Custom "3D" Pokeball (and other) buttons for GBZ, GB, NES, etc
Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2018 2:02 pm
So after building my first GBZ at the beginning of this year I started to get more into building customized regular Game Boys, and had an idea of making these "3D" buttons with images in them. I started casting my own buttons soon after I finished my first GBZ, and came up with a multi-part casting method that uses both clear and opaque pigmented resin to make these custom buttons. I had a great deal of trial and error, but I feel like I'm able to make them decently enough now that I thought I would share some of them here on Sudomod and see what everyone thinks of them. Since I've been playing Pokemon Ultra Moon on my 3DS recently, and since I had cast buttons in pretty much every color of the rainbow, I started out making a button for each Pokeball available in the game.
Inspiration for the Magic the Gathering mana symbol buttons came from the fact that I'm fan of that game, and used to have my Game Boy with me at MtG tournaments to play in between matches. I also thought these buttons would look pretty cool on the "Play it Loud" color versions of the original DMG.
I made this set of buttons for the TMNT themed GBZ that I recently gave to my brother Sean for his birthday. He was totally blown away! (and thus I ensured that I would receive something awesome from him for my birthday, which I did
)
So as you can see the possibilities for this type of custom button are virtually endless, from buttons with ABXY lettering, various NES characters, Pokeballs, etc. I am currently working on a method that might be able to incorporate holographic/chrome foil into the designs as well. I'm also working on making buttons molds for all the other versions of the Game Boy, and I think I'll even be able to make buttons like these that can be used on the new Nintendo 3DS and possibly the Switch. I've thought about the idea of possibly making these for people as custom orders, but I'm unsure if I'd currently have the time available to do so. I am going to start working on a YouTube video tutorial on exactly how I make these, and possibly a written tutorial to share here on Sudomod. I hope you like them!
Inspiration for the Magic the Gathering mana symbol buttons came from the fact that I'm fan of that game, and used to have my Game Boy with me at MtG tournaments to play in between matches. I also thought these buttons would look pretty cool on the "Play it Loud" color versions of the original DMG.
I made this set of buttons for the TMNT themed GBZ that I recently gave to my brother Sean for his birthday. He was totally blown away! (and thus I ensured that I would receive something awesome from him for my birthday, which I did
)So as you can see the possibilities for this type of custom button are virtually endless, from buttons with ABXY lettering, various NES characters, Pokeballs, etc. I am currently working on a method that might be able to incorporate holographic/chrome foil into the designs as well. I'm also working on making buttons molds for all the other versions of the Game Boy, and I think I'll even be able to make buttons like these that can be used on the new Nintendo 3DS and possibly the Switch. I've thought about the idea of possibly making these for people as custom orders, but I'm unsure if I'd currently have the time available to do so. I am going to start working on a YouTube video tutorial on exactly how I make these, and possibly a written tutorial to share here on Sudomod. I hope you like them!
