I was commissioned by some friends to build game consoles for their kids.
We're building with some peculiar constraints because they're peculiar kids.
At some point, I'll start asking for game recs (I am not asking for game recs at this time.)
The goal is to build a Cartridge Based Game Console on top of retroarch or another open source project.
The "cartridges" will just be flash drives.
The game console might have one or two games installed on it's internal memory, but the rest of the games play *from* the flash drive, show up in the library when the flash drive is inserted, and disappear from the library when the flash drive is removed.
Rather than browsing based on console, all games from the local disk should be visible in one menu and all games from the flash drive should be available in another menu.
I *think* I can do this in retroarch without much extra configuration, but I haven't set up retroarch from scratch ... ever.
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Sir Rochard 'Dock' Bunson
•VERY interested in the final product here!
Also want one of those Expedition Sasquatch games! My friend even gave me their old GBC!
Andrew (Television Executive)
•The goal is to re-create the "blockbuster night" experience of renting games.
We're trying to break the older kid out of a pattern of obsessive and occasionally violent behaviors around access to specific games.
One of the strategies we're trying for that is providing a rotating selection of games that are available for checkout, but only for one week at a time, and never for two weeks in a row (in addition to a much smaller number of games that they always have access to, or that are available every week to "rent".)
If I can nail the format of the flash drives and the configuration of retroarch or whatever, we can use this setup to encourage a more healthy, slow paced, and intentional relationship with tech.
Miah Johnson reshared this.
Tamitha
•What about something like this? It used RetroPie and NFC tags to connect to a network share.
https://www.neo-geo.com/forums/index.php?threads/mini-nes-pi-with-working-nfc-mini-cartridges.251718/
Mini NES Pi with Working NFC Mini Cartridges
dgame (Neo-Geo Forums)Andrew (Television Executive)
•Andrew (Television Executive)
•As far as game selection goes... It's complicated.
We're exclusively looking for games that don't feature guns. We're looking for slower paced and turn based games with an emphasis on reading for one of the kids. He's an early reader, but progressing quickly.
For the other kid, we're looking for games with constraints and external goals. He gets lost (as in very deeply invested) in open world and sandbox games like minecraft, to the detriment of everything else around him, so we're looking for games where that's not possible. He's still barely reading, so games that *teach* reading are great, but games that *require* reading are probably out.
The whole thing is going to run on linux, so ... games that run on linux or can be emulated on linux are a must.
My morals dictate that we should focus on indie games when possible, but that's just personal preference and not a requirement.
Andrew (Television Executive)
•So far, for games we're looking at
For the reader:
- Super Mario RPG (the SNES one)
- The Oregon Trail (2016)
- Animal Crossing
- perhaps Harvest Moon
- Other RPGs like Dragon Warrior Monster
For the non-reader:
- Reader Rabbit/Freddie The Fish/etc.
- Maybe also Animal Crossing
- Paleo Pines?
For both:
- Pikimin
- Pokemon snap (or any pokemon snap style game I can find that isn't tied to a massive media franchise which is likely to lead to stress for their parents)
- Harvest Moon
but ... That's all I got.
Andrew (Television Executive)
•Partially, I don't have more games on my list because I don't really know anything about video games anymore, and partially it's because I'm not thinking very hard about this.
But it's also partially because I spent the morning coming up with an 8 page document exploring the constraints around the selection process for each kid.
There are all kinds of constraints and requirements going in to this.
Most of it is directly informed by the treatment plan their therapists developed, so I'm doing some things that feel counterintuitive to me at the doctor's recommendation. (like prioritizing games that are very limiting or otherwise frustrating as a way for the kid who gets frustrated easily to learn to cope.)
The rest of it comes from their individual likes/preferences/triggers/trauma. There are topics we're trying to avoid, there are topics we're trying to encourage.
Andrew (Television Executive)
•So, I am accepting game recommendations for these kids, contingent on the constraints laid out in the previous four or five posts, but also contingent on a whole mess of other constraints that I'm not going to get in to publicly.
