History of video games/Platforms/Meggy Jr RGB

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History

Release

The Meggy Jr. RGB was a handheld console released around November 12th, 2008 by the company Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories. The kit was sold at a range of prices between $65 and $95 (Presumably US Dollars).

Reception

The kit had mixed reactions depending on the demographics of the reviewer, with maker oriented publications receiving it favorably, and more general technology publications being more skeptical.

Etymology

The Jr in the name comes from a prior larger LCD display kit. The older larger display was programmable, but not intended as a gaming device.

Technology

The system was sold in kit form, and was an open source console, with materials licensed under the GPL V3.

Compute

The system used either an ATmega168 or an ATmega328P.

Display

The system had an 8 by 8 grid of RGB LEDs.

Hardware

The system was designed to accept ergonomic grips. Velcro was used to mount and dismount the battery pack.

Assembly was said to take 2 to 3 hours.

Development

The software svn was used for version control. A git based repository was also established.

The Meggy Jr Simplified Library was a high level API for the system which updated the display at a rate of 150 Hz.

The Arduino IDE could be used to program the system.

Games

• Meggy Jr Snake
• Ball Buster

Super Monkey Kong

A game similar to Donkey Kong, and considered one of the most noteworthy games for the system.

Gallery

Console

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  Bare Meggy Jr RGB without handles
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  Console with standard handles.
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  Console in use
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  Console in use
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  Console in operation
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  Console in use
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  Back of console
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  Console with standard handles attached
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  Console with "Batwing" handles in "Smoke" color.
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  Console with custom translucent blue casing.
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  Felt handles.
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  Felt handles
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  Felt handles from rear.
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  Two Meggy Jr RGB connected via a link cable. Note the swapped lead.
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  LED colors
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  Color testing the LED array.
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  Four Meggies displaying the word "Evil".
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  Console size compared to a domestic cat.
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  Console laid down
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  Console upright
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  Console with handles
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  Console at Maker Faire Austin 2008.
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  Console at Maker Faire Austin 2008.

Parts

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  Kit in box
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  Kit contents
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  Kit laid out
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  PCB
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  Standard handles
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  Felt handles
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  Felt handles
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  Custom handles
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  Fluorescent orange handles
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  Blue plastic case

Unorthodox Uses

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  A meggy being used to display content from twitter as scrolling text.
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  A meggy being used to display content from twitter as scrolling text.
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  A meggy being used to display content from twitter as scrolling text.
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  A meggy being used to display content from twitter as scrolling text.
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  A meggy being used to display content from twitter as scrolling text.
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  The design of the Meggy Jr was later incorperated into a drink mixing robot.

Accessories

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  Meggy head to head link cable
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  Meggy head to head link cable detail
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  Meggy head to head link cable detail
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  Meggy head to head link cable detail
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  Meggy head to head link cable detail
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  Meggy head to head link cable construction detail
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  Meggy head to head link cable construction detail
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  Meggy head to head link cable construction detail
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  Meggy head to head link cable detail
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  Meggy head to head link cable detail
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  Meggy head to head link cable inserted
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  Meggy head to head link cable inserted
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  FTDI USB-TTL cable
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  FTDI USB-TTL cable
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  USB-TTL cable inserted