Problem is, that's not the angle the (original) Gameboy's A and B buttons are on. It's much too steep. And as it were, I find the actual Gameboy to be quite ergonomic
This thing is awesome. The looks are there, the functionality is. If you really want to really play your cartridges this is awesome. I am more of a Rpi3 handheld kind of guy, but i love these projects. You see them more and more in different styles and shapes for all kinds of consoles, they're awesome.
Wow, that looks wonderful, guys! Probably one of the best NES handhelds I've seen. Great touch exposing the label and also keeping the carts mostly receded into the device! All hail the little handle grip.
It's an amazing little build. One thing that would make it more ergonomic in my opinion is if you stacked the B and A buttons the opposite way, where B would be higher than A. This way you can play games like contra or Mario more easily (holding B to run and jumping with A at the same time, etc) The current way makes it hard to use both buttons simultaneously.
Just curious but is the Silenced sections of some of these older episodes because of Copyright running up? If so that is terrible because I know the other one I saw cut out like 4 minutes of ben actually talking. RUclips is so bad about this. smh
It's a decent result in the design, looks like it was made fast so you've probably noticed the same omission points mentioned, 2nd player port, headphone jack, 4:3 screen. I would have liked to hear more about the screen, the PAL aspect, how you fit the weird NES screen resolution to it.
Ahh!! Super cool! The talent that all of you possess is awesome...and only slightly frightening... LOL Forget the NES Mini. There's the Ben Heck NES Portable!!! Great job!
Hook up a second controller? There are portables with joystick ports, like Supaboy, etc... Sometimes they (stupidly, IMO) prevent the joystick ports from working unless you're using an external display - but there's no reason you couldn't connect a second (or third or fourth) controller to this.
...Or, to link portables together for multiplayer - make a game-link cable that carries controller signals, video, and audio. If a console starts up without a cartridge in, put it in "multiplayer slave" mode and make it take audio/video from over the link port, and send controller signals out over the link. ...But then you'd need to build two portables. :)
A few multiplayer possibilities: 1. controllers and a kickstand 2. a companion player two slave device without a cartridge slot and with cloned video screen and speaker sound 3. a full-featured identical device that can be either master or slave and bonus points for wireless vs wired?
theHeckwithKaren Yeah I was instantly reminded of his build when I saw this video. I still need to go watch a few more of the other entries. So many good projects to check out!
I'd want two controller ports and a display port so it could work as a regular home console. Also being able to load rom files would be sweet. Micro sd or something. And correct aspect ratio is a must.
It would be interesting if you included the cost of the project in the description. What do all the components and raw materials cost? How much time went into it? And (the most expensive) what did all the machinery used cost to buy/build?
cool console! but why choose to have B and A like that? they should be positioned like Y and B on the snes controller. So the thumb can cover both of them
So 2 things. 90% iso alcohol does work on acrylic paint when it’s just barely tacky, But after drying it doesn’t work. But a small mix of iso and paint thinner GOES A LONG WAY when dry. Also the black part of the plastic after the paint job looks great! I think it should have been kept.
The only thing I would have added would had been a 3.5 mm head phone jack, but they are disappearing. So if not, you did it perfect. You didn't overbuild it, you put the right amount of features in. I think it was just right as a portable.
Instead of having the red buttons oriented like this .º it would be a good idea to put them like this º. so you can press B and A at the same time for some games, more natural to how the thumb rests on the littel device.
They are placed so that they would be comfortable for the thumb. You just slide your thumb over instead of bending it. If you hold your hand out and move your thumb side to side it will make an arc similar to the one in the first design.
You can clearly tell how fed up Ben is with all of this. It has been a good run, but now it gives me physical pain to watch him. If you read this Ben: I wish you all the best in your future endeavours and I really enjoyed the show! Have fun in whatever you´ll be doing next!
The travel distance between the A & B buttons is long. You could tell it's slightly uncomfortable after watching Ben play Contra. Other than that, it looks amazing
Other features: Headphone/speaker port, Video out (mirrored or just to the external), , Two controller ports, proper 4:3 aspect ratio screen, turbo buttons, slow-mo buttons, video in to use the screen as a portable monitor for other devices.
