Hi, help using Gameboy Zero to run Raspbian OS

[ddoggy]

Hello
I'm a complete computer illiterate but I would like some help from this forum if possible

I'm trying to run Raspian OS on the Gameboy Zero (with the SD card). Now, my understanding is that I can put the OS on the SD card and then just plug in the cartridge containing that SD card to load the OS.

If so, would I be able to control the OS using the USB on the side (as a keyboard input)? do the D-pad, A,B,X,Y buttons work as a keyboard input?

Thank you very much

[Cyborg_delta1]

If you just want to run RetroPie on Raspbian that's fine first install Raspbian on your micro SD card and then follow this link to install Retropie.

https://github.com/retropie/retropie-se ... stallation

When you load RetroPie it will ask you to map out the buttons and D pad and when your in the OS you can just plug in a USB key board and use it as normal. If you don't mind me asking what do you want to do on the OS while not using Retropie?

[ddoggy]

I'm trying to use the Gameboy Zero to run "Processing" to vaguely emulate a gameboy game whose primary function is to play music. Quite a waste of the whole gameboy zero project really, but I couldn't find a better way to let the user experience the whole thing as if they were playing a gameboy game.

I probably won't be using Retropie on the Raspbian itself - but am I correct to assume the d-pad and other buttons acts as a keyboard stroke on the Raspbian without much software tweaking?

[vnman]

If you program your controller board as keyboard yes.

please see wiki for better understanding of controller boards.

http://sudomod.com/wiki/index.php?title ... ller_Input

here is example with the teensy

https://www.pjrc.com/teensy/td_keyboard.html

here for the pro micro -

https://www.sparkfun.com/tutorials/337

[Ganreizu]

do the D-pad, A,B,X,Y buttons work as a keyboard input?

Yes, the controller board just needs to be programmed as a keyboard and not a gamepad.

I'm sure those controls make using it as keyboard inputs terribly limited though...I was going to just get a mini keyboard to carry around with the GBZ just in case; sounds like you may want to do the same.

[ddoggy]

can someone tell me how to change the teensy from gamepad to keyboard on raspbian os? The links above doesn't seem to reflect my situation.

[Helder]

can someone tell me how to change the teensy from gamepad to keyboard on raspbian os? The links above doesn't seem to reflect my situation.

You say Teensy so we assume it's that but which of the teensy boards is it? If it's the Teensy LC I believe Wermy covered the keyboard code in his 2nd video in the series.

[ddoggy]

I'm not exactly sure, its Helder AIO board that is used in the system

[ddoggy]

Wermy in his guide says:


If you ever need/want to reinstall a fresh copy of the latest RetroPie or try a different OS, there is no configuration you need to do to get the controller working; the OS just sees it as (in our case) a keyboard!

My gameboy zero was assembled to begin with, but I know that it is built with the Helder's AIO. (which seems like its using Atmega32U4 MCU as a microcontroller, but it should be already programmed)
the Retropie that came with the system recognizes the gamepad, so it seems I don't need to do any additional configuration, but when I installed Raspbian OS on an another SD card, the gamepads do not work as a keyboard input. (shouldn't I see some random letters when writing on the terminal or text editor?)

I'm desperately asking for help.... help..? :S

[vnman]

I am afraid you misunderstood -

Teensy is a separate controller board that can be programmed as keyboard or as joystick. This in combination with the input board give either joystick movements to the pi or keyboard characters to the pi.

with Helder's AIO there is no teensy involved here, his board is the combination of both. By default the board is programmed as joystick and not keyboard. Helder can confirm if this is correct or not.