Check out my finished Genesis Portable!

[BDW]

It's no RetroGen, but it only cost $20 to make, and I'm happy with the end result.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNF9EeTBQt8

[Frizo]

Nice!

I am planning on making a NES portable some day, but yours could be a tad better (Spraypaint, better screen cutting job) but it is a decent job!

Under 20$? Where did you buy the screen? Screens run like 40$ for like a 2.5 inch screen!

 

 

Offtopic: 300th post!

 

( And the batteries...I found under my bed. I lol'd)

Edited June 7, 2010 by Frizo

[BDW]

Nice!

I am planning on making a NES portable some day, but yours could be a tad better (Spraypaint, better screen cutting job) but it is a decent job!

Under 20$? Where did you buy the screen? Screens run like 40$ for like a 2.5 inch screen!

 

 

Offtopic: 300th post!

 

( And the batteries...I found under my bed. I lol'd)

I buy my screens used on ebay. If you hunt, you can get a decent screen for $15-$20.

[uglyclone]

I see your portable has two controller ports on the bottom yet has a controller already attached on the front. How does that function? 3 player games?

[Frizo]

I see your portable has two controller ports on the bottom yet has a controller already attached on the front. How does that function? 3 player games?

It functions on magic.

I guess it plays three player.

Or another possibility is that the controller attached to the system becomes obsolete on the big screen, though unlikely.

Edited June 7, 2010 by Frizo

[nathanallan]

Very cool!! I am most impressed, especially for what the cost was. Shows what one can accomplish when you put your mind to it.

 

Excellent!!

[DickNixonArisen]

Nice, I like the idea of having the video out, ac and ports so you can use it as a console. I own and play lots of handhelds, but rarely outside of the house! If I'm out, I'm busy doin' stuff.

[BDW]

I see your portable has two controller ports on the bottom yet has a controller already attached on the front. How does that function? 3 player games?

That was put in for myself. I love the original 6 button controller, but I'm not willing to gut my only 6 button controller for the portable. So I just put that extra controller port in.

[DickNixonArisen]

Where on your avatar does this device attach?

[BDW]

Where on your avatar does this device attach?

Good question. On his chest, you can see a small button. This will open up this chest, exposing the Absolute Zero Cannon. Right below that, there is a slot that says, "Insert some 15 year old hick's custom built Genesis portable".

 

Damn the Japanese sure do have some foresight, huh?

[kool kitty89]

Is that a genesis 3 board? (you got one for $2?)

 

What kind of screen is that, does it support RGB input, or are you using composite? (if the size is right and it supports RGB, that would be a great replacement for the nomad screen)

 

Did you replace the 7805 voltage regulator with a modern nonlinear one, or is it stock? (a nonlinear supply could probably increase battery life by lose to %50)

 

Obviously you're stuck with 3-buttons the way you set it up.

 

Still, I'd say that's got a good amount of advantages over the Retrogen/Gen mobile: good sound (if it's a model 3, but mono), better (but not perfect, unmodded) compatibility, and uses real hardware. (so full accuracy for video too -and good audio amp/mixing circuit so no problems like many hardware clones: Radica/GN-Twin/GenX genX works with VR though)

No built-in games and bulky though, still the only option for something better than the handheld emuclones. (at least until Yobo -or someone else- comes out with a Genesis equivalent to the FC-16 Go)

 

 

 

Edit:

 

I noticed the comment on the nomad/gamegear size difference in the video, but that implied the Nomad is the same size (or longer) than the GG, but I'm almost positive the Nomad is significantly more compact, at very least, in terms of length. (with a cart in and battery pack on, it's bulkier than the GG in some respects)

Edited June 7, 2010 by kool kitty89

[BDW]

Is that a genesis 3 board? (you got one for $2?)

Yes, it is a Genesis 3 board.

What kind of screen is that, does it support RGB input, or are you using composite? (if the size is right and it supports RGB, that would be a great replacement for the nomad screen)

I cant remember what exact screen it is, but it is a Casio screen. I am using composite, for it does not support RGB.

Did you replace the 7805 voltage regulator with a modern nonlinear one, or is it stock? (a nonlinear supply could probably increase battery life by lose to %50)

It's stock. To be honest, I'm not that great at electronics, not close to the level of some AA members. I do not know how to replace a voltage regulator (if you can link me to a guide, +1 for you!).

Obviously you're stuck with 3-buttons the way you set it up.

Still, I'd say that's got a good amount of advantages over the Retrogen/Gen mobile: good sound (if it's a model 3, but mono), better (but not perfect, unmodded) compatibility, and uses real hardware. (so full accuracy for video too -and good audio amp/mixing circuit so no problems like many hardware clones: Radica/GN-Twin/GenX genX works with VR though)

No built-in games and bulky though, still the only option for something better than the handheld emuclones. (at least until Yobo -or someone else- comes out with a Genesis equivalent to the FC-16 Go)

 

Edit:

 

I noticed the comment on the nomad/gamegear size difference in the video, but that implied the Nomad is the same size (or longer) than the GG, but I'm almost positive the Nomad is significantly more compact, at very least, in terms of length. (with a cart in and battery pack on, it's bulkier than the GG in some respects)

I do not own a Nomad, due to the fact that whenever I see one for sale, they are $50+. My opinions of length and width were formed from reviews from people like Mark from CGRHD. I've always thought that the nomad was about the same size as the GameGear. Sorry if I was wrong.

[kool kitty89]

I cant remember what exact screen it is, but it is a Casio screen. I am using composite, for it does not support RGB.

