Janice R. Andrews
Thanks to a ground-breaking collaboration with Raspberry Pi, the Flipper Zero digital multi-tool can now play games, broadening its capabilities beyond hacking and controlling home systems. With the release of the Video Game Module, which is powered by the RP2040 microcontroller from Raspberry Pi, Flipper Zero users are entering a new age of gaming.
Fundamentally, the Video Game Module uses the RP2040 microcontroller’s powerful capabilities to run games written in C, C++, and MicroPython. But what really distinguishes this module is the incorporation of sophisticated hand-tracking sensors, such as a three-axis accelerometer and gyroscope. These capabilities provide the Flipper Zero platform’s gaming an exciting new level by combining tilt and shaking functionality to offer engaging gameplay experiences.
The Video Game Module overcomes constraints by allowing video output to external monitors, even with its small 1.4-inch monochrome display. With this creative solution, the Flipper Zero becomes an adaptable gaming controller that lets users take advantage of the device’s special features and play their favorite games on bigger displays.
The Flipper Zero ecosystem now offers additional opportunities for innovation and discovery for the open-source community with the release of the Video Game Module. Through the integration of external screens with the sensor suite of the module, developers may revolutionize gaming experiences and extend the potential of this small-sized yet potent multi-tool.
The Video Game Module, according to Flipper Devices’ founder and COO Alex Kulagin, will “unlock new ways of using Flipper Zero” and “bridge the gap between retro-gaming nostalgia and cutting-edge research.” Kulagin sees the module as a catalyst for creativity. With a suggested retail price of $49, the Video Game Module offers a cost-effective way for consumers to explore the world of gaming on this adaptable platform, complementing the Flipper Zero gadget, which is currently available for $169.
With its open-source design and multitude of connectivity choices, the Flipper Zero empowers users in ways that go beyond gaming and continues to function as a digital Swiss army knife. The Flipper Zero was once designed to be a multi-tool for hackers, but it now has many useful uses thanks to its interoperability with IR, NFC, RFID, Bluetooth, and physical connections. The Flipper Zero has gained a devoted following due to its usefulness and adaptability, as seen in its use as key fob testers and universal remotes.
An important turning point in the development of the Flipper Zero was the addition of the Video Game Module, which demonstrates how flexible and adaptive it is to meet a range of user requirements. Regardless of your interests—hacking, gaming, or hobby—the Flipper Zero keeps pushing the envelope of what can be accomplished with a multi-tool, providing many opportunities for experimentation and creativity.
