Engineer creates retro FPGA Game Boy console that can rip your cartridges to an SD card natively — features HDMI, USB-C, and even has Game Link Cable support
Joining the FPGA console trend is the SGBC, a Game Boy console that natively supports a Game Boy cartridge slot and copying cartridge ROMs to a microSD card.
The SGBC, a new retro console created by French electronics engineer Thomas Sanfourche, offers a unique experience for Nintendo Game Boy enthusiasts. This innovative device features an FPGA core that replicates the Game Boy's hardware logic, allowing players to enjoy authentic gameplay while preserving their beloved cartridges. Sanfourche, who studied electronics engineering in Taiwan, initially sought to develop the SGBC to provide a comprehensive Game Boy experience, including multiplayer and trading capabilities through a link port.
The console boasts additional features such as HDMI output in 1080p 16:9, integer scaling to maintain pixel alignment, and support for the SNES controller. Furthermore, the SGBC includes a cartridge ripping function that enables players to copy ROMs to an SD card, digitizing their Game Boy collections. Despite initial skepticism from professors, Thomas persevered and eventually received support from a fellow retro enthusiast who financed the production of the SGBC.
Although the console remains unreleased, it joins a growing list of FPGA-based retro gaming projects, which combine nostalgia with modern conveniences.
Written by urgent.news from Tom's Hardware's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
