Kids as the Heroes, Running in MAME: ChatGPT Dots Built a Neo Geo Arcade Game Entirely by Voice
- Level Intermediate
- Setup1–3 hrs (estimated)
- Evidence Some evidence
- CostNot stated in source
- No-codeYes
What they did
A security engineer built "Ethan & Ari: Last Ember", a retro side-scrolling arcade game starring his two kids, with ChatGPT's dot assistant. All development was done by voice from photos of the kids. It has insert-coin, two-player co-op, an attract mode, high scores and Hebrew and English, and it runs as a Neo Geo ROM in MAME and on his handheld.
How it went
A playable retro game with your kids as pixel-art heroes.
Worth knowing
- Single detailed post with a video; still a work in progress. Producing a real Neo Geo ROM is advanced; ask for a browser version if you just want something to play.
Prompt
Cleaned version rewritten from the source — not a direct quote.
Help me make a small retro arcade game starring my kids [names], using these photos as references for pixel-art characters. Style: side-scroller like [Golden Axe / Ghosts 'n Goblins]. Include insert coin, 2-player co-op, a high-score table and an intro. Build it so it runs in [MAME / a browser], and walk me through testing each version.
Recommended
Try it in Grok Bot
Originally done with ChatGPT Dots; Grok Bot can build a browser version from the same prompt.
- Copy the prompt (button below).
- Open Grok Bot chat and paste it. Replace any [bracketed] placeholders.
- Connect the listed tools (Browser) as connectors when Grok Bot asks.
- If the task repeats, ask: "Make this a daily routine."
Alternatives: the same prompt works in ChatGPT Dots, Claude, ChatGPT Agent, OpenClaw.
Set it up
Tools: Browser · Stack: ChatGPT Dots (GPT SOL 6.1) + MAME
- Read the original source for full context.
- Connect the tools your agent needs.
- Paste the prompt and replace [bracketed] placeholders.
- Run once manually and check the output before scheduling it.
Generic suggested steps, not from the source.
Evidence
Detailed X post with gameplay video: Neo Geo ROM running in MAME and on an RG351P handheld, built by voice with dot
Source: X · 2026-10-15 · Verified by us: not yet · Report broken or outdated