Tamagotchis Overrunning Various Locations
A user named Jean-Christophe Rona has developed a portable emulator for the original Tamagotchi P1, marking a departure from traditional software-based emulators. Rather than relying on general-purpose devices like PCs or Raspberry Pi, Rona's emulator is designed to run the Tamagotchi ROM in a dedicated, self-contained device format. This approach delivers an authentic Tamagotchi experience on the go, enhanced by its portable nature.
The emulator consists of two parts: TamaLIB, a hardware-agnostic P1 emulation library, and TamaTool, a frontend for TamaLIB that facilitates debugging, RAM editing, and ROM modifications. TamaTool allows users to customize images within the ROM and create unique eggs and Tamagotchis, reminiscent of the Jolly Wrencher.
Given the lack of guaranteed access to a low-resolution timer and the need for platform-agnostic emulation, Rona devised an ingenious solution to ensure accurate emulation. He synchronized the emulation with input polling, screen updates, and sound output. TamaLIB keeps track of CPU cycles and adjusts the simulation speed accordingly, allowing it to run in real-time.
To realize this portable emulated Tamagotchi, Rona used an STM32F072 board and a cheap OLED screen, resulting in a device called MCUGotchi. The code for this project is available on GitHub and is compatible with most STM32 MCUs after minor adjustments. With this development, it may not be long before everyday objects like coffee makers and smart lights function as personal Tamagotchis, sparking new jokes about their capabilities.
Rona's portable Tamagotchi P1 emulator stands out due to its physical, hardware-focused emulation, offering a faithful and portable recreation of the Tamagotchi experience. This sets it apart from conventional software emulators that run the Tamagotchi ROM through various software platforms on multi-purpose hardware. Rona's emulator provides a dedicated device that natively hosts the Tamagotchi ROM, delivering a direct user experience akin to the original toy in a modern, portable format.
The emulator, named MCUGotchi, utilizes an STM32F072 board and a low-cost OLED screen, making it an electronic gadget that falls under the category of smart-home-devices due to its potential for integration with everyday objects. This technology-driven device is a prime example of hardware-focused emulation, offering a portable and authentic Tamagotchi experience on-the-go, distinct from conventional software emulators that rely on general-purpose hardware like PCs or Raspberry Pi.
