PicoBoy Update V4.4

Major improvements to performance in the PicoBoySDK. 20% more RAM is available and games run faster overall.

Firmware Updates:

• Update firmware to use PicoSDK V2.1.1
• Added beta firmware for Pico 2 modding. This is only for people who want to experiment with the PicoBoy hardware. I do not recommend attempting to use the Pico 2, and only to do so if you have experience in hardware.
• Enhanced USB stability
• Corrected issue where exiting an app would result in a system reboot.

PicoBoy Communication Software Updates:

• Fixed issue with updating where the console would report as disconnected
• Fixed issue where the PicoBoy would not be detected on Mac and Linux
• Fixed issue where threads of the program would remain active once the program is closed
• Fixed issue where the program would freeze if running on a Mac with a notch

PBOS Updates:

• Corrected issue where the battery percentage would be incorrect on the PicoBoy V1
• Corrected issue where PBOS could not decipher between USB and battery power
• Remastered battery measurement system
• Improved home screen smoothness
• Added pseudo-VSYNC functionality, drastically reducing screen tearing
• All driver files are now compiled, significantly reducing memory and storage usage
• Overall increased system stability

PicoBoySDK Updates:

• Massive improvements to optimization
• Reduced memory usage
• Load_Small_Image efficiency drastically improved
• Implemented pseudo-VSYNC functionality, drastically reducing screen tearing
• Updated with more accurate battery monitoring
• Fixed issue in PicoBoy.Create_Text() where the text would not render at the correct position

Game Updates:

• Optimized Starship
• Fixed bug in Starship where it would crash upon launch
• Fixed issue in Starship where the music would not pause when the game was paused
• Fixed issue in all games where text would render at an incorrect position
• Pac Man updated to use Pathfinder library
• Puzzle Slide now uses the system background color

Find the OS and Firmware updates here:

Firmware: https://github.com/HalloSpaceBoy5/PicoBoy-OS/releases/tag/PBFW-V1.1
OS Update: https://github.com/HalloSpaceBoy5/PicoBoy-OS/releases/tag/PBOS-V3.5

PicoBoy Communication Software Hotfix V4.4.1

Hotfix Release for Windows

This is a hotfix release for the Windows version of PicoBoy Communication Software.

• Fixed an issue where formatting the console would hang
• Fixed issue where formatting the console would not begin.

PicoBoy Essentials V4.3

New beta for a link port connection using GPIO!

PicoBoySDK Updates:

• Rounded corners implemented on the pause screen
• New "Popup" menu that renders a text-wrapped popup menu on the screen with a title and a description.
• Create_Text() Now automatically wraps the text using a width variable.
• Now supports included libraries in games, keeping the game and library in a single package

PBOS Updates:

• PicoBoySDK Updates
• Fixed bug where a large image file would generate when entering Data Upload Mode

PicoBoy SDK Toolkit Updates:

• New feature to create a project folder in one click
• Fixed issue where packing a sprite would randomly crash without an error
• All compiled files will now appear in the directory their source files originated from.

PicoBoy Communication Software:

• Now supports included libraries in adding games
• Deleting games is now multithreaded
• Downloading Scores is now multithreaded
• Deleting PLibraries is now multithreaded
• Deleting backgrounds is now multithreaded
• Fixed issue where deleting a PLibrary would not complete fully, resulting in a ghost library
• Your PicoBoy is now restarted after disconnecting
• Improved smoothness in brightness slider
• Improved smoothness in volume slider
• Fixed issue in the PLibrary tab where it would not disabled properly when disconnected.
• Now caches PicoBoy data, significantly speeding up the UI

Library Updates:

• Pathfinder now uses significantly faster A* algorithm
• New beta FLEX communication library for PicoBoy to PicoBoy communication. Here are some features:
• It uses an adaptive asynchronous-flex synchronous connection. Using interrupts and an adaptive clock rate.
• Negotiable TX and RX pins, no cross wiring needed.
• Bidirectional, peer-to-peer connection

Documentation:

• Updated User Guide to include a small detail about included PLibraries
• Added documentation for one-click project creation
• Added documentation for Thonny

Find the PBOS update here:

https://github.com/HalloSpaceBoy5/PicoBoy-OS/releases/tag/PBOS-V3.4

PicoBoy Essentials V4.2

New System Integrity Protection:

The PicoBoy now has a toggleable check for the integrity of PBOS, unlocking the ability to run PBOS unrestrained.

Notice: I will be taking a break from major PicoBoy development for the holidays. If I come across any bugs I will fix them, but I will not be working on new games/software/features until January.

Game Updates:

• Puzzle Slide Finished!
• 10 new puzzles
• Custom puzzle support through Paint
• Timed and Free Play modes
• Easy, Medium, and Hard modes
• One of the most complex games for the PicoBoy yet!

