How to make a handheld portable Nintendo 64 N64 gaming console - iNto64

This was entered into the Dremel contest as this project used a Dremel throughout for cutting all the holes by hand, large and small. Used a lot of drill bits, sanding drums, circular cutter attachments, a fast-change chuck (very handy). The reason I use a Dremel is it has lots of torque so ideal for cutting through perspex, motherboards and thin metal. I love my Dremel!


Ever wanted to make your Nintendo 64 (N64) gaming console into a handheld portable unit for "on the go" playing?

With this series of comprehensive videos, you can. The video series has attracted a considerable internet interest to date on the major gaming sites and YouTube, so I thought i'd post this guide onto Instructables too.

If you're looking at making such a system, or another portable for that matter, please join my active forum, where we can hand-hold you through the process and offer help and assistance as and when you need it; it is a very friendly and helpful community:

http://moddedbybacteria.freeforums.org/index.php

Here is a video of the final system:

Step 1 Introduction

Making a handheld portable is fun and the ability to play a console on the go is also entertaining. Having a portable also means you don't need to be tied to playing on the family television, littering your floor also with power supplies, large console units and controllers which also have a habit of reeling around themselves making it awkward to set the system up in the first place.

Making vintage retro console portables into handhelds is a very good hobby to have, you learn new skills, have to do a fair bit of problem solving in the process; and end up with something special that only a few dozen other people have in the world.

Let me show you the principles of making your own Nintendo 64 portable. With these techniques, you can progress to other console systems too as the principles therein are similar to making other systems.

Comments

[Doorstopper]

how do you turn it on?

[Doorstopper]

What size of wire? will it not work right if it is too small/big?

[SerialBocks]

I've been looking at potential batteries for me to buy, and I know that they need to be 7.2 or 7.4v. Do they strictly need to be Lithium Ion Batteries? Also, what current do they need to be rated for? 4A Total? I found a 7.4v 12c 5000mah Li-Po Battery for an RC Helicopter. I didn't see an amperage rating, and I didn't know if the 12c was the max current rating in different units or something. Would this battery be safe to use?

[MODDEDbyBACTERIA]

5000mah means 5 amps.

Those should be fine.

Join my forum! ;o)

www.made-by-bacteria.com

[NINJ4SP4RT4N]

Can I use two seperate batteries for the screen and the motherboard so I dont need the ti chip to downstep the voltage, or would that just make charging more of a pain? I cant really decide what batteries to use, but if I do use the ones you did, should I order the charger as well?

[TommyCrawford]

What are the dimensions of the case?

[NINJ4SP4RT4N]

Do you need the D-pad part of the board, or can it just be cut off? will that cause a short or something in the controller board itself, or will the board be uneffected?

[MODDEDbyBACTERIA]

Can be removed, however make sure the grounding connects from top of board to bottom where you've cut it off (use a wire to reconnect)

[chrisallen19]

where do you get the casing for this?

[leelander]

He vacuum formed it.

[Hardwarehacker99]

For the cartridge relocation would 22 AWG wire work and if so how long can the wires be? it will be stranded

[triforce]

Hello again I have an issue my screen, I connected my psone screen to my Bp-915 camcorder battery and when I press the buttons the little bar at the bottom of the lcd does not light up and I am afraid that my screen is fried.

[diorio37]

hey bacteria I just about wired the screen and relocated the cartridge slot, but I was wondering if I could use rechargeable AA batteries and if so about how many would I need for the system to last about 2 hours.

[MODDEDbyBACTERIA]

Nope, AA batteries are of no use and rechargables are totally no use!

[diorio37]

Oh ok, well then what about these particular lithium ion batteries (UltraFire 18650 3000mAh 3.7V Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery) they are the same size as a AA so they won't take up much room and if I get 2 of them I will be able to get the 7.4v needed to power the system.

[MODDEDbyBACTERIA]

They are fine. Same batteries as in the Canon BP-911 / 915 batteries. You need a battery protection circuit for the cells; if you don't have one, get one of these Canon battery packs and use that in your project.

Please join my forum so we can answer questions more directly: www.made-by-bacteria.com

[triforce]

Bacteria! I was testing out my controller on my n64 and television and my motherboard isint working I checked everything only to find that i put the jumper pak in backwards! will putting the jumper pak in backward fry the mobo?!!


Happy holidays, triforce.

[triforce]

What is the maximum volage you can run the 3.3v line on the n64 motherboard?
Thanks for all the help by the way.

[MODDEDbyBACTERIA]

I believe 3.5v, after that, the motherboard might fry.

[ats3216]

First off, great guide. I've watched it over a few times and can't wait to get started on this. One question on the wiring, Just wondering what gauge wire you would recommend getting and whether it be solid core or stranded? I assume solid, but it never hurts to ask.

Thanks!

[MODDEDbyBACTERIA]

Use stranded wire not solid, as solid is not flexible to bend.

[triforce]

I don't know wether to have an internal or external controller for my portabe,what should i do?

[pyrotechnic]

How much did this cost to make?

[MODDEDbyBACTERIA]

Physical cost around the £120-£140 mark taking into account everything; apart from labour which is around the 70-100 hours ish mark. That's the part that costs the money!

[pyrotechnic]

ah, thanks, or. in two other languages:

ah. gracias.

ah. danke.

[NINJ4SP4RT4N]

can you solder to the bottom of the board for the game cart or just the top?

[NINJ4SP4RT4N]

Do you have to remove the reset button and the power switch or can you just leave them where they are?

[triforce]

How much battery life does just one BP-915 battery pack have?

[NINJ4SP4RT4N]

what type of solder should I use?

[NINJ4SP4RT4N]

Also, do you have any brand of soldering iron and/or solder that you would recommend for these types of projects?

[MODDEDbyBACTERIA]

Cheapie 30w pencil pointed soldering irons are fine.

[NINJ4SP4RT4N]

Can I just cut off the controller memory expansion, as i do not use it?
Also, can i keep the board untampered, and lengthen the joystick wires so I can just keep the button layout with the joystick elsewhere?

[MODDEDbyBACTERIA]

Yes, yes.

[NINJ4SP4RT4N]

Sorry about all of the questions, but can I use an "Endurance" brand 9v/6000mAh battery? the thing is huge, but i really don't want to go out and buy new ones if I can possibly help it.

[MODDEDbyBACTERIA]

how about joining my forum and posting your work, I can help you more then!

[NINJ4SP4RT4N]

Are you soldering directly into the holes, or the solder points below and above the holes? I cant quite make it out on the video. Watching on a small screen lol.

[MODDEDbyBACTERIA]

Above and below.

[triforce]

So, I am now purchasing the hardware for the project (finally!), and i was wondering will this psone screen work with the wiring guides on the internet.

Web adress
http://www.amazon.com/Mobile-Monitor-Color-Screen-Dreamcast/dp/B0012IWZZW/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1319560715&sr=8-8

Bye.

[MODDEDbyBACTERIA]

Yes, it will work fine, although it looks more like a 4.5" screen as it's smaller than a Sony PSone screen. The image quality won't be as good, however it's a cheap price, so why not!

Join my forum, let us know what projects you're doing!

http://bacteria-homepage.weebly.com/

[triforce]

I got the screen from that web adress and it ended up being the round 5" psone screen,and it only cost me $12.59! Boy, was I lucky!