I appreciate how they are willing to show setbacks and failures when tackling hard problems. The authenticity means the amateurs don't feel so bad about their mistakes and struggles.
These are the kinds of video I've been waiting for from the Ben Heck Show. The previous portables have been pretty quick easy projects, not much was done to slim them down. This is a really tough project and I'm really enjoying watching it.
Barnacules Nerdgasm heyyyyy you're the reason I found this awesome TH-camr. now I'm pursuing a hobby in creating my own consoles and learning more about the tech we all use. thank you and Ben!
Would the team consider making a portable Gamecube out of a Wii anytime? There are multiple schematics of people shrinking the motherboard of the Wii to the size smaller than of an iPhone and later revisions take less power output than a modern tablet, not to mention being able to use a standard USB controller instead of an OEM Gamecube one
Its a shame that Wii needs the disk drive attached to load ROMs from USB hard drives. If there was a software hack that allowed it to do so it'd be insanely thin.
Golden Grenadier gamecube games you rip yourself run fine with Devolution over a slim usb stick (and no DD) and you can just reposition the usb traces to what you need, and jorenmartijn, the wii is much more sane to mess with than the gamecube plus it doesn't need specialized hardware that's missing on the market Ben could also always just shrink the dvd drive to accomodate 8cm disks only :)
The cartridge connector and ram terminator have fragile connectors on the board, this wasn't the case when they where new but somehow they didn't hold up very well.
from ben's old blog post on his first n64 portable: "Holy cow on a popsicle stick I had a tough time making this thing! (Which is why, no matter how many times you email, I WILL NOT BUILD ANY MORE)"
Hi, Ben and team! I'm a mechanical engineering grad student. I know next to nothing about the N64's internal workings, but I really like heat transfer topics, so your overheating problem intrigued me. I ran some back-of-the envelope calculations, and it seemed like even a minimal heat sink would provide sufficient cooling, so I was confused about why your solution wasn't working. Then it hit me: I think you were putting an effective "choke point" in your heat sink by sandwiching it between 2 chips (Part 1, @13:25): there was plenty of area contacting each chip, and there was plenty of area exposed to the air, but between those surfaces was an area where heat had to travel through a cross section only as large as your heat sink's narrow thickness. I bet if you gave each chip a little "room to breathe" by laying them side by side or giving a little open space between stacked chips (in addition to whatever heat sinks you think make sense), it would help your heat problem a lot. Thanks for considering, love your show! -Caleb
I've been anxiously awaiting this episode ever since I saw part 1 last week! The build is looking SWEET! I can't wait to see the final installment for this project!
I didn't realize the 5200 had an analog stick. I thought the Vectrex was the first with that feature, although the release dates for the two consoles look close.
Well, the concept is pretty old. Or at least, joysticks are. And of course the paddle controllers are similar technology in some ways. It'd be interesting to properly try and trace this technology and the concepts back through history and see where they really originated from...
I love that he's taking his time and doing things the right way. It's going to be a hell of a grind, but this might be the most impressive portable I've seen if he can get it working. Can't wait to see the result.
I'm impressed with the way you explained the joystick part with the analogue simulation part... You make it look so simple. This is exacly why I like your show. Keep up the good work... Hooo and then I saw the part that you actualy rebuild the entire controler: Great work.
This was already an interesting episode when everything was looking like it was going well, but it became even more interesting to see things not go so well. Can't wait for the next episode!
IAmGoombaSniper I really enjoyed the explanation. I recall reading that the stick had to be in the neutral position when starting the console in the controller manual that came with the console. Why, though, I never knew.
I feel like you are forgetting this was basically the first analog stick available to console gamers. Remember Sony did not make its dual analog controller until later. It's terrible but give it some slack.
@@RetroCheater81 Which absolutely sucked and wasn't self-centering. I think it was a "standard" true analogue stick, which could have been a factor in why Nintendo didn't go down that path.
Great episode! if I had a dollar for every failed project in my project grave yard, I'd be able to retire and take my family on a cruise! I cant wait to see this one finished!
+The Ben Heck Show Awesome video guys! One of my favorite (if not my all time favorite) "hack" videos yet from you guys! Can't wait to see the rest of the hack...and especially the end result! You'll probably have this finished and working beautifully before Nintendo releases the Switch! 😂😂😂lol😂😂😂
There are gamecube style replacement sticks for the N64 available online which are both a modern version of analog tech and less prone to wear out compared to the original ones.
Ben has made an N64 portable before and since it's so difficult, he didn't want to do it again. However, his viewers kept nagging, and thus this project was born.
Hahaha oh my god, if I ever watch Revenge of the Sith again, there is no way I'm not going to hear "AH HAH! YIPPEE!" at the end. Well played, sir. Well played.
