Game boy Pocket Zero project by Waffe

Show off your completed Game Boy Zero, or post your build logs here!
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waffe
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Game boy Pocket Zero project by Waffe

Post by waffe » Tue Apr 30, 2019 9:15 am

Hi,

I am new to the forums and well I thought since its my first build I would share it with the rest of you and the people who might google this in the future. I've never done a raspberry pi project before, heck i've never worked with micro-controllers extensively either so all this is very new to me. But I saw some videos of Game Boys online and the nostalgia came over me so I decided to build one myself. Originally I was gonna go for the PocketPi FE but it was sold out so I decided that I will try to do it myself and learn something in the process.

Now onto the project, today is the first time I use Fritzing(for the wiring) so if something is weird or bad I can totally understand that and if you got any pointers that would be welcome! I browsed the forums quite a bit for parts and wiring but I mostly checked out Veteran's third build (quite amazing as a resource).

Here is the Fritzing image (I can upload the file if anyone wants it):
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The parts that im using are the following:

-Raspberry Pi Zero W
-Powerboost 1000 Basic https://www.adafruit.com/product/2030
-USB LiIon/LiPoly charger - v1.2 https://www.adafruit.com/product/259
-Adafruit Mono 2.5W Class D Audio Amplifier - PAM8302 https://www.adafruit.com/product/2130
-Microcontroller ATMEGA328P Pro Mini 5V compatible https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11113
-Shutdown switch with a rocker https://mausberry-circuits.myshopify.co ... ith-rocker
-SPI TFT LCD ILI9341 https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1pcs-J3 ... 4c4di4PLsW
-Gameboy pocket button pcb https://github.com/DerNuntius/Gameboy-Z ... Button-PCB
-LiPo 3.7V 2400mAh Battery
-8 Ohm Speaker
-Thumbwheel potentiometer 10kohm
-Powerstrip by Helder from OSH
-Gameboy pocket Case from Aliexpress
-Some 3D printed button brackets

This is what i'm starting out with, maybe some parts could be better such as having a 1000 C instead of a 1000 Basic + Charger. But this mostly has to do with me wanting to get parts asap and from my location these alternatives were available. The reason for the Mausberry shutdown switch is because i have one from my old 2012 raspberry pi that I don't use and I might as well use it if it works. I will probably order more parts as I need them.

Things I need to do:
-Program the Atmega328p and then solder it to the raspberry pi when it works.
-Get the shutdown button working and testfit then solder.
-Connect the screen to the RPi and make sure its running as it should then solder.
-Get the audio working(volume rocker included) and enable Bluetooth audio as well.

Wishes after the basics are done and I have time:
-Get all the Battery stats to the RPi screen or leds.
-Rear buttons/Joystick if i find it comfortable and it looks good.
-Order custom Screen surround.
-Hdmi out.
-Bluetooth controllers.
-Screen brightness potentiometer

Hopefully everything fits and if you have any tips or if I've missed anything I could use all the help I can get.

//Waffe

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Re: Game boy Pocket Zero project by Waffe

Post by MrErickson » Tue Apr 30, 2019 10:19 am

Looks like a solid start, I'm starting on a non-AiO build, and have been using 3-D printed analogs to test fitting and component positioning. I look forward to seeing how this build progresses.

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Re: Game boy Pocket Zero project by Waffe

Post by infinitLoop » Tue Apr 30, 2019 10:46 am

i was starting to plan a gbc build thats similar. you might want to check out the power assist (and other stuff) over here:

http://www.pocketadventures.com/

the power assist basic has 5v boost, charging, safe shutdown, and a power strip (and fits in a printed gb cartridge)

and, if you want to save even more room, use the gpio assist instead of the teensy (and if you get the pro, you can ditch the audio amp)

(imho - i think you will have a *really* hard time getting all that into a pocket shell - it would be pretty hard in a dmg shell)

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Re: Game boy Pocket Zero project by Waffe

Post by VeteranGamer » Wed May 01, 2019 3:33 am

waffe wrote:
Tue Apr 30, 2019 9:15 am
The parts that im using are the following:

-Raspberry Pi Zero W
-Powerboost 1000 Basic https://www.adafruit.com/product/2030
-USB LiIon/LiPoly charger - v1.2 https://www.adafruit.com/product/259
-Adafruit Mono 2.5W Class D Audio Amplifier - PAM8302 https://www.adafruit.com/product/2130
-Microcontroller ATMEGA328P Pro Mini 5V compatible https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11113
-Shutdown switch with a rocker https://mausberry-circuits.myshopify.co ... ith-rocker
-SPI TFT LCD ILI9341 https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1pcs-J3 ... 4c4di4PLsW
-Gameboy pocket button pcb https://github.com/DerNuntius/Gameboy-Z ... Button-PCB
-LiPo 3.7V 2400mAh Battery
-8 Ohm Speaker
-Thumbwheel potentiometer 10kohm
-Powerstrip by Helder from OSH
-Gameboy pocket Case from Aliexpress
-Some 3D printed button brackets

Good luck with the build.....


this may be a bit pointless as you may have already got the parts for the build...
but IMHO
you may have slightly over complicated the build for yourself, especially as there isn't that much space in a GBP to play with.....

personally (again just MHO) ....

