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Engagement
  • Author Author: korn
  • Date Created: 25 Sep 2018 4:18 PM Date Created
  • Views 1009 views
  • Likes 4 likes
  • Comments 9 comments
  • raspberri pi
  • retropie
  • portable arcade
Related
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Mini Arcade Consoles

korn
korn
25 Sep 2018

My son and I decided to update the Cigar Box Game Controller we made last year using some boxes from harbor freight.

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First thing was the artwork. Not my job… Probably why it came out so nice…

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Starting with a 1/8 drill bit then moving on to forstner bits.

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The trick with the plexi is to use the 1/8 hole to center the big bit and only drill halfway through.

Then flip it over and complete the hole. That way you don’t chip the plexi when you break through.

I had these lighted joysticks lying around. only problem is they need 12V power. I will just add a small boost converter to keep it USB powered.

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the boost converter got a little 3D printed sled to protect the wiring side.

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I temporarily removed the mounting plate to use as a drilling template.

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Not too bad looking.

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Now for the guts.

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In the cigar box controller I used an AtMega8 but this time I’m using PIC 18F2550 Microchip.

I used a usb feedthrough so I can use them as standard USB controllers with other consoles if I want.

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Now for the RetroPi

I printed up a bunch of mounting hardware and bezels.

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I re did the bezel with a collar to hide the edge of the cut. I made the cuts by hand with a Dremel.

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Now to extend the HDMI and power…

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turns out the threads on the power plug were long enough to make it through the box and felt padding so I didn’t use the square plate I made.

I did print a nice washer for the inside instead….

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The washer is just visible here. Its cone shaped to get it through the felt easily.

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I still might add a headphone jack on the right side. At the retro gamer nights we sometimes use a guitar amp…..

I did add a separator to make a compartment to carry all the cables. I might make a lid for that when I get a chance.

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I added a fuse and 6.8V Zener to protect the Pi in case someone plugs in a laptop power brick by mistake…

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I also added a WiFi / Bluetooth hat and some silica gel packets…..

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Everything on the back sits well below the hinges and feet so you can still stand them up on their edge without crushing anything.

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Best part is you can connect both controllers to one Pi and play 2 player games…

Add some Xbox  or PS2 controllers for even more players…

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Top Comments

  • Problemchild
    Problemchild over 6 years ago +3
    Nice bit of Mechanical re-purposing there , it would be nice to see a video of them working with the Monitor and everything together
  • DAB
    DAB over 6 years ago +2
    Very nice build, DAB
  • mcb1
    mcb1 over 6 years ago +2
    Great build and description of the various parts. I like the ability to carry the cables, so that it forms a complete device. Well done Mark
  • korn
    korn over 6 years ago

    These are a portable version of the mini cabinets we made for the retro gamer nights at the library.

     

    I posted those on instructables here https://www.instructables.com/id/Mini-Arcade-Machines/

     

    image

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  • korn
    korn over 6 years ago in reply to Problemchild

    I might be able to get a video tonight at the library. Were having another retro gamer night. I always bring a few mini arcade machines.

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  • Problemchild
    Problemchild over 6 years ago

    Nice bit of Mechanical re-purposing there , it would be nice to see a video of them working with the Monitor and everything together

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  • mcb1
    mcb1 over 6 years ago

    Great build and description of the various parts.

    I like the ability to carry the cables, so that it forms a complete device.

     

    Well done

    Mark

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  • DAB
    DAB over 6 years ago

    Very nice build,

     

    DAB

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