The ESP32 SoftCard is designed to extend the capabilities ofthe Apple II/II+ or Apple IIe using the ESP32 module. Similarly to the original Z80SoftCard, it has its own processor allowing it to run software not originallymeant for the Apple II. And similarly to the original 80-column card which wasalso needed, it generates its own composite video. The composite standards NTSC, NTSC-50 and PAL are supported and the user can switch between them using a command.In addition the ESP32 SoftCard produces its own 8-bit sound that is mixed andplayed through the Apple II speaker. For most of its applications the card alsoneeds a FAT32 formatted microSD card, which is provided.
So far the ESP32 SoftCard has the following capabilities:
- Run Doom. Itsshareware or full WAD files and MP3 music need to be placed in a folder of theSD card.
- Run Wolfenstein3D. A shareware or a full version of the game needs to be in a folder of the SDcard.
- Emulate aMacintosh classic. The ROM and floppy/hard drive images need to be on the SDcard.
- Emulate an IBM PC/XT compatible running DOS and Windows 3.0. The floppy/hard drive images need to be on the SD card.
- Emulate SEGA, NES and TurboGrafx-16 (a.k.a. PC Engine). Game ROMs need to be on the SD card.
- Play videosstored on the SD card. The maximum resolution is 320x240 for PAL or NTSC-50 and 320x200for regular NTSC.
- Connect to theInternet through Wi-Fi.
- Listen toInternet audio streams or play MP3 files stored on the SD card.
- A rudimentary80x25 text mode command console with more than 30 distinct commands.
- Support for anApple II joystick. The joystick can be used in Doom, Wolfenstein 3D, SEGA, NESand the Macintosh emulator, where it can either be a regular joystick oremulate a mouse. In the PC/XT emulator it controls the arrow keys, but it does not emulate a mouse.
- Support for theApple Mouse II. The mouse can be used in Doom, Wolfenstein 3D, SEGA, NES, TurboGrafx-16, the Macintosh emulator and the PC/XT emulator.
- Support for 256grayscale mode for monochrome monitors.
- Ability toupgrade the firmware from the SD card as new capabilities/bug fixes are added.
- An FTP serverwhich gives access to the entire SD card.
The card has been thoroughly tested on Apple II+, Apple IIeand Pravetz 82. It has also been shown to work properly on Apple IIgs, Laser 128, Pravetz 8C and Pravetz 8M by some of the early adopters.
The ESP32 SoftCard is not a bootable card and it requires eithera Disk II/Smartport emulating device, such as FloppyEmu, CFFA3000 Card, Dan ][Controller, TJ Boldt ProDOS card, etc., or an actual Apple II floppy drive withat least one empty diskette.
The card ships with a 20" (50 cm) video cable and a 32 GB microSD card.
The Installation and Basic Operation instructions can be found on the Applefritter website or simply by searching for "The ESP32 SoftCard for the Apple II".