PicoBoy Communication Software Updates:

• Fixed bug in updating games where updated files would double in size and corrupt
• Fixed bug in updating games where the number of uploaded files would be misrepresented
• Fixed bug in Windows where having too many serial devices made finding the PicoBoy take a long time
• Improved efficiency in finding the PicoBoy for all platforms
• PicoBoy Communication Software will now ignore console formatting if SIP is disabled

PBOS Updates:

• Fixed issue in pause screen where a crash would occur when the home button is pressed
• Significantly improved game security, now much harder to accidentally make a bad game.
• Updated settings to include the ability to enable/disable System Integrity Protection (Protection against corrupt/malicious games)
• Updated settings to be more memory efficient
• Fixed issue in settings menu where a black line would appear in the stats menu

Documentation Updates:

• Added manual for Puzzle Slide
• Added more comprehensive guide to settings menu
• Added documentation for System Integrity Protection

Get the PBOS update here: https://github.com/HalloSpaceBoy5/PicoBoy-OS/releases/tag/PBOS-V3.3

PicoBoy Essentials V4.1

New Games!

The PicoBoy V3 has begun prototyping. If you have anything you would like to see, let me know in the Discord Server!

Work is being done to begin outreach with schools and maker spaces to teach programming, soldering, and electronics utilizing the PicoBoy Education Edition! If you have any maker spaces or schools that you think would be good candidates, reach out!

Hardware Updates:

• PicoBoy Education Edition has begun development and testing

PicoBoy Communication Software Updates:

• Fixed critical issue with MacOS compatibility where the program would freeze in MacOS Sequoia
• Improved algorithm speed for detecting PicoBoy consoles

Library Updates:

• New pathfinder library (Beta)

Game Updates:

New Beta Game: Puzzle Slide

• You can use the built in puzzles, or use your own stored in Paint!
• You have to slide all of the puzzle pieces into the proper orientation
• Still in development. If you have any ideas for the game, you can pitch them in the server!

New Beta Game: Pathfinder

• A pathfinder (using the new PLibrary system) solves a maze you make yourself.
• Not as developed, so still more open ended and ready for ideas.

Pac Man is being remastered with the PicoBoy SDK!

• Improved mechanics
• Vastly improved pathfinding
• More efficient memory usage
• Improved stability and compatibility

You can install and test out all three of these games, but they are UNSTABLE. Be careful, as they may cause issues on your PicoBoy.

PicoBoy Essentials V4.0

The PicoBoy V2 Build Video is out on YouTube, check it out here: https://youtu.be/rOZQTFoS0ME

Notice: Do not use the Pi Pico 2 when assembling your PicoBoy V2 kit! I have yet to test it and write in compatibility into PBOS!

Notice: MacOS Sequoia does not support this version of PicoBoy Communication Software. Please use the prerelease version below.

Documentation Updates:

• Clarified certain details on steps that were vague
• Added new section to guide through reconnecting to the console after the first time setup
• Published video documenting the building process of a PicoBoy V2
• Documented PLibraries in the PicoBoySDK Docs
• Documented PLibraries in the User Guide

PBOS Updates:

• Added functionality to import custom PLibraries
• External libraries can be used to:
• Add new features to games
• Mod games
• Customize your programming experience
• Added new statistics section that shows:
  • OS Version
  • MicroPython Version
  • Free Space
  • Games Installed
  • Battery
  • Libraries Installed

PicoBoySDK Updates:

• Added new feature that lets you import and utilize objects initialized in custom libraries
• Now raises TypeErrors when an exception occurs

PicoBoy Communication Software Updates:

• You can now choose between restoring from a backup and formatting when you have an unformatted PicoBoy
• Fixed issue with refresh ports where it wouldn't detect the PicoBoy upon clicking the refresh ports button
• Implemented the ability to add, delete, and manage supplemental libraries

You can find the PBOS update here: https://github.com/HalloSpaceBoy5/PicoBoy-OS/releases/tag/PBOS-V3.2

PicoBoy Prerelease Update V4.0.1

PicoBoy Communication Software:

• Bugfix in MacOS that fixes issues in Sequoia that cause PicoBoy Communication Software to freeze up due to a driver issue.
• Improved console detection speeds in MacOS

PicoBoy Essentials V3.9

I will be taking a month long break to work on the buisness side of things with the PicoBoy.

There may be some minor updates, but there won't be anything signifigant.

Console Backups now possible with PicoBoy Communication Software

Starship has been remastered with the PicoBoySDK

PicoBoy Communication Software Updates:

• New data transfer protocol
• Signifigantly improved data transfer speeds
• Signifigantly improved data integrity from data transfer
• All filetypes now supported for data transfer
• Fixed bug where volume and brightness were reported as 0 when they were not 0
• Now supports backing up and restoring PBOS to a PicoBoy
• The back up and restore feature saves:
• Games
• Scores
• Settings
• Operating System version

Documentation Updates:

• Updated User and Build guides with Backing Up and Restoring the PicoBoy

PicoBoySDK Updates:

• Fixed issue in Line, Hline, and Vline where an error would occur when entering the color
• Reflected fixed issue in docs

PBOS Updates:

• PicoBoySDK Updates
• Fixed critical issue where OS would crash when a background was applied

Game Updates:

• Completely remastered Starship with the PicoBoySDK
• New Starship Features:
• New scoring system
• Newly optimisations allowing for smoother gameplay
• Smaller sprites resulting in a larger play area
• Decreased storage usage
• All new title, win, and game over screen
• New effect where the screen shakes when damage is taken
• All new enemy and level difficulty generation

Manual Updates:

• Updated Starship manual to reflect updates

Check out the OS update here: https://github.com/HalloSpaceBoy5/PicoBoy-OS/releases/tag/PBOS-V3.1

PicoBoy Essentials V3.8

The PicoBoy V2 is up for sale!

