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[WIP] Custom Landscape Gameboy
Posted: Thu Jun 28, 2018 2:12 pm
by fdeluxe
Hi everybody! Today I present you a little project i have been working on for a while now: A custom gameboy case in landscape format for 3D printing on my DLP printer.
I'm about 70% done with modelling the case
Planned features:
- Compatible with original DMG buttons, display lens and battery LED
- Raspberry Pi 3A+
- AB/XY, L1/R1, Start/Select, D-Pad and 2xPSP-Analog stick
- Retro PSU
- (Cambles Safe Shutdown)
- Atmega32u4 micro for buttons
- 7500mAh LiPo (Mybuynow LG G3 battery)
- No Button PCB (Sockets for rubber dome tactilebuttons)
- lq035NC111 3.5 inch display using tinkerboys dpi board.
- HDMI directly accessibly
- PAM8403 Amp
- 2x GBA SP Speakers
As you can see I am trying to stick as close to the original DMG design as possible. Let me know what you think

Re: [WIP] Custom Landscape Gameboy
Posted: Thu Jun 28, 2018 2:50 pm
by VeteranGamer
looks great....
cant wait to see this finish......
just one thing, whys the joystick just below the buttons
(would it not be more in keeping with the DMG for the speaker and joystick to swap places)
.
Re: [WIP] Custom Landscape Gameboy
Posted: Thu Jun 28, 2018 3:05 pm
by fdeluxe
VeteranGamer wrote: ↑Thu Jun 28, 2018 2:50 pm
ust one thing, whys the joystick just below the buttons
(would it not be more in keeping with the DMG for the speaker and joystick to swap places)
You mean I should place the analog stick below the D-Pad? I own an original PSP where the analog stick is placed right below the D-Pad and I never liked that you are forced to choose between D-Pad and analog stick to steer your character.
Placing the below stick under the action buttons enables the player to simultaneously use the D-Pad and the analog stick while still be able to access the shoulder buttons. This comes in handy when playing FPS games like Quake 3.
I know that it somewhat breaks the DMG design, where the rounded corner is on the right side. Just see my shell as an original DMG shell rotated 90° clockwise

Re: [WIP] Custom Landscape Gameboy
Posted: Thu Jun 28, 2018 3:08 pm
by epicpwn
Woah this looks awesome! Following to see the final printed case.
Re: [WIP] Custom Landscape Gameboy
Posted: Thu Jun 28, 2018 3:45 pm
by rodocop
This is very nice. I'm interested to see the final results. Great work!
Re: [WIP] Custom Landscape Gameboy
Posted: Thu Jun 28, 2018 9:52 pm
by djascher
Just out of curiosity, if you are designing a custom case, why are you sticking with the DMG? You could design literally anything... do the ergonomics still work for holding / playing a gameboy in landscape orientation?
Re: [WIP] Custom Landscape Gameboy
Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2018 12:36 am
by fdeluxe
I guess its nostalgia

Plus I really like the Style of old handhelds and edpecially the DMG. Its extremely recognizeable even when stretched to another format. Another thing is by offering compatibillity to DMG buttons and screen lens I get good haptics and a very consumer-product-like look.
Re: [WIP] Custom Landscape Gameboy
Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2018 3:50 am
by Helder
Nice job but I have to agree with VeteranGamer about the analog stick placement. Dreamcast and N64 which the Pi 3 can emulate well will be awekward with the analog stick placement where it is.
Might I suggest a second stick below the Dpad so you have options for both preferences and other setups people like.
Some of those pictures in color remind me of the Sega Game Gear.
Re: [WIP] Custom Landscape Gameboy
Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2018 4:50 am
by fdeluxe
I thought about adding a second analog but it wont really fit without make the shell a little bit taller or changing the design of the speaker. Maybe if I switch the dmg dpad with a pocket one...
Re: [WIP] Custom Landscape Gameboy
Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2018 7:30 am
by fdeluxe
Helder wrote: ↑Fri Jun 29, 2018 3:50 am
Might I suggest a second stick below the Dpad so you have options for both preferences and other setups people like.
Okay you convinced me. This is how I am going to implement it: Kinda reminds me of an old school nintendo switch now
