Custom Gameboy Zero Build - Not Cheap!

[chanh55]

Hi All,

I recently started purchasing most of the parts needed for a 'wermy' custom GBZ build. For those of you thinking of taking on this project, if you plan on buying all the parts that wermy specified, it's not cheap! Granted, I don't have a stocked workshop and had to buy things like hookup wire and de-soldering wick so that added to the cost of this build slightly.

My soldering skills are pretty limited. The most I've soldered were wires when I installed a head-unit in my car. I'm guessing most people that may be interested in starting this project, also has limited to no soldering experience. But here goes nothing. I will be posting my progress here as I start my build. Many of the parts ordered are coming from China or custom from this site so it'll probably be 3-4 weeks till everything arrives.

I linked my spreadsheet that you guys are welcome to download and make your own. It has links to all the parts wermy specified. It also shows the prices I paid so you can get an idea of how much it costs.

Note, I noticed helder's new board doesn't require a headphone jack since it's already built in, so there's things like that that aren't needed.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByrSeF ... sp=sharing

[chanh55]

1. 10/1/2016 - Received back up display screen and case the other day. The screen I got wasn't glued to anything, it popped right out. Also, the display board is already tapped up to the back. Not sure if I'll have to move that or not.

2016-10-01_11-14-43.jpg (36.02 KiB) Viewed 14422 times

The only other thing that was glued in was the acrylic cover. I popped it out and cut it down to use as a GBZ cover.

2016-10-01_11-12-15.jpg (27.07 KiB) Viewed 14422 times

2. 10/4/16 - Got more stuff today. The 3D printed parts look great! Thank you Wermy. Also got this RadioShack super deluxe helper thing. It's such great quality! I can't believe this and the soldering iron was only 20 bucks on Amazon.

2016-10-04_18-51-09.jpg (77.62 KiB) Viewed 14063 times

3. Testing the screen powers on and displays correctly. I had to do the 5v mod because the screen flickered pretty bad. The wiki said no mod required but I would rely on the thread to see if it's required or not..

20161113_125421.jpg (967.16 KiB) Viewed 13364 times

4. Wiring up the AIO board and making sure everything powers on correctly.

20161114_204254.jpg (1.89 MiB) Viewed 13364 times

5. Powerboost board wired up.

20161114_204316.jpg (1.21 MiB) Viewed 13364 times

6. The volume wheel I bought only had 3 pins so it's only for mono and Helder's board has pots for stereo so I ended up wiring like this. Sounds works fine. To change the volume you have to do it in the settings. Oh well.

20161116_144120.jpg (683.84 KiB) Viewed 13364 times

7. Making sure everything fits.

20161115_144142.jpg (758.55 KiB) Viewed 13364 times

20161115_144138.jpg (478.16 KiB) Viewed 13364 times

8. Keyboard and wifi works perfectly with Helder's cmdline files.

20161118_095136.jpg (1.34 MiB) Viewed 13364 times

Special thanks to Wermy for all the parts and the great guide! Also, special thanks to Helder for his AIO board, this build would be a lot harder without it. Probably one of the coolest things I ever built. I have very limited soldering experience and my hands are apparently pretty shaky. I was able to build this thing so you can probably do it too.

[JohnnyFYVE]

Very organized!

I'm about to add all mine up as well. Considering the conversion rate and International Shipping it's probably going to be a nightmare lol For me anyway.

[chanh55]

Good luck! I don't think it'll be too bad. Most of the stuff can be found on those Chinese sites (aliexpress, dx.com, etc.) and a lot of the sellers here only charge an extra 1 or 2 dollars to ship out of state.

[incontrasttogray]

Hi All,

I recently started purchasing most of the parts needed for a 'wermy' custom GBZ build. For those of you thinking of taking on this project, if you plan on buying all the parts that wermy specified, it's not cheap! Granted, I don't have a stocked workshop and had to buy things like hookup wire and de-soldering wick so that added to the cost of this build slightly.

My soldering skills are pretty limited. The most I've soldered were wires when I installed a head-unit in my car. I'm guessing most people that may be interested in starting this project, also has limited to no soldering experience. But here goes nothing. I will be posting my progress here as I start my build. Many of the parts ordered are coming from China or custom from this site so it'll probably be 3-4 weeks till everything arrives.