Ben, I have to ask...are you a hypnotist? I only ask because I know exactly nothing about engineering but love all of your videos. it's weird too because I find myself nodding, smiling and talking to myself, saying things like "oh...I get it.", "that totally makes sense!" and my favorite "that's what I was thinking" . The problem is... I DON'T get it. I have no idea what you're talking about ¾ of the time, but for some reason, not only am I enjoying the video, I somehow trick myself into thinking I understand what you're saying. Put it this way. I still know nothing about all the circuit board, wire thingy, microchip doo dad stuff you're talking about, but I'd almost swear I know more than I did before watching your videos. So whatever you're doing that keeps me watching your videos, keep up the great work. If any TH-cam channel was gonna secretly hypnotize me and cause me to watch, I'm glad it's yours. At least here I can learn something. I think...I dunno, it could be worse, I could have some jack ass like Markiplier sending me subliminal messages to watch him be an idiot.
Well Ben... I'm not sure if you know this but the modern standard analog stick is the Variable Resistor Analog Stick introduced by the Vectrex and further improved by Sony. And Nintendo was kind-of oblivious regarding the Vectrex but Sony knew about it and that's why Sony got the technology and Nintendo found their own way to do it taking inspiration from PC mouses (back then mouses had a track ball underneath). The way the N64 analog stick works is very much like an old 90s mouse and Nintendo already had prior experience with mouses (remember the SNES mouse?).
Not sure if this has been mentioned or not, but I think the reason you have so much trouble with the ram expansion is the memory timing due to length of the traces or wire. The timing would be correct for the one you bent the SECC instead of the ones where you tried to remove it. the length of wire and or resistance would affect the r/w timing of the ram to cpu, and ram to gpu, thus hanging the system with a modified ram pack.
I have a Schrodinger's N64 that has never been dropped or anything, but goes for entire 6-month intervals of just being dead. Then it comes back to life, equally for no reason. I do not know wtf its deal is.
the laugh at the end, priceless :) continue on and forward team, i can't wait to see the completed project :) :) , even if it doesn't look too enjoyable because of the tough to mod n64 hardware!!!
The only problem I have with the vita joystick is that it is smooth around the outer edges. The n64 joystick has an octagon shape with the 8 corners. Can't wait to see this one finished!
Hey Ben. Thanks for making this video because it is quite obvious that it's not one of your favorite builds, but I'm looking forward to the last vid!! Also why do you use such a small screen for testing??
I can't remember what game it was but there was one where it helped to have the analog stick the slightest bit off center when you turned it on. I think it was something about the hud popping up (or hiding) when there was no movement so there would always be the slightest amount of movement when you did the trick.
The problem with hard-wiring in one controller pak (memory card) to the board is that if you have a decent-sized N64 collection you'll need a lot of memory cards, unless you delete all your save files every time you move over to a couple of new games... many N64 sports games pretty much take up an entire card each, and other games often take up lots of space too. Only one card is a pretty huge limitation. I know that all first-party software saves to the system, but most third-party games require controller paks. With a good-sized N64 collection you need a whole pile of the things in order to save all your games.
Some N64 memcards (controller paks to be more accurate) had flash memory inside instead of battery backed ram, that would have been more convenient. The one I have also has bank switches so it is effectively 4 controller paks in one, which is convenient considering certain games like World Driving Championship use up an ENTIRE controller pak all by themselves.
Last episode (~3m57s) you said you'd be wiring up RGB video output... Not sure I remember how much of a pain it was on this console, but shouldn't that get planned before you re-attach all these sockets and such?
you can use the analog stick from a Gamecube controller as a direct replacement for the analog stick from the n64. It is a direct dropin replacement and uses a more modern joystick component style.
I'm enjoying this build it's much more interesting when you have to troubleshoot as that's how everyone else makes portables there not supposed to be easy. Overall you seem to be putting much more effort in to this build thumbs up :)
Ben should etch a Kill count on the back of the system to show how many systems died for this soon-to-be glorious masterpiece of a handheld system... love the N64!
The downside with almost all portable projects are the size of the screen. It could be so much bigger, specially considering N64 is not 16:9. However this project is awesome, nice seeing the effort of making it as portable as possible.
I appreciate how they are willing to show setbacks and failures when tackling hard problems. The authenticity means the amateurs don't feel so bad about their mistakes and struggles.
The reason I subscribed. :)
These are the kinds of video I've been waiting for from the Ben Heck Show. The previous portables have been pretty quick easy projects, not much was done to slim them down. This is a really tough project and I'm really enjoying watching it.
I doubt you'd enjoy doing it..
No, but I'd be super satisfied with the finished project. The more times your head hits the desk the sweeter the reward is.
