Bacteria's "Make a portable Nintendo N64 handheld" video log

[bacteria]

Don't have enough time to do my IntoDream videos (next week) so started the N64 portable handheld console video log.

There will be MANY videos in this collection, covering the entire process, start to end, to make an N64 into a portable handheld console device. This thread will be updated regularly when I have time, some days I may have multiple uploads, other days will be bare - depends on other things I have do do, including work schedules!

These videos are done in one take, so the quality of narration may be variable, especially as emphasis is on speed of project working.

Doing a video log like this takes time, especially in regards to uploading to YouTube!

I have set up my YouTube account with all the videos for this project into one convenient "playlist" (ie folder), so if you miss a video please just check out that folder!

Part 1: opening the console and removing the motherboard.



I know a few chaps said they will be making an N64 portable by following my guides - please feel free to post any queries you have in this thread, and add your progress pics too (unless you want to start your own threads of course).

BTW - when the video project is done, my intention is to get the whole thing onto Instructibles (if I can) - that will be interesting!

[winds]

This is an awesome idea! Thanks so much for doing this. I've been wanting to make a portable out of a few different consoles but haven't had the chance to really study up on them yet and learn how to do it. N64 was definitely one of the consoles i wanted to try making into a handheld . Once I get some time i'll use your videos to try it .
A quick question, how much will this cost roughly to make? I already bought a ps1 lcd screen, i'm sure thats the bulk of the cost?

[MrPopo]

I haven't looked at the video yet, but it might be a good idea to start of with a list of supplies. This would be specific things (N64, PS1 screen, specific resistors and rectifiers) and more general things (something to make the case with, wire, solder).

[bacteria]

Good points well made.

I will make a video showing the components needed and guidelines of costs - I can only give guides to UK prices, as other countries have different prices, and some are more expensive than others. Yes, to answer your question, the screen is certainly the most expensive part of the system, apart from potentially the batteries. The consoles themselves I have managed to buy for as little as £3 each including a jumper pack and controller! (car boot sales).

There will be many videos to this project by the close of the work - probably 20-40 I guess. Some will cover backgrounds, like alternative controllers to use and why's and wherefore's; others will be quick modding work with Dremel / soldering iron / glue gun, etc. Each video can only be a maximum of 10 minutes long as that is the total for a YouTube video, however that should be enough for each section I intend to do. I'm not working to a script or plan, however I have a very methodical approach, so will do the videos likewise. Hopefully you guys enjoy them!

The N64 is a popular system to portablize, not only because people have fond memories of the console but it is a hard system for emulators to emulate properly.

Personally, I am not keen on emulators, they are never as good as "the real thing" - you get graphic artifacts, crackly sound, slowdowns, frameskips, etc etc. I thought the other day when doing the controller mod I would load up a SNES emulator - did so, and for some reason the graphics were coming and going, layer BP2 whatever that is was coming and going - I wasn't impressed! The same emulator used to work fine, must be the graphics card!

[MrPopo]

I never get tired of the way you Brits say "processors".

[bacteria]

...or the way you Yanks say "soddering" instead of "soldering" ("Soddering" means something else here...!)

[DNT 2.5]

Bacteria, You know the N64 is MY MOD THIS TIME....




Solder>Sodder>Saulder

[bacteria]

Nah, it isn't! Anyway, I was talking about it here before you even joined!!

[bacteria]

As requested, a video to show tools and components required for the project:

[bacteria]

Upped another video - removing the game ports and also removing the heatpads.

Decided, far better to just refer to my page on my Wordpress site now - all videos one after another, looking smart!

http://moddedbybacteria.wordpress.com/r ... guide-log/