There is now a PicoBoy website! Check it out at PicoBoy.co

The PicoBoy V2 3D-printed parts are now available!

PBOS now supports multiple languages!

Hardware Updates:

• PicoBoy V2 is now up for sale! You can buy it prebuilt or as a kit!
• PicoBoy V2 3D-printed parts are available for download

Website Updates:

• PicoBoy.co is now up!

PicoBoy Communication Software Updates:

• The program can now only connect to Micropython devices
• Windows now shows the PicoBoy name in its device list
• Added stability and integrity protection in connection to the PicoBoy
• Improved efficiency in formatting the console
• New "Selective Updating" looks for console flags and updates necessary files

PBOS Updates:

• With the release of the PicoBoyV2 comes PBOS 3.0!
• Enhanced performance and efficiency, reducing resource usage by 30%
• Added new Data Upload Mode screen
• Added new "No Games" screen
• Fixed issue where the brightness would be incorrectly reported as negative
• New layout in the settings menu with a scroll bar
• PBOS now supports 4 more languages:
• Spanish
• French
• Italian
• German
• New first time setup when formatted, it has sections for:
• Testing Hardware
• Configuring the OS

Game Updates:

• You can now press up in Tetris to drop a block

Manual Updates:

• Tetris manual changed to reflect updates

Documentation Updates:

• Updated User and Build guides to reflect the changes made in PicoBoy Communication Software
• Updated User and Build guides to document the first time setup
• Improved the visual appearance of all guides
• Added table of contents to the User Guide

You can find PBOS 3.0 here: https://github.com/HalloSpaceBoy5/PicoBoy-OS/releases/tag/PBOS-V3.0
You can find the website here: https://picoboy.co
You can find the PicoBoy V2 for sale here: https://www.tindie.com/products/hallospaceboy/picoboy-v2-the-ultimate-diy-console/

PicoBoy Essentials V3.7

The PicoBoy V2 has been finished! I am currently working on getting it set up for sale on Tindie.

New Micropython version specifically for the PicoBoy!

PicoBoy V2 Features:

• 3D Printed case has an option to be included!
• There is a prebuilt option!
• Now uses 2 piezo speakers instead of a single speaker
• New single-board form, everything is on the PicoBoyV2 PCB
• Smaller, more pocketable, Gameboy Advance-esk form factor
• Easy to access BOOTSEL button for easy C++ development
• Only requires two batteries instead of three
• Reverse power protection, no need to switch off when plugged into a computer
• More simplistic build guide and easier to build
• Easier to print case
• Significantly cheaper price tag, approximately 30% cheaper.
• Hopefully I will be able to release it soon!

PBOS Updates:

• Now checks for corrupted app title cards and doesn't render them
• Now has support for transparent sprites
• Now has support for small pbimgs

Firmware Updates:

• The PicoBoy Micropython Distro has been released!
• The PicoBoy now shows up as "PicoBoy" instead of "Board in FS mode"

PicoBoySDK Updates:

• PicoBoySDK Toolkit can now compile transparent sprites
• Fixes issue in PicoBoySDK Toolkit where RGB images would not compile correctly
• PicoBoySDK now has support for transparent sprites
• The PicoBoy can now render small .pbimg files that wouldn't ordinarily fit in memory

PicoBoy Communication Software Updates:

• Ports are now listed with their names, this makes it easier to discern which device is your PicoBoy
• Fixed issue where the storage remaining is reported in the negatives.
• Added check for duplicate backgrounds
• Added check for duplicate games
• Added ability to update games without losing scores and other data

Game Updates:

• Increased difficulty in Space Invaders with bullet cooldown
• Improved collision in Breakout
• Improved physics in Breakout
• Fixed bug in Breakout where the ball would get stuck in the paddle

Documentation Updates:

• User guide now support the PicoBoyV2
• PicoBoyV2 Build Guide released
• User guide now documents the game updating process
• PicoBoySDK Docs now document how transparent sprites work

You can find the PBOS Update here: https://github.com/HalloSpaceBoy5/PicoBoy-OS/releases/tag/PBOS-V2.6
You can find the Firmware here: https://github.com/HalloSpaceBoy5/PicoBoy-OS/releases/tag/PBFW-V1

(Here is a sneak peek of the V2)