racketboy.com

Hey. I'm about half way through my Pi-inside-a-GB-Pocket build. There's nothing so special about it except I'm cutting and simplifying as much as possible and I'm using a RasPi Zero. I haven't seen anybody else use a Zero inside a Gameboy. Although it's the new obvious choice, since it's so streamline.

Current/Future/Possible Features:
GPIO wired buttons from GB PCB
Headphone + Speaker Audio
USB Charging
Data USB Access
Micro SD Access
HDMI Access?

Components and Parts:
2.5" LCD 5V
(Not connected or pictured) TP4056 with 800mah LiIon battery (seems like a small battery but I can't fit a larger one...)
PAM8043 Audio Amp

Need Help With:
Power Requirements - I think I'm drawing more than 2A. My computer said I was overloading the USB 3.0 port
Resolution/Screen Settings - Looks really fuzzy using the CLI
Speaker "Pop" when powering-on - Is this fixable without too many extra components?
Is the GPIO safe with straight inputs? (Grounded GPIO inputs without resistors. Reads fine with Python code)

This is a similar project with DMG Game Boy. It has the best design I've seen for this type of project. It also has added buttons for games needing more than the A and B buttons

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMhTMgDHGaM

So, putting this inside a GB Pocket is really cool, but for practicality purposes, wouldn't an original GBA have worked better? It has shoulder buttons, meaning if you add extra face buttons like that other guy did you can play SNES games with the proper control scheme.

Obviously not an issue if you only plan to emulate GB and NES though!

alienjesus wrote:So, putting this inside a GB Pocket is really cool, but for practicality purposes, wouldn't an original GBA have worked better? It has shoulder buttons, meaning if you add extra face buttons like that other guy did you can play SNES games with the proper control scheme.

Obviously not an issue if you only plan to emulate GB and NES though!

You are right. An original DMG Game Boy is much better for mods and playing non-Game Boy system games. One of my goals was to fit everything inside a Game Boy Pocket because it's less common, I had a spare GB Pocket case collecting dust, and I prefer the form-factor of the GB Pocket. When you get to the size of the DMG, there are many more practical options such as 3D-printed systems and retail options such as dedicated Android-based emulation systems.

Dude, the gameboy pocket had a cool form factor that felt good in the hand and fit well in the pocket. I think you made a solid choice.