Graphing Calculators Turned Into Gaming Devices: How a TI Algebra Tool Was Transformed as a Retro Console

For the longest time, graphing calculators have not changed in terms of design and function, as they all centered on solving algebra and other math problems that could take more time to solve on paper.

However, a new mod is now turning Texas Instruments' graphic calculators into gaming consoles, using only a USB port and connecting to PC. While calculators are slowly dying in today's age as technology gets more advanced, this mod is now making calculators more popular as an inexpensive source for retro gaming.

TI Graphing Calculators Turned Retro Gaming Devices

A report by Digital Trends has brought another attention to gaming on the most unconventional tech, and this is through graphing calculators specifically made by Texas Instruments.

In the report, with the help of a mini-USB port on the side, a TI-84 Plus CE was modded to bring renowned retro games to the calculator and run on the calculator for the user's enjoyment.

Here, Digital Trends ported several retro games that also feature color, centering on titles like Spaze Invaders (a non-infringing version of Space Invaders) and a copy of the original Tetris, Tetric-A.

It did not end there, as the report also mentioned the possibility of bringing an old title called "The Oregon Trail," showing that it can run on the graphing calculator apart from algebraic problems.

Texas Instruments Calculator: Algebra to Games

Dallas-based tech company, Texas Instruments, has included a mini USB port on its calculators, making it possible to connect it to computers and add the games directly to the device.

However, at one point, the company closed this "loophole," but several users still found a way to work around it and still managed to load said games of their choice.

Porting Games in Unimaginable Platforms

Porting games or sideloading them to devices not meant for gaming is one of the odd things the gaming world has carried out for years, making it a popular experience for gamers.

One of the most iconic is porting the original Doom on a TI graphing calculator, bringing the entire game to the computing device. Doom by Bethesda has been significantly popular for porting into the most unimaginable of devices, with one creator sideloading it to the most exclusive of platforms of the present, the Apple Watch and Apple TV.

On a more modern take, Elon Musk's fascination with games has led to Tesla's infotainment system also getting a Steam client port where gamers may play in the vehicle as long as it is parked.

Texas Instruments has made it possible to put games on the graphing calculators through the USB ports that connect to computers paired with the software.

However, not all the games in the calculator could not be played as the device was initially meant for solving mathematical equations and problems, paired with smaller screens and even fewer physical buttons.