Introduction: Game Boy Android Gamepad
UPDATE: HOW TO NOW AVAILABLE https://www.instructables.com/id/Make-Your-Own-Game-Boy-Android-Gamepad/
I wanted to play Nintendo emulators on my phone, but did not like the touch screen input. I've heard this complaint time and again, all over the 'net. I've seen some great looking commercially produced solutions, but I wanted something more. I wanted to enhance the experience by actually playing on classic Nintendo hardware, and at the same time not having to plug in via USB. Not to mention I love making things.
Using a Wii remote as the Bluetooth interface, and a Dot Matrix Gameboy's butttons and shell (two things I already owned) I figured "why not mash them together and give them a whole new purpose?". With the use of the "Wii Controller IME" App on the Play App store, this retro controller will really control anything which lets you use the android touch keyboard as input. Although i've only tried with a SNES emulator, in theory you should be able to play and do all kinds of things with the Gameboy's buttons. The project is essentially a gutted Game Boy with a Wii remote inside. The tricky part was rerouting the button connections between the two.
This project was built for the Galaxy Nexus, but can easily be altered to any Android phone or tablet. The limitation is really the support of your device with the Wiimote App. Technically you could control your wii with the Gameboy minus some functionallity.
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18 Comments
4 years ago
Can you made this?this gamepad no need power,no bluetooth.
9 years ago on Introduction
Can you please do this with a GameBoy Advance? I had this idea for awhile but i didnt think it was possible.
10 years ago on Introduction
this is cool! recycling an old gameboy.
10 years ago on Introduction
Hahaha, 1st life fail. Died on the first baddie. lol
10 years ago on Introduction
Why not make one with a psp ??
10 years ago
So cool
10 years ago on Introduction
Please tell me you used a broken Game Boy
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
Yes, please tell him that...
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
ditto^
10 years ago on Introduction
I don't know if it's something that can be done or not, as I'm unsure of the iPhone 3g compatibility for the WiiMote, but could you adapt this same idea to work with my iPhone 3G? "Not the 3GS." Right now I use my psp for gb, gbc, gba roms, but I'd much rather use something such as this.
10 years ago on Introduction
I Want to buy this how much ? (please don't make it over 29$)
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
oh ya and a ipod version
10 years ago on Introduction
That is a very creative design, having the screen positoined in the same place as a gameboy would have the screen. *applause*
10 years ago on Introduction
this is awesome
10 years ago on Introduction
Can you please tell us which Case do you use?
10 years ago on Introduction
very cool project, i have an old gameboy as well, i might have to do this.
10 years ago on Introduction
AWESOME!
10 years ago on Introduction
This is awesome. Do you know if there's a way to do this with an iPhone?