Gameboy Zero - Handheld Edition

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32teeth

Gameboy Zero - Handheld Edition

Post by 32teeth » Wed Aug 16, 2017 12:06 pm

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Introducing
Gameboy Zero - Handheld Edition
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First off, i have to give credit to @moosepr for his inspiration in creating this.

It is essentially built off of the of his dual stick single board with the ili9341 SPI TFT

What i changed (added)
  • Some super sexy silk
    Widened the board
    Lengthened the board
    Changed joysticks to tact switches
    Added shoulder buttons
    Spent some time doing hand trace routing... ...cus i'm ocd that way ;)
Here is the current GitHub repo.
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I am not planning to go into production (except for my own personal use) as this idea belongs to someone else, i simply modified the design :oops: but with blessing from the original creator, i'd love to collaborate

When you have a chance, check out the source, it's under OSH License, so use as you see fit

Thanks (especially to @moosepr)

And as always, everyones feedback (both + and -) are welcome
Last edited by 32teeth on Fri Sep 15, 2017 3:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: Gameboy Zero - Handheld Edition

Post by username 123 » Fri Aug 18, 2017 3:54 pm

This is sweet. Can't wait to see one complete. Have you done any work on a case for it?

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Re: Gameboy Zero - Handheld Edition

Post by moosepr » Fri Aug 18, 2017 5:30 pm

Ooh nice work there! One thing I will say, your right shoulder buttons will actually clash with the pi zero! It sits flush with the pcb
IMG_20170302_165605.jpg
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Get a small cheep LCD in your project https://www.sudomod.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=2312
Wrap it all round a battery https://www.sudomod.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=2292
Or use a custom PCB to make it really small https://www.sudomod.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=2512
or make it really really really really tiny!! https://www.sudomod.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=2919

32teeth

Re: Gameboy Zero - Handheld Edition

Post by 32teeth » Fri Aug 18, 2017 6:39 pm

username 123 wrote:
Fri Aug 18, 2017 3:54 pm
This is sweet. Can't wait to see one complete. Have you done any work on a case for it?
i have. but what i think i may do is have a layered plexi case similar to the pibow pi cases
layered caseShow
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moosepr wrote:
Fri Aug 18, 2017 5:30 pm
Ooh nice work there! One thing I will say, your right shoulder buttons will actually clash with the pi zero! It sits flush with the pcb
I did consider that and have ordered the first run of PCBs from Seeedstudio.
The first intent is to have male smd header on the board, and the fit the pi on to of that.
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if the consideration is to have the board flush agains the pi, i may move the pi in slightly.

You insight is valuable and appreciated as this is inspired by your project.

The GitHub repo contains the 2.2 as well as the 2.8 version with battery outlines on the back (you know, so you can double side tape it)
2.8 inch version schShow
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2.8 inch version brdShow
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Re: Gameboy Zero - Handheld Edition

Post by moosepr » Sun Aug 20, 2017 2:35 pm

You might need to be careful with the smd headers. When I did the pi footprint, I took a standard zero footprint and changed the though hole pads to smd pads.

The smd header pins actually need slightly different pads due to the "legs" sticking out
1.27mm-SMT-pin-header-dual-row.png
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The danger you have is that you cooper pour is tied to ground, and your overhanging pins will be at risk of touching that as well as the intended pads
Get a small cheep LCD in your project https://www.sudomod.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=2312
Wrap it all round a battery https://www.sudomod.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=2292
Or use a custom PCB to make it really small https://www.sudomod.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=2512
or make it really really really really tiny!! https://www.sudomod.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=2919

32teeth

Re: Gameboy Zero - Handheld Edition

Post by 32teeth » Sun Aug 20, 2017 6:31 pm

moosepr wrote:
Sun Aug 20, 2017 2:35 pm
You might need to be careful with the smd headers. When I did the pi footprint, I took a standard zero footprint and changed the though hole pads to smd pads.

The smd header pins actually need slightly different pads due to the "legs" sticking out

1.27mm-SMT-pin-header-dual-row.png

The danger you have is that you cooper pour is tied to ground, and your overhanging pins will be at risk of touching that as well as the intended pads

Again, great insight
I'll revisit the eagle drawing and see what it looks like simply with the amd header instead of Pi pads

Now that the general layout is good. I may just put the zero outline on the board

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Re: Gameboy Zero - Handheld Edition

Post by username 123 » Sun Aug 20, 2017 7:25 pm

I want this! Ill be keeping an eye on this project. After all the pi zero based gaming game systems i have built, the one thing im missing is a small handheld system and this looks like awesome.

32teeth

Re: Gameboy Zero - Handheld Edition

Post by 32teeth » Sun Aug 20, 2017 8:34 pm

username 123 wrote:
Sun Aug 20, 2017 7:25 pm
I want this! Ill be keeping an eye on this project. After all the pi zero based gaming game systems i have built, the one thing im missing is a small handheld system and this looks like awesome.
I order my first run of prototype boards last week (usually take 2-3 weeks from China)

I'll probably iterate on it a few times though

32teeth

Re: Gameboy Zero - Handheld Edition

Post by 32teeth » Mon Aug 21, 2017 7:44 am

moosepr wrote:
Sun Aug 20, 2017 2:35 pm
You might need to be careful with the smd headers. When I did the pi footprint, I took a standard zero footprint and changed the though hole pads to smd pads.
This one should work well
https://www.digikey.ca/product-detail/e ... -ND/614772

As you will note from the trace route of the board, i intentionally kept everything around the 2x20 connector at right angles, and the traces come straight for a bit until they take turns

It was done just for that reason you mentioned!
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Again, good insight from you
Thanks for sharing

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Re: Gameboy Zero - Handheld Edition

Post by moosepr » Mon Aug 21, 2017 1:10 pm

You should probably be ok. A line of kapton tape each side of the connector should keep things safe. I'm actually thinking of redesigning my pads for the zero so they can be multi use

[edit] I have been adding some 'fingers' to the zero footprint i use. If you use eagle you can have it if you like?

Image
Get a small cheep LCD in your project https://www.sudomod.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=2312
Wrap it all round a battery https://www.sudomod.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=2292
Or use a custom PCB to make it really small https://www.sudomod.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=2512
or make it really really really really tiny!! https://www.sudomod.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=2919

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