GBZ Build Diary - My 1st Pi Zero Project

[JayMadd13]

Hi everyone - I'm Jay and recently joined the forum after coming across Wermy's fantastic YouTube guides (cheers Wermy, you legend!).

I've been hunting high and low for a decent retro emulator handheld for years. Now that I'm back in work and earning a good wage (and thanks to the inspiration from Wermy) I've decided to give the GBZ a bash and put my handheld emu hunt to an end once and for all. Why is this worthy of me starting a whole new topic? Here's the kicker - this is my first ever Pi Zero project, and I didn't even know they existed until about three days ago. Either way, this is going to be a lot of fun with maybe one or two headaches along the way, but hell, we only live once right?

I will probably also document the build via video diary and upload to YouTube as a guide for fellow modders here in the UK as where to source parts from as some of them are possibly unaware of the forums, so it will all link back here and get other people onto the forum.

So - for the first entry, I'm happy to say I've managed to secure a Raspberry Pi Zero, Adafruit PowerBoost 1000C and SparkFun Micro USB Breakout board from the same supplier and that cost me just under £30 (roughly around $35) including shipping. I've also ordered a cartridge label and screen protector via RetroFresh UK (whom I believe is known as Dominator on here) for just under £9 ($10-ish). Another vital part was found on eBay - a DS Lite GBA Cartridge reader, which was the most expensive single component so far, clocking in at £7.99 () was sourced via eBay.

I'll also keep score of exactly how much has been spent on the project so far - so this entry all-in came to £47.00 roughly (around $60).

The next thing will be to source a Game Boy case (I've got my eye on a couple, but need to get more info) and then I'll be pre-ordering the SD Cartridge board from prerunnerseth and await a heads up from Helder for the All-In-One PCB.

I'll do my best to update this thread regularly with pics and whatnot. If anyone can offer support, advice, etc. I would greatly appreciate it!

Cheers guys, hope ya'll have a fantastic day - I'll update you soon!

Jay

[JayMadd13]

Hi guys! Hope everyone is well - so here's the first update on the project/build diary

So here's my second entry - just waiting on parts to arrive but I went ahead and ordered some more parts from Handheld Legend in the US - with their flat rate international shipping being only a few quid, this really enabled me to pin down some of the smaller but important parts such as the silicone button pads, tactile button switches for my L and R buttons, a volume dial potentiometer, a couple of USB ports, some two-part buttons in red (which I may or may not use depending on whether I get the case I'm after or not, but at least I've got spares if anything goes bump) and - most importantly - a grey Game Boy cartridge shell to mount the board adapter I'll be ordering from prerunnerseth.

I think the cartridge itself is going to look fantastic - especially with this amazing cartridge label from RetroFresh UK based on the Zelda game 'A Link To The Past' - a really cool retro feel to set that off nicely - there is a delay of about 2-4 weeks with order processing though due to high demand, but that's cool. I don't need this or my screen protector just yet, but they're paid for - so no worries



I'm hoping to get my Game Boy shell in the next few days and then it'll be time to order bits from the Sudo Market - such as Wermy's 3D printed brackets, the All-In-One Board and Power Strip from Helder and the SD Cartridge Adapter board from prerunnerseth. After that, it'll be the screen (fingers crossed for the small board if I go with the BW Backup Cam screen) and then we can get this party started properly.

As far as it goes with the power switch, I've seen a few items on the Market offering switches with a 'Safe Shutdown' module built-in, so I'll investigate this as time goes forward also. I'm really excited to get to work on this - I know these last couple of posts have probably been boring, but I'll keep updating the process with pics and whatnot, so stay tuned!

On the tally of keeping a score of funds, my order from Handheld Legend came to roughly around £20 (about $24) incl. shipping - so I'm right on target when it comes to budgeting (I don't have a budget for this build, but I'm trying to keep things as low cost as I can for now).

That's all for now, catch you soon - and have a fantastic day

Jay

[AJRedfern]

If your looking for a good selection of shells with quick shipping in the UK, I purchased mine via Deadpan Robot ( http://www.deadpanrobot.co.uk/en-gb ).
They have a good selection of cases and colours, both branded and unbranded. I also bought my buttons and conductive pads through there.