A. If you placed the buttons and DPAD closer to the edges the travel distance for the thumbs should be identical to that of the DMG-01. (it may be an even better fit if you placed START and SELECT according to the DMG-01 layout as well). B. Perhaps add a phono-jack if you don't want to annoy your couch-neighbors.
Does this play all Nintendo NES games (minus the Zapper, R.O.B. & Power Pad-only games)? Back in the 90's, there was an portable version of the Nintendo Entertainment System called The Express from B.D.L. Enterprises, but it was not released.
The screen is pretty rough, but other than that, this thing is a miracle of modern ingenuity. I do hate channels like this tho, bc I’ll never own any of these things.
Awesome build! ...except for one thing. The B and A buttons are misaligned. B and A should be horizontal. Alternatively A can be below B so you can rock the A button while holding B.
I been watching your video for atleast 2 years and today subscribed... it’s really interesting to see everything you do that include design and programming
Perfect. The fact that the cartridge doesn’t stick halfway out, really impresses me. For some fucking reason, every other portable NES has the cartridge slot WAY too high on the back
Is it possible to do a "multi-game-NES-cardridge"? Like a original cardridge shaped thing where you can choose your game via a display, then plug it in your NES and play the game?
Dude the player two port would have been such a nice feature. Probably would have gotten away with using a secondary usb port and the handheld could have had an "accessory" piece like the old 80s, 90s handhelds. Sorts like how the multitap was just an external controller extension fused with a hub. Maybe even use a NES styled version of Nintendo's gamecube to wii u setups.
What would be required to make a native NES system without emulation? FPGA only? I figure that it could be done with less right? Is it a little too much for a smaller shop to do something like that? Would it be too pricey to do vs simple emulation?
Nicely done! I would suggest that a headphone jack would be a big 'want', and a second player port - so they could plug in another controller - would be good improvements, but it's still a sweet little unit.
I remember seeing a website back in like 2001 where I could send in my SNES and PSX to get them "portified" basically made them battery powered with a built-in controller and display. That was Been Heck right?!
Only practical thing this is missing is the ability to play in the correct aspect ratio. Even 4:3 (which technically isn't the correct aspect ratio) would be much better.
Also also, do you take commissions? i.e. if I was to send you an actual NES' board to be miniaturized could you make me a mini NES-in-a-cart like you did with yours?
I'd say cram an fpga in instead of a noac so it would run flashcarts and increase compatibility and could also use sdcards or thumb drives. That's a much bigger project though.
Yet another NES controller where the A and B buttons are at the wrong angle... Try putting A below B instead of above it so that you can push both buttons at the same time.
*+Warren Carlson* Yes but most SNES games mapped Y and B to the same kinds of functions that B and A respectively fulfilled in NES games, effectively allowing for a control scheme that better conformed to the natural positioning of the thumb.
Yeah good point, they should at least be side by side. I never thought about that even seeing him play Contra. Like you said though aligned in a \ formation might be better even if it looks wrong.
Couldn't you slap in a bluetooth component to connect multiple controllers without the need of so much room for a controller port or two? (Keep in mind I have barely any understanding of hardware and electronics) :p
The beauty of this project is many people can get similar results with a cheap 3d printer. So I was playing Contra when I was 12? hmmm. I thought I was younger....
I always wonder why people don't choose the SNES "Y B" button angle. Otherwise an awesome little device.
Probably to match the Gameboy... even though it's not ergonomic and doesn't allow for dual button presses :(
Problem is, that's not the angle the (original) Gameboy's A and B buttons are on. It's much too steep. And as it were, I find the actual Gameboy to be quite ergonomic
yeah back to the good old days for this video :)
This thing is awesome. The looks are there, the functionality is. If you really want to really play your cartridges this is awesome.
I am more of a Rpi3 handheld kind of guy, but i love these projects.
You see them more and more in different styles and shapes for all kinds of consoles, they're awesome.
