Hex's build #1: A different take on GBZ

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Hex
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Hex's build #1: A different take on GBZ

Post by Hex » Wed Apr 19, 2017 11:48 am

Stick around these forums are you will see all kinds of builds. Original Gameboy case ones, after-market gameboy case ones, slim builds etc. Some use as many original parts as possible, some go for all alternate parts, some opt for AIO boards to reduce headaches. Well this is a build like no other...

I started back in August and started prototyping designs :

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Some found it weird that I had chosen cardboard to build by GBZ. Well It started turning out good enough.

Prototype assembly to test if things are working
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The L and R button prototype:
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Didn't like that the button kept falling off and that the button would get stuck in something sooner or later.

Tried using bigger buttons. Looked awesome and had a good feel to it
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Created backplate using buttons and started assembling
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Backplate exposed Pi's LED and an aluminium heatsink. Also an ugly battery.
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Now off to conquer the Front plate. Basic requirements were Screen and Controller.
Cut down the Controller board from this:
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to this:
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BIG MISTAKE. The traces tore out quickly as seen in the previous image. Board wasted :(
Had to cut the second one. I purchased 2 knowing full well I might break one. I cut too close on my first board thinking that it will work. It didn't. If the tension in the wire is more it will pull out the wire with the trace attached. This caused the trace till the black blob to be removed and rendered the controller useless.
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Closed both plates to get idea about the height of the side walls.
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Built side walls, More components arrived and build started looking promising.
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Nothing more to do than to close them. Look at it all glued up
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Finally done the build looks like this from the outside:

Back plate, notice the Pi's green LED
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Top plate, Red while charging, Blue while using
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Right wall
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Front plate with pi booting
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Until next time :)
Sent from 20,000 leagues under the sea

My Cardboard GBZ build : http://www.sudomod.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=2851

EmulationStation optimization for Pi Zero : http://www.sudomod.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=2922

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Hex
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Re: Hex's build #1: A different take on GBZ

Post by Hex » Mon Apr 24, 2017 12:07 pm

And of course build costs

Ebay :
USB SNES controller (x2) _____________ 8.88
Gamepad board from @prerunnerseth __ 9.00
Screen (320x240) (I am an idot) _______ 23.58
USB Audio Card ____________________ 0.80
Audio amp mono ___________________ 2.21
Speakers (x5) ______________________ 6.50

Adafruit :
Raspberry pi zero ___________________ 5.00
HeatSink __________________________ 0.95
SMT switch ________________________ 0.95

Amazon :
GearHead USB Hub ________________ 4.89
Wheel Potentiometer (x5) ___________ 6.14

Google came for recruiting:
Powerbank (Boost + Battery) ________ 0.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Total Build cost ++++++++++++++++++++ 68.90
Sent from 20,000 leagues under the sea

My Cardboard GBZ build : http://www.sudomod.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=2851

EmulationStation optimization for Pi Zero : http://www.sudomod.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=2922

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