Enhancing MiSTer Displays with Stylish Marquee Options

Some MiSTer users have added a small secondary “marquee” display to their FPGA boards, which can show information such as the currently loaded core and the game being played. Typically, these displays are small monochrome OLEDs that many users may already have in their parts bins.

However, Erico Mendonca sought a more stylish solution. He developed firmware for the ESP32-C3 that connects to MiSTer’s existing secondary display protocol, enabling the use of more visually impressive panels like the round GC9A01, which has gained popularity among hackers. For those who prefer a rectangular display, the firmware can also be run on the Cheap Yellow Display.

Since Mendonca did not want to modify anything on the MiSTer side, his firmware handles the display art. A web-based editor allows users to create custom artwork based on commands sent from the MiSTer. Flashing the firmware onto the ESP32 can also be done through the browser, simplifying the setup process.

This project enables the control of multiple client displays over WiFi from a single system, allowing users to showcase which console they are booting up in various locations.

Hackaday has noted a growing interest in round displays, with more users finding innovative uses for them.

Source: Hackaday