Raspberry Pi Pico Enables Real-Time Video Streaming on Nintendo Game Boy Color

Just a few days back, ChromaLock, a YouTuber known for his inventive hardware projects, shared his latest creation on his channel. This time, he took a nostalgic dive into the past by modifying a Game Boy Color to stream video using its classic link cable. The magic behind this transformation involves a Raspberry Pi Pico and custom software meticulously tailored to handle the task.

When it comes to video playback, simpler clips tend to deliver a smoother experience with higher frames per second. The clarity and flow are unexpectedly commendable, especially when compared to what you’d get with the old-school Game Boy Camera. However, for most video content, sticking to monochrome is the way to go. The reason? The Game Boy Color’s limited 4-color palette makes it a real challenge to run videos on its modest 160 x 144-pixel screen.

For those looking to replicate this feat, ChromaLock made a tool available on GitHub called CGBLinkVideo. This application, designed to work with a Raspberry Pi Pico and a link cable, leverages some other open-source software. Video files are compressed down to 1 Megabyte per second, though the link cable only manages to handle a max of 64 Kilobytes per second. This heavy compression results in a quirky viewing experience with frequent dropped or split frames. Yet, miraculously, the videos still manage to play!

ChromaLock’s comprehensive video not only walks viewers through the video playback process but also delves deep into how these software tools were crafted, given the Game Boy Color’s inherent limitations. Remarkably, video playback can achieve a brisk 60 FPS in grayscale or monochrome, though throwing in color pulls the frame rate down to just about 12 FPS.

He experimented with streaming some video games too, but even the classic Game Boy titles paled in comparison to their native performance. And trying something as intricate as Doom Eternal? On the Game Boy Color’s ancient screen, it was barely recognizable.

At the heart of this project was ChromaLock’s ambition to see the legendary Touhou Project’s “Bad Apple” music video play seamlessly on a Game Boy Color. Being naturally monochrome, the video fit perfectly for this retro challenge, running at an impressive 60 FPS — though not without some noticeable dithering thanks to the streaming method.

If you’re interested in more innovative tech stories, ChromaLock’s project stands as a fascinating intersection of retro gaming and modern tech wizardry. And for those who want cutting-edge reviews delivered right to their inbox, Tom’s Hardware offers just that.