Darth 64 .... My Portable N64 :) Youtube Video Added

[jonjandran]

Well for those of you who do not visit the BenHeck forums I would like to show off my N64 Portable I built.

*edit*Added a youtube video :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66gd9CKCWAU

It took me around 3 weeks :

DARTH 64











This of course is a N64 portable. I named it the Darth 64 because my kids say it resembled the Darth Vader helmet they have

I wanted a system that was bulletproof. I bought some portables from the Ben Heck site and the build quality was shaky to say the least. Hot glue just doesn't hold a portable together IMO.

So I used a case that I could mold into what I wanted but could still be put back together with screws. All integrated plastic parts were ABS Cement melted and fused to the original case, then hard filler bumper epoxy was used then soft fill bumper epoxy for the finishing touches.

The N64 motherboard was attached using plastic stand-offs that were Abs cemented and epoxied in. Then the cart slot was attached to the motherboard with l-brackets and nuts/bolts.

So everything is rock solid. Shake it or drop it and nothing will come loose or rattle.

List of features:
Psone screen with original backlight.
Flush mounted headphone jack.
5000maH Li-Poly batteries with quick charger and protection circuit.
Gamecube style joystick and d-pad.
Rear shoulder buttons and twin z buttons.
Cart slot relocation.

The insides :



My work log if anyone wants to see the whole making of it process

http://forums.benheck.com/viewtopic.php?t=25815

[Krook]

Good job man!
Awesome work

[Nortonfan]

I hate you!!! That looks so awesome. Around how much do you think it cost you to build it?

[jonjandran]

I hate you!!! That looks so awesome. Around how much do you think it cost you to build it?

Thanks for the compliment guys

Here's what I have invested :

N64 --- $15
Psone Lcd --- $20
Hori GamePad --- $50
Li-Poly batteries --- $75
Paint and supplies --- $35
Epoxy/Abs --- $50

Total ------- $240

LOTS OF TIME !!!!!!!!!!!

[Nortonfan]

If someone were to send you the things needed, would you build one again for the right price?

[jonjandran]

If someone were to send you the things needed, would you build one again for the right price?

Yes but I couldn't replicate that case again unless someone can find me another Lazer Doodle.

And I would have to be able to make a decent profit because it takes about 50-70 hours with sanding painting, etc.

[Nortonfan]

Yea, I was just entertaining the idea. I love the way yours looks, you did a great job on it. What's a Lazer Doodle?

[jonjandran]

Yea, I was just entertaining the idea. I love the way yours looks, you did a great job on it. What's a Lazer Doodle?

It's a handheld led "drawing" system that I used as the start to my case:

[Nortonfan]

I sent you a PM.

[Peonpiate]

Thats very 'pro' looking [I hate using that word but it fits here]. great looking paintjob and layout.

One thing im curious about though is the battery life, you had to use a 'real' N64 for the console I take it, so how good or bad is battery use all things considered...and how much does it weight and what are dimensions.

[otaku]

very well done if I had enough money to throw at one I'd commision one.

[jonjandran]

Thats very 'pro' looking [I hate using that word but it fits here]. great looking paintjob and layout.

One thing im curious about though is the battery life, you had to use a 'real' N64 for the console I take it, so how good or bad is battery use all things considered...and how much does it weight and what are dimensions.

Battery life is between 3-4 hours depending on the game.

And here are comparison pics :

[alxbly]

It's gorgeous, definitely the best portable N64 I've seen.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

So, when you say that you "bought some portables from the Ben Heck site" ... do you mean you bought consoles that BEN crafted, or off of members of his forums?

Also, very nice job on the casemod!

[Jumpman Jr.]

That's definitely one of the most amazing things I've seen in a while.

[zektor]

Very nice work man!

[jonjandran]

So, when you say that you "bought some portables from the Ben Heck site" ... do you mean you bought consoles that BEN crafted, or off of members of his forums?

Also, very nice job on the casemod!

I bought one of Bens Portable Atari and it was top notch. The hinges broke in shipment and I sent it to him and he replaced them and paid for shipping.
And it was a quality job.

But I also bought some nice ones that others built. A good quality N64 and Nes portable. But the makers used way to much hot glue to hold things and I wound up having to repair them all the time.

Mine won't break unless dropped from the roof

[Dastardly Dylan]

Wow, I gotta hand it to you that is amazing. Must of took some time as you said, but totally worth it.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

I bought one of Bens Portable Atari and it was top notch. The hinges broke in shipment and I sent it to him and he replaced them and paid for shipping.
And it was a quality job.

But I also bought some nice ones that others built. A good quality N64 and Nes portable. But the makers used way to much hot glue to hold things and I wound up having to repair them all the time.

Mine won't break unless dropped from the roof

Sweet.

Ben modded my 2600 Flashback 2 for cartridge input and did a bang-up job.

Personally, I'm not very mechanically/electronically inclined, but I totally know that hot glue is WAY too "arts & crafts-y" to be using in something like a modded portable console ... it doesn't really "bond" anything!

[c0ldb33r]

Wow, based on the topic title I was expecting this to suck, but I'm VERY impressed. Awesome job