Ok, I gave in...

[elwing]

I miss my lost gbm too much... I gave him and just ordered pcb to try to attempt to build my own piboy zero...
https://hackaday.io/project/9467-piboy-zero
I hope I'll succeed... Sourcing everything will take time anyway...

 

[levi]

Is that not both more complicated, more longwinded, and more expensive than a second hand GBM on fleabay?

But more power to you if you actually manage to make something out of this!

 

[pmprog]

I like the look of this one:
https://hackaday.io/project/20874-gamegirl-part-ii-back-in-the-game

I've been looking into trying to make my own, but not got around to exporting my PCB design in a format OSH Park accepts.

 

[elwing]

Neat one too, but i prefer the micro form factor... Also, being not really familiar with linux, using a pi rather than another less mainline platform seems a better idea...

 

[pmprog]

Neat one too, but i prefer the micro form factor... Also, being not really familiar with linux, using a pi rather than another less mainline platform seems a better idea...

That gamegirl does use a Pi Zero though

 

[elwing]

Yep, but for the one you linked, only the first prototype uses one, they plan to use something else after... They also mention using the C.H.I.P

 

[directive0]

WOW! That as an in depth project. I like it though, the challenge will make you appreciate it all the more. Far more functionality too!

 

[elwing]

Not sure it's a great project for a first almost all smd and a first 3d printing... I'm a bit afraid of the result but after several months I gave in... I'm weak...
Everything is ordered... For 3units beside the powerboost and pi which is i only have once... Min quantity for the pcb was 3 and the rest is cheap...

 

[directive0]

Yeah the SMD population is where I'd probably take a pass on it. I don't have the tools for that. I just finished a Pi Zero build I'm going to show off here in a couple days. It's not as nice as this project though.

I'm loving the plethora of single board computer projects right now. Its a cool time.

 

[levi]

As long as there are no BGA components, you don't need an oven or anything more than a soldering iron and solder with decent flux, I'm led to believe.

 

[elwing]

I hope so, the design is also only using 0805 and the pad are bigger to help manual soldering...

 

[rygD]

I am still scared of ruining something with surface mount. Holes make it a bit more difficult for me to mess things up. I guess when the time comes I will give it a shot.

Best of luck. Feel free to share your progress here. Real GBs, and the Pandora (and eventually Pyra) fulfill my needs, but making something like this would be a fun project.

 

[elwing]

Received all parts that don't have high delays... Now I'm just waiting for the pcb, lcd and cheap resistors/capacitor set...

 

[Chip]

My problem with the piboy zero (and most similar projects) is the microswitches or domes for the buttons. They never feel right, and microswitches are prone to breaking if you get a bit exuberant in your gaming.

That gamegirl 2 though... It has proper membrane buttons, L1/R1 on the back, and utilizes a CHIP, which I already have several of lying around. Depending on how this one plays out, I might give it a shot.

 

[elwing]

That's for sure true, but at least that one uses mouse switches and not the same usual 4pin el'cheapo switches most project seems to use...

 

[directive0]

As long as there are no BGA components, you don't need an oven or anything more than a soldering iron and solder with decent flux, I'm led to believe.

Yeah I've tried that. It's really not as fun as it sounds, IMO.

For a project as cool as this I think I'd just slog through, though.

 

[elwing]

Ok, some news... I finally received all, including a flux pen that I forgot at first, having never done smd by hand... Solders are far from stellar but all seems to be ok, no cold joints or shorts. So far I have only been able to test the soft power section (and the pi but that is expected to work...) as I don't have a SD card ready to test the screen or the audio out. I suspect I have neglected the software complexity too...

 

[directive0]

Sounds cool, I look forward to seeing more.

 

[elwing]

Ok, I was able to use the image for the pigrl zero from ladyada... I was able to boot and see the screen. But I wasn't able to progress further, I need a keyboard and I noticed one of the pcp-on-pcb contact failed. It's one of the D from the full size USB plug... Nothing too bad but as I don't have a usb otg adapter I am stuck at this point, I'll try to fix that and post pics tomorrow... Looking emulation station on such a small screen is great.. But upside down for the time being. That was quite expected, once I'll get a keyboard on I will need to find out how to fix that, lol

 

[elwing]

ok, USB in fixed, screen rotated:

I'm afraid I might have placed the alps joystick in reverse, but I need to check.

I also think I will need to drop this retropie setup as it do not support wifi and bluetooth on the raspberry pi Zero W... and restart from a more modern raspbian and install all the pitft and retropie over it... seems not easy and long...