Hooboy. List time.

[Shakespeare]

This will be my first portable console project, and yes, I understand that the N64 is one of the harder ones to make portable. I'm determined, though, to play Zelda: OOT and MM wherever I please. To add to the difficulty, I want to make its case Steampunk-ish. This means I'd be incorporating polished brass, wood, gears, pipes, you name it. In order for the look to be complete, I also want to keep the cartridges from standing out and throwing the portable off of its theme, so they need to be recolored/casemodded.

I'm not usually interested in the whole "steampunk" following, but some of the inventions associated with that genre have really drawn me in. I like the idea of an antique portable N64.

Well, time for me to roll out the lists of questions/problems.

• 1. Assuming I had the patience to casemod each individual game I wanted to play on this N64 (which is unlikely), what materials would I use? Wood seems like the best option, or a wood-like spraypaint to cover the plastic of the original cases.
  2. Does anyone have any sort of recommendation for a case design for the N64 itself? Besides "don't bother with this tremendous waste of money and time", that is. I was thinking of using mostly wood for the case, using engraved brass to frame the LCD monitor. I was also thinking of making the buttons brass, as well. It'd be pretty neat to incorporate some piping and a pressure gauge somewhere in the case, but I'm not sure where or how.
  3. The colors of the LCD monitor would do quite a bit in the way of throwing the theme off, and I was wondering if there was a way to add a Sepia tone to everything the monitor displays. Either that, or I'd like to know if there's a way to replace the opening "Nintendo 64" animation (with the spinning logo) with a different opening.

Any suggested features or improvements would be greatly appreciated. Suggestions for the look/layout of the case would be appreciated even more so. Forgive me if these ideas sound ridiculous or impractical, but I'm quite ambitious when it comes to projects like these.

[argelfraster]

I couldn't even read you post, your avatar is so annoying - change it or die.

[ShockSlayer]

I couldn't even read you post, your avatar is so annoying - change it or die.

Adblock it or live with it, your not being helpful.

I think that it would look cool, but actual gears and piping and brass would be kinda heavy. Wood would(no pun intended) be okay, if your really interested in using that for a case look up the memeber Rekarp, he can tell you all about it.

I'm pretty sure that you can't change the opening logo for the n64, as that is incorporated into the games, not the system.

SS

[OhSnap!]

I love steampunk too!
I suggest that any gears/ brass fixtures be painted on instead of being real ones as thats might make it mighty uncomfortable to hold.
There is no setting that you can apply that will add sepia to the lcd (inless you luck out and somehow create that effect by dropping it on the ground). But a stick-on filter on the screen could be feasible, though i don't know whther they would exist and you surely would have to crank up the brightness to be able to see the screen more which would require more juice.
but change any of the games to sepia or remove the logo from them wouldn't be feasible as they are read-only and you would be required to edit every game you play which would ruin them.
I would love to see the finished result of this so keep at it and don't gives up. if you feel you have gone over budget just keep going as it would be a waste of the money you have already spent not to and the end result is worth it.

[Shakespeare]

I think that it would look cool, but actual gears and piping and brass would be kinda heavy. Wood would(no pun intended) be okay, if your really interested in using that for a case look up the memeber Rekarp, he can tell you all about it.

I'm pretty sure that you can't change the opening logo for the n64, as that is incorporated into the games, not the system.

SS

I was hoping to use thinner brass for the piping and gears, and use it very lightly (I wouldn't be covering the portable with them). Hopefully that would eliminate any sort of weight issue (at least for the metal, whereas the wood would most likely be the source of most of the thing's weight). Also, Rekarp has some amazing cases. I've got a bit of a workshop in my garage and quite a bit of experience under my belt in that regard, so hopefully I can at least make a wooden case.

I was hoping the opening logo was a part of the system instead of added into each individual game. It's a pity, but doesn't deter me from making this thing.

