Portablize
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[edit] What is portablization?
Portablization is the act of making a home videogame console into a portable unit. This, of course, requires a certain amount of hacking and is by no means easy to complete.
[edit] Why would somebody portablize something?
One of the more widespread choices if you want to play retro games is by using emulation. Emulation can be done on your PC, or PSP. However, portablizing is a fun and fulfilling hardware project, and you can have the privilege of having a unique and one-of-a-kind homemade portable console. Some do it for the challenge. Some build portables as a source of income. Furthermore, portablizing is legal, emulation is not. In a more practical sense, consoles play better games than most commercial portables. Games that are ported from a console to a commercial portable are usually degraded in terms of graphics and gameplay, and means that you have to buy another copy of the game, even if you own the console counterpart. Hence, your current game collection will work with your home-made portable. Creating a portable is an amazing feat and almost any console can be portablized.
[edit] How do you create a portable?
This varies from console to console but the basic concept is as follows:
- Obtain a screen that accepts the same kind of video that your console outputs. A Playstation screen is a good example. More often than not, the screen requires hacking to reduce power consumption.
- Attach a power source. All types of batteries can be used with a portable: It all depends on how you build the portable itself. Some consoles require larger amounts of power than others.
- Obtain a console. It can be any console, but bear in mind that if you attempt a portable, you have a significant chance of damaging your console.
- Create something to control the game. Some simple portables just have a controller attached. However, most portables with built-in controls require you to build a controller of your own using a PC board, wires, tact switches or desoldered analog switches.
- Make a case. This can be done with a vacuum-forming machine or a CNC engraver, but any container or box can be used. This is aesthetic, as some portables have screens and controllers built into the case of the console itself.
- Wire and assemble the portable and the portable is completed.
Remember: Most modern consoles are difficult to portablize and may need software mods. If you are new to portables, try a simpler console first or a console below the 32-bit generation. Nintendo 64 consoles and any console from the sixth-generation console line should never be attempted without any earlier experience in building portables.
[edit] What does a portable look like?
This completely depends on what the creator makes it look like. Here are some examples:
More information:
- Atari 2600 Portables
- benheck.com
- the portables of DOOM!
- BenWiki Please add information as this site is still under construction.
