From custom-made ports to emulated environments, there are many options for enjoying classic games. However, there is a very significant number of enthusiasts who want to run their favorite software on real hardware... which is increasingly difficult to obtain in good condition. This is where the ITX-Llama project, created by Eivind Bøhler, comes in. It is an ITX motherboard with retro specifications, including an AGP slot, an ISA sound chip, and all the I/O support to play without problems in DOS and Windows 9x.
Both DOSBox-X and DOSBox Staging are excellent starting points to run a retro game and not lose your sanity in the attempt. While they are not Plug & Play solutions and have a certain learning curve, user friction is much lower. There are also specific game ports like Prince of Persia, Doom, Dark Forces and Rollercoaster Tycoon, which only require some original files (or none, if they are freeware / open source games).
But what happens when we want to play on real hardware? One of the main challenges is obtaining equipment and components in good condition that don't throw in the towel after a few days. Many "retrogaming computers" spent decades stored in closets and warehouses, exposed to all kinds of negative elements (dust, humidity, cigarette smoke, static, corrosion, insects, other chemicals, etc.). The alternative is something like the ITX-Llama project, which seeks to offer the best of both worlds: compatible retro hardware on a modern platform.
ITX-Llama: A modern vision for retro hardware
ITX-Llama is a creation of Eivind Bøhler, and its original presentation dates back to March 2023. This motherboard uses a real x86 processor, has an AGP 1x slot for 3.3v and universal cards (more than enough in this case), and most importantly, a Crystal CS4237B chip connected to the ISA bus, thus guaranteeing wide audio compatibility.
The processor is a Vortex86EX system-on-module that we can configure at different speed levels (between 100 and 500 MHz), and the ITX-Llama BIOS allows us to disable cache memories, further reducing its performance, an essential step for those games that don't respond well to fast processors (e.g., Wing Commander). The module includes 128 MB of LPDDR3 memory, and in general terms, it is equivalent to a Pentium 233.
But that's not all: ITX-Llama has a large I/O panel with two USB 2.0 ports, PS/2 for keyboard and mouse, a serial port, a gameport/MIDI port, audio outputs (optical and analog), and 100 Mbps Ethernet compatible with MS-DOS and Windows 9x. On the PCB we also find connectors for external OPL3 synthesizers, wavetable modules, and even a Raspberry Pi loaded with MT32-Pi (Roland MT-32 emulator). The ESP8266 converts serial to WiFi, in case someone wants to connect to BBS.
To finish, ITX-Llama offers a SATA connector (optical drives welcome), fan headers, a virtual floppy drive loaded with a boot disk, a microSD slot that we can use as a hard drive, and even an integrated HDD Clicker. Needless to say, it is an expensive platform ($299, and you have to buy the Vortex module separately), and you have to enter preorder rounds to get it (the second one completes this month), but ITX-Llama responds with convenience, ease of use, and the backing of modern manufacturing.
Official site: Click here
