Some of the early Zero units suffered from d-pad and button rubbing. There were a variety of community solutions, but the one everyone hoped for were replacement parts. After many model revisions and test prints, 3D printed replacement parts have finally arrived for the Zero. The source article below provides an in-depth synopsis on the process and the replacement parts. The d-pad and buttons cost $6.50 and $3.50, respectively.

Source
Buy the D-pad here
Buy the buttons here

 

[Jayro]

Why would anyone buy this or an nvidia shield over a GPD XD?

I have a shield portable, its pretty bad-ass.

 

[N64]

I use my android personally. Coupled with an external controller. Did think hard about getting a gcw but the price is a bit high IMO for what it does

 

[kardus]

I have a shield portable, its pretty bad-ass.

It was great when it came out, but the device is getting dated now. Prices for the shield portable are also quite inflated since it is hard to find now, and its not exactly 'portable' like a traditional handheld. There are no advantages to it that I can think of other than the size but that could go both ways (some might prefer holding something more robust but you can't exactly put it in your pocket) and the fact it has 5ghz wifi (I think).

 

[Jayro]

It was great when it came out, but the device is getting dated now. Prices for the shield portable are also quite inflated since it is hard to find now, and its not exactly 'portable' like a traditional handheld. There are no advantages to it that I can think of other than the size but that could go both ways (some might prefer holding something more robust but you can't exactly put it in your pocket) and the fact it has 5ghz wifi (I think).

It does indeed support 5GHz Wi-Fi, and my step dad gave it to me for free. since he helped engineer the Tegra 4 chip, they gave everyone who worked on the project a free Retail unit.

 

[RupeeClock]

I personally received my replacement parts and had them installed yesterday.
Since then playing games on the GCW Zero have been vastly improved because of the much more responsive and comfortable d-pad, it's not nasty or squeaky like it was before, the face buttons don't stick in place and are not too flush fit like the original parts.

And yes, that's a Gameboy version of Gunman Clive running on OhBoy.

 

[nonamejohn]

I personally received my replacement parts and had them installed yesterday.
Since then playing games on the GCW Zero have been vastly improved because of the much more responsive and comfortable d-pad, it's not nasty or squeaky like it was before, the face buttons don't stick in place and are not too flush fit like the original parts.

And yes, that's a Gameboy version of Gunman Clive running on OhBoy.

Does anyone know if anymore places have this in stock at a reasonable price. I can't seem to find it anywhere. The gcw Zero that is !

 

[Surkow]

Does anyone know if anymore places have this in stock at a reasonable price. I can't seem to find it anywhere. The gcw Zero that is !

Ithic.com, Extreme Hardware and Dragonbox.de will probably restock in the future. They are usually sold for around 150 dollar/euro.

 

[RupeeClock]

Ithic.com, Extreme Hardware and Dragonbox.de will probably restock in the future. They are usually sold for around 150 dollar/euro.

I feel it's worth pointing out that ThinkGeek used to stock them but no longer do, due to something about "emulation devices".

 

[elmoemo]

I still do not see the need to own a Zero, all your really doing is paying for open source, if you know what your doing you can literally do everything this can do on most android platforms without spending any money, i guess its okay, but there are still way better options

Psp is still the best hand held emulator imho

 

[Surkow]

Psp is still the best hand held emulator imho

Most ubiquitous, not best. It is seriously lacking in the SNES emulation department. Thanks to being ubiquitous it enjoyed having one the largest homebrew scenes.

 

[nonamejohn]

Ithic.com, Extreme Hardware and Dragonbox.de will probably restock in the future. They are usually sold for around 150 dollar/euro.

Thank you ! I've been all around, and most places that have them are gouging the price.