Bacteria's Mini-Platform plug'n'play system - NOW with GBA !

bacteria · Post by **bacteria** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 3:01 pm

YouTube video

Project step-by-step guide on my website (see sig).

TV plug'n'play systems have great games on them, but the controls are pretty bad; the systems are also not portable as they need to plug into a television to play a game. With my system, a plug'n'play system is ripped apart and put inside a small game cartridge, which are then interchangeable (like my Multi-Platform system). The controls on my system are very easy to use and the d-pad works far far better than the clunky "joystick" on plug'n'play systems. This is a unique project as the cartridges are interchangeable via my universal cart slot.

I will also make a GBA add on for the system in due course - ran out of time.

System includes two Canon 911 Li-ion batteries, 2000mA each = 4000mA, enough to keep the system running before recharge for about 4.5 hours or so. The batteries simply pop out for recharging, so if I have a spare set of batteries then can be utilised. There is also a video and audio jack and an audio jack.

This was a very involving project, pleased to have finished it in time. Over the next weeks, I will make more plug'n'play cartridges for the system.

Weight including game cart and batteries - c. 700g without batteries and game cart c. 450g

(entered in the current compo)

SonyPortableizer · Post by **SonyPortableizer** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 3:04 pm

Nice,looks great, no glare/finger print case like PSP

Super Cameraman · Post by **Super Cameraman** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 3:30 pm

Wow this is so cool! So, you can make any plug n play that's small enough a cartridge and you can play it? What other games are you thinking about?

Also, for GBA, are there shoulder buttons? How will a GBA and the video adapter fit inside such a small cartridge?

You should get the Plug n Play with Galaga. Much better than Galaxian, even if the titles look almost identical for some reason.

The speaker holes look like the 5 side of a die.

bacteria · Post by **bacteria** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 4:17 pm

SonyPortableizer - Indeed, no glare, no reflection, no fingerprint markings!

Super Camerman - I have several others too, including the Ms Pacman (NB - in my YouTube video!), does Galaga, which I love. This will be my next cartridge to do. Problem with the boards is that they don't always have a common ground, although there can be workarounds...

The GBA and TV out card will be stacked on top of each other, will fit ok, although might need to extend cart over the cart slot (end to end). The GBA is the reason for the shoulder buttons, when I get around to it. The plug'n'plays are all composite, GBA is RGB, so made allowances for RGB in the cart slot.

ShockSlayer · Post by **ShockSlayer** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 8:46 pm

Cnt watch the vid now, but that is beyond awesome.

WHere did the mirror finish go?

SS

hailrazer · Post by **hailrazer** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 9:01 pm

I like it a LOT !!!

Want to make one with about 20 different carts for me?

bacteria · Post by **bacteria** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 9:03 pm

ShockSlayer wrote:Cnt watch the vid now, but that is beyond awesome.

WHere did the mirror finish go?

SS

Didn't like it when system was completed. Barely handled the system and it got covered in fingermarks and smears from fingermarks. My eyes kept going to these in dismay, so got rid of the mirror finish to something more practical. Result is now no fingermarks can show which is far more beneficial. I was also concerned that perspex easily scratches, so it wouldn't take long anyway for a mirrored finish to mark and look bad.

I could have shone the case and kept it mirrored finish for the compo (people like smooth mirrored finishes here I notice) and then changed the look of the case soon after taking photos to what I have now, but thought it was far more honest to just go with my gut instinct and submit the system totally finished and in its full glory.

bacteria · Post by **bacteria** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 9:19 pm

On Hackaday!

http://www.hackaday.com/2008/08/30/modu ... le-system/

Super Cameraman · Post by **Super Cameraman** » Sun Aug 31, 2008 8:45 am

Please tell me your workaround for common grounds! It's been driving me crazy for so long! (I'm not building this sort of thing, but I do a lot on controller mods and such, and ground is almost always a problem.)

bacteria · Post by **bacteria** » Sun Aug 31, 2008 10:52 am

Super Cameraman wrote:Please tell me your workaround for common grounds! It's been driving me crazy for so long! (I'm not building this sort of thing, but I do a lot on controller mods and such, and ground is almost always a problem.)

Please explain your problem and I will do what I can to help.

bacteria · Post by **bacteria** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 11:19 am

On EnGadget too

Link

Aguiluz · Post by **Aguiluz** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 3:07 pm

I saw you posted it on TweakTown.

NixonTech2071 · Post by **NixonTech2071** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 4:22 pm

is youer website still available?

bacteria · Post by **bacteria** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 10:05 pm

NixonTech2071 wrote:is youer website still available?

Of course, click on my sig...

bacteria · Post by **bacteria** » Fri Sep 05, 2008 6:50 am

Cut out larger hole today for larger d-pad. It is right up against the PSone mobo inside, but fitted fine. Responsive, and better suited for larger hands than the other (GBA / GC one).