[JayMadd13]

If your looking for a good selection of shells with quick shipping in the UK, I purchased mine via Deadpan Robot ( http://www.deadpanrobot.co.uk/en-gb ).
They have a good selection of cases and colours, both branded and unbranded. I also bought my buttons and conductive pads through there.

Thanks AJ - I've been chatting to the guys over at Deadpan Robot via e-mail and they're a great bunch. I've got a case and a couple of other bits - which will be detailed in the next update. Incidentally, I believe you supplied the custom splash screen on Wermy's Custom Parts GBZ? If so, I'll be in touch via PM as this is something I'd love to add to my own Game Boy Zero! Thanks for the post - I really appreciate it!

Stay in touch,

Jay

[CaptainDurden]

+1 to this. the guys over at DPR are nothing if not nice. now if only they'd restock the silicone buittons soon.

[JayMadd13]

+1 to this. the guys over at DPR are nothing if not nice. now if only they'd restock the silicone buittons soon.

Hey Captain - I did speak to Juan regarding this but apparently they cost a small fortune to get in-stock so apparently they're looking for alternative sources right now regarding those, but I'll post an update if I hear any news on this

[AJRedfern]

Thanks AJ - I've been chatting to the guys over at Deadpan Robot via e-mail and they're a great bunch. I've got a case and a couple of other bits - which will be detailed in the next update. Incidentally, I believe you supplied the custom splash screen on Wermy's Custom Parts GBZ? If so, I'll be in touch via PM as this is something I'd love to add to my own Game Boy Zero! Thanks for the post - I really appreciate it!

Stay in touch,

Jay

You are correct I did create the splash screen, I've also created a longer version and a few others too. I'm working on testing a few different variants. Feel free to PM me about anything.

[JayMadd13]

Thanks AJ - I've been chatting to the guys over at Deadpan Robot via e-mail and they're a great bunch. I've got a case and a couple of other bits - which will be detailed in the next update. Incidentally, I believe you supplied the custom splash screen on Wermy's Custom Parts GBZ? If so, I'll be in touch via PM as this is something I'd love to add to my own Game Boy Zero! Thanks for the post - I really appreciate it!

Stay in touch,

Jay

You are correct I did create the splash screen, I've also created a longer version and a few others too. I'm working on testing a few different variants. Feel free to PM me about anything.

Thanks very much AJ! I really appreciate that - I've added you to my friends list and will stay in touch. Cheers!

Jay

[JayMadd13]

Hi everyone - Jay here!

Sorry I've not been too active over the last few days - had some stuff to deal with at work and it's not been very pleasant of late, but I'm just writing a quick post to say thanks for following my thread here and you can expect an update at the weekend as more purchases have been made and parts have arrived! Very exciting (for me, anyway)!

I've also finally managed to get myself an avatar image (this took longer than you'd think, haha) - hurray! No more blank space!

Hope you're all well and having a good one, take care and catch you all soon in the next update!

Jay

[JayMadd13]

Hey everyone, Jay here - long time no speak!

I've been pretty wrapped up with my job lately and work's been very busy of late, hence no new updates recently. However, a lot of parts have now arrived - I'm only waiting for one or two bits and pieces so the actual build itself should be underway just before Christmas hits if all goes to plan. Exciting times for me!

This post is more of a shout-out in terms of an update, but I have to give serious props to RetroFresh UK - aka Dominator. I ordered a cartridge label and screen cover from him a few weeks ago, and he kept in touch via e-mail. I seriously recommend you check his work out. I was blown away at the quality and clarity of his stuff and he's a great guy, too - always happy and willing to answer any questions. I thought the Zelda-inspired cartridge label looked great on the site, but trust me, in the flesh it looks phenomenal (as does the screen). Both clearly legible and extremely well-crafted. So mad props to Dom, you are awesome sir

I'll be posting a full-blown update this coming weekend and should have an invoice through from Helder soon as I'm on the Boards List (I missed the sale by a mere two minutes as my PayPal wouldn't play ball - but oh well, these things happen).

Hope you're all having a great day out in SudoMod land, take care and speak soon!

Jay

PS - Next update will feature many pics!