The gist:
- Needs to run on linux
- No guns
- If it needs reading, call that out so that I can put it in the right bucket
- If it can be played by people who can't read well, call that out so I can put it in the right bucket
- There's room for frustrating games, and difficult games, and challenging games, but they have to be selected sparingly.
- Open world and sandbox games are OUT unless they contain some serious constraints or demand specific goals. (Minecraft is a trigger right now.)
DJ Sundog - from the toot-lab reshared this.
Andrew (Television Executive)
•(in case it wasn't obvious, I'm not demanding the above info. If you have a suggestion and you're not sure if it fits those constraints, that's fine. Tell me about it anyway, if you want. Or don't, if you don't want to?
Those are just the base constraints within which I am working.)
Shannon Clark
•I’m excited about the remake of the early 1980’s Mac game Chipwits - demo of the remake is on steam now, the retro version is available on their website. It is a game where you program robots to solve puzzles. It was extremely fun as a kid however when we upgraded our Mac512 to a MacPlus the code broke and in the pre-internet era we didn’t have an easy way to get a working version.
Anyway I assume when the actually launch it won’t be Steam exclusive. But see https://chipwits.com
Home - ChipWits Robot Coding Game
ChipWits, Inc.Sean Heber
•possibly some version of Lemmings? God I loved that game. Shouldn't need any reading.
My kids enjoyed World of Goo. There is (or was) a Linux version of the original game. I don't think it required reading, but there is "the sign painter" which holds up signs with puns/story which they always wanted to have read to them.
As a category, it might be worth looking for sim games like Sim City (or maybe The Sims if it's possible to find a version to emulate a version on your device).
Andrew (Television Executive)
•Lemmings is a great suggestion.
I don't think I've played World of Goo, but I remember what the artwork looks like.
The simulation games like sim city are part of the compulsive trigger cycle for the non-reader. He'll play them for hours if you let him, and won't talk about anything else, or listen to any instructions for *days* after.
Sean Heber
•ah - gotcha!
Maybe some old classics like Tetris or Dr. Mario could work. Match-3 style games like Bejeweled (of which there are a billion clones so I imagine something could be found in that genre).
There are turn-based games that use card/deck mechanics for combat so it's kind of indirect. One we've enjoyed for a time was Slay the Spire (which I believe also has a Linux version). Good for numeracy, some light reading maybe to understand the cards.
I'll leave you alone now. 😛
Andrew (Television Executive)
•bri
•@bigzaphod i was gonna make a tetris recommendation, but i’ll just piggyback off this one - if tetris seems like a good idea, i’d recommend apotris. native linux builds, and very customizable gameplay from breezy to competition-level difficulties.
the litigious-ass tetris company might succeed in getting it yanked from the internet one of these days, but for now it’s one of the best options.
UnlikelyLass
•Andrew (Television Executive)
•Andrew (Television Executive)
•Andrew (Television Executive)
•After lots of research and planning, I've landed on ScummVM as my starting point.
We'll branch out from there, eventually, but so many of the games we care about right now are available on scummVM.
Andrew (Television Executive)
•So, here's where we are:
- I've slapped together some cases using the original box art and some free resources. (See attached) Obviously, I didn't do any of this art and I don't own any of this art. I just arranged it in this way so that it would fit in a bluray sleeve and represent these games for these kids.
- I've made rental cards (see next post, probably) with "barcodes" for them to "scan" when they check out the games.
- I found an assortment of clear bluray sized cases that I'll be able to use as our game boxes from the local game store.
- I'm setting up retropi on a pi 3 now, because I think it'll be sufficient.
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Andrew (Television Executive)
•DJ Sundog - from the toot-lab reshared this.
Andrew (Television Executive)
•Andrew (Television Executive)
•Andrew (Television Executive)
•Andrew (Television Executive)
•lol I found a raspberry pi and an SD card and a mouse and keyboard, but I don't have a spare monitor here for testing, and I can't find a USB drive.
I have all those things at the makerspace, but I *can't find my keys* to get to the makerspace.
