agg23/openfpga-template

This template repository helps people create new "cores" for the Analogue Pocket, a handheld device that can reenact classic gaming hardware. Think of a core as a custom software package that lets the Pocket emulate a specific retro console, like the Game Boy, SNES, or other vintage systems. Instead of starting from scratch, this template gives you the foundational files and starter code you need to begin building one of these cores. At a high level, it provides the basic structure that a core requires, including JSON configuration files that define how the core behaves and starter code written in Verilog. Verilog is a language used to program FPGA chips, which are special hardware components that can physically reconfigure themselves to act like different types of computer chips. This is different from traditional software emulation, which tries to mimic old hardware through regular software. With FPGA, the chip actually becomes a version of the original hardware, which is why retro gaming enthusiasts value it for preservation. This template would be used by developers and hobbyists who want to bring classic gaming systems to the Analogue Pocket. For example, if someone wanted to make the Pocket compatible with an obscure 1980s computer or an old arcade board, they could start with this scaffold to handle the foundational setup. It gives them a head start so they can focus on the actual hardware logic rather than figuring out the basic project structure from nothing. The README is quite sparse and doesn't go into detail about the specific contents of the template or how to use it. It does note that the project ties into Analogue's development program, which focuses on preserving video game hardware using FPGA technology and gives developers access to the Pocket's input and output capabilities for interfacing with original cartridges or other legacy hardware.