I would scrap the
-Microcontroller ATMEGA328P Pro Mini 5V compatible
and just go for controls via the GPIO
(you'll save some space, and you'll save some on the total power draw of the build... better battery life)
personally....
if your not intending to add any analog devices to the build, then controls via the GPIO is a far better option....

I would highly recommend/suggest to use something like this for the data & controls wiring (very thin & manageable)
-Kynar Wire


your power setup is also looking slightly complicated

rather than having....
-Powerboost 1000 Basic
-USB LiIon/LiPoly charger - v1.2

I think you may just be able to getaway with this
-Powerboost 1000 Basic (may be charging might be an issue)

but if charging is going to be an issue then the better option would be to go for the
-Powerboost 1000 Charger

you'll be saving space again and some money, as it cost less than the other two combined....


and as your intending on using a Adafruit Powerboost
then I feel this also could be scrapped...
-Shutdown switch with a rocker

and should be swapped out for this
-Safe Shutdown V1.2

it cost less than the Mausberry, and is designed to work with a switch
(you may just need to check with Camble if using with the PB1000Basic will be an issue)


and not to confuse things even more....
the best option (again IMHO)

would be to go for this....
-Retro PSU

its packs a great punch for the money and is a very small form factor (and is a kind of AIO PSU, with the exception of a Safe Shutdown)
if you use the
-One For All software script

you'll have the controls pre-configured for the GPIO and also have the benefit of a on-screen battery monitor...
the script is also configure to allow you to easily adjust the volume, toggle the WiFi/Bluetooth and if you want to add a analog stick this would also be possible.....
On-Screen-Display.jpg
On-Screen-Display.jpg (175.2 KiB) Viewed 7755 times



Plus....
as it has two separate power output connections....
you could also scrap the
-Powerstrip by Helder
again saving just little more space....




either way.....
good luck with the build






.

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Re: Game boy Pocket Zero project by Waffe

Post by waffe » Wed May 01, 2019 10:08 am

@MrErickson
I think I will go for the analog stick as a last thing if everything else fits, but I would gladly want to hear about your results! :)

@infinitLoop and @VeteranGamer
Yeah I think you might be right about the stuff not fitting into the case. I kind of drew an outline of the pocket on a piece of paper and the parts fit but yeah it will be a tight fit.I will probably strip down as many parts as possible to make them as flat as possible. The biggest part is the charging circuit by far so replacing that would be my first option. I might ditch the atmega328p for space if that's an issue as well. Also I will de-solder the rocker from the mausberry switch and replace it with the classic Gameboy switch. I will try to remove the screen from its board and just use the ribbonwire as you did in your build @VeteranGamer.

But I will have to wait for the case to arrive before making any bigger decisions. Might do some soldering this weekend with the power circuit so that I have and see how small it can get. My other option would be to go with the classic Gameboy case if it does not fit, but I shall try my best with the pocket first. Anyhow I will play around with it, really nice tips though, I appreciate it a lot, many thanks!! :D

As a side note:
The reason I kinda believe its possible is because of a build called "PiSP" that I saw on a forum, not sure if I can link to other forums but I will link an image and hopefully they wont mind. But if that guy can fit all of that stuff inside i'm hopeful, but I might just be setting myself up for disappointment but that is fine. Its a learning process :)
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Also i'm not sure how to tag people in the post so I just did an @


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Re: Game boy Pocket Zero project by Waffe

Post by waffe » Thu May 02, 2019 7:19 am

A bit of an update on the size. Built a cardboard version of the Game boy pocket because I had nothing else to do to see if things can fit.
Here are some pictures, be aware that this is not super exact, but its in the same size order so it should represent it fairly well.
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Image
Image

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Re: Game boy Pocket Zero project by Waffe

Post by infinitLoop » Fri May 03, 2019 8:00 am

how are you going to close the case? looks like you're going to cover up all the mounting holes on the top and lose the ones in the battery compartment. i have a pocket shell here, and it doesn't look like the pi would fit between the screw posts at the top (they are about 64mm apart, and the pi is 66mm wide).

you basically just have the area where the cartridge is to work in

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Re: Game boy Pocket Zero project by Waffe

Post by waffe » Fri May 03, 2019 9:19 am

You bring up valid points, I actually got my Game Boy case today and I realized that I cant really put it as in the cardboard version. But I will remove the entire battery compartment besides the screw holes and glue on the battery lid for more space.

The space then ends up like this picture:
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Then I would place the other parts like in the picture, the sound amp can fit quite well in the corner a bit tilted. The battery has a very slim profile and the atmega328p can be right on top if I decide to use it.
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Then I would remove the usb port from the charging circuit and place the pi onto of the power supply and charging circuit. I have not decided what orientation it will have exactly, but I want to be able to get to the sd card. I'm thinking about using a piece of plastic as a spacer between the power supply+ charging circuit and raspberry pi. Final design desicions might change with time. As it is now I can close the case without any problems and put a screen on top of the pi.
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Forgot to include the safe shutdown but it can be right next to the pi above the other components!

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Re: Game boy Pocket Zero project by Waffe

Post by KonnorJ » Sat May 04, 2019 11:12 am

The 32u4 is needed for hid, not 328p

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