I love just how professional the finished products always look when Heck makes these kind of things.
Wow, that looks wonderful, guys! Probably one of the best NES handhelds I've seen. Great touch exposing the label and also keeping the carts mostly receded into the device! All hail the little handle grip.
It's an amazing little build. One thing that would make it more ergonomic in my opinion is if you stacked the B and A buttons the opposite way, where B would be higher than A. This way you can play games like contra or Mario more easily (holding B to run and jumping with A at the same time, etc) The current way makes it hard to use both buttons simultaneously.
Honestly. One of the nicer looking and professionally done portables, the cartridge viewing window, while completley unnecessary, i love it.
Ben you could design and manufacture your own portable console and we would buy it. The Ben Heck Console.
3DSage The hecking good console
oh i like that! That's good.
But think about the christians! It can’t be called “The Ben Heck Console” because “Heck”
BENTENDO SWITCH. *mic drop*
The "Heck-Box"
Just curious but is the Silenced sections of some of these older episodes because of Copyright running up? If so that is terrible because I know the other one I saw cut out like 4 minutes of ben actually talking. RUclips is so bad about this. smh
It's a decent result in the design, looks like it was made fast so you've probably noticed the same omission points mentioned, 2nd player port, headphone jack, 4:3 screen. I would have liked to hear more about the screen, the PAL aspect, how you fit the weird NES screen resolution to it.
Ahh!! Super cool! The talent that all of you possess is awesome...and only slightly frightening... LOL Forget the NES Mini. There's the Ben Heck NES Portable!!! Great job!
8:26 music cuts off ?
That's pretty cool!
Since you asked what other features I'd want:
4:3 display
headphone support
multiplayer
carrying case
How do you see multiplayer working?
Hook up a second controller? There are portables with joystick ports, like Supaboy, etc... Sometimes they (stupidly, IMO) prevent the joystick ports from working unless you're using an external display - but there's no reason you couldn't connect a second (or third or fourth) controller to this.
...Or, to link portables together for multiplayer - make a game-link cable that carries controller signals, video, and audio. If a console starts up without a cartridge in, put it in "multiplayer slave" mode and make it take audio/video from over the link port, and send controller signals out over the link.
...But then you'd need to build two portables. :)
A few multiplayer possibilities:
1. controllers and a kickstand
2. a companion player two slave device without a cartridge slot and with cloned video screen and speaker sound
3. a full-featured identical device that can be either master or slave
and bonus points for wireless vs wired?
Could go old school and have a single plug that uses a multi-tap and allow connecting multiple external controllers.
Been Heck. You're my hero. I feel like I rediscover you every couple years. I wanna say I first saw you back in college like 10 years ago.
I think someone in the Hack Like Heck contest is doing a Yobo portable. Great video! I've always wanted to build a NOACp.
I believe that is Tony Marino's entry that used a Yobo. I grinned a bit when I first saw what he'd chosen. Great minds think alike, I suppose.
theHeckwithKaren Yeah I was instantly reminded of his build when I saw this video. I still need to go watch a few more of the other entries. So many good projects to check out!
Single episode project's my favorite...
Love your work just wanted to I had some audio issues with the vid idk if it's my phone or youtube, or the actual videos but it's just a heads up
no headphone jack?
"In next week's episode, Karen and I will be dealing with a DMCA takedown notice from Apple. We'll see you then!"
That would be easy to add!
of course it would, i'm just confused why it wasn't added to begin with :D
I wondered the same thing, glaring omission!
RazorX2015 courage.
I'd want two controller ports and a display port so it could work as a regular home console.
Also being able to load rom files would be sweet. Micro sd or something.
And correct aspect ratio is a must.
This needs to be brought to market!
Lord I wish I had this shop. Ben good sir you do outstanding work as always.
looks way cooler than most retro handheld consoles. Small touches like the label window make it really nice.
