The tradition of working on any device with a screen continues to surprise us. Over the years, we’ve witnessed the digital phenomenon that is *Doom* executed in increasingly extravagant locations. This time, the classic shooter has found a new home in a completely unexpected place: a Power Bank . The most impressive aspect of this setup is that it works much better than one might expect.
What Happened. Aaron Christophyl, a content creator known for his experiments with hardware, has managed to execute *Doom* on an Anker Prime Charger rated at 250W . This charger, primarily designed for charging multiple devices, features a 2.26-inch color screen . So naturally, one might wonder what else this screen could be used for other than showcasing *Doom*.
Why It Works So Well. The secret lies in the internals of the charger. The Anker Prime Charger incorporates a SYNWIT SWM34S processor powered by an ARM Cortex-M33 core running at 150 MHz , with 8 MB of RAM and 16 MB of internal storage . These specifications, while modest by today’s standards, are more than sufficient to run a game designed in the 1990s when personal computers typically operated at 25-33 MHz .
Peculiar Controls. The most ingenious aspect of this project is the controls . The charger only has a rotating wheel next to the screen, yet Christophyl has managed to map all basic functions of the game: turning the wheel for movement, pressing and turning for lateral movement, and clicking to shoot or open doors. While it’s certainly not the most comfortable method to play *Doom*, it cleverly utilizes the wheel that comes with the charger.
No Hardware Modifications. Remarkably, this implementation does not require any physical modifications to the device. Christophyl simply used the USB-C port to load the game software, allowing the charger to maintain its primary function of charging other devices while also giving users the option to play *Doom*.
<img alt="In 2017, four Australians revolutionized video games. 'Silksong' and its Coca-Cola formula promises to repeat it" width="375" height="142" src="https://i.blogs.es/74489f/ux86s5jgxan0b8jy2trvebne/375_142.jpeg"/>More and More Crazy Ideas. This instance adds to the long list of unusual devices where *Doom* has been executed over the years. From calculators and pregnancy tests to lawnmowers, the popular novelty shooter has become the definitive test for showcasing the capabilities of any hardware with a processor. And what remains to be seen is just how far this phenomenon will continue.
Cover image | Aaron Christophyl
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