NES/SNES dual slot portable (design stage)

[Life of Brian]

I'm not normally one for making elaborate designs/renders/drawings before I make a portable, but discussion in this thread has got me daydreaming. I had this image in my mind and had also recently downloaded Inkscape, so naturally I couldn't resist. (You should try that program - it's fantastic for being free and close enough to Illustrator's capabilities for my needs)

This picture is not perfect, but it's pretty close to scale (except for the buttons but that's not important right now). I used lovablechevy's wonderful dimensions for the Retro Duo that she so lovingly measured for us fellow nerds.



For the internal batteries, I was thinking of popping in a couple of these flat polymer li-ion cells from BatterySpace.com

Now for the fun stuff - the two cartridge slots. This is best seen from the back view. Since there are only two circuit boards in the Retro Duo, the lower NES board is at a 90 degree angle from the SNES board. Thus, the NES cartridge will slide down the back in between the two raised shoulder buttons on the back and an SNES cartridge will stick out at a right angle from the portable. That black rectangle up top is the SNES cartridge slot.

As with any design everything is subject to change but I like it so far. This probably isn't going to be made any time sooner than this summer (if I still feel like making it then) but I'd be interested in anyone's thoughts about improvements or if they've come up with a dual slot portable design of their own. If you have, post it!

[lovablechevy]

that looks really good! ever since i got my retro duo, i've been thinkin about building a nes/snes portable. in fact, i'm in the process of gathering all the materials first. i don't have any thing to show for it tho...

unfortunately for me, i know nothing about electronics. so this might just be a project on the brink of disaster...

i've got to tell you, LoB, i really like your most recent completed snes portable! i hope mine can look half that nice...

[Life of Brian]

i've got to tell you, LoB, i really like your most recent completed snes portable! i hope mine can look half that nice...

Thank you! My advice? Go buy a big ol' stack of sandpaper, because that's what it takes. That, and a lot of gap filler.

If you decide to go ahead and portablize your Retro Duo, just ask for help when you need it - that's what we're all here for. Plus you're one of the cool forum members who actually posts pictures and stuff

[lovablechevy]

If you decide to go ahead and portablize your Retro Duo, just ask for help when you need it - that's what we're all here for. Plus you're one of the cool forum members who actually posts pictures and stuff

well, thanks! i just know so little about any of this that i'm slightly shy about exposing my "stupidity." but, i will face my fears and ask questions when they arise. and i think more people should post pictures! it makes for a much more interesting forum!

[kayard]

Brian,

Going with your idea, why not have the NES slot on the bottom with the cartridge going upwards along the backside of the unit, then on the top of the unit have the SNES cart going down along the backside of the unit. You wouldn't be able to have both games in at the same time, but I think it would be a sleeker design.

The ZN40 case could work by building up each side where you have the L and R buttons but instead of those they would house SNES or NES cart slots.

Steve

[Life of Brian]

Going with your idea, why not have the NES slot on the bottom with the cartridge going upwards along the backside of the unit, then on the top of the unit have the SNES cart going down along the backside of the unit. You wouldn't be able to have both games in at the same time, but I think it would be a sleeker design.

The ZN40 case could work by building up each side where you have the L and R buttons but instead of those they would house SNES or NES cart slots.

That's a good idea and would work just as well. However, I would need to rewire the cartridge slot. I suppose it depends on how productive I feel when making it.

I really don't think the ZN-40 would be ideal for this - it's over 9" long and 5.25" wide. The dimensions don't match.

[Joel Schmidt]

Maybe I missed it on here already, but there is a Famicom adapter for the DS. Maybe someday someone will also make a Super Famicom attachment as well... (and maybe get rid of the darn region lockouts too...)

Famicom Nintendo DS addon

Personal comment: I've been thinking of getting a DS for myself. Anyone know of an actual mod or adapter that would allow Gameboy/Gameboy Color cartridges to also work? I have no interest in dealing with emulators and roms. I can understand wanting to look towards the future, but would it really have been that much trouble for Nintendo to have added support for the GB/GBC to the DS also?

[Life of Brian]

Okay, first off fix your link - long ones that stretch the page drive me nuts.

Code: Select all

[url=www.website.com]type your link here[/url]

Are you talking about a DS as in the handheld Nintendo DS? What does that have to do with this topic?

[Joel Schmidt]

Okay, first off fix your link - long ones that stretch the page drive me nuts.

Code: Select all

[url=www.website.com]type your link here[/url]

Are you talking about a DS as in the handheld Nintendo DS? What does that have to do with this topic?

LOL, I fixed it... it was an on the fly cut-n-paste post before my computer tried to reboot itself to install some updates.

I mentioned it because the design of the DS attachment could give you some additional ideas on how to make your mod... might even give you a good starting point to build up from...

[Life of Brian]

Ooookay - at first I was scratching my head and wondering if you even read the previous posts. I understand now!