First Time Build...Advice Please

[jmcky82]

Hey guys, I've been lurking this forum and some YouTube videos for a few weeks. I have absolutely no Raspberry Pi experience, but reading all this stuff about retrofitting a old game system appeals to my inner tinkerer. Yesterday I picked up a lot of "as-is" game boys off eBay relatively cheap. I plan on trying to repair a couple and if one happens to be beyond repair I'd like to use it for a build. I'm not going to get on here and ask for someone to just give me a parts list, or do my research for me. There are plenty of posts that just list all the standard stuff.

Reading up I've found parts lists, all straightforward enough. This being my first build, and to be honest, I may screw something up. I'd like to attempt this with the most inexpensive components possible. So what I want from this thread is to be a sorta place for me to come and get some input for the parts I find that I think would work.

I want to keep this build very simple. In my head I want to have a stock looking gameboy with a 3.5 lcd (backup camera monitor), with a headphone jack, a usb port for charging, and a sd slot (maybe even keep it contained internally like a harddrive). Nothing crazy, if anyone has any links or tips where I might do some research to further my knowledge about doing this cheaply I would appreciate it.

Does anyone have any input on this power module?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-DC-3V-3-3V-3 ... Sw4GVYRbP0

[Robochris]

Sounds similar to my first build.
Found here: http://www.sudomod.com/forum/viewtopic. ... ris#p30318

Basic build. Classic looking.

[PitchForkNinja]

I'm building my first GBZ too, and I've already fudged a few things. I tried to reuse the original button PCB, but a copper trace came off. It was also very frustrating and time consuming. Please please please buy a pre-made PCB from Kitsch-Bent, eBay, or the sudomod market. Also, when modifying your screen board be very careful. I was removing a chip, and accidentally removed three SMD components, which I now have to get my super tech savvy cousin to fix. If you can pick up a screen that does not require modification, its worth a few extra dollars. Also, use a pre-made PWM Audio filter from Kitsch Bent, or pick up Helder's through-hole audio filter and the proper resistors, because as a beginner, all of the guides made little to no sense to me. Again it may cost more, but it is definitely worth it if you don't have that much experience.

[marketus]

the best advice I can give you: Before glue parts in the case, BE SURE everything works. Step by step.