I linked my spreadsheet that you guys are welcome to download and make your own. It has links to all the parts wermy specified. It also shows the prices I paid so you can get an idea of how much it costs.

Note, I noticed helder's new board doesn't require a headphone jack since it's already built in, so there's things like that that aren't needed.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByrSeF ... sp=sharing

I think I have most people beat. My build has cost something like $800.00+ so far and I haven't soldered up a single wire yet (but to be fair I'm building 2). I'm still waiting for components and tools to arrive as I write this and have been "building" since July. Most of the cost has come from custom components which I've either sold or intend on on selling. I was able to generate back good portion of the expense back on selling some of the random pieces I've made here or on eBay. I'm working on a really rad case option. If all goes well, I'll be able to sell that basically anywhere.

Until then... the component case just sits...

IMG_1414.JPG (1.74 MiB) Viewed 14347 times

[chanh55]

incontrasttogray, in addition to wermy's build, what are you planning to do differently? The only thing different I'm doing will be adding an PSP analog joystick. I checked the pinout, and the size, it should work out.

[***pandinus***]

Custom Gameboy Zero Build - Not Cheap!

before i started i figured it out. If your not in the US, then it is very difficult and expensive to find and get the right parts for a reasonable price.
What it makes a little easier and cheaper: try to get a bunch of dead game boys, so you don't have to pay for housing, switches and so on.
But there is no way to get a build under 150€ only for the parts. Is this cheap or not ?
Every build is unique and therefore there are not supposed to be sold. For me the case of the GB is the perfect solution for a raspberry and to have the raspberry mobile.
I'm able to build let say 4 or 5 of working raspberry GBs, but I cannot build all of them with a raspberry zero, because they are limited. So I have to use the raspberry 2(3) or I have to pay a lot(25€) for a raspberry zero on ebay.

You also can get an easy DIY solution on ebay, that cost about 150-170€ only for the parts. But if you are not in the US, then you have to pay for customs and delivery as well.

I'm happy if I can afford to hold one for myself, if I'm able to sell 3 or 4 working and assembled ones.

[chanh55]

Custom Gameboy Zero Build - Not Cheap!

before i started i figured it out. If your not in the US, then it is very difficult and expensive to find and get the right parts for a reasonable price.
What it makes a little easier and cheaper: try to get a bunch of dead game boys, so you don't have to pay for housing, switches and so on.
But there is no way to get a build under 150€ only for the parts. Is this cheap or not ?
Every build is unique and therefore there are not supposed to be sold. For me the case of the GB is the perfect solution for a raspberry and to have the raspberry mobile.
I'm able to build let say 4 or 5 of working raspberry GBs, but I cannot build all of them with a raspberry zero, because they are limited. So I have to use the raspberry 2(3) or I have to pay a lot(25€) for a raspberry zero on ebay.

You also can get an easy DIY solution on ebay, that cost about 150-170€ only for the parts. But if you are not in the US, then you have to pay for customs and delivery as well.

I'm happy if I can afford to hold one for myself, if I'm able to sell 3 or 4 working and assembled ones.

Dang I guess I take for granted saving on shipping being in the US. Why is everyone saying the Raspberry Pi Zero is hard to find? I was able to get one pretty easily for 5 bucks. Maybe I got lucky?

[RxBrad]

I don't dare add up what I've spent. Someone paid me $200 to build them a GBZ, and I'm pretty sure I'm in the hole on that deal. At least I'm having fun building it.

My problem is that I buy a part, see some new advancement (e.g. shutdown switches), and buy new parts to replace the part I never used.

"Ooh, tactile switches! Oh, wait, SILENT tactile switches -- I need that instead!"

[chanh55]

Update:

As most of you already know, finding the GB cartridge reader is nearly impossible because it is sold out just about everywhere. Broken DS Lites on eBay are plenty. I got this one for 6 bucks hoping I can just de-solder the cartridge reader off. Let me tell you, it's not easy! Unless you have a lot of experience doing this, don't waste your time and money. I'm pretty sure I ruined it... Lol

2016-10-06_18-40-55.jpg (64.77 KiB) Viewed 13981 times

2016-10-06_18-40-06.jpg (50.26 KiB) Viewed 13981 times

2016-10-06_18-40-32.jpg (52.03 KiB) Viewed 13981 times