Tech specs#

The console#

Kate is a console that uses 2020s technology to recreate some of the feelings of early 2000s and 2010s technology and culture. It sports a cute strawberry cake × cats themed case, specific security feedback channels, and a proper cartridge slot.

The hardware comes in two versions. A handheld version, the Purr-fect Cookie:

../../../_images/cookie.png

And a small box with a CD/DVD reader that you plug into your TV, the Cheesecake Vending Meow-chine:

../../../_images/cheesecake.png

Note

The hardware, 3d models for the case design, operating system, and all other components are planned to be released as open-source in 2024, so you will be able to build your own physical Kate console from these parts.

Right now only the Kate Emulator is available as an early technology preview. The physical console will run the same software specification and thus be compatible with all Kate cartridges that run in the emulator, only with the hardware limitations specified below unless you build your console using custom hardware.

Computing power#

Kate is available in different versions, with increasing cost and computing power capabilities. For requirements, games will include the lowest version needed to play the game, as well as the recommended version.

Crystal (Casual)

Paper Lantern (Regular)

Phantom (Powerful)

CPU

1.8GHz (4 cores)

1.8GHz (4 cores)

2.4GHz (4 cores)

RAM

2 GB

4 GB

4 GB

Storage

32 GB

64 GB

128 GB

SoC

Raspberry Pi 4*

Raspberry Pi 4*

Raspberry Pi 5*

Note

The cases and operating system are designed to use off-the-shelf Raspberry Pi boards. You should be able to use other SoCs, but you’ll need to modify at least the case and PCB designs, and you might need to patch Raspberry OS-specific components if you’re using another Linux distribution.

Graphics#

Kate has a native display resolution of 800x480 pixels. It can be upscaled to 1200x720 (1.5x) and 1600x960 (2x). The screen aspect ratio is 5:3. The handheld version sports a 5” screen with touch support (5 points).

The GPU supports OpenGL ES 3.1.

Note

When running the emulator, this means that your GPU card should have at least been released after 2012, and have updated drivers that provide the needed functionality.

Input#

Kate’s gamepad has a total of 10 digital input buttons used for controlling games, with two special digital buttons used by the OS:

  • Ok button (a.k.a. O) (Ok), Sparkle button (Sparkle), Menu button (Menu), and Cancel button (a.k.a. X) (Cancel) face buttons;

  • D-Pad (D-Pad);

  • Left shoulder button and Right shoulder button shoulder buttons;

  • Capture button (Capture button) and Berry button (Berry button) (special, used by the OS);

Up to 4 gamepads can be connected to the console at a time, either through bluetooth or directly through USB.

It also supports attached keyboards for text input, and styluses/touch for pointer inputs. A haptics module for vibration and a 6-axis DoF sensor module are planned.

Cartridges#

Games for Kate can be made with many different technologies, and are shared as ROM files (physically distributed in mini CD/DVD), which Kate calls a “cartridge”. The ROM files incldue all the data needed to run the game. There are no limits for the ROM file size.

Kate never runs the ROM files directly; rather they’re copied into the console in a more efficient format upon installation. From that point on, as long as you don’t archive the game in Kate, it can be played without needing to keep the file around or inserting the disc [1].