Project Goals
I wanted the end result to look as clean/stock-like as possible. I also wanted all of the internals to be well designed, placed and easy to service. I also wanted a reduced build time by using more all-in-one solutions. Oh yeah, and it has to be fun! The parts chosen represent these goals.
Parts List
These are the parts used in my build, thank you very much to the sudomod community for making a lot of these great parts.
Raspberry Pi Zero W
Kite's SAIO Board http://www.sudomod.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=3295
Dextech Battery http://www.sudomod.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=2320
Reproduction Gameboy shell from Aliexpress https://www.aliexpress.com/snapshot/0.h ... 2550277376
Extra Rubber Conductive buttons https://www.aliexpress.com/item/YX-024- ... 0.0.EqXnRL
Extra Black DMG buttons https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10SETS- ... 0.0.EqXnRL
Hollyhoo's screen bracket with button wells (printed locally) http://www.sudomod.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=2553
Brass inserts (for bracket) https://www.amazon.com/a16041800ux0765- ... +insert+m2
Various M2 philips head screws 6mm and 8mm lengths for the case.
Caste's rear button bracket (printed locally) viewtopic.php?f=27&t=2923
Ez button PCB's (for rear buttons) from Kitsch Bent http://store.kitsch-bent.com/product/easy_buttons
Glass screen protector from Kitsch Bent w/Grey Border http://store.kitsch-bent.com/product/gl ... nt-screens
Original speaker from a gameboy (given by a friend)
NIUBEE Extra Long Tip 8mm micro-usb cable for charging https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LV ... UTF8&psc=1
Tools/Supplies Used
I already owned all these prior to this project as I've been doing console repairs/modding for years now. I will say that don't cheap out on a soldering station, a good iron and if you can afford the desoldering gun make all the difference in the world. Also, flux. Lots of flux.
Hakko FX-888D Soldering Station
Hakko FR-300 Desoldering Gun
CHP-170 Side Cutters
Kester "44" Rosin core .031" solder
MG Chemicals Rosin Flux Pen
Kapton Tape
3M Electrical Tape
Surebonder Hot Glue Gun with hi-temp hot glue
Harbor Frieght Step Drill Bit
X-Acto knives, small hobby files
90% Alcohol in pump dispenser
The final product front:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/HTOS6UQGydFjHcog1
Lessons Learned
Don't attach a screen lens with superglue.. it offgasses, ruining the plastic protector (I had one from dominator) and also the LCD screen (luckily I had a spare 3.5" TFT for other projects that works fine with kite's board).
Be super careful clipping the header pins off the Pi Zero during install.. I clipped to far and damaged the pi zero.
When inserting brass standoffs into Hollyhoo's bracket, go slow. Luckily I printed a few of these, so no big deal.
The step drill-bit is amazing. Just turn it by hand, it does a great job.
Rear Buttons
I know I'll get asked about these. Since I had to order screen protectors from Kitsch-Bent after destroying my dominator one, I ordered a few of the 1 button PCB's just in case I could work up a rear button solution. Well, I stumbled across caste's bracket. His bracket uses gameboy buttons, a hacked up silicone pad, and two of those KB PCB's. It's designed to actually mount higher up, but I wanted the buttons lower, so I had to mod his bracket a bit. I had to cut out a notch from the battery door latch, and thin out the underside of the middle of the bracket so it fit flush. It pressure fits really good, so a bead of hot glue really makes it stick. Secured the PCB's with extra gameboy screws.
All of the parts I chose work very well together, the build is clean and solid. Over all, it looks and feels like a gameboy with all of the modern games. Button feel on all the buttons is great and very responsive.
Things I'm not in love with:
Mainly just a few aesthetic things. I didn't get the rear buttons lined up perfectly drilling.. a little OCD there. Also the left top corner of the case doesn't close all the way. UPDATE: After removing the metal shield from the case, this problem is gone.
What's Next?
I'm waiting on some cartridge blanks to have on in there for aesthetics. I also plan on building another one all white/black.
Overall, I LOVE this thing... I've played it on the plane a few times and taken it to work with lots of props. I need a gameboy case for this guy!