Ben's laughter in the credits made up for all the dead n64 boards.
I would kill for Ben's soldering skills.
Barnacules Nerdgasm heyyyyy you're the reason I found this awesome TH-camr. now I'm pursuing a hobby in creating my own consoles and learning more about the tech we all use. thank you and Ben!
Glad to see you are starting to do better and I hope the Sleep Number bed works out for you. :D
Barnacules Nerdgasm
I wouldn't go that far - you could get to the same skill level in about a week. lol
Would the team consider making a portable Gamecube out of a Wii anytime? There are multiple schematics of people shrinking the motherboard of the Wii to the size smaller than of an iPhone and later revisions take less power output than a modern tablet, not to mention being able to use a standard USB controller instead of an OEM Gamecube one
Even the GameCube's motherboard can be shrunken quite a bit. It's called the OMGWTF cut because you need to be very careful trimming it that much.
Sam Za Nemesis Do you have a link?
Why don't you do it instead?
Its a shame that Wii needs the disk drive attached to load ROMs from USB hard drives. If there was a software hack that allowed it to do so it'd be insanely thin.
Golden Grenadier gamecube games you rip yourself run fine with Devolution over a slim usb stick (and no DD) and you can just reposition the usb traces to what you need, and jorenmartijn, the wii is much more sane to mess with than the gamecube plus it doesn't need specialized hardware that's missing on the market
Ben could also always just shrink the dvd drive to accomodate 8cm disks only :)
Ben is so not enjoying this portable project lol
That's the best part! xD But he is the best, he'll do it. Love this episodes!
I posted on the first video I went through 4 64s when I made my portable. Looks like he is having the same luck lol They are really fragile
The cartridge connector and ram terminator have fragile connectors on the board, this wasn't the case when they where new but somehow they didn't hold up very well.
Those memory chips he's having trouble with operate at 500Mhz.
At this frequency, the parasitic capacitance etc start to be a real big issue.
from ben's old blog post on his first n64 portable:
"Holy cow on a popsicle stick I had a tough time making this thing!
(Which is why, no matter how many times you email, I WILL NOT BUILD ANY MORE)"
Ben "Redbeard" Heckendorn, hackiest pirate o' the seven seas!
I think it looks really good.
Hi, Ben and team! I'm a mechanical engineering grad student. I know next to nothing about the N64's internal workings, but I really like heat transfer topics, so your overheating problem intrigued me. I ran some back-of-the envelope calculations, and it seemed like even a minimal heat sink would provide sufficient cooling, so I was confused about why your solution wasn't working. Then it hit me: I think you were putting an effective "choke point" in your heat sink by sandwiching it between 2 chips (Part 1, @13:25): there was plenty of area contacting each chip, and there was plenty of area exposed to the air, but between those surfaces was an area where heat had to travel through a cross section only as large as your heat sink's narrow thickness. I bet if you gave each chip a little "room to breathe" by laying them side by side or giving a little open space between stacked chips (in addition to whatever heat sinks you think make sense), it would help your heat problem a lot. Thanks for considering, love your show!
-Caleb
The Ben Heck Show - Where good N64s go to die
The design is mind-blowing! Looks so awesome! Also love how much depth we're getting on the workflow for completing this more challenging project.
Call AvE and get him to mill you an aluminium subframe!
or +tesla500 ;)
I've been anxiously awaiting this episode ever since I saw part 1 last week! The build is looking SWEET! I can't wait to see the final installment for this project!
The controller modifications were incredible Ben! Very impressed :)
I didn't realize the 5200 had an analog stick. I thought the Vectrex was the first with that feature, although the release dates for the two consoles look close.
Well, the concept is pretty old. Or at least, joysticks are. And of course the paddle controllers are similar technology in some ways.
It'd be interesting to properly try and trace this technology and the concepts back through history and see where they really originated from...
I love that he's taking his time and doing things the right way. It's going to be a hell of a grind, but this might be the most impressive portable I've seen if he can get it working. Can't wait to see the result.
I'm impressed with the way you explained the joystick part with the analogue simulation part... You make it look so simple. This is exacly why I like your show. Keep up the good work... Hooo and then I saw the part that you actualy rebuild the entire controler: Great work.
I never understand nothing you are saying but 3 years and i still watch your videos
How does one even begin to learn this... the amount of knowledge being so casually displayed is insane to me
This was already an interesting episode when everything was looking like it was going well, but it became even more interesting to see things not go so well. Can't wait for the next episode!
Don't turn back Ben! Awesome videos, truly thanks a lot for all the learning and entertainment.
*_many_*_ N64s were harmed in the making of this video_
Still want to see the end result, tough :D
Ben, we want a Part 3 my man!
