How to make a handmade Odroid-Go Compatible Game Console

How to make a handmade Odroid-Go Compatible Game Console with TTGO T8 ESP32 Wrover board.
The full written steps can be found in my blog:

http://billydiy.blogspot.com/2023/09/homemade-odroid-go-compatible-game.html

Check out this video for the introduction of my homemade Odroid-GO
https://youtu.be/E3ZfBwI9Wt8

You can refer to the pin layout in my video which contains a much simpler way to hook things up. Otherwise, you can refer to the
original open source schematics of Odroid-Go which has more complex wiring as RAW components such as OLED, TF-card slots are being used.

https://github.com/hardkernel/ODROID-GO/blob/master/Documents/ODROID-GO_REV0.1_20180518.pdf


Odroid-Go is a great invention from hardkernel. It can function as a game console with many emulators. Though the no. of emulators is only a small portion of those supported by Retro-pie or recalbox installed on Raspberry Pi, I found the response faster and smoother than running retro-pie or recalbox on a raspberry pi zero, while consuming much less power. Game save is by default and very handy.

By loading different firmware, you can use it to run Arduino designed binary codes, Micropython codes, and many other types of third party software.

Though this instructions shows you the steps how to do it, not every one can successfully build one as it requires reasonable soldering and desoldering skill.

I also recommend any one who want to own an odroid-go to order it from hardkernel as the cost to build one (plus all the shipping) may be close to or even exceeds that of buying directly form hardkernel.

I was not able to buy the Odroid-go at a reasonable price from Hong Kong, due to the high shipping cost to ship from US , hence I decided to create one myself.

It's good that hardkernel shared the design schematics and firmware on github and make it open source , so makers like me can challenge themselves to make their own design of the odroid-go.

I intend to make it with a smaller 2.2" TFT LCD instead of the 2.4" one that comes with the originals.

I also do not need such loud audio output and headphone jack output is already too loud for me, so I do not need the amplifier circuit. Just connect the GPIO 26 and ground of the ESP32 to the mini/speaker or headphone jack with a hardware volume control. That will be all I need.

I kept the 10 pin extension header, but have to use my own set of silent buttons.

All is built on a prototype PCB as a frame, where I carved out a rectangular window to mount the LCD, so it will lay flat on the PCB on the front side.

For the mcu board, I chose the TTGO T8 ESP32 WRover board ESP32 WRover32 board has an additional 4MB PsRam (pseudo static Ram) compared to the ESP Wroom32 board that has only 4MB flash RAM but no PsRam.

Here are the amazon and e-bay links that you can get this board.
If you like my work, please support me by clicking these links to buy this component or other components. Amazon and e-Bay will give me a tiny bit of money on your purchase, but it will not impact your price.
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e-Bay:
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fitm%2F1pcs-ESP32-WROVER-T8-V1-7-TTGO-ESP32-4MB-PSRAM-TF-CARD-3D-ANTENNA-WiFi-Module%2F183692606067%3Fhash%3Ditem2ac4eeba73%3Ag%3A-CoAAOSwlG5ca40W&campid=5338740160&toolid=10001&customid=billdiy

and another one in Amazon.
T8 V1.3 TTGO ESP32 4MB PSRAM TF Card 3D Antenna WiFi Module Bluetooth ESP32-WROVER Micropython

https://amzn.to/3khtB5H


The GO-Play firmware of Odroid-go that drives all the retro-game emulations cannot work with just 4MB Flash RAM.

You need to upgrade the surface mounted 4MB Flash RAM to 16MB. I ruined one board by using hot air gun to desolder the original 4MB RAM and accidentally blew off a few resistors and could not find that.

Unless you can find a board with 16MB SPI Ram, yuou will need to upgrade the SPI RAM from 4MB to 16MB by referencing my video.

You can order these memory chip to upgrade from 4MB to 16MB from these links:
The chip is called W25Q128. It has 128 Mega bit of memory or 16Mb.

Amazon:
5pcs/lot W25Q128FVSG SOP-8 25Q128FVSG SOP 25Q128 W25Q128FVSSIG W25Q128 SMD
https://amzn.to/2Zy7srY

e-Bay
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fitm%2F2pcs-WINBOND-W25Q128FVSG-25Q128FVSG-SOP8%2F392188496462%3Fhash%3Ditem5b50418a4e%3Ag%3AQSoAAOSw9xJcCh-o&campid=5338740160&toolid=10001&customid=billdiy



Please follow the steps below to build one if you have good soldering skills. If you cannot solder or the total cost to build these exceeds the original price of USD 40, just buy the original.