There are plenty of smartphone Bluetooth gaming controllers available to add a little extra precision to your gaming prowess. But if you are looking for something a little more unique and have a spare Gameboy Chassis And Wii Controller you might like to create your own.
YouTuber Chad Boughton has done just that and uploaded the results to YouTube for all to see. Watch the video after the jump to learn more about the Gameboy Smartphone Controller project and see it in action.
“Using a Wii remote as the Bluetooth interface, and a Dot Matrix Gameboy’s buttons and shell (two things I already owned) I figured “why not mash them together and give them a whole new purpose?”. With the use of the “Wii Controller IME” App on the Play App store, this retro controller will really control anything which lets you use the android touch keyboard as input. Although I’ve only tried with a SNES emulator, in theory you should be able to play and do all kinds of things with the Gameboy’s buttons. The project is essentially a gutted Game Boy with a Wii remote inside. The tricky part was rerouting the button connections between the two.”
Creating the Gameboy Smartphone Controller
The process of creating the Gameboy Smartphone Controller involves several steps that require both technical know-how and a bit of creativity. First, Chad had to carefully disassemble the original Gameboy to remove its internal components while preserving the outer shell and buttons. This step is crucial as the buttons need to be functional and correctly aligned with the Wii remote’s circuitry.
Next, the Wii remote was disassembled to extract the necessary components that would serve as the Bluetooth interface. The challenge here was to reroute the button connections from the Gameboy shell to the Wii remote’s circuit board. This required precise soldering and a good understanding of both devices’ internal layouts.
Functionality and Applications
Once the hardware modifications were complete, the next step was to ensure that the Gameboy buttons could communicate effectively with the smartphone. This is where the “Wii Controller IME” app comes into play. Available on the Play Store, this app allows the Wii remote to interface with the smartphone, translating button presses into keyboard inputs that the phone can recognize.
This setup opens up a world of possibilities. While Chad initially tested the controller with a SNES emulator, the potential applications are vast. For instance, you could use the Gameboy Smartphone Controller to play a variety of retro games from different consoles, provided the emulator supports Bluetooth controllers. Additionally, the controller could be used for modern mobile games that support external input devices, offering a nostalgic yet functional gaming experience.
More images of the Gameboy Smartphone Controller mod are available over on the Instructables website.
Conclusion and Future Possibilities
Chad Boughton’s Gameboy Smartphone Controller is a testament to the creativity and ingenuity of the DIY community. By repurposing old gaming hardware, he has created a unique and functional device that bridges the gap between retro and modern gaming. This project not only showcases the potential of upcycling old electronics but also inspires others to think outside the box and create their own custom gaming solutions.
For those interested in embarking on a similar project, detailed instructions and additional images can be found on the Instructables website. Whether you’re a seasoned modder or a curious beginner, this project offers a rewarding challenge and a chance to relive the nostalgia of classic gaming in a modern context.
Source: Instructables : Phandroid
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