Please don't leave Ben! You make amazing stuff
It would be interesting if you included the cost of the project in the description. What do all the components and raw materials cost? How much time went into it? And (the most expensive) what did all the machinery used cost to buy/build?
cool console! but why choose to have B and A like that? they should be positioned like Y and B on the snes controller. So the thumb can cover both of them
Top of the list for me is a 4:3 display, or at least mask off the 16:9 part and put the bezel only where the 4:3 image displays.
do they ever release plans or STL, this looks like a fun project to try and make
So 2 things. 90% iso alcohol does work on acrylic paint when it’s just barely tacky, But after drying it doesn’t work. But a small mix of iso and paint thinner GOES A LONG WAY when dry. Also the black part of the plastic after the paint job looks great! I think it should have been kept.
Neat build! I'm somewhat surprised a device like this isn't already a commercial product.
The only thing I would have added would had been a 3.5 mm head phone jack, but they are disappearing. So if not, you did it perfect. You didn't overbuild it, you put the right amount of features in. I think it was just right as a portable.
This is the kind of content I love!
Instead of having the red buttons oriented like this .º it would be a good idea to put them like this º. so you can press B and A at the same time for some games, more natural to how the thumb rests on the littel device.
They are placed so that they would be comfortable for the thumb. You just slide your thumb over instead of bending it. If you hold your hand out and move your thumb side to side it will make an arc similar to the one in the first design.
You can clearly tell how fed up Ben is with all of this. It has been a good run, but now it gives me physical pain to watch him. If you read this Ben: I wish you all the best in your future endeavours and I really enjoyed the show! Have fun in whatever you´ll be doing next!
Second player port and/or external controller jack and an external monitor output.
The Louis Armstrong sloth version of “What a Wonderful World” really got me 😂. Thanks for another great episode 👍
I want to reproduce this project... Can you provide the gerber files and 3d print files
This might be one of the few DIY portables that i would legitimately play. It actually looks good, This is how portable NES systems should look.
great but the extra features like she said would be better ........
The travel distance between the A & B buttons is long. You could tell it's slightly uncomfortable after watching Ben play Contra. Other than that, it looks amazing
Great idea, A Ben Heck Classic for sure
I freaking love the Outtakes
Wait- did the next week trailer spoil the whole episode?
Some parts of the video have audio muted, any idea why?
Other features: Headphone/speaker port, Video out (mirrored or just to the external), , Two controller ports, proper 4:3 aspect ratio screen, turbo buttons, slow-mo buttons, video in to use the screen as a portable monitor for other devices.
Its stupidly awesome! Eject button, exteral controller, headphone jack and famicom support will make this perfect!
2 controller ports would be so cool to be able to place it on the table and 2 people can play.
A. If you placed the buttons and DPAD closer to the edges the travel distance for the thumbs should be identical to that of the DMG-01. (it may be an even better fit if you placed START and SELECT according to the DMG-01 layout as well).
B. Perhaps add a phono-jack if you don't want to annoy your couch-neighbors.
Does this play all Nintendo NES games (minus the Zapper, R.O.B. & Power Pad-only games)? Back in the 90's, there was an portable version of the Nintendo Entertainment System called The Express from B.D.L. Enterprises, but it was not released.
What push buttons are you using on the board?
what happened to the audio
The screen is pretty rough, but other than that, this thing is a miracle of modern ingenuity. I do hate channels like this tho, bc I’ll never own any of these things.
I wanna live in a world with the old intro again
If it doesn't have one, I'd add a headphone jack so I could play this on the metro without disturbing the other passengers.
Awesome build! ...except for one thing. The B and A buttons are misaligned. B and A should be horizontal. Alternatively A can be below B so you can rock the A button while holding B.
I would definitely add a headphones output :)
I been watching your video for atleast 2 years and today subscribed... it’s really interesting to see everything you do that include design and programming
Hmmm.... can you do a portable Amiga 1200, though?
At 15.50 are you cutting holes in the FR4 with a laser? My laser wont touch that at all.
Perfect. The fact that the cartridge doesn’t stick halfway out, really impresses me. For some fucking reason, every other portable NES has the cartridge slot WAY too high on the back
Is it possible to do a "multi-game-NES-cardridge"?