Andrew (Television Executive)
•Oblomov
•silverwizard
Kevin Marks
•Ashley Blewer
•Andrew (Television Executive) reshared this.
Dan Fixes Coin-Ops
•Andrew (Television Executive)
•Dan Fixes Coin-Ops
•Andrew (Television Executive)
•Anthk
•Andrew (Television Executive)
•Anthk
•Ree ❤️ Vivaldi
•My precocious reader enjoyed playing some VVVVVV, especially once I opened up the map and turned invincibility mode on. Actually progressing in the story requires reading.
Same kid enjoyed A Short Hike, and so did I. It has a very cozy vibe. Definitely requires reading to get anywhere.
Misty
•aschmitz
•Content warning: longish, re: games
I see VVVVVV is in your replies already, but I'll second it.
Fez may also be worth a look (not sure which requirements it meets, but I think most of them?).
Super Meat Boy is probably a little over the top, but if VVVVVV lands well, it might be worth a look.
Gish feels like it's at a midpoint: effectively no reading, but puzzle-based progression that can be frustrating sometimes (there are, I think, cannons that are similar to a Bullet Bill in Mario, but I don't think guns: a few lightly risque interstitial images but they're more "if you know you know" than "nudity").
World of Goo is a good puzzle game as well, though very little reading (a few words that are often helpful, but we're taking single digits per level). There's a sequel which was well received but I haven't played.
Duncan Lock
•If they like pokemon, this worked well for us: https://www.pokeharbor.com/2021/06/pokemon-firered-leafgreen/
I agreed to play with our Pokemon fan but reluctant reader kid, provided they did all the reading - basically taught them to read.
Runs on Linux with a GBA emulator/retroarch. No guns, requires reading, gated world, with a plot and progression. Very well balanced, but can be frustrating to level up and beat pokemon etc...
Pokemon FireRed & LeafGreen + (GBA) Download - PokéHarbor
Admin (PokéHarbor)Andrew (Television Executive)
•@duncanlock i think this is a great idea and suggestion. The parents are worried about pokemon exposure leading to consumerist obsessions.
I think it's a reasonable sacrifice to make, but we're going to give it some time.
Duncan Lock
•viq
•There are some descriptions of tiles and goals and some hints, but not much, and most of game you can figure out visually, I think.
Andrew (Television Executive)
•Andrew (Television Executive)
•Abe Massry
•Crayon Physics Deluxe, I think, satisfies all of these
http://www.crayonphysics.com
Crayon Physics Deluxe
www.crayonphysics.comPhillip Vuchetich
•I am not sure if it fits all criteria, but Hero U : Rogue to Redemption might work. It was made in 2018 by Corey and Lori Cole, who made the Sierra Quest for Glory series (1989 -1998), and is a point and click in that style. Requires reading. Limited world size. Quest/task driven. Time limited (academic year timeline). Replayable with different decisions/play styles. Linux versions on gog.com and itch.io (and steam, but you wanted non-steam options).
The website gives a good summary of the game:
https://www.hero-u.com/
If it looks like it is an option, I can test it on a current Linux box (I haven't played in in a few years, and used Windows to play it before).
Hero-U: Rogue to Redemption
Hero-U: Rogue to RedemptionAndrew (Television Executive)
•silverwizard
@Andrew (Television Executive) My kids are loving:
Freddie Fish, the Scooby Doo adventure games (Jynx at the Sphinx mostly but there's three in that pack), Plants Vs Zombies, Animal Crossing, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_Constructor, Kirby
He really loves games where you build things like Bridge Constructor.
All of these are running on Linux (except animal crossing). He's a non-reader.
Andrew (Television Executive)
•@silverwizard
Animal crossing is high on my list (assuming I can get the n64 or GC version running on linux) Freddie The Fish is on the list for both kids already.
I think Plants Vs Zombies was a problem in the past, but I don't know if it is *still* a problem. I'll look in to it.
They loved Kirby the one time they played it.
Bridge Constructor looks really interesting. It might solve the Sandbox Simulator want without leading to compulsive behavior. I'll take a look.
