Salsa ONE: Minimalist Game Console

Description

The idea behind Salsa ONE came from a desire to participate in a Tiny Games Challenge with a project that is both simple and challenging. I aimed to create something that wouldn't require a printed circuit board (PCB) but would still push my skills to the limit. The result is a portable game console featuring a miniature OLED screen, similar in spirit to the Arduboy, but with a twist—Salsa ONE is controlled with just a single button. This minimalist control scheme intrigued me because it allows the console to be operated comfortably with one hand, specifically using the thumb. This design choice makes it highly portable and easy to use on the go. The project drew additional inspiration from the SanDisk Sansa series of music players, known for their ergonomic design and simple controls. While this version of Salsa ONE sticks to a single button, I plan to explore the Sansa's control scheme in future iterations of the project.

Details

"One thumb to play them all,
One thumb to master,
One thumb to bring the fun,
And in your palm, remain."
-The Lord of the KeyChains

Features of Salsa ONE:

Single-Button Control:
- Simplified input scheme using just one button for all interactions, enabling one-handed operation.
RP2040 Microcontroller:
- Powered by the dual-core RP2040, offering efficient performance for a compact handheld console.
MicroPython Programming:
- The console is programmed using MicroPython, providing an easy and flexible development environment.
Portable Design:
- Compact form factor with a miniature OLED screen, making it easy to carry and use on the go.
OLED Display:
- Equipped with a bright and clear OLED screen for displaying game graphics and interfaces.
Vibration Motor:
- Includes a vibration motor for haptic feedback, enhancing the gaming experience with tactile responses.
Buzzer:
- Integrated buzzer for sound effects and audio feedback, adding an auditory dimension to gameplay.
Battery-Powered:
- Supports autonomous operation powered by a CR2032 coin cell battery, making it highly portable and convenient.
3D-Printed Case:
- Enclosed in a custom-designed 3D-printed case, providing durability and a personalized look.
Inspired by Arduboy:
- Draws inspiration from the popular Arduboy console, focusing on simplicity and minimalism.
Ergonomic Influence from SanDisk Sansa:
- Inspired by the ergonomic design and user-friendly control scheme of the SanDisk Sansa music players.
No PCB Required:

Designed to be built without the need for a printed circuit board, making it more accessible for DIY enthusiasts.

Files

20240908_095449.jpg

JPEG Image - 850.34 kB - 09/08/2024 at 07:15

Preview

20240908_095319.jpg

JPEG Image - 948.38 kB - 09/08/2024 at 07:14

Preview

Schematic_salsa-one_2024-09-08.png

Portable Network Graphics (PNG) - 52.47 kB - 09/08/2024 at 06:42

Preview

dino_game_v2.7z

dino geme python code

7-Zip - 3.36 kB - 09/07/2024 at 20:36

Download

Components

1 × Double Sided Universal PCB Perfboard 7x9 cm

1 × RP2040 Zero

1 × Buzzer

1 × Vibration Motor

1 × SSD1306 OLED Screen

Discussions

Mateerleen wrote 10/16/2025 at 18:49

Love how you took inspiration from both the Arduboy and the Sansa music players – the one-button concept makes it super accessible and perfect for minimalist gaming. It actually reminded me of some reviews I read on pokieslab.co.nz about games that focus on simplicity and tight mechanics instead of flashy graphics. That same “less is more” approach is what makes projects like yours so interesting to follow.

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CriptasticHacker wrote 09/20/2024 at 09:36

I love this! I immediately spotted the Sansa Clip style so I was delighted to see that was the actual inspiration.
I love simple / old retro game stuff like this!

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Alex wrote 09/20/2024 at 12:23

Thank you! You might be interested to know that I am working on a new design. I want to change the control system to make it symmetrical, but still easy to 3D print. You can take a look at my sketch by following this link:

https://imgur.com/a/sdSkrWE

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David Turner wrote 09/11/2024 at 14:47

I have a lot of these small consoles. I really like collecting them. I already have 2 shelves. It is clear that now I almost never play them. At the moment I started to take an interest in the games that I read about on Casino of the Kings and this is more interesting. I also saw how they make small consoles with gambling games. I would like to have at least 1 of these, but I haven't found one yet.

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embedownik wrote 08/19/2024 at 08:12

I totally love your idea! :) this can be nice keychain etc.

I will try to recreate this :)

Are you sure? yes | no

Alex wrote 08/20/2024 at 17:37

Glad to hear! Feel free to contact me if you need help.

I'm planning on creating a PCB for this project.

Are you sure? yes | no

Alex wrote 08/17/2024 at 05:33

Greetings! All hardware used in the project can operate at 2-3V, so no step-up converter is needed. I connected the battery to the 3.3V pin of the dev board. According to my measurements, the console draws 25-30mA. Most of this power is consumed by the RP2040 chip, the OLED screen does not increase the power consumption much. Everything runs on a single CR2032, except for the vibration motor, but I guess the motor does not work due to current loss in the thin wire and the transistor I used. I ran a wire directly from the positive battery terminal to the motor for testing, and it reliably turns on even with the console running.

Are you sure? yes | no

chorltonwheelies wrote 08/16/2024 at 19:26

Fascinated to know how this runs on a CR2032, with the OLED. Have you got access to Vsys on that board? Is there a boost converter?

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Salsa ONE: Minimalist Game Console

Description

Details