# Fruit Jam Sega Genesis
## Overview
https://youtu.be/oZ-EQrSU3Wk
The Sega Genesis is one of the all-time great gaming consoles.
Released in Japan in 1988 (as the Mega Drive), in North America in 1989, and in much of the rest of the world the following year (also as the Mega Drive), Sega went on to sell over 30 million units worldwide and boast a library of over 900 titles, including arcade ports and system-defining Sonic the Hedgehog franchise.
Thanks to the efforts of the emulator community, now, you can play the beautiful games again from the comfort of your Fruit Jam microcontroller.
Credits and a huge thank you go to [Frank Hoedemakers](https://github.com/fhoedemakers) for creating [picoGenesisPlus](https://github.com/fhoedemakers/pico-genesisPlus) for the Fruit Jam. This emulator is based on [Gwenesis](https://github.com/bzhxx/gwenesis) and [Pico-Megadrive for murmulator board](https://github.com/xrip/pico-megadrive)
Warning: Two notes: Save games aren't implemented yet and sound quality on the emulator isn't great, so the internal speaker is probably a better bet than headphones.
## Parts
### Adafruit Fruit Jam - Mini RP2350 Computer
[Adafruit Fruit Jam - Mini RP2350 Computer](https://www.adafruit.com/product/6200)
We were catching up on a recent [hackaday hackchat with eben upton](https://hackaday.io/event/202122-raspberry-pi-hack-chat-with-eben-upton) and learned some fun facts: such as the DVI hack for the RP2040 was inspired by
Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/6200)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/6200/guides)
### USB Game Controller with SNES-like Layout
[USB Game Controller with SNES-like Layout](https://www.adafruit.com/product/6285)
This is a generic USB game controller, which plugs into to provide a two-handed gaming experience for retro gaming, or really any game you want to use a handheld rather than keyboard controller! Use it with your Raspberry Pi or desktop computer while playing emulated games, or as a...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/6285)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/6285/guides)
### SD/MicroSD Memory Card (8 GB SDHC)
[SD/MicroSD Memory Card (8 GB SDHC)](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1294)
Add mega-storage in a jiffy using this 8 GB class 4 micro-SD card. It comes with a SD adapter so you can use it with any of our shields or adapters. Preformatted to FAT so it works out of the box with our projects. Tested and works great with our
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1294)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1294/guides)
## Genesis USB Game Pad
While our generic SNES-like USB controller works great, you can go for an even more authentic experience with the officially licensed [USB Genesis 6-button controller](https://www.retro-bit.com/controllers/genesis/#usb) from Retro-Bit available at [many retailers](https://www.retro-bit.com/where-to-buy/).
Note: picoGenesisPlus emulator works with the three A, B, C buttons only, so no X, Y, Z presses are registered.
### Part: Black Woven USB C to USB A Cable
quantity: 1
2 meters long
[Black Woven USB C to USB A Cable](https://www.adafruit.com/product/6324)
### Part: 5V 2A Switching Power Supply
quantity: 1
With USB-A Connector
[5V 2A Switching Power Supply](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1994)
# Fruit Jam Sega Genesis
## Software Installation
Head here first to [download the latest release UF2 of picogenesisPlus for Fruit Jam](https://github.com/fhoedemakers/pico-genesisPlus/releases).
## Enter RP2350 Bootloader Mode
Entering the RP2350 bootloader is easy. Complete the following steps.
**Before you start, make sure your Fruit Jam is plugged into USB port to your computer using a data/sync cable.** Charge-only cables will not work!
**Turn on the Fruit Jam On/Off switch** - check that you see the ON light on so you know the board is powered.
To enter the bootloader:
1. **Press and hold the BOOT/BUTTON1 button down.** Don't let go of it yet!
2. **Press and release the Reset button.** You should still have the BOOT/BUTTON1 button pressed while you do this.
3. **Continue holding the BOOT/BUTTON1 button until you see the RP2350 drive appear on your computer (in Explorer or Finder depending on your operating system).**
4. You can now release but BOOT/BUTTON1 button.
## Drag UF2
Navigate to the folder where you downloaded the **uf2** file, then drag it onto the RP2350 drive.
The board will automatically reboot and PicoNES will launch automatically.
## microSD Card Setup
Format a microSD card to FAT32 or exFAT and copy your legally acquired Genesis roms onto it.
You can optionally organize your games into folders on the microSD card.
Danger: Looking for some ROMs? Check out some of these excellent Genesis/Mega Drive homebrew games and resources!
- [Minplanets](https://sik.itch.io/miniplanets)
- [Project MD](https://github.com/sikthehedgehog/projectmd/tree/master)
- [Awesome Megadrive (dev resources) ](https://github.com/And-0/awesome-megadrive)
- [Tanglewood](https://bigevilcorporation.itch.io/tanglewood)
- [5stars shmup](https://github.com/sikthehedgehog/5stars)
Primary: The PSRAM on the Fruit Jam is used instead of flash to load the roms from SD, this makes things run as smooth as can be!
