Flipper Zero joins forces with Raspberry Pi for new Video Game Module

The company behind the Flipper Zero has developed a new module, the Video Game Module, and a Raspberry Pi chip powers it.

Digital multitool Flipper Zero is bringing a new piece of kit to its repertoire. The Video Game Module brings a different toolset to the table for the Flipper, which is intended to be a pentesting tool.

Flipper’s Video Game Module houses a Raspberry Pi 2040 chip, which powers the Raspberry Pi Pico. On top, the device now allows the Flipper to output over HDMI as well.

As the Pi 2040 chip is intended to be for low powered microcontrollers, the video signal is limited to 640×480 and a refresh rate of 60Hz. It’s still impressive, but an emulation device this is not.

It could be used in tandem with regular security testing, or use the Flipper as a controller. The module allows the Flipper to access new functions like gyroscopes.

Flipper Zero launches Video Game Module with HDMI output

Flipper currently sells the Flipper Zero without any modules or with a Wi-Fi module powered by an ESP32 chip. This allows you to interact better with Wi-Fi signals, which is often required in a security or testing scenario.

Of course, the community can simply build their own modules thanks to the General Purpose Input Output (GPIO) pins on the top. If it can be plugged in, it can be coded to work. This is how the new Video Game module connects to the Flipper Zero.

As the pin slots are taken up by the new Video Game Module, Flipper has added a smaller array of GPIO pins on the module itself.

With the Pi 2040 chip in place, however, it opens up far more possibilities for tinkerers. Flipper’s default coding language of choice is built around C, which can be tough to tackle. 2040 chips work best with spin offs of Python, like CircuitPython and MicroPython, which should allow for the thousands of projects using them to now be compatible with the Flipper.

Of course, as the Module is running its own chip, it’s entirely independent and doesn’t require a Flipper to operate. In this case, it’d act like a regular Pico device.

Raspberry Pi founder comments on new Flipper Video Game Module

Speaking in a press release, the founder of Raspberry Pi, Eben Upton said:

“We’ve been enormous fans of the Flipper team ever since their first product debuted on Kickstarter in the summer of 2020.

“We’ve watched from the sidelines as Flipper Zero has gone on to sell units to geeks and researchers all around the world.

“Today, we’re excited to become part of the Flipper story with the Video Game Module, bringing the power of the Raspberry Pi RP2040 microcontroller to the Flipper ecosystem.

“We can’t wait to see what new Flipper applications emerge from this collaboration.”

Alex Kulagin, founder and COO of Flipper Devices added:

“We’ve created Flipper Zero with the vision of an expandable device that will be getting more and more useful with time through the work of our engineers and the wider community.

“Raspberry Pi products and vision have always inspired us and we are truly excited about this partnership and the first outcome of this collaboration — the new Video Game Module.”

He goes on to mention that the company is encouraging “developers, geeks and retro enthusiasts to embark on a DIY journey” to bridge the gap between “retro-gaming nostalgia and cutting-edge research.”