Build your own portable console with this DIY Gamer kit

[Shawn Knight]

For some people, simply playing a game isn’t enough – they want to be part of the creation process. To that end, a company called Technology Will Save Us has unveiled a DIY Gamer kit that allows those with a bit of curiosity and technical skill to assemble their own handheld game console and even program custom titles to play.

Included in the kit are some 40 components to solder together as well as an 8 x 8 LED matrix display. The system is based around an Arduino platform and comes with classic gaming controls and a buzzer so users can add music to games. Further, there’s even a wireless infrared link that lets players compete against others in multiplayer gaming.

We are told the kit takes about two hours to build depending on your skill set. Naturally, Technology Will Save Us also provides a downloadable how-to manual and a How To Video should you need some extra guidance. The company also offers system builders access to their custom software library to get the most out of the machine.

Once completed, the kit resembles an alternate reality version of Nintendo’s original Game Boy that hit retail way back in 1989.

The DIY Gamer kit is available to pre-order as of writing for around $82 although it is unclear exactly when the kit will ship out. I’d also recommend checking out some of their other products as they have a wealth of nifty looking DIY kits to choose from.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/54870-build-your-own-portable-console-with-this-diy-gamer-kit.html

 

[AnonymousSurfer]

Does anybody here have this? I was looking into the Gizmo or Minnowboard simply because of how much more power they have over the Arduino but it all really comes down to how well the product performs.

 

[cliffordcooley]

With an 8x8 matrix display, it is a joke. I might consider, if the resolution was at least 800x600.

 

[Jad Chaar]

With an 8x8 matrix display, it is a joke. I might consider, if the resolution was at least 800x600.

But then again, what do you expect from an Arduino Microprocessor?

 

[Guest]

8x8 display?? no kidding, it's useless. The original gameboy has 360 times the number of pixels

 

[Guest]

Enough for Ship game or simultan Tetris.

 

[9Nails]

If I were starting out, maybe in a classroom environment, an 8x8 console would be simple enough to teach the basics. I'm like you guys and would want something better then VGA resolution for my final product. But we need to learn the letters in the alphabet before we write like Shakespeare.

I couldn't really make out the power source. Is it not shown?
And it's a bit pricey for a low resolution novelty console isn't it?!

 

[cliffordcooley]

Learning the basics is all they can say for this project. There certainly is no practical use for it otherwise.

I couldn't really make out the power source. Is it not shown?

They mentioned something about additional supplies. A 9 volt battery and soldering kit was listed.

 

[Tekkaraiden]

It would be a great little kit for a high school science/computer class.

 

[cliffordcooley]

It would be a great little kit for a high school science/computer class.

Dozens of students at $80 a piece, I can foresee group projects.

Unless of course you could talk Bill Gates or Mark Zuckerberg into footing the bill, so each student could have their very own. hahaha