Portable Game Device Revives Classic Pong Game Using Recycled Electronic Waste
Get a Load of This Retro Delight: The DingPong Handheld Pong Console
Acquaint yourself with DingPong, the fantastic handheld Pong console that'll take you down memory lane! This portable gem, however, hides more than meets the eye. Think back to the 1970s, where playing Pong demanded a hefty load of equipment - including dedicated electronics and clunky CRT monitors. Fast forward to today, and it's been shrunk to a pocket-sized device!
At its core, DingPong resides in an old video doorbell unit, earning itself the name. The screen, a Sony Video Watchman from 1982 with a mesmerizing 4-inch CRT, is refashioned inside. Most components are salvaged, scrounged from the junk bin, or adjusted to the closest possible values. Power is sourced from aging lithium-ion batteries, still functional enough for about an hour's runtime[1].
Controllers for this classic are two humble pots protruding from the unit, one for each player. No fancy Arduino, Raspberry Pi, or ESP32! Instead, the heart of DingPong pulses with an AY-3-8500 "Ball & paddle" integrated circuit, a no-nonsense piece from 1977 designed specifically for Pong!
So, DingPong playing Pong on a Sony Watchman isn't a new concept, but seeing it powered by a 70s chip is a first! Witness this spectacular blend of antique gadgetry in action (in German), in the video embedded below[2].
[1] The Watchman TV Circuitry: A Deep Dive Retro technology explained, progress.org[2] Video: Sony Watchman Running 70's Pong Chip, YouTube
The DingPong handheld Pong console, reminiscent of electronic gadgets from the 1970s, utilizes an old video doorbell unit and a refurbished 1982 Sony Video Watchman screen, contrasting with modern technologies like Arduino, Raspberry Pi, or ESP32, as it operates with a vintage AY-3-8500 "Ball & paddle" integrated circuit designed for Pong.
Instead of employing contemporary control systems, DingPong features two simple pot controllers, unlike the complex electronics previously needed for larger Pong setups.
