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Video Game Module — Complete Guide

One-line positioning: a Raspberry Pi RP2040-powered module that snaps onto the Flipper Zero to turn it into a mini game console — mirroring the Flipper's screen to a TV (DVI 640×480), playing retro games, and adding 6-axis motion sensing.

Specification sheet​

Official specifications (source: Flipper Devices + Raspberry Pi RP2040):

CategorySpecification
MCURaspberry Pi RP2040 — dual-core ARM Cortex-M0+ @ up to 133 MHz (slightly overclocked for video)
SRAM264 KB on-chip
Video outDVI-D, 640×480 @ 60 Hz (driven by RP2040 PIO)
Motion sensorTDK ICM-42688-P 6-axis (gyroscope + accelerometer)
USBUSB Type-C — device or host (no power delivery)
GPIO breakout11 GPIO pins + 2 GND + 3.3 V
ControlsBOOT button (bootloader mode) + RESET button
CompatibilityRaspberry Pi Pico pin-compatible for most projects
FirmwareOpen source (github.com/flipperdevices/video-game-module)
RequirementFlipper Zero firmware 0.98.3 or later

Overview​

The Video Game Module was developed in collaboration with Raspberry Pi and uses the RP2040 — the same chip as the Raspberry Pi Pico. Flipper Devices overclocked it slightly so its PIO (programmable I/O) blocks can generate a DVI-D video signal at 640×480@60 Hz — the classic "HDMI-like" retro video mode that looks crisp on a modern TV because the Flipper's own screen is only 128×64.

What it unlocks:

  • Screen mirroring — show the Flipper Zero's UI on a TV (great for demos and teaching).
  • Retro gaming — load games from the microSD card and play on the TV with the Flipper's D-pad.
  • Motion control — the 6-axis ICM-42688-P sensor enables air-mouse style control and motion games.
  • Standalone dev board — because it's a full RP2040, it runs Raspberry Pi Pico projects standalone (e.g. the Scoppy oscilloscope app).
  • Flipper Zero Game Engine — the open-source engine (with the IMU driver) makes writing your own games easy.

The module comes with a silicone bumper so it fits tightly on the Flipper Zero. If your Flipper is in a Silicone Case, remove the case first — the module can't snap on over it.

Quickstart​

Step 1: Update the Flipper Zero firmware first​

The module needs Flipper Zero firmware 0.98.3 or later. If you haven't updated recently, do it now via qFlipper or the Mobile App.

Step 2: Attach the module​

  1. Remove the Silicone Case if fitted (the module has its own bumper).
  2. Power off the Flipper Zero.
  3. Align the module's connector with the Flipper's GPIO header (matching the orientation marking) and press down until it clicks.
  4. Power on the Flipper Zero. It should automatically detect the module and prepare it.

Verify: Main Menu → Settings → Expansion Modules → the Listen UART option must be set to USART (the module communicates over UART). If it's set to anything else, the module won't be detected.

Step 3: Connect to a TV​

  1. Plug the video cable into the Video Out port on the module (DVI-D; use a DVI or DVI-to-HDMI cable).
  2. On the TV, switch the input source to the port you used.
  3. The Flipper Zero's screen appears on the TV at 640×480@60 Hz.

If you see "Video Game Module not initialized" on the TV, the Flipper firmware is too old (or the module is powered without a Flipper). Update the Flipper firmware and retry.

Step 4: Play a game​

  1. Copy game files (.fap apps + assets) to the microSD card — see the official module docs and the Flipper app catalog.
  2. On the Flipper: Apps → Games → pick your game.
  3. Play on the TV with the D-pad; games using the IMU let you tilt/move the Flipper to control the action.

Advanced usage​

Air mouse​

With the right app, wave the Flipper Zero (with the module attached) in the air to control a computer cursor over Bluetooth — the ICM-42688-P reports rotation and acceleration, and the Flipper translates it into mouse movement.

Write your own games with the Game Engine​

The Flipper Zero Game Engine handles vector math, sprite caching, rendering and event processing. Build with the standard Flipper firmware SDK, then copy the resulting .fap to apps/ on the microSD.

Raspberry Pi Pico projects (standalone)​

The module can run without the Flipper Zero:

  1. Hold BOOT, plug USB-C into your PC → the RP2040 appears as a USB mass-storage drive.
  2. Drop a standard Pico .uf2 file onto it (e.g. Scoppy oscilloscope firmware).
  3. The RP2040 runs the Pico firmware on its own — the Flipper isn't involved.
# After BOOT + plug, the drive appears; copying a .uf2 is all it takes
cp scoppy.uf2 /media/$(whoami)/RPI-RP2/

Expected output:

(nothing printed — the drive unmounts itself after a successful flash)

⚠️ Flashing a generic Pico .uf2 replaces the video-game firmware. To restore, re-flash the official vgm-fw-*.uf2 the same way (download from the video-game-module repo).

Firmware​

  • Module firmware updates are flashed over USB-C in BOOT mode (a .uf2 file — same flow as a Pico).
  • The module firmware is separate from the Flipper's own firmware. Update both for best compatibility.
  • Sources and release firmware: github.com/flipperdevices/video-game-module.

Compatibility​

PlatformSupportNotes
Flipper Zero (official)✅Requires firmware ≥ 0.98.3
TV / monitor✅DVI-D 640×480@60; HDMI via DVI-to-HDMI cable
Standalone (no Flipper)✅Runs Raspberry Pi Pico firmware
PC flashing✅BOOT + USB-C → drag-and-drop .uf2

Troubleshooting​

SymptomCauseFix
"Video Game Module not initialized"Flipper firmware too oldUpdate Flipper firmware ≥ 0.98.3
Module not detectedListen UART not set to USARTSettings → Expansion Modules → Listen UART = USART
No picture on TVWrong input / cableSelect the correct HDMI/DVI input; use a data-capable cable
No motion control in gameIMU not initializedRe-attach module (power off first), restart game
Module won't flashNot in bootloader modeHold BOOT before plugging USB-C