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History of video games/Platforms/Meggy Jr RGB

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History edit

Release edit

The Meggy Jr. RGB was a handheld console released around November 12th, 2008 by the company Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories.[1][2] The kit was sold at a range of prices between $65 and $95 (Presumably US Dollars).[3]

Reception edit

The kit had mixed reactions depending on the demographics of the reviewer, with maker oriented publications receiving it favorably,[4][5][6] and more general technology publications being more skeptical.[3]

Etymology edit

The Jr in the name comes from a prior larger LCD display kit.[3] The older larger display was programmable, but not intended as a gaming device.[7]

Technology edit

The system was sold in kit form,[1][8] and was an open source console, with materials licensed under the GPL V3.[9]

Compute edit

The system used either an ATmega168 or an ATmega328P.[9]

Display edit

The system had an 8 by 8 grid of RGB LEDs.[9]

Hardware edit

The system was designed to accept ergonomic grips.[1] Velcro was used to mount and dismount the battery pack.[8]

Assembly was said to take 2 to 3 hours.[8]

Development edit

The software svn was used for version control.[9] A git based repository was also established.[10]

The Meggy Jr Simplified Library was a high level API for the system which updated the display at a rate of 150 Hz.[11]

The Arduino IDE could be used to program the system.[12]

Games edit

Super Monkey Kong edit

A game similar to Donkey Kong, and considered one of the most noteworthy games for the system.[14]

Gallery edit

Console edit

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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.
  •  
    Console at Maker Faire Austin 2008.

Parts edit

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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 edit

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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.
  •  
    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 edit

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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

References edit

  1. ↑ a b c "Meggy Jr RGB | Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories". https://www.evilmadscientist.com/2008/meggy-jr-rgb/. 
  2. ↑ "Introducing Meggy Jr RGB - Make:". Make: DIY Projects and Ideas for Makers. 30 November 1. https://makezine.com/2008/11/12/introducing-meggy-jr-rgb/. 
  3. ↑ a b c "Meggy Jr RGB handheld: only as fun as your programming skills allow". Engadget. https://www.engadget.com/2008-11-17-meggy-jr-rgb-handheld-only-as-fun-as-your-programming-skills-al.html. 
  4. ↑ "Meggy Jr RGB is Greater Than The Gameboy!". Embedds. 21 November 2008. https://embedds.com/meggy-jr-rgb-is-greater-than-the-gameboy/. 
  5. ↑ "【武蔵野電波のプロトタイパーズ】 最終回「エピローグ」" (in ja). PC Watch. 26 November 2009. https://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/column/musashino_proto/331055.html. 
  6. ↑ "Review of the Meggy Jr. RGB Handheld Video Game Kit" (in en). Techlore. 23 July 2009. https://techlore.com/article/review-meggy-jr-rgb-handheld-video-game-kit. 
  7. ↑ "Evil Mad Scientist Labs' Peggy terrorizes roomates, darkness". Engadget. https://www.engadget.com/2008-02-01-evil-mad-scientist-labs-peggy-terrorizes-roomates-darkness.html. 
  8. ↑ a b c "Meggy Jr. LED Matrix Display Kit". www.jameco.com.
  9. ↑ a b c d "Google Code Archive - Long-term storage for Google Code Project Hosting". code.google.com. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  10. ↑ "Meggy Jr RGB". Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories. 1 April 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  11. ↑ "Meggy Jr RGB Programming Guide and libraries - Make:". Make: DIY Projects and Ideas for Makers. 30 November 1. https://makezine.com/2008/12/03/meggy-jr-rgb-programming/. 
  12. ↑ "Fun, games and entertainment: Open source hardware 2009 - The definitive guide to open source hardware projects in 2009 - Make:". Make: DIY Projects and Ideas for Makers. 30 November 1. https://makezine.com/2009/12/11/fun-games-and-entertainment-open-so/. 
  13. ↑ a b "Meggy Jr RGB". Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories. 1 April 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  14. ↑ "Super Monkey Kong crams 14k of Jumpman excellence onto Meggy Jr RGB". Engadget. https://www.engadget.com/2009-04-21-super-monkey-kong-crams-14k-of-jumpman-excellence-onto-meggy-jr.html. 


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