## Metadata
Download the metadata pack from the [releases page](https://github.com/fhoedemakers/pico-infonesPlus/releases/latest/download/PicoNesMetadata.zip) and extract its contents to the root of the SD card. It contains box art and game info for many games. The metadata is used in the menu to show box art and game info when a rom is selected. Press **START** to view the information. When the screensaver starts, random box art will be shown, bouncing around the screen.
# Fruit Jam Sega Genesis
## Fruit Jam Setup
## Case
You can print or [purchase](https://www.adafruit.com/product/6425) the optional Fruit Jam case. To print, [check out this guide](https://learn.adafruit.com/fruit-jam-case).
## Optional Logo
If you'd like to you can 3D print a logo for your Fruit Jam case from the file linked here. Either print with dual materials or print single color and paint in the letters, then adhere it to the case with double-stick tape or CA glue.
[gen_logo2.stl](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/140/729/original/gen_logo2.stl?1761100574)
## Prep
To prep for play, fit the Fruit Jam into the case bottom. Plug in the optional speaker for on-board sound.
Feed the on-off switch into the slot on front of the case, then snap the top down.
Plug in the following:
- **Fruit Jam USB C Power & Data** port to USB C **power adapter**
- **Fruit Jam DVI-D Video Output** to **monitor/TV HDMI input** via HDMI cable
- **Fruit Jam Stereo Headphone** output to headphones or powered speakers via 3.5mm stereo TRS cable
- **USB gamepad** to **Fruit Jam USB 1** or **USB 2** port (some controllers seem to prefer port 2)
- Insert the micro SD card (with the Fruit Jam power off)
## Classic Controllers
For two player games, you can optionally plug in a Wii/NES/SNES Classic Controller.
With the Fruit Jam powered off, plug in a STEMMA QT cable to the **Fruit Jam STEMMA QT** port. Then plug in the Adafruit Nunchuck Breakout Adapter.
Plug your Nintendo controller into the adapter.
Now, when you select "2 Player" in most games the second player will default to the I2C controller.
## Classic Controller Only Support
When a USB controller is connected, the Wii-classic controller is Player 2. To use the Wii-Classic as Player 1, unplug the USB controller.
# Fruit Jam Sega Genesis
## Run the PicoGenesisPlus Emulator
With everything wired up, turn on the Fruit Jam, the TV, and the speakers (or headphones) and play!
## Menu Usage
Gamepad buttons:
- **UP** / **DOWN** : Next/previous item in the menu.
- **LEFT** / **RIGHT** : next/previous page.
- **A** (Circle): Open folder/flash and start game.
- **B** (X): Back to parent folder.
- **START** : Show [metadata](https://github.com/fhoedemakers/pico-infonesPlus/tree/main?tab=readme-ov-file#using-metadata) and box art (when available)
The colors in the menu can be changed and saved:
- **Mode/Select** + **Up** / **Down** changes the foreground color.
- **Mode/Select** + **Left** / **Right** changes the background color.
- **Mode/Select** + **A** saves the colors. Screen will flicker when saved.
- **Mode/Select** + **B** resets the colors to default. (Black on white)
When using an USB-Keyboard in menu:
- Cursor keys: **Up** , **Down** , **left** , **right**
- **Z** : Back to parent folder
- **X** : Open Folder/flash and start a game
- **S** : Show [metadata](https://github.com/fhoedemakers/pico-infonesPlus/tree/main?tab=readme-ov-file#using-metadata) and box art (when available).
- **A** : acts as the select button.
**USB-keyboard** : When using an USB-Keyboard in-game:
- D-pad keys: **up** , **down** , **left** , **right**
- **A** : Select
- **S** : Start
- **Z** : B
- **X** : A
## Emulator (in game)
Gamepad buttons:
- **SELECT** + **START** , Xbox button: Resets back to the SD Card menu.
- **SELECT** + **UP** / **SELECT** + **DOWN** : switches screen modes.
- **SELECT** + **A** / **B** : toggle rapid-fire.
- **START** + **A** : Toggle framerate display
- **Fruit Jam Only**
- **Button 1** (on board): Mute audio of built-in speaker. Audio is still output to the audio jack.
- **SELECT** + **UP** : Toggle scanlines.
- **Button 2** (on board) or **SELECT** + **RIGHT** : Toggles the VU meter on or off -- NeoPixel LEDs light up in sync with the music rhythm
https://youtu.be/oZ-EQrSU3Wk
## CRTs
While the Fruit Jam outputs DVI (digital) video, it isn't to difficult to get it to play nicely with older CRTs and send an analog RGB video signal using video converters.
This example uses an inexpensive [HDMI to VGA converter](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1151) plugged into a scan converter/scaler that's able to turn the RGBHV (horizontal and vertical sync on their own lines) into an RGBs, component Y-Pb-Pr, S-video, and composite signal that makes older CRTs happy.
