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Modder runs Sonic on TI-84 CE graphing calculator, beats two levels at 2 FPS

When playing games on hardware that clearly wasn't designed for gaming, modders usually pick Doom for the sake of memes. But one gamer decided to take on a whole new challenge: not only to get the recently released Sonic X Shadow Generations up and running on a graphing calculator but also to complete a couple of levels on it.

In a clip posted to YouTube by Barcade, we see Shadow the Hedgehog racing through the opening levels of the game on what looks like a fairly standard graphing calculator display.

"Sonic X Shadow Generations came out pretty recently and I've already mastered the game, so I feel like I need a new challenge," the player says in the clip, before whipping out the calculator.

The calculator in question is a TI-84 Plus CE model made by Texas Instruments, featuring a small 2.8-inch 320 x 240 color screen. This translates to 140 DPI, which wouldn't be too bad for some titles, but Sonic X Shadow Generations – launched for the latest consoles and PCs – wasn't designed to be viewed on such primitive calculator hardware.

To be clear, Barcade wasn't viewing the game on the calculator's tiny display. He was likely using the graphing calculator solely as an unorthodox controller input, hooked up to a PC running Sonic X Shadow Generations on a proper monitor. Playing a fast-paced 3D platformer at just 2 frames per second would require superhuman reflexes.

Still, using the calculator's clunky, unintuitive controls for precise platforming was far from optimal. There was a noticeable input lag too. We even hear Barcade complaining about the frustrating "key binds" during the video. But through sheer skill, he secured an A rank by the first act's end. The second act also netted an A rank, just missing the S rank top score.

As for how this technical marvel is even possible, it turns out that the key is an open-source application called Calc2KeyCE, which allows the graphing calculator to interface with a PC over a wired connection. The calculator can then send keyboard inputs while receiving a heavily downscaled video stream on its tiny display.

It's hardly an optimal gaming setup, but it does open up some fun possibilities. Simpler, retro-style games could actually be enjoyable on a setup like this without the need for a PC monitor – like maybe The Oregon Trail, which is even getting a film adaptation.

However, this feat remains a fascinating proof of concept! For truly slow-paced games, like classic text adventures or point-and-click adventure games, a setup like this could become almost practical.

Now, we should still tell you that the best native handheld gaming experiences available today will be garnered from the proper Best PC Gaming Handhelds, not a TI-84 Plus CE. And yes, Steam Deck can not only play Sonic X Shadow Generations, complete with Shadow's new Doom Powers — it can even play the actual Doom series up to Doom Eternal at low settings, 30 FPS with ray tracing enabled. 60 FPS is on the table without RT, too!

mundophone