Seeing what creative minds can accomplish with everyday tech is always intriguing. From John Deere tractors to Ikea smart bulbs and even the MacBook Pro Touch Bar, an impressive array of unlikely devices has run the classic game Doom. Now, Nintendo's lovable Alarmo alarm clock joins this unique club. If you're wondering how a simple alarm clock got in on the gaming action, here's the story behind it.
Hacker brings Doom to the Alarmo alarm clock
After my last post, it was pretty clear what everyone wanted to see on the Alarmo. So, here it is - Doom running on the Nintendo Alarmo! pic.twitter.com/WimckYPnXZ
— Gary (@GaryOderNichts) November 2, 2024
It was only a matter of time before Doom found its way onto the Alarmo, Nintendo's mushroom-shaped clock. Hacker GaryOberNicht made it happen in a video posted to Mastodon and their X (formerly Twitter) account, showing the Alarmo clock doing much more than keeping time. They managed to run the game, and it's fully playable. Using the top mushroom-like button to navigate and other controls to shoot or open doors, Gary's demonstration takes Alarmo from an alarm clock to a retro game console.
Gary explained that they achieved this without modifying the hardware. According to them, it's possible to load the shareware version of Doom directly from a USB drive, so there's no need to open up the device or fiddle with its internals. Gary also made the software and instructions available on GitHub, a significant boost for gaming fans. Almost any Alarmo owner can turn their clock into a mini Doom machine with the right know-how.
Unlocking the Alarmo's potential with custom firmware
I have a stable connection rigged up to the SWD pads on the Nintendo Alarmo. Haven't connected to my debugger board yet, but this is looking legit! pic.twitter.com/gzbkm8RGhP
— Spinda 🐲🦊🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ (@_spinda) October 13, 2024
The journey to bring Doom to the Alarmo clock is fascinating. Gary's project builds on previous efforts by another tinkerer, Spinda, who initially hacked the Alarmo using a Flipper Zero device. By extracting the firmware, Spinda paved the way for customisation, which Gary then used to run Doom on the Alarmo. They did this by utilising the USB-C port, cleverly creating a way for the Alarmo to load external firmware without altering the original software.
In a blog post, Gary detailed the process, explaining that they enabled a USB mode on the clock to direct it to external firmware stored on a USB drive. This method means that almost anyone with a USB-C connection can replicate the setup, making it surprisingly accessible for tech enthusiasts who want to try running games on non-traditional platforms.
What's especially interesting is how Gary has simplified the process for other Alarmo owners, offering step-by-step instructions and open-source code. This openness allows for a broader range of people to explore the possibilities with Alarmo, and it wouldn't be surprising if this mod sparks a wave of other creative Alarmo hacks.
What's next for Alarmo gaming?
This hack represents a playful look at how technology can be repurposed, but there's also the potential for further experimentation within the community. Gary's successful run of Doom on Alarmo might be the beginning. With the door open to custom firmware, others may follow suit, finding new ways to bring games and other software to the clock. However, the extent to which this might develop could depend on Nintendo's stance. Known for its strict copyright enforcement, Nintendo may not be too pleased with Alarmo becoming a mini-game console. Still, for now, the project stands as an exciting example of creative ingenuity.
Gary's hack shows how even simple gadgets can be transformed surprisingly, pushing the limits of what's possible. With the instructions and software freely available online, Alarmo owners now have the opportunity to join in and bring a slice of classic gaming to their bedside table. The hack has already drawn the attention of tech fans across the web, and if Nintendo doesn't intervene, this could be the start of an unexpected Alarmo gaming community.
