PiSP Pocket

10 Apr 2016

About 6 months ago, I stumbled onto the Ben Heck Show and binge-watched several episodes before deciding to try some hardware modding myself. Here's my first project: The "PiSP Pocket"! I.e. a raspberry pi crammed into a gameboy pocket. The Pi-inside-a-GBP isn't an original idea but I think the dual analog sticks is unique, at least in terms of execution. I was inspired by this photoshopped image.

The specs:

Raspberry Pi 3 Model B
RetroPie 3.6
2.2" SPI TFT display
32 GB microSD storage
3000 mAh battery with Powerboost 1000c (about 3-4 hours of battery life)
Battery status indicator circuit
1 regular USB port, 2 micro USB ports (one for charging)
Original GBP power switch, D-pad, start, select, A & B buttons with additional L1, L2, R1, R2, X, Y buttons sourced from a TV remote (all interfaced via Teensy 2.0)
2 PSP analog sticks
PWR and ACT LEDs
2 mono speakers (no output from headphone jack unfortunately)

The rpi3 plays N64 perfectly, Dreamcast mostly perfect, and PSP surprisingly playable with a decreased frame rate. I'm quite impressed with the performance compared to the rpi2. It's been fun playing these systems on the nostalgic GBP form-factor. Though my adult hands get a skosh achy after a couple hours of playing heh.

Thanks for looking!

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Top Comments

theluthier over 8 years ago in reply to shelterscratch

Hi Dario - The only files I could have shared were the Teensyduino files (this isn't 3D printed) but to my dismay I lost them. Not sure exactly how, but they disappeared due to me installing linux on a chromebook (I wrote the code in linux) and when I went back to retrieve them for people asking me to share, I couldn't find them anymore.

Though I'm working on a second version of this device and logging the whole process here. I'll certainly share out the files when I write them again.
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theluthier over 8 years ago in reply to 6paths

Hi Chris - Yes, I cut out pieces of the PCB and used conductive glue to attach wires to the conductive traces.

I don't like tactile clicking either. The TV remote buttons have worked great except they can be pulled out fairly easily. When you cut the rubber button out, be sure to leave as much "skirt" as you can so its harder to escape out of the hole while playing.
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6paths over 8 years ago

Hi, for the shoulder buttons that you got from a tv remote,did you just cutout a piece of that PCB? what did you do? I don't want to use the tactile switched because of all the clicking. Thanks!
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shelterscratch over 8 years ago

Hi, this is a really nice project. Will you ever publish online the files to let other people 3d print the case of your Pisp Pocket? I'd really like to create your console for my exam project.
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theluthier over 9 years ago in reply to Former Member

I interfaced buttons and analog sticks with a Teensy 2.0. This guide uses the same as does Ben Heck in this episode of his show.

I'm sure it's possible to use the analog stick input as a mouse without it being shaky. I've not tested it since retropie doesn't need a mouse.
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