Ben: The Gameboy wasn't backlit, and I liked Atari. Had access to a machine, seemed like a good idea.
Jeff: Were there any major doubters when it was made?
Ben: Eh, some of my friends thought "Why on Earth are you making this?"
Jeff: What was the main reason you decided to make the PSp?
Ben: Because 1) Nobody else had and 2) Because I could!
Jeff: What was with that MGDp?
Ben: I needed a portable computer to do sound recording for my movie and at the time was too cheap to buy a laptop. Hence, a homebuilt portable computer inside my favorite beer's box!
Jeff: What kind of layout do you prefer - portrait or landscape?
Ben: Portrait actually. Not sure why...
Jeff: What portable do you think was most advanced?
Ben: Um, of mine or actually released portables? The Turbo Express and the Atari Lynx were both WAY ahead of their day back in the day (1990)
Jeff: What consoles are you considering making portable?
Ben: Um, none right now. Concentrating on the Phoenix. Though I get asked A LOT to do a Dreamcast.
Jeff: When were you offered to write the book?
Ben: Last April (2004) shortly after being on TechTV
Jeff: What is your opinion on the amount of people who have gotten into
portable gaming?
Ben: I have no idea! I get a lot of mail about it though... I guess I'll find out when I see my book sales!
Jeff: What was the inspiriation for the Pheonix?
Ben: I've wanted to make an easy-to-build Atari portable since 2001... Only now have I gotten around to it!
Jeff: Will you consider mass-producing any more portables? (An NES/SNES (portable would sell well)
Ben: Depends on how the Phoenix does and if I have enough time/money.
Jeff: Quick - Your all time top 5 games?
Ben: Hm... In order? Well, how about the Top 5 I've spent the most time playing? Perfect Dark (multiplayer) Contra, Star Fox (SNES) Mega Man 2 and lately Grand Theft Autos (What a combo)
Jeff: If you were stuck on a deserted Island, what 5 consoles would you bring with you? (The island has power for some reason).
Ben: Hm. A NES, PS2... And... Well this depends how many games do I get? Well a NES and PS2 to be sure!
Jeff: Any goals for the future?
Ben: Oh yeah. I wanna build an automatic household can crusher, my own robot and go into space. (No, really!)
Jeff: If you have one regret in your making of portables, what would it be?
Ben: I don't really have any regrets about making portables! If anything I'm sure I would have regretted NOT doing it! (Not sure where I'd be if I hadn't)
Jeff: Do you plan to make a sequel to the book that describles the other
portables (PS2 and N64 come to mind).
Ben: If the first book does well enough and I get an offer I probably would. This would be a ways off of course.
Jeff: Do you think the Xbox Portable will ever be possible?
Ben: Haven't thought much about it... I'm sure it COULD be done but I'm not much of an Xbox fan so I'm not to gung-ho over it.
Jeff: Nintendo DS or Sony PSP?
Ben: I haven't played a PSP yet but I think the DS is rather gimmicky. So I can't really say... Though the PSP seems to have the best future for expansion (disc media, Memory Sticks, emulation, media player)
Jeff: Will we ever see you make a movie or game based on your portables?
Ben: A movie based off portables? I can't imagine how that would work! So, probably not!
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