Thank you!
silverwizard
@Andrew (Television Executive) Bridge Constructor is great because it's a series of individual challenges rather than a sandbox!
I got Animal Crossing and Kirby running on RetroArch on a Le Potato, so it should be doable.
Also - there's Spy Fox and Putt Putt to put next to Freddy Fish.
Andrew (Television Executive)
•silverwizard likes this.
Andrew (Television Executive)
•silverwizard likes this.
silverwizard
@Andrew (Television Executive) Oh yeah! I forgot Pajama Sam!
https://studios.ptilouk.net/superfluous-returnz/ I was also planning on previewing this for young kids in the next few days, since it's a game made for making an open engine!
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Lohikäärme 32 :amiga:
•@silverwizard
Wait, there's an ENGLISH version of n64 Animal Crossing?
(I have the Japanese version. I can't read Japanese. I'm probably able to play it because I know the game, but...)
But if there's an English version... I need to know...
The GBA version will work in an emulator, also likely the Wii version (if you can get the gamecube version to run.)
Andrew (Television Executive)
•Animal Forest (Doubutsu No Mori) (N64 English Translation) : Nintendo : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
Internet ArchiveAndrew (Television Executive)
•Craig P
•Andrew (Television Executive)
•Ariaflame
•Andrew (Television Executive)
•@ariaflame Absolutely.
I was leaning towards Harvest Moon, but that's only because I haven't played stardew
Ariaflame
•Andrew (Television Executive)
•@ariaflame
I have looked at many games on itch.io, but without some further criteria for parring down that absolutely massive selection, just looking at itch doesn't help, you know?
Ariaflame
•DHeadshot's Alt
•priryo
•Content warning: Possible game
https://www.wesnoth.org/
I mind it having different campaigns with short, confined goal levals that build up.
Fighting, though not guns.
The Battle for Wesnoth
www.wesnoth.orgAndrew (Television Executive)
•Content warning: Possible game
priryo
•Content warning: Possible game
Andrew (Television Executive)
•Content warning: Possible game
@priryo What I've found when I talk with parents about this project is that a lot of the goals resonate with them, even if the particulars are pretty different.
It seems like kids everywhere are struggling with similar issues, and these kids in particular have just gotten a fairly extreme version of that.
Andrew (Television Executive)
•Andrew (Television Executive)
•Content warning: unsolicited game recommendation
Andrew (Television Executive)
•Content warning: unsolicited game recommendation
Andrew (Television Executive)
•Content warning: unsolicited game recommendation
@hex I'm certainly interested in kid friendly games if you have suggestions.
There are some peculiar constraints with these kids so the more info I have about the games the better.
Laserdisc Dad, But Spooky
•Content warning: unsolicited game recommendation
you can sort by linux on there. most are still horror but you'll see some fun ones like this one
https://www.freegameplanet.com/what-the-blob-download-game/
i feel that might fit the bill
What The Blob !?!! – Download Game | Free Game Planet
Calum Fraser (Free Game Planet)Andrew (Television Executive)
•Content warning: unsolicited game recommendation
Laserdisc Dad, But Spooky
•Content warning: unsolicited game recommendation
and here's just some goofy fun of blowing up chickens
https://www.freegameplanet.com/blow-the-hen-down-download-game/
Blow The Hen Down – Download Game | Free Game Planet
Calum Fraser (Free Game Planet)Laserdisc Dad, But Spooky
•Content warning: unsolicited game recommendation
okay this game i need to find a way to download somewhere for my kids to play
https://www.freegameplanet.com/micro-aces-download-game/
Micro Aces – Download Game | Free Game Planet
Calum Fraser (Free Game Planet)Andrew (Television Executive)
•Content warning: unsolicited game recommendation
@hex reading is great for one of the kids, and not so much for the other.
We're building separate libraries.
Andrew (Television Executive)
•Content warning: unsolicited game recommendation
@hex These all look great.
Blow The Hen Down might cross too close to violence for the one kid, but it also looks great.
