RasPiZeroBoy build (complete)

[Zero]

Hi all,

With thanks to Wermy and this amazing forum I've managed to start building my own custom creation using a Pi Zero as the base. I had a few feature requirements, initially hoping that it would end up being practical. Some ideas I had to shelve but a few were practical and I included.

-I wanted to be able to run mine off AA batteries, just like the original Gameboy (mine will run off 3x AA's instead of 4 though). Therefore I could use the original battery compartment and change batteries very quickly.
-Also wanted to keep the original screen size and to keep the unit looking as 'stock' as possible. Along with doing as little dremel work as possible.
-Use a cheap usb hub to add extra USB options.
-USB audio dongle with amp for half decent sound.

I cannibalised an old PS controller clone to make the button pads. Wiring up the lcd I got was a real chore. I'm not great at soldering to start with but managed in the end. It's a 3.2" and I had to mod the case a bit but I'm using the overscan option to just display the middle section. It looks pretty decent now it's installed, and straightened up. Nothing worse than a wonky looking screen.

I think I need to work on conserving power now, as with it only running on 3x AA batteries it lasts a little over an hour at the moment.
Also the boot up sequence takes a fair time. Not sure how to improve that though. Maybe someone has some tips?

Need to add a headphone jack, extend a power led, and just waiting on some potentiometers from China to arrive and it should all be finished.

[spoiler="Parts list"]new components:

gameboy housing
rasp pi zero
3.2" generic spi lcd display
pluscom 4 port unpowered usb hub ... sku: UHCPK
5v 2A dc step-up power converter board ... sku: MT3608
usb "5.1" sound card
'adafruit' pam8302a 2.5w mono audio amp
10k pot

re-used components:

power switch
green led
old snes clone gamepad
wiring
8ohm 1.5w speaker
hard drive ribbon cable
micro b usb cable
usb otg cable
8gb microsd card

other:

3d printed half-size cartridge
3x AA re-chargable 2100mah eneloop batteries[/spoiler]
[spoiler="Tools used"]Dremel
Soldering iron +solder
hotglue gun +glue sticks
3D printer
superglue
jewellers saw
files
masking tape
digital calipers
sharp knife
metal staight edge (ruler)
kapton tape[/spoiler]

Here's a few pics:








I've got quite far with my build and will post more pics later.

When I figure the forum out I'll post a build list, etc, too.

[Zero]

A few more pics. I've made a custom 3D printed cartridge to act as a memory card storage box. It looks better in real life, the photos make it a look pretty poor.

[Zero]

'Dry' fit to see if everything would go together. Still trying to figure out how to use the topmost screw holes so it holds the case closed securely:




Power LED:



USB port:



Battery power:



It's alive!



Retro style:

[Zero]

Won't close her up until my 10k pots arrive... from China... so might be a while.

Will figure out a way to hold it securely closed, and add 2 more buttons to the rear in the mean time.

[Artist_block]

Hey Zero, nice build.

Using double AA batteries is a novel idea. But I'll be honest, I don't think you'll be able to a longer battery life with the 3 AA's. Also I'm not sure you could even speed up the boot up without using a simpler version of retropie or a raspberry pi 2/3. By the way, have you seen this site? http://store.kitsch-bent.com/

-I hope everything works out,
Artist_block

[Zero]

Thanks. Well that sounds like a challenge to me.
I will strip unneeded files though so we'll see but you're probably right as the pi zero isn't the fastest to begin with.

I could get more battery life if I could find out how to drain the batteries equally. At the moment it seems to eat one much faster than the other two.

Yes I've seen those boards but thanks for the link. I was trying to re-use stuff I already had for this build. Maybe on some future ones I'll use nicer parts.

[Ninjameep]

so thats the stock screen? how dod you backlight (or frontlight) it? was it just the usual mod ?

[Zero]

No it's a 3.2" screen using overscan to make the image fit the original gameboy screen size.

[Helder]

What screen did you use? Do you have a link?

[Zero]

I used this one:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/391517243606

But I don't recommend it unless you're someone who loves to spend time tinkering and testing settings. I think it's one of the Waveshare clones.

Oddly in all fps tests I've done it shows 60fps but the frame rate doesn't match that visually. I guess that's because it's SPI, I'd say it was running about 25fps in reality which is usable but not as smooth as composite screens. It took ages to wire and set up. Image onscreen is nice and sharp though. Also had to trim the case slightly so it would fit in.

Currently working on a composite build which is a lot less wiring.