Hi there
Even though I'm almost finished with my first portable, I'm going to start a worklog today. There are still a few things left to do (add batteries, replace original controller board with RDCs miNi64 and build an external box to connect additional controllers and for video output), but the portable is in a usable state and I already finished Super Mario 64 on it (yes, I got all 120 stars
).
Specs:
- GBA carry case
- 4.3 inch screen
- 2600mAh battery
- RDC miNi64 controller board
- Expansion pack
- External box with video output and four controller ports
Everyone's favourite: the GBA carry case
Cut the screenhole:
It's always fun to do mockups. I'm using the buttons of a fake Wii U Pro controller and the d-pad of a Nintendo DS Lite (for the C buttons):
Used filler to get a flat back:
This is how I mounted the buttons. I tried to use screws whenever possible to make it easier to repair:
And here's a picture of the front with the buttons. Yes, you guessed it, the portable is going to be white.
Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures directly after painting the case:
Now to the electronics part:
The N64 inside the case (I'm going to show more pictures of the electronics when I'm finished):
And it closes perfectly:
And it works perfectly (with an external power supply):
Painting was a real pain and it took much more time than anticipated to get a nice finish. When i put the portable together the paint cracked around some of the holes (luckily the paint didn't crack on the front, so it's a little harder to see) and I still need to fix this. Also, the part of the back where to front half is connected broke off when I drilled the button holes, but I was able to fix with epoxy glue. This is a weakness of this case (at least if you have the cartridge sticking out of the top of the case, as I have).
I'm still waiting for some parts that I need to finish the portable. As soon as I receive them I'm going to update this worklog.
Even though I'm almost finished with my first portable, I'm going to start a worklog today. There are still a few things left to do (add batteries, replace original controller board with RDCs miNi64 and build an external box to connect additional controllers and for video output), but the portable is in a usable state and I already finished Super Mario 64 on it (yes, I got all 120 stars
). Specs:
- GBA carry case
- 4.3 inch screen
- 2600mAh battery
- RDC miNi64 controller board
- Expansion pack
- External box with video output and four controller ports
Everyone's favourite: the GBA carry case
Cut the screenhole:
It's always fun to do mockups. I'm using the buttons of a fake Wii U Pro controller and the d-pad of a Nintendo DS Lite (for the C buttons):
Used filler to get a flat back:
This is how I mounted the buttons. I tried to use screws whenever possible to make it easier to repair:
And here's a picture of the front with the buttons. Yes, you guessed it, the portable is going to be white.
Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures directly after painting the case:
Now to the electronics part:
The N64 inside the case (I'm going to show more pictures of the electronics when I'm finished):
And it closes perfectly:
And it works perfectly (with an external power supply):
Painting was a real pain and it took much more time than anticipated to get a nice finish. When i put the portable together the paint cracked around some of the holes (luckily the paint didn't crack on the front, so it's a little harder to see) and I still need to fix this. Also, the part of the back where to front half is connected broke off when I drilled the button holes, but I was able to fix with epoxy glue. This is a weakness of this case (at least if you have the cartridge sticking out of the top of the case, as I have).
I'm still waiting for some parts that I need to finish the portable. As soon as I receive them I'm going to update this worklog.