Lohikäärme 32 :amiga:
•Andrew (Television Executive)
•I am looking for recommendations contingent on the constraints laid out here: https://retro.social/@ajroach42/113244157172227398
If you've got 'em they'd be helpful.
Andrew (Television Executive)
2024-10-03 15:18:26
Lohikäärme 32 :amiga:
•M.U.L.E
Though it is multiplayer, and it is... quite old (:
Dani Bunten insisted it have no guns. It is pure economic competition on a planet. Limited. Fantastic game.
One of the absolute classics of early gaming.
Lohikäärme 32 :amiga:
•(the classic version, really, is the Atari 8bit version. The c64 version is excellent as well.)
FEZ may also work, runs on linux, very exploratory and very clever in it's representation of the 3d world (2d. Only 2d. Except it's 3d. You have to play to understand.) Quite long, I haven't finished it, but not open world.
World of Goo was mentioned; it's fantastic, though I honestly love the 'sandbox' part the most, where you can build your gooballs into structures and ... well. I just love that part (:
Pretty much anything that runs in SCUMMVM should be considered. There are games of all types in there. Some really meant for kids, some... definately not. So go thru them with the parents (:
If Pinball is ok, then any of the Pinball Dreams/Fantasies/Illusions are brilliant- and can be run in dosbox (preferably the newer fork of dosbox that does shaders, so you get the 'real monitor' stuff on a flatscreen (:
Also ABSOLUTELY configure with GUS emulation, so you get the PROPER music (the Amiga music.) You can also configure an Amiga emulator for it, but the GoG versions are the Dosbox versions. (they COME with the GUS stuff disabled, but the ACTUAL MUSIC is there, just configure for GUS. Go to the config file, turn on GUS emulation, play. You will notice the difference when it is on.)
Also in dosbox pinball: "Timeshock." Looks fantastic, plays fantastic. May cause addiction, so, be careful with that one.
Race The Sun: No violence, just racing against time. Very simple controls. Does have a Linux version, it may be ... not updated. Well the version I have from a very early Humble Bundle isn't. So it has some... oddities with the interface, but the game plays great. I really enjoy the game. It does get frustrating after a point, so... if that's an issue, then: possibly avoid. Also, may cause addiction. "one more time" issues, etc.
Cosmic Express is a really good puzzle game. Cute, too. Also very difficult after a point, but, if working with parents... may just fit the bill.
Hidden Folks is also great. You just... find the hidden folks. Not much reading, but there is a bit of reading - possibly the kind where the parent can read for them, and they just go and find the thing. Or they just click on the picture and find it. Should work.
Take a look at the Tic-80 catalog (just get Tic-80, and go through the 'splore' thing yourself/with parents. It will download the 'cartridge' to the local filesystem. (which is lua source code... and some gfx, sound, etc. )
You can then just put it on the machine WITHOUT NETWORK and put the files on the local filesystem, and they can be loaded from tic80's menus. Or make a menu system.
Same with pico-8. Tic-80, though, is open source. Zep is cool tho and pico-8 has some very good games.
Both of these may lead to wanting to make their own thing (which I feel is a plus.)
This is very long already.
Andrew (Television Executive)
•Andrew (Television Executive)
•@andre @ashley The neverhood is a *remarkable* game.
Did you ever see the sequel? Armikrog?
Eric
•Those games are cool as hell, but it's really a shame that Doug TenNapel, artist, animator, designer, and writer on both games, is a raging transphobe, homophobe, and general ultra-right-wing chud. He's not the sole credit and all, but those are his games based on his characters. Feels bad, man.
@andre @ashley
Ashley Blewer
•Andrew (Television Executive)
•Ashley Blewer
•Andrew (Television Executive)
•Eric
•@ashley
Yeah, sorry to be the bearer of bad news. :(
@ajroach42 @andre
Eric
•Unfortunately, I have Armikrog in my steam library, but if I remember, it was part of some bundle, so I probably paid very little. Not sure what kind of royalty he gets these days, but probably at least "some." 🏴☠️
@ashley @andre