Domestic portable console with your own hands

EasyHID by AlexGyver, but it is only designed to emulate a mouse or keyboard.

You can also always use STM32 and build a spaceship control panel.

To assemble a test gamepad, I connected a couple of potentiometers and several buttons on a breadboard, and threw together a simple code for collecting and processing data. The get_axis() function returns the ADC value of the specified axis. This function processes values ​​somewhat faster than the standard Arduino analogRead due to the smaller number of mappings (a similar example is in a good article on

accelerating algorithms

). Similarly, we obtain the port values ​​in one operation and in a cycle we prepare and send the button values.

This device is detected by the system as a standard gamepad both on a Windows virtual machine and on the target device based on Aurora.

You can start creating the device. To do this, I cut out the shape of the future device from the breadboard, estimated the location of the elements and soldered the main components: buttons and a couple of sticks from the PSP Vita.

Gaming Frankenstein.

I also brought out volume buttons, power/unlock buttons, and a programmable functional button to the board. I configured it to quickly switch to game mode (open RetroArch), because first and foremost it is a console.

Additionally, I wanted to provide the ability to connect not only a charger, but also gamepads or flash drives via USB. To implement this, I disassembled the simplest USB hub and soldered it to a board with a Type C connector.

Unfortunately, when working through a splitter, the ability to connect the device to a PC in flash drive mode or for debugging in Aurora IDE is lost. Perhaps I will fix this functionality in the future.

Development of the case

After finishing the software and board, I started drawing the case of the future device. Everything starts with defining the required functionality and sketching ideas and sketches.

For this project, the tablet itself, a couple of joysticks and speakers are generally enough, and the finished device should fit comfortably in your hands, similar to existing solutions. I also thought about adding an OLED LCD screen to display the processor load, current time and the game running, but quickly abandoned this idea. The thing is that the phone does not have some drivers.

Add a screen to your phone to display more information?

After deciding on the general appearance, you can start engineering. The components that I extracted from the phone (touch screen, battery, boards) were transferred to the editor. The main tool during this work is a caliper and the drawing mode. I also modeled the circuit board and its parts.

After receiving each component, you can start assembling. To do this, I assemble the “skeleton” in the assembly and, based on its projections, create a model of the case, which I immediately print and try on.

Assembly

To make the first sample, I used an FDM printer to create the body elements. To make the buttons press well, I additionally grind the mounting places. The first model was made of black plastic, and all the button pushers were made of luminescent filament. It turned out funny.

After removing the masking tape, you can begin assembling and starting the device. I made the missing holes in the mounting board and fixed it in the case. I temporarily connected the screen to check the functionality of the device and the quality of the pushers. Everything is going smoothly. Then you can close the back cover and begin gluing the screen with standard T7000 glue.

The result is a gaming console with a camera and a telephone.

Conclusion

It's a wonderful feeling when you hold a device you've assembled yourself and it works. I was interested in assembling a similar device and understanding the difficulties that developers of such solutions might face. I'm thinking of preparing printed circuit boards and cases for production in my free time, replacing some elements (buttons, mounts) with more reliable ones, and assembling several devices for friends. I'd also like to see a thinner portable in Famicom colors – a beige case with burgundy buttons and brass inserts. I've already ordered liquid rubber and acrylic paint cans to add color and a nice texture. Perhaps this will grow into a startup.

Can this device compete with retro consoles from Anbernik? No – the cost price is still quite high, and the target audience is more likely to choose a popular manufacturer due to the community and technical support.

Would you like to get a similar console based on a domestic OS? Write in the comments what functionality you would like to see in it?