Project GamePi: Raspberry Pi based portable game console
Hope you’re well. In this weeks episode of ‘Weird Electronic Devices You Can Make In Your Own Home’, we’ll be diving into a Raspberry Pi based handheld inside of a Game Boy (DMG). My inspiration to pick this one up was seeing the awesome SuperPiBoy, as well as the wonderful PiGRRL from Adafruit. I took bits from both of those projects, and added my own small touch.
Parts:
- Adafruit PowerBoost Basic
- Adafruit Micro Li-Poly Charger
- Adafruit Standalone Capacitive Touch Sensor (Momentary) [3x]
- Adafruit Mini USB Breakout
- Adafruit Half Length SD Card Adapter
- 2350maH Li-Poly Cell or Adafruit 2500maH Li-Poly Pack
- Adafruit MAX98306 3.7W Amplifier Board
- 3.5 Inch 12V Composite LCD Panel
- Raspberry Pi Model A
- 3.5 Headphone Port (Non-Switched, In this application.)
- Kitsch Bent Common Ground DMG Button PCB
- Kitsch Bent KeFF Purple And Black Battery Cover
- Single Pole Double Throw Switch
My little bit of spice for this project were the additional 3 controls on the rear panel. Instead of using momentary switches, I used capacitive touch sensors. I chose the standalone versions that Adafruit sells, because the form factor is favorable to this application, and for simplicity.
I started with a trashed original Game Boy. I found it in a lot buy with a broken Game Gear (I can see another project in my future… :)) for 15$. I handed off the internals to a chip tune obsessed friend, and began the conversion.
I chose not to retain any of the original parts, except for the plastics. I first measured the LCD window, and shaved it to the appropriate size for the 3.5 inch LCD. I shaved down as much of the internal plastics as I could. I then mounted the LCD in place with hot glue. The KB button PCB mounts using the original mounting hardware, no modification required.
Check out the full tutorial here.
Featured Adafruit Products!
PowerBoost 1000 Basic – 5V USB Boost @ 1000mA from 1.8V+: PowerBoost is the perfect power supply for your power-hungry portable project! This little DC/DC boost converter module can run from 1.8V batteries or higher, and convert that voltage to 5.2V DC for running your 5V projects. With a beefy 4A DC/DC converter, it can give you 1A+ from as low as 2V. Read more.
Adafruit Micro Lipo w/MicroUSB Jack – USB LiIon/LiPoly charger: Oh so handy, this little lipo charger is so small and easy to use you can keep it on your desk or mount it easily into any project! Simply plug it via any MicroUSB cable into a USB port and a 3.7V/4.2V lithium polymer or lithium ion rechargeable battery into the JST plug on the other end. There are two LEDs – one red and one green. While charging, the red LED is lit. When the battery is fully charged and ready for use, the green LED turns on. Seriously, it could not get more easy. Read more.
Each Friday is PiDay here at Adafruit! Be sure to check out our posts, tutorials and new Raspberry Pi related products. Adafruit has the largest and best selection of Raspberry Pi accessories and all the code & tutorials to get you up and running in no time!
