XGameStation series

Lore & Background

The XGameStation was originally conceived as a handheld system called the nanoGear, based on the 68HC12 microprocessor and also containing modern derivatives of the 6502 and Z-80 microprocessors. After several iterations, the design shifted to an ARM microprocessor with an FPGA for a custom GPU, but that system was deemed cost prohibitive and too advanced for beginners. That ARM/FPGA design was later renamed the XGS Mega Edition after the release of the Micro Edition, but it was never released for sale.

The first released model was the XGS Micro Edition (2004), built around the SX52 microcontroller. Its color video signal was generated entirely in software, and sound was handled by a ROHM BU8763 chip. Input included a PS/2 connector for keyboard or mouse and two DB-9 ports for Atari-compatible joysticks. Programming could be done in assembly or a custom XGS Basic, either on a PC and transferred to the console or directly on the system itself. The SX52 was later made obsolete by Parallax, though the company stated sufficient chips remained for future needs; the entire SX line was discontinued on July 31, 2009.

The XGS Pico Edition (2005) was a simplified, build-it-yourself kit based on the SX28 microcontroller, with less RAM and Flash than the Micro Edition. It generated both video and audio in software, and used pushbuttons for input. It came in several kit forms, including a breadboard version and a solderless PCB version.

In 2006, Andre LaMothe launched the Hydra Game Development Kit, a more powerful system using the multi-core Parallax Propeller microcontroller (eight cores, 160 MIPS). It had 32K RAM, 32K ROM, two PS/2 ports, two NES-compatible game controller ports, a mini USB interface, an RJ-11 Ethernet port, and 128K serial Flash EEPROM. The Hydra did not carry the XGS branding.

On December 26, 2008, the XGS AVR 8-Bit and XGS PIC 16-Bit development systems were released. These were embedded system development kits sharing much of the same design except for the main processor. They generated video in software with color helper hardware for the color burst, and audio directly from the microcontroller. Input included two DB-9 ports (compatible with Nintendo gamepads via a pin adapter) and a PS/2 port. Programming was primarily in C/C++ with system-specific libraries, though assembly and XGS Basic were also available; code could not be edited on the system itself.

Reader's Guide

The XGameStation series occupies a unique niche in video game console history as a line of educational tools that doubled as functional game platforms. Its most notable technical achievement was generating color television video signals entirely in software on low-cost microcontrollers, a feat that demonstrated the capabilities of these chips and provided a hands-on learning experience for aspiring game developers and electronics enthusiasts. The series evolved from a handheld concept through several design iterations, ultimately settling on microcontroller-based systems that were affordable and accessible to beginners. The inclusion of assembly language and a custom XGS Basic allowed users to program at different skill levels, and the add-on packs for expansion and experimentation encouraged further exploration. The Hydra system, though not branded as an XGameStation, continued this educational mission with a multi-core architecture reminiscent of the PlayStation 3's Cell processor. The discontinuation of the SX microcontroller line in 2009 marked the end of the original XGameStation models, but the series remains a notable example of how video game consoles can serve as platforms for learning hardware and software design.

Did You Know?

• The XGS Micro Edition generates its color television video signal entirely in software on the SX52 microcontroller.
• The Hydra Game Development Kit uses the multi-core Parallax Propeller microcontroller with eight processor cores.
• The SX52 microcontroller was made obsolete by Parallax, and the entire SX line was discontinued on July 31, 2009.