I don't have to spend 10 years learning C++ and can finally do this in mere months, though the final product for private use Is probably a year or 2 away. Plan to build around 10 consoles for my friends to play and connect with each other.
What it does:
Play different kinds of retro-esque games and casino games, small and big. Credits are interchange-able between games and some use a global Highscore system which can be shared in the future between consoles with a link cable or Bluetooth for the final product.
Details:
- 20 to 30 games, both big and small. (currently at 4 playable (casino) games).
- Unique user system (each user can create his/her own account).
- Credits earned in one game can be used in other games (user specific)*.
- Highscore system (globally visible to all users to compete with each other).
- Small games include games like: Snake, Breakout, Pong etc..
- Big games include story drive games with save function, currently building a typical space shooter game.
- Casino games (mostly to spend/earn credits.
- Lots of settings: sounds, lights, button handling etc.
*Credits can be earned in casino and small games and can be spend mostly in the bigger games.
How I built it
Lot's of planning, currently testing everything with a proper prototype. Using Arduino IDE, Codex and Excel for project information.
How I use Codex with GPT-5.6 for my project
- I simply use notepad for the project with details on what I want to add or change on the PixlGear.
- I put parts of that into Codex.
- Codex creates the code for in Arduino.
- I download the code into the device for testing.
- After that I fill in the bugtracker (also notepad) and put snippets of this into Codex to fix
- Download and testing.
- If all is good I repeat this workflow again.
What I do myself
- Physical work on the PixlGear
- Downloading and testing the code
- Create the many sprites and graphical images
Challenges I ran into
Coding is hard stuff. physically the prototype is stuffed to the brim. I might run into more challenges when I'm going for the real deal (PixlGear 3000). For now the problems I face are the limits of Codex and my prototype (being a prototype) having problems after a physical update which I have to fix myself.
Accomplishments that I'm proud of
Finally making something I wanted to make for years!
What I've learned
Coding, piece by piece. Understanding how it works. And how hard it is to build a device like this.
What's next for PixlGear2000 (Prototype)
The PixlGear 3000, around 10 pieces which I can share with my friends to beat each others highscores. I plan to keep building and updating games until I reach limitations. To me the project is much more fun then playing the console itself, also It's fun seeing my friends enjoy the prototype console already :)
P.S. I must add a 'Try it out' link but it's a physical device, so added a link to the YouTube video.
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