Megadrive clone in a GameGear portable - closed; remaking

[bacteria]

I will make the N64 video for the other project in the next days however now started the next project for Anthony who is commissioning me to make some systems. He wants a Megadrive clone into a GameGear.

For that, i'm using a 3" screen, EverdriveMD cartridge, controller.

Quite a lot of work to do, which doesn't help matters when the battery holders in the system, which I need to remove, are metal as is the casing itself. Never mind - i'll just have to be careful not to cut my fingers.

Photos so far - gutted the host casing to see what space there is and the logistics - should fit fine.







I'll incorporate a third button, no need to cram in more than the 3 buttons which all but Street Fighter only use.

Not tested the screen, console, etc; however looks like there is space in there for everything. Screen will work on 7.4v cells and the console's power, whilst rated 9v, is actually 5v as goes to a 7805 regulator.

[bacteria]

Fortunately I was incorrect about the inside being metal in the case, it is plastic, it felt like metal and has a metal sheen (like aluminium) but is plastic.

Cut away one of the two battery holder areas inside the case, will do other. I'm keeping the original battery lids on the system however won't be functional (as not needed).

Plan is to install the 3" widescreen screen into the system as per above photo, have it 4:3 ratio and ensure the screen window is the right size for the LCD's visible area. I removed the front plate so can either make a new one or modify the original one.

The third button (A) will be installed under the others, in a similar curve, to look integrated.

I intend to keep the audio amp and volume control as-is if can as it is a good one, however if there are space issues i'll have to change it. I'll also keep the on/off switch as-is.

I haven't tested the screen or console board yet, so presume it works, will know when a bit further into the project!

The console board is small, I can remove the cartridge port and hard wire in the Everdrive, then the issue will be trimming the controller board enough to fit inside the system. I am hoping to have 2 packs of Li-ion cells inside however not sure if at this stage will be 1 or 2 packs. Fortunately the LCD and console are low amperage so isn't an issue either way.

This is one of those builds that could be quick to complete or could take a while - all depends on how everything fits. Should be fine though.

As with the GBA Organizer N64 project I finished the other day, the idea for this project is to keep the case intact and just install other holes as needed. I could fill in, sand, paint, etc however I think one of the benefits of not is the system does not become what it is not - it keeps its original identity however gets a new purpose. Also, the case is not prone to paint chipping, etc as the plastic itself if coloured, not just painted on top of it.

[bacteria]

Dremelled out the insides of the case halves as needed. Next job will be to wire up the electronics to check the screen works fine, the size of the screen's image compared to the screen hole in the case itself, test the Everdrive works ok and then reduce the size of the console board a bit, hard wire the Everdrive to the console board, reduce all reasonably can from a controller; then plan how best to install into the cavity of the system before then doing so.

[bacteria]

I have decided rather than making the MegaDrive portable into something similar to how other modders would do it in a GameGear case, to make it more awesome. I think there is space for a larger 4:3 screen (you provided, if not then one I have) in the system, although it will invade the button areas a little, shouldn't too much inside. I will also see if as a result I can get 6 buttons in there (A,B,C,X,Y,Z) if not just the 3 which pretty much all the games (to my knowledge) use (A,B,C). I will have to butcher the case quite a lot, and then paint it. Going to use the textured spraypaint, as did on my GBA BigBoy project, as that sets hard, far less likely to chip too, also covers up minor blemishes I will get from the casework.

If this can be done, the result will be a screen area about 4x the size would have had otherwise, and something like about half the area of the GameGear case will be screen.

[bacteria]

Made a panel in the screen hole area to lower the screen in the case, cut out the original GameGear face place, filled in the gaps; filled in the holes in the case not needed and a variety of other case changes, including 3rd button hole.

In final filler drying time and sanding, will then spray paint it. Using decent textured spray paint.

I will upload photos tonight or tomorrow of the case.

[bacteria]

Filled in all the holes, sanded it all, gave undercoat to screen hole (in case spray paint doesn't cover it fully), added in piece to cover the GameGear cartridge port (will have SD card slot there probably). Sealed in the Polyfilla with PVA glue which makes it set hard.

Only need to wipe the case halves to remove all the Polyfilla and sanding dust, then apply the first of the two layers of the textured spraypaint. The result of that will be the next photos, in a few days time (when applied, and paint is dried).







Doesn't look like much now, but it will. Surfaces are flat, smooth, level.

Screen hole is lower in case than the original and also screen area larger too. Lowered the screen area (with some nifty modding) so could incorporate the screen and keep the screw post inside the case intact.

[bacteria]

Applied first two coats of the spray paint. Will need probably 3 or 4 more, hoping as the weather is quite hot today to be able to apply all the paint needed, (or last coat tomorrow) and then leave it inside for a few days to cure hard.

While it is drying, i'll be working on the electronics, working out the best way to get everything installed in the case and if can cram in two sets of batteries or only one. I will have to reduce the board controller down as much as reasonably can, as the controller for the clone console is quite small, i'll use that one as gives best chance hopefully to do decent board reduction, if not i'll wire in a regular controller. The controller (if I use the clone one) needs 3v, so that is quite easy to achieve with a regulator after all. Not sure the draw of the controller, might be a resistor off the 5v regulator will provide 3v for the controller instead.

All going well, and with a fair wind, might get this project completed in 2-4 weeks.

[KalessinDB]

That's some interesting stuff right here... you're right that the current case doesn't look like much (other than a lot of work) but there's definitely a possibility of gloriousness, especially given the pedigree we're working with here.

Following, as always, with interest.

[TSTR]

this, like your other projects, is cool as hell

[bacteria]

Put a few coats on the case halves yesterday, quite a bit of paint so will take a few days to cure.

Holes will need cleaning of course, also the case halves will need a varnish too probably. Speaker holes are clogged so will need to deal with that too; sand where the case halves meet so they are flat.



I've never been perfect with my painting however these look pretty fine, the texture paint gives character too as well as more durability.

lines in photo are from reflections of the flash from the camera on the mirrored cabinet next to it BTW.