Breaking Boundaries: Gaming on Unconventional Devices

In a groundbreaking endeavor that pushed the limits of technology and creativity, a classic video game has been successfully run on an unexpected platform. The once beloved title, released by Rockstar Games in 2002, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, has found its way onto a TP-Link TL-WDRR4900 router, thanks to the ingenuity of a dedicated tinkerer.

The modifications were carried out by individuals known as Manawyrn and tSYS, who transformed the router into a compact computer capable of running both software and video games. The TP-Link TL-WDRR4900 router features a PowerPC e500v2 32-bit processor, providing sufficient power to run older games like Vice City.

Embarking on this endeavor was not without its challenges. Since the router lacked a graphics card, the modders had to devise and install a specially designed mini PCIe breakout. Through this, they connected an external AMD Radeon HD 7470 graphics card, allowing the router to be hooked up to a monitor and the game software to be launched.

Despite the hurdles faced, as detailed by KittenLabs, numerous technical issues needed to be resolved to ensure Vice City ran smoothly on the router. At one point, the modders even reached out to the individual responsible for converting Vice City to the Wii U for assistance, as there were similarities between the Nintendo console’s internals and the TP-Link processor.

Ultimately, the determined duo achieved the feat of playing Vice City on a decade-old router by utilizing Linux, a modified version of the game’s source code, and an external graphics card. While not the most straightforward method to enjoy GTA: Vice City, the performance may not be flawless. Nevertheless, it stands as a remarkable accomplishment, showcasing the innovative spirit akin to the myriad of peculiar modifications and ports that have emerged over the years for games like Doom.

The lingering question now remains – when will someone manage to run Vice City on a cash register?

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The source of the article is from the blog radiohotmusic.it