My final Gameboy Zero - minimalist

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Lpoolm
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My final Gameboy Zero - minimalist

Post by Lpoolm » Wed May 06, 2020 5:55 am

Right, so I dont often come on here anymore but due to the lock down I have been trying to finish off a lot of half done projects.
I started this many years a go then got bored but decided it needed to be completed!
I had loads of bits left so did not have to wait on anything!
Pi zero w, had a few teensy but never used them, a cheap but compatible usb hub, 4000mah battery. Always had used the powerboost 1000c but this was the first time I used the cheap generic board which seems to work great!
All the buttons/cases hanging around, it needed to be built!

So I have done a few regular zero builds, the original Kite builds, 1up builds a few other Gameboys linked below so wanted something "different"
SO I built my minimalist Gameboy the aim was for it to look like a Gameboy!
It has an spi screen as I prefer these for better resolution, it is using the same size screen as the original using the original surround.
Just the A/B buttons on the front wired up direct to the pi zero w to miss the need for a teensy and with power light on the front.
I have added small L/R on the rear where the middle screw holes normally are, purely did this to try and give it the option to play a few more games then just 2 button games!
On the side hidden behind the ext connector cover the the usb charge port with the volume wheel.
On the other side this gives it away a little, HDMI output and a blanked hole but this glows red once the battery is charged.
Under the battery cover is a 4000mah battery which seems to be giving me many hours when left on and also hidden in there is the micro usb so you can plug an adaptor in to be able to connect a usb or keyboard.
I also went for the sd card in the cartridge, again as it was my last build decided to push the boat out as I think it looks like a great feature, kept the original sticker on it too!
I will make a video I am just slowly adding roms and hoping to find a scraper that works well.

My issues on what I need help on is the overscsan, I started a thread in the help section but no help yet. This can be seen in the pictures.
Basically because of the screen size the right hand side gets cut off. If you adjust the overscan in the config text this fixes the text when booting but it does not alter the resolution in emulation station.

I have tried adjusting the overscan on each emulator when booting as there is an option to match the config but this makes no difference, the right handside remains off the screen.
So until I fix this it still cant be classed as finished. ANY input on this would be great!
Couple of pictures below :D
youtube video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xR7eL_9 ... e=youtu.be
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Gameboy advance
https://www.sudomod.com/forum/viewtopic ... nce#p61667

Gameboy Pocket
https://www.sudomod.com/forum/viewtopic ... pocket+spi
Last edited by Lpoolm on Sun May 10, 2020 10:34 am, edited 1 time in total.
Check out my modding and repair channel of retro and modern consoles:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFz7yW ... GtQ/videos

DaRk_dOg
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Re: My final Gameboy Zero - minimalist

Post by DaRk_dOg » Wed May 06, 2020 9:19 am

This looks very clean and neat!

Personally I am a fan of the 3.5"/ multi-button era but still this is a very nice idea and iteration.

Well done!

Lpoolm
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Re: My final Gameboy Zero - minimalist

Post by Lpoolm » Wed May 06, 2020 12:00 pm

DaRk_dOg wrote:
Wed May 06, 2020 9:19 am
This looks very clean and neat!

Personally I am a fan of the 3.5"/ multi-button era but still this is a very nice idea and iteration.

Well done!
I agree, but ive built more then I can remember so thought I would do something ive not seen
Check out my modding and repair channel of retro and modern consoles:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFz7yW ... GtQ/videos

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freak
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Re: My final Gameboy Zero - minimalist

Post by freak » Thu May 07, 2020 2:31 am

Hello Lpoolm, the result is beautiful !
That exactly the project i'm working on (My very first GBZ project) but I want to keep AA batteries (with eneloop).
I took inspiration from Rodocops 14th GBZ

Can you give us more details about back buttons used and the one in power barrel?
Did you keep the original red power led ?
Please can you share some inside pictures ?
"It's dangerous to go alone! Take this."

Lpoolm
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Re: My final Gameboy Zero - minimalist

Post by Lpoolm » Sun May 10, 2020 10:34 am

added video in action
Check out my modding and repair channel of retro and modern consoles:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFz7yW ... GtQ/videos

PiZeroNoobie01
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Re: My final Gameboy Zero - minimalist

Post by PiZeroNoobie01 » Tue Aug 31, 2021 12:12 am

Hey there, I have just came across your build, it looks fantastic and maintain the original look very well!
I was wondering what size spi screen did you use?

Thank you.

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