Like a original cardridge shaped thing where you can choose your game via a display, then plug it in your NES and play the game?
Could you make more of these? I would buy one.
Dude the player two port would have been such a nice feature. Probably would have gotten away with using a secondary usb port and the handheld could have had an "accessory" piece like the old 80s, 90s handhelds. Sorts like how the multitap was just an external controller extension fused with a hub. Maybe even use a NES styled version of Nintendo's gamecube to wii u setups.
where or how or how much costs to get something like this?
What would be required to make a native NES system without emulation? FPGA only? I figure that it could be done with less right? Is it a little too much for a smaller shop to do something like that? Would it be too pricey to do vs simple emulation?
is that a current mirror on the video signal?
It's not the size of a school bus. You're getting better.
Come on man, can you make and sell these? I want it!
Good job!
me to can I have one
Are the Eagle files available for this so we can make our own?
Whats the problem with pi zero?
Hi Ben , can you make a taredown of the Saitek X56 aircraft joystick , please
Why is it widescreen?
where can I buy this?! D:
Great video… Did anybody experience audio drop outs in this video? Maybe it’s just me…
Happened to me too. Tended to coincide with montage shots. Perhaps some music they lost the rights to?
Nicely done! I would suggest that a headphone jack would be a big 'want', and a second player port - so they could plug in another controller - would be good improvements, but it's still a sweet little unit.
to be able to connect to a tv using a dock station...
where is battary charge indicator?
Nice project! And I really liked the 'outtakes'.
if Ben has kids, they will never be bored
I remember seeing a website back in like 2001 where I could send in my SNES and PSX to get them "portified" basically made them battery powered with a built-in controller and display. That was Been Heck right?!
Does anyone have a schematic or stl for the case? This would be awesome to tinker with myself.
Only practical thing this is missing is the ability to play in the correct aspect ratio. Even 4:3 (which technically isn't the correct aspect ratio) would be much better.
Also also, do you take commissions? i.e. if I was to send you an actual NES' board to be miniaturized could you make me a mini NES-in-a-cart like you did with yours?
The viewing port is a great addition!
I'd say cram an fpga in instead of a noac so it would run flashcarts and increase compatibility and could also use sdcards or thumb drives. That's a much bigger project though.
What I think is missing, is TV connectivity, and support for bluetooth, so you could use a bluetooth controller. Otherwise, cool build, Ben. 👍😊
Headphone jack?
Hmm, this idea feels familiar... :P
Was awesome seeing Ben work his magic on this, very clean.
Would want a battery meter so I know when the system is about to die
Darian Kimberly good one
headphone jack..and I want one
A true Ben Heck project! I liked it
Why are you always slanting the buttons upward instead of downward to follow to angle of your thumb?
A new episode? Holy cow!
Man, I know my stuff in life but this is alien magic for me. Impressive!
Yet another NES controller where the A and B buttons are at the wrong angle...
Try putting A below B instead of above it so that you can push both buttons at the same time.
*shrug* This kind of layout worked fine on the Game Boy...
Tetsujin and on the SNES
*+Warren Carlson* Yes but most SNES games mapped Y and B to the same kinds of functions that B and A respectively fulfilled in NES games, effectively allowing for a control scheme that better conformed to the natural positioning of the thumb.
Yeah good point, they should at least be side by side. I never thought about that even seeing him play Contra.
Like you said though aligned in a \ formation might be better even if it looks wrong.
Ergonomics go a long way.
OMG, that pushbuttons with white caps are way better than the black ones... Good move Ben! ;-)
Couldn't you slap in a bluetooth component to connect multiple controllers without the need of so much room for a controller port or two? (Keep in mind I have barely any understanding of hardware and electronics) :p
I love this Ben. Looks awesome. The only thing I'd like better would be headphone jack.
I love the made in USA sticker. You don’t see that anymore.
In college me and a couple of my friends we made a ps2 arcade from scratch and it was the most fun ive ever had.
The beauty of this project is many people can get similar results with a cheap 3d printer. So I was playing Contra when I was 12? hmmm. I thought I was younger....