From the photos available, it also seems like he does a really nice job with the aesthetics of them too. The fake decals and trim look really well done, they're a very nice touch.
He also has access to lots of fancy machinery. The rest of us are stuck with kludging cases out of tupperware or something.
I'd like to do one of those mini Genesis ones sometime, since apparently a Genesis cartridge slot is pin-compatible with the ROM chip used in those TV games, and I have like 3 hacked up Genesis systems that I can use for ripping out cartridge slots.
Zweihander wrote:Also, where's the Dreamcast Portable? :/
Dreamcast poses a bit more of a problem (but seeing the portable MVS, the same solution might be applied).
I believe ALL of those consoles above in their un-hacked forms, accept DC power supplied by an external transformer. Therefore you can easily supply power at the correct voltages simply by using batteries.
However, Dreamcast has an internal power supply, so what is fed into the system is raw 120V AC which is extremely difficult and dangerous to carry around in your pocket. However, he was able to get a MVS working, so the same idea can probably be used to directly supply the 3.3V, 5V, and 12V DC needed by the Dreamcast while bypassing the AC transformer.
I've seen a number of things... now that you mention it, I DID see someone's handheld Dreamcast, the mould for the case was handmade (so the lines weren't exactly straight, etc.)...
But I think this benheck guy, CADs his designs and then feeds it into a machine that..well...machines the part out of a solid brick of plastic/aluminium.
I'll see if I can find that Dreamcast, but it was a long time ago..
edit: Here it is..
For the portable Dreamcast, wouldn't it be easier to take a Treamcast system and modify that? I assume the power issues are already worked out on that system.
To actually create a molded casing is pretty in-depth, but doing precision cut shapes in plastic, wood, metal, etc. can be done on a CNC router. They are very expensive tools, but most cities will have companies offering the service, allowing you to bring in your files and have them cut on the requested materials. I send stuff out from work to be cut this way regularly, and it's not that expensive -- depends on the elaborateness of the cut, but typically we have had big stuff, like 4'x8' sheets, cut for a couple hundred bucks or so, including material. That's vendor pricing though, so I'm not sure what these places would charge someone off the street.
We here shall not rest until we have made a drawing-room of your shaft, and if you do not all finally go down to your doom in patent-leather shoes, then you shall not go at all.
I especially like the portable MVS, amazing. But why are the portable SNES units always so wonky? I mean, why not have the cart facing down instead of out the back? I am sure there is a limitation the dev has though.
Dylan1CC wrote:I especially like the portable MVS, amazing. But why are the portable SNES units always so wonky? I mean, why not have the cart facing down instead of out the back? I am sure there is a limitation the dev has though.
You don't need to extract and reconnect the cartridge slot if you just leave it perpendicular to the motherboard. It's mostly a matter of convenience, but I don't think you'll really notice it sticking out the back when you're playing, only when you try to put it down on a table.
I saw a site where some guy hacked a Game Gear to run on his TV ! Now THAT'S what I want!
One of the issues of Hardcore Gamer a few months ago had a guide to hacking the new Atari 2600 that's pre-loaded with all those games, to play every 2600 cartridge. Looked pretty cool but you can get on www.atariage.com and buy an Atari 2600 that's been modded for AV.
"Farewell to false pretension
Farewell to hollow words
Farewell to fake affection
Farewell, tomorrow burns"
Now THAT'S what I want!
