This Modder Got Tomb Raider Running on a 1W ESP32-P4 Chip

What Is the ESP32-P4?

The ESP32-P4 is a microcontroller chip manufactured by Espressif Systems, featuring a dual-core 32-bit RISC-V CPU with AI instruction extensions. It belongs to the embedded microcontroller category and provides more processing power and hardware acceleration than typical for its class. In this project, it runs the classic 3D title Tomb Raider at approximately 1W peak power.

According to Espressif, the ESP32-P4 includes an advanced memory subsystem, integrated high-speed peripherals, support for up to 64MB of PSRAM, 768KB of SRAM, an FPU, DSP, ISP, and 55 programmable GPIOs. Modder TheAlexKid777 demonstrated the chip on YouTube running OpenLara, an open-source reimplementation of the classic Tomb Raider engine, on a 1,024 x 600 display. The project was first reported by Lowyat.NET and illustrates how modern microcontrollers have evolved to handle tasks traditionally reserved for larger computing platforms.

The ESP32-P4 is an Espressif-manufactured dual-core 32-bit RISC-V microcontroller with AI instruction extensions that can run Tomb Raider at approximately 1W peak power.

Key Facts

The following table consolidates the verified facts from the source material for the ESP32-P4 Tomb Raider project.

The ESP32-P4 supports up to 64MB of PSRAM, includes 768KB of SRAM, and provides 55 programmable GPIOs, according to Espressif.

How Does the ESP32-P4 Run Tomb Raider?

The ESP32-P4 runs Tomb Raider using OpenLara, an open-source reimplementation of the 1996 Tomb Raider engine, rendering the game internally at 320 x 240 pixels. The chip's Pixel Processing Accelerator (PPA) then scales the image up to 1,024 x 600 pixels for the connected LCD display.

The demo setup uses what appears to be a 7- or 8-inch LCD with exposed wiring. Despite the makeshift appearance, stereo audio is supported through the development board's ES8311 codec, and the game is controlled via a connected USB keyboard. The entire system consumes approximately 1W at peak power, making it a surprisingly capable platform for running a classic 3D game.

Lowyat.NET: "Chips such as the ESP32-P4 now offer considerably more processing power and hardware acceleration than what you would typically expect from this class of hardware."

The ESP32-P4 renders Tomb Raider at 320 x 240 pixels and scales the image to 1,024 x 600 via its Pixel Processing Accelerator, drawing approximately 1W at peak power.

What Are the ESP32-P4's Technical Specifications?

Espressif specifies the ESP32-P4 as a dual-core 32-bit RISC-V microcontroller with AI instruction extensions, an advanced memory subsystem, and integrated high-speed peripherals. It supports up to 64MB of PSRAM, includes 768KB of SRAM, and offers an FPU, DSP, ISP, and 55 programmable GPIOs.

These specifications reflect considerable improvement in microcontroller processing capabilities over recent years. The computing power needed to run a classic 1996 title is modest by 2026 standards, yet the ESP32-P4's architecture makes the task feasible within a 1W power envelope. The Tom's Hardware reference cited by the source describes the board as a "USD25 board with dual-core 400 MHz ESP32-P4 MCU," though the exact board price was not confirmed in the Lowyat.NET report.

The ESP32-P4 integrates a dual-core 32-bit RISC-V CPU with AI instruction extensions, 64MB PSRAM support, 768KB SRAM, and 55 programmable GPIOs, according to Espressif.

Who Is This Project For?

This project targets retro gaming enthusiasts and embedded systems developers interested in pushing microcontroller capabilities. It also appeals to developers evaluating the ESP32-P4 for applications requiring hardware acceleration, low power consumption, and multimedia output, such as portable gaming devices or display-driven embedded systems.

The demo's use of OpenLara demonstrates a practical path for running classic 3D games on low-power hardware. For hobbyists, the setup illustrates that affordable development boards built around modern chips like the ESP32-P4 can deliver playable classic gaming experiences without a full desktop or smartphone platform.

This project is for retro gaming enthusiasts and embedded developers who want to run classic 3D titles on low-power microcontroller hardware using open-source engine reimplementations.

Common Questions

What power consumption does the ESP32-P4 achieve when running Tomb Raider?

The ESP32-P4 setup consumes approximately 1W at peak power when running Tomb Raider, according to the demo by TheAlexKid777. This low power draw makes the microcontroller attractive for battery-powered or energy-efficient retro gaming applications.

What display resolution does the ESP32-P4 setup output?

The setup outputs to a 1,024 x 600 display. OpenLara renders the game internally at 320 x 240 pixels, and the ESP32-P4's Pixel Processing Accelerator (PPA) scales the image up to the full display resolution.

What audio hardware does the ESP32-P4 demo use?

The demo supports stereo audio through the development board's ES8311 codec. This adds a complete multimedia experience to the setup, complementing the visual output and USB keyboard controls.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on a single source report from Lowyat.NET, which cited YouTube (TheAlexKid777) and Tom's Hardware as its references. No additional external sources were consulted. No data conversion was required, as all figures were reported in their original units.

• Primary source: Lowyat.NET — Modder Gets Tomb Raider Running On A 1W ESP32-P4 Chip
• External references cited by the source: YouTube (TheAlexKid777) and Tom's Hardware

This article was last updated in September 2026.