Ah, OK, that seems to be the main issue with finding replacement Nomad screens. (though one could always go with composite and it would still look better in some ways than the old screen -motion blur, viewing angle, contrast, etc)

 

It's stock. To be honest, I'm not that great at electronics, not close to the level of some AA members. I do not know how to replace a voltage regulator (if you can link me to a guide, +1 for you!).

I can't really point to a tutorial as it's not a particularly common thing to do (unless the old one actually burns out), but it's also so simple, one is hardly necessary: it's just desoldering and removing the old part (rather large, easy to work with pins too) and soldering in the new one. (the trickiest part would probably be desoldering if you haven't done that before)

http://stevenmatarazzo.com/images/sega3.jpg (it's the 3-leg component screwed down at the top left)

 

However, nonlinear voltage regulators aren't super cheap and wouldn't necessarily be among things you'd see stocked at local electronics supply stores (probably not radio shack, maybe fry's), so it would either be special ordered or you could look online at places like digikey. (a variety of 5V regulators should be fine)

The 7805 is still the common, cheap and is the one radio shack tends to have in stock: the same decade old inefficient linear voltage regulator used since the 70s at least. (most game consoles continued to use it: the Jaguar is one of the first, if not the first to break the trend)

 

Probably not worth if for your set-up, perhaps a future consideration though.

 

BTW, was that model 3 one like in the above picture or the upper right inlaid picture? (the diagonal orientation of the big chip in the middle would be the most obvious) iirc the non-diagonal one is the earlier revision and the one suitable (or more suitable) for modding to fix SMS/Virtua Racing/Game Genie/32x compatibility.

 

 

I do not own a Nomad, due to the fact that whenever I see one for sale, they are $50+. My opinions of length and width were formed from reviews from people like Mark from CGRHD. I've always thought that the nomad was about the same size as the GameGear. Sorry if I was wrong.

I've used both in person, but don't own either and remember seeing a side-by-side comparison before. (I initially assumed the Nomad would be larger, but then again it's several years newer -and the GG never got a redesigned case)

 

Looking at this picture, it's actually only very slightly smaller in terms of length/width. (more so for height)

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z278/Bloufo/DSC00417.jpg

Edited June 7, 2010 by kool kitty89

[BDW]

Thanks for taking the time to post. I'm already working on a second portable (SNES), and I'll keep the voltage regulator idea in mind. It also has a 7805. I didn't realize that it would be a simple matter of desoldering the old one out and resoldering the new on in.

 

 

My Genesis was the diagonal one.

[Atari2600Lives]

Brandon, thats just bad a$$ congrats on having the talent to do that.

[iwan-iwanowitsch-goratschin]

WOW!!Very cool work, brandonski!

[kool kitty89]

Thanks for taking the time to post. I'm already working on a second portable (SNES), and I'll keep the voltage regulator idea in mind. It also has a 7805. I didn't realize that it would be a simple matter of desoldering the old one out and resoldering the new on in.

 

 

My Genesis was the diagonal one.

 

OK, I'm not sure what specific brand/model you'd look for (some guys on Sega-16 know though), but again, they aren't really cheap compared to the 7805. (haven't checked what digikey or other online suppliers have though) At least not in small quantities.

 

I only have a very general knowledge on that though, haven't done any replacement myself.

 

Hmm, I wonder what kind of regulator the nomad or game genie uses. Come to think of it: would 4x alkaline AA batteries have a stable enough voltage output to be used unregulated perhaps? (batteries arranged for 5.0 VDC, so if stable enough as they drain, it might be possible to do unregulated -bypassing the voltage regulator entirely could double battery life, maybe more) I don't think it would hurt to try: damage would more likely occur at high voltages than low (too low and components just won't operate properly, I don't think you'd risk damage). If you did that, definitely make sure to only bypass the regulator, not any diodes or fuses. (doing that may indeed risk damage) You'd probably have to go with 2.5V cells and such. (some camera batteries and similar)

 

If you could fine a 5.0V rechargeable lithium ion (or polymer) pack, that would be ideal.

 

Edit: nevermind, I got my wires crossed remembering common cell voltages: it seems like 5V would be a bit tough to get from common batteries... 1.5V cells would be 4.5 or 6V and I think the former is too low while the latter is too high (I think mose components using power straight off the rails are meant for 5-5.5V). With NiMH 1.2V you could get 4.8 V, but I think that still might be too low. (an interesting experiment if nothing else)

 

BTW, is 6V too low to work in your set-up (using the 7805), or will it run OK? (I think it starts dropping below 5V with ~7V input on the 7805)

 

And for the 2nd thing, I think that makes it the VA2 revision, which would mean it's not possible to fully mod like the VA1. (but that's off the top of my head and using a game genie would be bulky anyway, as would SMS conveter, etc)

Edited June 9, 2010 by kool kitty89

[BDW]

Thanks for taking the time to post. I'm already working on a second portable (SNES), and I'll keep the voltage regulator idea in mind. It also has a 7805. I didn't realize that it would be a simple matter of desoldering the old one out and resoldering the new on in.

 

 

My Genesis was the diagonal one.

 

 

BTW, is 6V too low to work in your set-up (using the 7805), or will it run OK? (I think it starts dropping below 5V with ~7V input on the 7805)

 

 

I tried 6v in the beginning, it would work for a couple of hours and then I would get video and audio problems (Audio begins to crackle, color disappears, etc). I found that introducing the extra battery keeps it much more stable for a much longer period of time.