Hardware Oldies Others [N64] PicoCart64 - A N64 Flashcart built from a PicoPi

[ploggy]

Looks like there soon will be an open Flashcart for the N64 using the PicoPi

It's still very early days and has wires all over the place but it can already load Homebrew, a project to keep an eye on if you have a N64 and a PicoPi spare for sure
https://github.com/kbeckmann/PicoCart64
If you have any questions or just want to keep up to date, there is a Discord Server: https://discord.gg/vn39zmW3Q9

 

[soyboy]

It looks cool but I don't see the point of it when the Everdrive 64 and 64Drive already exist.

 

[ploggy]

It looks cool but I don't see the point of it when the Everdrive 64 and 64Drive already exist.

Everdrive is pretty expensive from what I can see and this is an open alternative.

 

[wolffangalchemist]

nice i still have a functioning ed64p everdrive clone butcan't wait to se how this progresses. this could potentually be great for making portables too!

 

[master801]

I get the feeling this will be severely underpowered and nearly barebones, compared to actual FPGA carts (64Drive, Everdrive64, SummerCart64).

 

[ploggy]

I get the feeling this will be severely underpowered and nearly barebones, compared to actual FPGA carts (64Drive, Everdrive64, SummerCart64).

You maybe right, it could be underpowered compared to the premium products offered but this is (from what I can tell) an open alternative. a PicoPi is what 4$ plus change?
Who knows what the future brings

 

[master801]

You maybe right, it could be underpowered compared to the premium products offered but this is (from what I can tell) an open alternative. a PicoPi is what 4$ plus change?
Who knows what the future brings

If the PicoCart64 becomes an actual marketable product, it won't cost just " $4 " to manufacture, let alone sell. Yes, someone can chop their existing N64 cart apart and solder a bunch of wires to it and have the Raspberry Pico flailing all about, but not many people are savvy enough, nor are most willing to do that.

And no, PicoCart64 is not the first opensource alternative, nor is it technically "opensource" since nothing has been uploaded to the repository yet.

Don't get me wrong, it is an interesting alternative, however I see many things going wrong later in its lifespan.

 

[Kioku]

The Pico is doing big things in the retro scene. The GameCube is getting an open source modchip too. Nice!

 

[wolffangalchemist]

If the PicoCart64 becomes an actual marketable product, it won't cost just " $4 " to manufacture, let alone sell. Yes, someone can chop their existing N64 cart apart and solder a bunch of wires to it and have the Raspberry Pico flailing all about, but not many people are savvy enough, nor are most willing to do that.

And no, PicoCart64 is not the first opensource alternative, nor is it technically "opensource" since nothing has been uploaded to the repository yet.

Don't get me wrong, it is an interesting alternative, however I see many things going wrong later in its lifespan.

while nothing has been uploaded yet the repo still exist, this is all very fresh and honestly there is nothing wrong with speculation that's part of the fun of it.
for all we know a custom pcb file that is open source could come about to just solder the pico and any other necessary components to it these already exist for some repro carts people make. we don't know yet what it holds for the future... thing about open source stuff is if enough people can get behind it this could take off and be a nice alternative for everything else.

 

[MikaDubbz]

It looks cool but I don't see the point of it when the Everdrive 64 and 64Drive already exist.

The price of Everdrive is a major turn off, especially when flashcarts for other systems are so affordable.

 

[ploggy]

The Pico is doing big things in the retro scene. The GameCube is getting an open source modchip too. Nice!

I saw that to, that's something I think I'll take on first, I have a couple GC's but the laser is starting to weaken, so a cheap Pico boot modchip fits the bill nicely
As for the this Pico N64 flashcart, I think it will be a while yet before we see games booting on it (I think the guy only got a HB app running Yesterday?)
But I'm definitely going to get the PicoCart64 hooked up to my N64 once its ready, Everdrive's just too much money for me.

 

[ploggy]

If the PicoCart64 becomes an actual marketable product, it won't cost just " $4 " to manufacture, let alone sell. Yes, someone can chop their existing N64 cart apart and solder a bunch of wires to it and have the Raspberry Pico flailing all about, but not many people are savvy enough, nor are most willing to do that.

And no, PicoCart64 is not the first opensource alternative, nor is it technically "opensource" since nothing has been uploaded to the repository yet.

Don't get me wrong, it is an interesting alternative, however I see many things going wrong later in its lifespan

They seem to think the price to build will be super cheap
I don't know about any other opensource alternative but if there are great! the more options the better

 

[ghjfdtg]

There is something in the repo. You just have to look at a different branch: https://github.com/kbeckmann/PicoCart64/tree/develop

 

[FAST6191]

Saw the similar thing for the Amiga a while back (it basically "emulated" the CPU and could do all manner of fun things as a result).
Am liking that chips programmable by mere mortals (FPGA and CPLD stuff I can do but it is not fun) even if somewhat overkill in some ways are being able to be twisted to purposes like this.

 

[ploggy]

Mario 64 Boots!

 

[wolffangalchemist]

Mario 64 Boots!

wow, that was quick, he also has some new pcb designs done from what i saw on the github.

 

[ploggy]

wow, that was quick, he also has some new pcb designs done from what i saw on the github.

I know, its really progressing fast





Looks like kbeckmann is doing a Twitch stream to discus the future of the project and make new mockup designs

 

[DinohScene]

Sicc!

I wonder if ROM hacks etc would soon be playable, seeing Mario 64 run like that, I hope not much time will be needed.

 

[ploggy]

Update!

There is also a Discord Server: https://discord.gg/vn39zmW3Q9

 

[dev4hire]

It looks cool but I don't see the point of it when the Everdrive 64 and 64Drive already exist.

The everdrive uses an FPGA, which are ~$60-400 per chip depending on the chip. The more expensive ones (>$100) are compatible with industry standard development tools and can match the clock speeds* required for acting as a flashcart. The pi pico uses a new microcontroller chip (RP2040) that you can get for as low as $1 (chip only, not the pico) and is clearly capable of meeting some of the requirements.

Between 40-60% of the price you pay for a flashcart is the cost of the FPGA. Imagine if it was $5 (non-wholesale) for a chip, plus an additional ~$30 for all the other components to complete features like storage, saves, RTC, and the printing of the board, plus labor if any (thanks to pcb manufacturers now carrying the RP2040 and have equiptment to provide the service for cheap).

I would be surprised if we didn't see <$100 N64 flashcarts using open source software as the project matures. Not only that, but a <$50 DIY. These figures are entirely fictitious until we see them for real, but the price difference in materials are significantly lower.

* FPGAs don't have the same kind of clock cycle as general purpose CPUs. FPGAs can perform multiple operations at the same time, which is a key feature of accurate retro hardware emulation. However, with a fast enough general purpose CPU and sufficient I/Os, we don't need it. These types of CPUs have existed for a while, but rarely if ever sold as a standalone high-speed (>225MHz OC), low-cost ($1-4), no wholesale necessary chip like the RP2040.