Portable Nintendo 64 questions...

[Radiobread]

Hello,

Has anybody on this forum built a portable N64 system? If so, I'd like to ask a couple of questions...

How much does it cost to build it, and what parts will I need to buy or modify?
How easy is it? (on a scale of 1-5, considering I didn't build my gaming PC because I was scared I'd mess it up)

Thanks guys!

 

[migles]

well, in my opinion, if you didn't "build a pc" which is just buy parts and connect them and you were scared of mess up

probably you will have no great change in building a portable n64...

because the pc, you just need to put the pieces in the right places (usually they don't fit on the wrong place)... come on, there is no really challenge on that....

as for a portable n64 (or another console) you will need to make the model of the casing, find a "portable" screen, if you have access to a 3d printer the job would be a lot easier, you will need soldering and maybe find a way to make the pcb smaller so its not so big.. there will take a big amount of time..

and it depends on what you want... there is always the easy way, which is getting a tablet\phone and use an emulator, connect a controller and you are good to go...

 

[Radiobread]

Well I have no chance of being successful there then but thanks for telling me that. I have more confidence to build a computer now - that was back in 2012 I bought my newest computer.

Is it possible to buy a pre-built portable N64 from anywhere?

 

[Arras]

this may help
http://www.instructables.com/id/Portable-Nintendo-64/

 

[Radiobread]

I've seen that already - I suppose it would be helpful but I find it a bit cryptic to be honest. Thanks for trying though.

 

[Clydefrosch]

i don't think theres anyone actively making those right now.
a guy named bungle build one and talked about making more to sell early this year, but he hasn't shown himself since may soooo...
http://www.bacman.co.uk/bacforum/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=4375

you can try getting an account and sending him a pm there.

one way or another, expect this to be expensive. at the very least, 500$, probably going towards 1000, since this is quite a piece of work
the last one i ran across on ebay went for almost 900$ (from another person)

these portable n64s also tend to weight close to 2 pounds, without a game, so they're not that portable either, you'd need a small suitcase to carry one around safely too.

so yeah. personally, I don't think thats worth it.

 

[Radiobread]

Thanks very much for trying to help. Yes I will sign up there and ask. I was already expecting them to be expensive, I may well consider it not to be worthwhile in the end but it's always worth trying to find out.

I live in the UK as well, which means I would likely need to pay an insane shipping fee.

 

[migles]

Well I have no chance of being successful there then but thanks for telling me that. I have more confidence to build a computer now - that was back in 2012 I bought my newest computer.

Is it possible to buy a pre-built portable N64 from anywhere?

try ebay... some folks made their own portable consoles and then sell them, but this can be a really expensive and the quality depends on the person who made them...

you can also use an android device get a controller or an adapter and play it on emulators...

there is also some portable consoles which can play n64 games via emulation but i am not familiar with them

i totally recommend you to do some easy stuff like building a pc, or learn how to repair old stuff, like tv's (which usually is just replace some components) then with that experience you will be able to do something more advanced like build a portable console

for build a portable console there are lots of challenges, like the design, you will need to know how to make it "blend" its not so simple like find a box and put it inside... you will need to find ways to make it smaller, otherwise you would just grab a big box and put the console and the screen inside with some holes for the cartridge and controllers which will not make the thing portable at all...

what would be easier since you got a lot more of room, is build a n64 arcade machine, you will just work on the outer design of it, and put the console and the tv inside, make some extensions to plug stuff like the controllers but i am not sure if you would like this project...

 

[Radiobread]

Wow, I am very grateful for all the help I've been given here - I am really liking being on this forum so far

Not keen on building an N64 arcade, I want to play Nintendo 64 games on the go. My final question is this - how much would it cost to BUILD a portable N64? As in, to buy the components that I'd need to get for my build.

I refuse to use emulators to play legitimate games, and I won't be buying an Android device just to play console games on the go. The only games I've ever used an emulator for are Mother 3 (to play in English) and some Pokemon hack-ups.