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Thread: So I'm thinking of making a portable genesis...

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    Insert Coin (Level 0) nobble's Avatar
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    Lightbulb So I'm thinking of making a portable genesis...

    And first off, yes I know it has been made already (the nomad), but i decided i want to try to make my own just for the heck of it. So I'm a genesis freak and always loved the cartridges themselves (nostalgic factors). Would taking THIS SYSTEM and adding THIS MOD be easiest? I would be putting a small screen like the ps1 screen in there. Any good and easy to setup screens anyone could think of? I am pretty new to making portables and really need this communities help. Thanks in advance!

    Nobble

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    Quote Originally Posted by nobble View Post
    And first off, yes I know it has been made already (the nomad), but i decided i want to try to make my own just for the heck of it. So I'm a genesis freak and always loved the cartridges themselves (nostalgic factors). Would taking THIS SYSTEM and adding THIS MOD be easiest? I would be putting a small screen like the ps1 screen in there. Any good and easy to setup screens anyone could think of? I am pretty new to making portables and really need this communities help. Thanks in advance!

    Nobble
    Actually the easiest way is with the newer Genesis clones. Like the Gencore System :



    or the FireCore System:


    They already have the built in Game cart slot and they are tiny inside.

    The Psone screen is one of the easiest to use and best looking 5" screen available. It also has the advantage of built in audio and speakers.

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    If you haven't seen this site already then you need to. Benjamin Heckendorn is the master of making all things portable and you will learn everything you need to know about portabilizing video game systems from what he has written. If you don't want to read a bunch here is a list of the key components that you want to make a portable game system:

    -A game system (duh) The original system is preferable, but you can use the "whatever-system-on-a-chip", which is the famiclone version of that system. For Atari it's the Flashback, for the NES the Super Power Joy III Player whatever.

    -A screen. You can use a PS1 screen, but it would set you back some decent money. You can also use a portable DVD player with A/V input abilities, as well as other LCD screens/monitors. It depends on what you want to use.

    -A casing. You can custom make or re-use a case if you want something neat looking. If you don't care so much about looks you can make a "frankencase", which is just a jumble of cases, like a cardboard box with plastic siding.

    -A power source. While you can use enough AAA or AA batteries you can also use rechargeable batterys for an RC car or something. Rechargeable batteries cost extra, but you don't have to keep on buying more batteries.

    I hope this helps you with your endeavors. I'm on my way to having a NES portable using a Yobo system and a 7.2 inch widescreen LCD screen. I need batteries and a casing.
    Check my auctions here! I am in the business of finding off-beat things, including video game stuff!

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    Insert Coin (Level 0) nobble's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ryaan1234 View Post
    I hope this helps you with your endeavors. I'm on my way to having a NES portable using a Yobo system and a 7.2 inch widescreen LCD screen. I need batteries and a casing.
    Thanks a bunch guys! I didn't think about the gen on a chip systems even tho i have an FC3! . I have seen ben heck's site and will probably sign up for an account and look around on there. I can't wait to see your nes portable when it's done. post some pics!

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    Personally, i just bought the Nomad, I just wish it had a better battery life

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    Quote Originally Posted by MASTERWEEDO View Post
    Personally, i just bought the Nomad, I just wish it had a better battery life
    But the screen is absolutely CRAP on a Nomad. I have a nomad and I took the screen out and put in a new 3.5" and now I will finally play it.

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    Yep they make several different kinds of those.

    Some of us like to make things though.

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    Great Puma (Level 12) Steve W's Avatar
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    http://www.amazon.com/Sports-Madden-...vg_ai_-2_3_img
    What if you modded one of these instead? Then you could take off the second player controller and make it a handheld unit with a cartridge slot. That is, if it's really a Genesis-on-a-chip like the first unit you were considering modding.

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    Kirby (Level 13) Push Upstairs's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by jonjandran View Post
    But the screen is absolutely CRAP on a Nomad. I have a nomad and I took the screen out and put in a new 3.5" and now I will finally play it.
    A better screen and some LED's as opposed to the light in it would make the Nomad a perfect portable Genesis.

    If I knew how to do it I would. I'd also convert and RC car bettery into a rechargeable battery for it.

    Possibility is infinity! You must be satisfied!

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    Quote Originally Posted by Push Upstairs View Post
    A better screen and some LED's as opposed to the light in it would make the Nomad a perfect portable Genesis.

    If I knew how to do it I would. I'd also convert and RC car bettery into a rechargeable battery for it.
    Yes a new screen does make it nearly perfect. And the new screen is already led backlit so you don't nee led's added

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    Quote Originally Posted by jonjandran View Post
    Yep they make several different kinds of those.

    Some of us like to make things though.
    I don't think so. This is the first portable Genesis that actually has a cartridge slot (other than the nomad obviously). Not to mention it is an officially licensed product.

    I understand that people like to tinker and make things, but I would personally focus on things that aren't readily available. To each his own though.

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    I made a guide for replacing the Nomad screen if anyone cares

    http://steamportables.freeforums.org...creen-t58.html
    Last edited by jonjandran; 11-13-2009 at 11:20 AM.

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    Quote Originally Posted by horseboy View Post
    I don't think so. This is the first portable Genesis that actually has a cartridge slot (other than the nomad obviously). Not to mention it is an officially licensed product.

    I understand that people like to tinker and make things, but I would personally focus on things that aren't readily available. To each his own though.
    Wrong :

    Genmobile and RetroGen


    http://video-game-central.com/sega-g...-retrogen.html



    Last edited by jonjandran; 11-17-2009 at 09:29 PM.

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    .....
    Last edited by horseboy; 11-18-2009 at 10:00 AM.

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    Quote Originally Posted by jonjandran View Post
    I made a guide for replacing the Nomad screen if anyone cares

    http://steamportables.freeforums.org...creen-t58.html

    now a guide for the game gear would be awsome -- i never had a problem with the nomad screen - but thanks for the leg work on the nomad man. If i ever find a beat up nomad i will give this a try

    have you researched other lcds? i would think lcd components would be less expensive - IE the screen/cold cathode+ driver board -- if i remeber corectly a full color samsung 5"-7" screen was 50$ including the driver 4 years ago when i looked into it for a diferent project
    The human operates out of complex superiority demands, self -affirming through ritual, insiting upon a rational need to learn, striving for self-imposed goals, manipulating his environment while he denies his own adaptive abilities, never fully satisfied.
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