Modern PC gaming often demands significant power, but retro enthusiasts can achieve impressive results with surprisingly low-energy hardware. YouTuber Alejandro Villegas Alonso recently demonstrated classic Tomb Raider running on an ESP32-P4 microcontroller, a dual-core 400 MHz RISC-V processor that consumes a mere 1 watt of power.
This chip is not typically used for gaming, serving more often in embedded devices. Alonso's feat highlights the potential for repurposing such hardware for retro gaming. The ESP32-P4 module development kit is available for a modest price, making it an accessible option for DIY projects.
The game is running a port of OpenLara, an open-source engine recreation of the original Tomb Raider. Alonso's GitHub repository details that this port supports software rendering, audio, and USB HID keyboard input on the Espressif RISC-V SoC. The port utilizes a software RGB565 renderer scaled to 1024 x 600 using the chip's Pixel Processing Accelerator. Stereo audio is output through an ES8311 codec, and input is handled via a USB keyboard.
While the ESP32-P4 itself sips only 1W, the specific development board used, the ESP32-P4-Function-EV-Board, includes a seven-inch touchscreen and camera module, increasing the total power consumption beyond the chip's baseline. However, the core gaming performance remains a testament to the capabilities of low-power microcontrollers.
This project joins a growing trend of creative hardware projects utilizing ESP32 microcontrollers. Recent examples include a credit card-sized computer and a pocket-sized Game Boy emulator built from an e-reader. The success of this Tomb Raider port suggests a potential increase in similar retro gaming projects on low-power hardware.