Current status of my build: Assembling, soldering, and impatiently awaiting the last parts.
Design guidelines from start
I have decided to go all the way and try to make my 'GamePi3' as great as possible from start, even though it has resulted in some pretty expensive shopping so far. I'm kind of a perfectionist and take great pride in a quality finish and design. My guidelines for designing this project has been:
- Use a discarded original green shell from a Gameboy DMG.
- Use a Raspberry Pi 3 as the heart, to improve computing power and conveniently provide Bluetooth, WiFi, HDMI(full size), stereo audio and a USB-hub.
- Include additional two buttons on both the front and the back to accommodate several console style inputs (like seem the norm for most GBZ's on this forum).
- Limit visible outside changes to the DMG-shell.
- Have as much battery life as possible.
- Safe (Low battery shutdown, safe shutdown of RPi3), and easy to use (logical function and placement of buttons).
- Have exposed HDMI-, mini-jack audio-, and USB-ports, for connectivity - but they have to visually appealing placed.
- Audio volume and screen brightness adjustments.
- Look like I have a game cartridge inserted.
- Have the largest and best looking screen I can find and incorporate.
Parts list
- Shell: From an original green GameBoy DMG. It's visibly used and weared, but I like the look and fell of it!
- Buttons, switch, volume knob: From the original Gameboy. Dark grey.
- Speaker: From the original Gameboy.
- Screen and controller: 600x480 LCD TFT-panel and controller from http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/182101827933 for 65$. [not received yet]
- Computer: Raspberry Pi 3. [not received yet]
- Storage: Probably a Sandisk 128GB micro SD card i already had lying around.
- Battery: Adafruit 3.7V 6000mAh, balanced 3 celled LiPo, https://www.sparkfun.com/products/13856 from other reseller [not received yet].
- Charger and booster: Adafruit PowerBoost 1000C, https://www.adafruit.com/product/2465 from other reseller [not received yet]
- Button controller: I hope to buy one of Helders AIO boards (but Helder hasn't answered my PM yet). [Undecided]
- Amplifier: Probably use one from a AIO-board, to save space.
- Screen protector: One from http://www.retrofresh.uk/. [not received yet]
- 3 pcs. USB female connectors for exposing some of the RPi's USBs.
- A micro USB female connector for charging power.
- Detachable storage: A generic USB-drive and a cartridge from a non-functioning Gameboy game. (Explained later on the process)
- Cartidge label from http://www.retrofresh.uk/. [not received yet]
- Safe shutdown electrical components. Following Camble's guide http://sudomod.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=1059 and making it myself to save space.
- Hot glue. Found some black glue sticks, which will probably be nice for the assembling process.
- A switching stereo mini-jack connector.
- Wire and soldering.
- A fuse (I do not dare to allow crazy battery currents.)
- Various small components I have forgotten, wire, ribbon cable, glue, thermo moldable plastic for spare parts, etc..