I love steampunk too!
I suggest that any gears/ brass fixtures be painted on instead of being real ones as thats might make it mighty uncomfortable to hold.
There is no setting that you can apply that will add sepia to the lcd (inless you luck out and somehow create that effect by dropping it on the ground). But a stick-on filter on the screen could be feasible, though i don't know whther they would exist and you surely would have to crank up the brightness to be able to see the screen more which would require more juice.
but change any of the games to sepia or remove the logo from them wouldn't be feasible as they are read-only and you would be required to edit every game you play which would ruin them.
I would love to see the finished result of this so keep at it and don't gives up. if you feel you have gone over budget just keep going as it would be a waste of the money you have already spent not to and the end result is worth it.

I plan on streamlining the brass with the wooden case, so the piping and gears wouldn't be jutting out from it and making it hard to hold. The only problem is coming up with a design that I like.

Are you sure there isn't a setting I can add to the lcd? I'd assume I'd be able to hook it up to a computer and write a few lines of coding. Then again, I have no idea what I'm talking about. A stick-on filter is an interesting idea, and I hadn't thought about it. Thanks - I'll look into it.

I really appreciate the support. It makes this a more realistic goal for me. :3

[ShockSlayer]

Ah, in that case it all sounds feasible, more themed portables would be great!

SS

[XCVG]

Nice idea! I would use wood for the case, or maybe laminate over plastic. Take it easy on the brass. It'll make it heavy. And don't use brass buttons, they'll be impossible to tell apart and make your fingers smell funny. Anodized aluminum FTW.

In any case, awesome idea, I want to see it finished!

The sepia idea is neat but if you actually try playing with it you'll hate it, 90% guarenteed.

[Shakespeare]

Nice idea! I would use wood for the case, or maybe laminate over plastic. Take it easy on the brass. It'll make it heavy. And don't use brass buttons, they'll be impossible to tell apart and make your fingers smell funny. Anodized aluminum FTW.

In any case, awesome idea, I want to see it finished!

The sepia idea is neat but if you actually try playing with it you'll hate it, 90% guarenteed.

I'd say the brass buttons would be a nice touch, and I could probably have them engraved with A, B, etc.

The only problem is finding a tinted screen cover, and then finding one that's got a sepia tone. I think it might actually be easier to mess with the screen itself than to find one.

[eagle5953]

To get sepia, I think you could do this:

Use a screen with S-Video in. If you don't connect one of the pins, the picture will be in black and white. Turn down the contrast; turn up the brightness. Then, use a sepia-colored plastic filter over the screen (not sure where you can get one, though).

Should yield a pseudo-sepia effect.

[Shakespeare]

To get sepia, I think you could do this:

Use a screen with S-Video in. If you don't connect one of the pins, the picture will be in black and white. Turn down the contrast; turn up the brightness. Then, use a sepia-colored plastic filter over the screen (not sure where you can get one, though).

Should yield a pseudo-sepia effect.

I like the idea. Thanks for the suggestion.

Anyone know how I would go about making a brass joystick? I'd assume I'd find something and just attach it to the base of a real joystick. Any suggestions as to what to use/do?

[eagle5953]

You might be able to find a small brass knob that would work - the sort for opening cabinet doors and the like are usually small and rounded.

[palmertech]

I hate to be a downer, but why use the N64? The awesome bright colors are what makes the games great! Besides, an N64 portable requires a lot of guts, less room/weight for steampunk stuff.
Have you considered an Atari 2600 or an NES? I think it would fit the feel a heck of a lot better.

As for Sepia: Just use svideo, then do the LED backlight mod. In addition to the normal white LEDs, add a few red ones to the mix.

[Shakespeare]

I hate to be a downer, but why use the N64? The awesome bright colors are what makes the games great! Besides, an N64 portable requires a lot of guts, less room/weight for steampunk stuff.
Have you considered an Atari 2600 or an NES? I think it would fit the feel a heck of a lot better.

As for Sepia: Just use svideo, then do the LED backlight mod. In addition to the normal white LEDs, add a few red ones to the mix.

Well, my main reason behind going for a portable N64 is that I have one sitting in my room. An NES would add to the cost, and I don't see myself playing it as much as I would a portable N64.

Just got my order for a free voltage regulator, but for some reason they gave me 3. Oh well!

[Shakespeare]

I think this will go on the back burner for a while until I'm more experienced with portables. The last thing I want to do is waste a year making something and then have it explode or summat.

I'll work my way up from a portable FC Duo, then come back to this with more experience.