## USB Game Controller Latency
Using a USB game controller introduces some latency. The classic controllers over Stemma QT/I2C have less latency.
## Featured Products
### Adafruit Fruit Jam - Mini RP2350 Computer
[Adafruit Fruit Jam - Mini RP2350 Computer](https://www.adafruit.com/product/6200)
We were catching up on a recent [hackaday hackchat with eben upton](https://hackaday.io/event/202122-raspberry-pi-hack-chat-with-eben-upton) and learned some fun facts: such as the DVI hack for the RP2040 was inspired by
Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/6200)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/6200/guides)
### Snap-on Enclosure for Adafruit Fruit Jam
[Snap-on Enclosure for Adafruit Fruit Jam](https://www.adafruit.com/product/6425)
Here is a cool and minimal enclosure for your [Fruit Jam](https://www.adafruit.com/product/6200) to keep it safe during use and transport. This case has been custom-designed and 3D printed to accommodate all connection ports of the Fruit Jam. No screws or...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/6425)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/6425/guides)
### Black Woven USB C to USB A Cable - 2 meters long
[Black Woven USB C to USB A Cable - 2 meters long](https://www.adafruit.com/product/6324)
This cable is not only super-fashionable, with a woven pattern in classic Adafruit black, it's also made for USB C for our modernized breakout boards, Feathers, and more.
First, let's talk about the cover and over-molding. We got these in custom colors, and if you...
Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/6324)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/6324/guides)
### USB Game Controller with SNES-like Layout
[USB Game Controller with SNES-like Layout](https://www.adafruit.com/product/6285)
This is a generic USB game controller, which plugs into to provide a two-handed gaming experience for retro gaming, or really any game you want to use a handheld rather than keyboard controller! Use it with your Raspberry Pi or desktop computer while playing emulated games, or as a...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/6285)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/6285/guides)
### 5V 2A Switching Power Supply w/ USB-A Connector
[5V 2A Switching Power Supply w/ USB-A Connector](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1994)
Our 5V 2A USB power adapter is the perfect choice for powering single-board computers like Raspberry Pi, BeagleBone, or anything else that's power-hungry!
This adapter was specifically designed to provide 5.25V, not 5V, but we still call it a 5V USB adapter. We did this on purpose to...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1994)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1994/guides)
### SD/MicroSD Memory Card (8 GB SDHC)
[SD/MicroSD Memory Card (8 GB SDHC)](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1294)
Add mega-storage in a jiffy using this 8 GB class 4 micro-SD card. It comes with a SD adapter so you can use it with any of our shields or adapters. Preformatted to FAT so it works out of the box with our projects. Tested and works great with our
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1294)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1294/guides)
## Related Guides
- [USB Game Controller with SNES-like Layout](https://learn.adafruit.com/usb-game-controller-with-snes-like-layout.md)
- [Adafruit Fruit Jam](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-fruit-jam.md)
- [Tiny Wiki for CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/tiny-wiki-for-circuitpython.md)
- [Pixelfed Photo Viewer on Fruit Jam](https://learn.adafruit.com/pixelfed-photo-viewer-on-fruit-jam.md)
- [Holiday Card Maker on Fruit Jam](https://learn.adafruit.com/holiday-card-maker-on-fruit-jam.md)
- [Logic Gates Simulator on Fruit Jam](https://learn.adafruit.com/logic-gates-simulator-on-fruit-jam.md)
- [Fruit Jam, Zork and the Z Machine](https://learn.adafruit.com/zork-and-the-z-machine.md)
- [Apple //e Emulator on Fruit Jam](https://learn.adafruit.com/apple-e-emulator-on-fruit-jam.md)
- [Egg Hunt Maze Game on Fruit Jam](https://learn.adafruit.com/egg-hunt-maze-game-on-fruit-jam.md)
- [Feather RP2040 DVI Video Synth](https://learn.adafruit.com/feather-rp2040-dvi-video-synth.md)
- [Severance Portable Macrodata Refinement Terminal](https://learn.adafruit.com/portable-macrodata-refinement-terminal.md)
- [Adafruit BrainCraft HAT - Easy Machine Learning for Raspberry Pi](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-braincraft-hat-easy-machine-learning-for-raspberry-pi.md)
- [Fruit Jam Mac Emulator](https://learn.adafruit.com/fruit-jam-mac-emulator.md)
- [EYE SHOOTOUT: Contrasting Open Source and Big Retail Electronics](https://learn.adafruit.com/eye-shootout-contrasting-open-source-and-big-retail-electronics.md)
- [Ambient Video Lighting with HyperHDR](https://learn.adafruit.com/ambient-video-lighting-with-hyperhdr.md)
- [Pinball Controller for iPad](https://learn.adafruit.com/pinball-controll-ipad.md)
- [Snake Game on Metro RP2350](https://learn.adafruit.com/snake-game-on-metro-rp2350.md)