The Retro64 Worklog. NEWS: Finished! Got nice pics!

Mario · Post by **Mario** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 2:06 pm

Wee little update. I haven't had time to get much done this weekend, will have more time later today. I cut the hole for the Z button (not as nicely as the R button, I must say. I wasn't rushing, it just didn't turn out as nice), and cut slots for the screen's cable and for the expansion slot on the N64. I took apart the jumper pack so it's just a small board, and very thin. I simply cut a slot for it, it looks nice. I'll have to modify an expansion pack if I want to use it, though. No pictures yet, sorry. I don't have my camera right now.

I ordered some parts like the 3.3v regulator, fan, heatsinks, and "mushy" tact switches. The switches are coming from hong kong, so they should be here in about 2wks. Everything else should arrive within that timeframe. This project is really close to being done! I just have to cut the button holes, mount the buttons, and paint the case! And a couple other small things like the speakers and regulator, but those will be easy.

Also, here is the color I was thinking of:
http://wiimedia.ign.com/wii/image/artic ... 7_640w.jpg

About the mid-color of the walls. Look right next to the cloud. Other option is the green on the walls below, which I think I might like more than the blue. Maybe I should do a two-color theme, that light green and the darker green right below it. What do you think?

Mario · Post by **Mario** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 8:31 pm

Slot for the screen's ribbon cable:

Slot for the expansion slot:

The (not as nice as its R button brother) Z button hole:

The new color I chose:

The camera distorts the color a bit. Look at the dark green on the walls. It's about that color:

palmertech · Post by **palmertech** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 8:47 pm

I like the green.

As a side note, gold/yellow accents would be sweet (Seen that DS Lite Zelda mod? Epic.

) Gold and green are MADE for each other!

This is looking to be very impressive! I am not sure how the jumper pack slot would work in real life, though, it seems like you may be better trying out a relocation.

Is the screen going to rest on top?

Mario · Post by **Mario** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 9:13 pm

palmertech wrote:I like the green. As a side note, gold/yellow accents would be sweet (Seen that DS Lite Zelda mod? Epic. ) Gold and green are MADE for each other!

This is looking to be very impressive! I am not sure how the jumper pack slot would work in real life, though, it seems like you may be better trying out a relocation.

Is the screen going to rest on top?

I may pick up gold in a week or two. I can't paint until I make the button holes, for which I need the tact switches, which are shipping from Hong Kong and should be here in two weeks. The only question is which things I should paint gold and which green. I think the case should be green, and the cart cover gold, but we need something else to be gold to carry the theme better. Maybe paint the joystick? Or spraypaint the triforce logo somwehere on there!

I'll make it Zelda themed!

:D:D

What do you mean the jumper pack in real life? The N64 is in the case in that picture, the jumper pack goes in the slot completely. I haven't tested it yet, but it should work just fine.

The screen is going on top. There is absolutely ZERO room inside the case for it. I actually need to relocate one of those silver cap things on the board. I can't figure out how to take it off without damaging it, though.

Any ideas?

Mario · Post by **Mario** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 1:13 pm

Decided the color scheme, green and gold will look nice. The main color will be green, with some gold highlights, like the triforce logo on the cart cover, and possibly somewhere else.

I tested the N64 last night with the jumper pack in. It works just fine. I wired the screen, headphone jack, and AV out port. I relocated the silver cap thing from the PSone screen board and everything works fine. Check it out:

Next I'm going to mount the screen on the outside of the case and wire up the power stuff.

Kyo · Post by **Kyo** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 3:07 pm

heh, I like what you did with the capacitor. Looks like everything is coming along nicely, can't wait to see the result.

Mario · Post by **Mario** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 8:02 pm

Kyo wrote:heh, I like what you did with the capacitor. Looks like everything is coming along nicely, can't wait to see the result.

Thanks.

I painted the case because I got impatient. I can still make button holes while there's paint on the case, right?

The front looks rather nice.

This picture is a bit dark, but it's the same color as the front half. (It's hanging to dry)

Because of the lack of take-apart-edness in this portable, all the guts had to be put in a plastic bag and hung from the back of the case. That's why there's a spot that's not painted, I'll get that tomorrow.
Now I just need to get gold, a printout of the triforce logo, and an x-acto knife.

I decided I'm going to put a big triforce logo on the cart cover and a smaller one under the screen, as that part is rather empty.

What do you guys think?

EDIT: Made a triforce stencil, I just need to cut it out now, then paint it on.
1.7 inch stencil for cart cover:

0.9 inch stencil for front, under screen:

Mario · Post by **Mario** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 6:22 pm

Why does nobody comment? It makes me sad.

The paint has fully dried and it looks excellent. The first and second pictures show the true color of the case. Very nice, I think.

And a mock up:

It looks nice, don't you think?

I cut out the larger triforce stencil, I will paint that on once I get gold spray paint in a few days.

palmertech · Post by **palmertech** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 6:25 pm

Very, very nice. Glad you took my suggestion to use Green/Gold.

I will be perfectly honest and say that I dislike the screen mounted on top, but to each his own.

Mario · Post by **Mario** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 6:28 pm

I already told you, there's no room inside the case! I like it better inside, too, but it can't go there.

Not necessarily a bad thing, though, I suppose. Means the portable is as thin as it can be.

palmertech · Post by **palmertech** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 6:34 pm

Jimmy Cliff wrote:You can get it if you really want
You can get it if you really want
You can get it if you really want
But you must try, try and try
Try and try, you'll succeed at last
I know it, listen.

Oh well, I wish it would.

Maybe you could put a plastic frame of sorts? Like, a bulge you could paint green? Even just some bondo around the edges would work.

Mario · Post by **Mario** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 6:39 pm

I kind of like the "sharpness" of it. Besides, that's too much work.

Website · Post by **Life of Brian** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 8:53 pm

This portable is starting to look sweet! I really like it. It is boxy, but it is an awesome kind of boxy.

HBN · Post by **HBN** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 9:57 pm

Personally, I love the screen on the outside.

All in all, this is very sexy. It looks comfortable to me, too.

dragonhead · Post by **dragonhead** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 11:55 pm

its actually pretty small, awesome