First of all, I'm new to the forum, and all modding in general.
Anyway, I'm interested in making a portable n64. I've looked around on the forums, and it looks like it would cost $250 to $300 to build one. Can anyone provide a breakdown of the price for each part (or at least everything over $5).
I would probably use a Zenith gamecube screen, and try a vacuum formed case. I assume that if I built a vacuum table, I would only have to pay for the polystyrene and a few inexpensive details for the case?
Not easy to put a price on it because it depends on where you source your materials from and how lucky you are at getting them cheaply. For example, you can pay anything from 50p (1$) to £6 ($12) for a controller, £3 ($6) to £15 ($30) for the N64, £16 ($32) to £38 ($76) for a screen; etc, etc. It also depends on factors like you say with vacuum forming - cost of build, how many sheets you spoil before getting a good result, etc. I can make a case with 3 sheets of perspex (£6 / $12) and £1 ($2) of hot glue stick, but it takes several days to make.
It gets really expensive if you pay someone to make one as it takes a considerable amount of time to make a good system. Yes, if you make it yourself, including all wiring, etc, you probably are looking at the $250 mark or thereabouts. On my project (multi platform system), I am making it so that you don't need to buy a new screen, controls and batteries for each portable, the 2nd system and onwards only needs the console mobo and one controller, minimal cost, and a couple of sheets of perspex and couple of old N64 carts (about 70p / $1.40 each) - job done. Keeps the price right down!
Thanks for all the help. I'm on a fairly tight budget, so I guess I can get better prices if I wait and find some good deals. Hopefully I'll be able to at least get started over the summer.
