GameBox

PHL GameBox (KiCad Hardware Repository)

Welcome to the official hardware design repository for the PHL GameBox, a factory-manufactured, feature-packed fork of the retro UzeBox 8-bit game console.

This repository contains all the KiCad schematics, PCB layouts, libraries, and manufacturing files needed to explore, modify, or manufacture the PHL GameBox hardware.

⚡ Key Features & Hardware Specifications

The PHL GameBox upgrades the traditional ATmega644-based UzeBox architecture with an integrated SMD-based component layout and expanded connectivity:

• Wireless Capabilities: Pre-installed onboard ESP12 Wi-Fi modem for networked 8-bit gaming and leaderboards.
• Expanded Storage: 1024K of external memory to support massive, extended game files.
• Video & Audio Outputs:
  • RGB to SCART Socket: Pinout compatible with classic Sega Megadrive (Genesis) AV cables.
  • Composite Video & Audio: Native output mapped to standard RCA sockets.
  • Experimental HDMI: Dedicated hardware layout featuring wired HDMI video output. Video output only, audio is via audio jack or SCART cable only.

⚠️ Current Revision Status: Experimental Batch 01

NOTICE: This design is currently in its experimental prototype phase. The files in this repository represent a working initial batch, but it contains known hardware workarounds and bugs. Proceed with caution if ordering PCBs from this specific revision.

Known Limitations & Errata (Revision 01):

• Bodge Wires Required: The current PCB requires a few manual wire jumps on the top layer to bridge layout oversights.
• RGB2HDMI Stability: The integrated RGB-to-HDMI conversion circuit is highly experimental and may not achieve full stability or signal locking across all displays.
• No HDMI Audio: Due to the low processing overhead of the core hardware architecture, audio is not routed or supported over the HDMI channel.
• Enclosure Fit: The current PCB layout footprint deviates from the original UzeBox dimensions and will not fit standard Uzebox enclosures without heavy 3D-printed/custom modifications.
• ESP12 Flashing: The programming lines for the ESP12 modem require an external hardware flasher (breakout tool recommendations will be added to the documentation soon).

Future hardware development, automatic routing improvements, and bug fixes for new revision will be prioritized once 75% of the initial physical prototype batch (15 units) has been cleared.

🛠️ Getting Started with the Files

Prerequisites To open, view, or edit these design files, you must have KiCad 8.0 or newer installed on your system.

Clone this repository locally:

   git clone [https://github.com/your-username/PHL-GameBox.git](https://github.com/your-username/PHL-GameBox.git)
   

Launch KiCad and select Open Project.

Navigate to the directory and open GameBox.kicad_pro.

Component Sourcing Notes The Bill of Materials (BOM) located in jlcpcb/ specifies the standard SMD packages used for factory manufacturing. Please pay careful attention to the RCA and A/V socket footprint designations, as physical 3D-printed spacers may be required to secure non-standard component models during assembly. The files can be used for JLCPCB manufacturer.

🤝 Contributing & License

The PHL GameBox is proud to be a fully open-source hardware project. We welcome community feedback, issue tracking, and pull requests! If you find a layout flaw, have suggestions for optimizing the RGB2HDMI lines, or want to contribute to the next board revision:

Fork the repo.

Create a feature branch (git checkout -b feature/hardware-fix).

Commit your layout/schematic modifications.

Open a Pull Request detailing the changes and your testing results.

This project is licensed under the CERN Open Hardware Licence (CERN-OHL) or MIT License — please check the included LICENSE file for full terms and conditions.

🌐 Community & Links

Parent project: Uzebox Project

Purchase an experimental GameBox here: GameBox experimental shop

pico-rgb2hdmi, Raspberry Pico as RGB to HDMI converter: Experimental GameBox HDMI firmware source code

Uzebox Omega, an easy to build Uzebox clone that outputs RGB SCART video: Uzebox Omega

AI usage

README.md is partly generated using Gemini by Google AI LLMX