*nonchalantly completely rebuilds N64 controller like it's no big deal* Never change, Ben.
Part 3? Coming any time soon????
Great episode guys!!! Thanks for all the years of great content :)
Watching Ben laugh is very entertaining! Thanks for the persistence Ben.
You just blew my mind, my whole childhood I wondered why sometimes I'd have to restart because Mario was walking by himself!!!
IAmGoombaSniper I really enjoyed the explanation. I recall reading that the stick had to be in the neutral position when starting the console in the controller manual that came with the console. Why, though, I never knew.
The last part had me in stiches XD But such a shame that it failed due to heat :(
After years of running, Wolverine finally found a place to settled down away from prying eyes... Love the work Ben :D
I feel like you are forgetting this was basically the first analog stick available to console gamers. Remember Sony did not make its dual analog controller until later. It's terrible but give it some slack.
the Atari 5200 had an analog stick
@@RetroCheater81 Which absolutely sucked and wasn't self-centering. I think it was a "standard" true analogue stick, which could have been a factor in why Nintendo didn't go down that path.
This is one of the coolest portable builds yet.
this might be my favorite episode yet! I love watching the challenge.
Thank you, Ben and guys! For all your hard work and effort to make this project. :)
This series is awesome! Thanks and I love your approach to tackling this! Don't give up!
Your damn cellphone notifications are faintly able to be heard in the background... just enough to make me keep grabbing my phone!
I really CAN'T WAIT to see what is going to happen in the next episode!
"Don't worry, we're not giving up on this project!"
Yeah...
I enjoy watching the struggle. it makes his success so much sweeter.
I love this show. Got the Daytona Racing reference. Cool. A Sega reference in a Nintendo build!
when we getting part 3?
That arduino map feature is a gift from the gods!
I envy your skills (and workshop) so much... and, in my opinion, saying this case looks amazing is not enough.
Great episode! if I had a dollar for every failed project in my project grave yard, I'd be able to retire and take my family on a cruise! I cant wait to see this one finished!
+The Ben Heck Show
Awesome video guys! One of my favorite (if not my all time favorite) "hack" videos yet from you guys! Can't wait to see the rest of the hack...and especially the end result! You'll probably have this finished and working beautifully before Nintendo releases the Switch!
😂😂😂lol😂😂😂
This is one of the most educational videos EVER! TYTYTY!
Great episode, love these multi episode builds
RIP those N64s.
where is part 3 ?
There are gamecube style replacement sticks for the N64 available online which are both a modern version of analog tech and less prone to wear out compared to the original ones.
Finally! Ben is having to go all out with a portable build!
Are you sick, or do you just really dislike the N64?
Ben has made an N64 portable before and since it's so difficult, he didn't want to do it again. However, his viewers kept nagging, and thus this project was born.
Hahaha oh my god, if I ever watch Revenge of the Sith again, there is no way I'm not going to hear "AH HAH! YIPPEE!" at the end. Well played, sir. Well played.
When is part 3 coming?
Ben, I have to ask...are you a hypnotist? I only ask because I know exactly nothing about engineering but love all of your videos. it's weird too because I find myself nodding, smiling and talking to myself, saying things like "oh...I get it.", "that totally makes sense!" and my favorite "that's what I was thinking" . The problem is... I DON'T get it. I have no idea what you're talking about ¾ of the time, but for some reason, not only am I enjoying the video, I somehow trick myself into thinking I understand what you're saying. Put it this way. I still know nothing about all the circuit board, wire thingy, microchip doo dad stuff you're talking about, but I'd almost swear I know more than I did before watching your videos. So whatever you're doing that keeps me watching your videos, keep up the great work. If any TH-cam channel was gonna secretly hypnotize me and cause me to watch, I'm glad it's yours. At least here I can learn something. I think...I dunno, it could be worse, I could have some jack ass like Markiplier sending me subliminal messages to watch him be an idiot.
awesome job so far. I love watching your videos
Well Ben... I'm not sure if you know this but the modern standard analog stick is the Variable Resistor Analog Stick introduced by the Vectrex and further improved by Sony. And Nintendo was kind-of oblivious regarding the Vectrex but Sony knew about it and that's why Sony got the technology and Nintendo found their own way to do it taking inspiration from PC mouses (back then mouses had a track ball underneath). The way the N64 analog stick works is very much like an old 90s mouse and Nintendo already had prior experience with mouses (remember the SNES mouse?).
Not sure if this has been mentioned or not, but I think the reason you have so much trouble with the ram expansion is the memory timing due to length of the traces or wire. The timing would be correct for the one you bent the SECC instead of the ones where you tried to remove it. the length of wire and or resistance would affect the r/w timing of the ram to cpu, and ram to gpu, thus hanging the system with a modified ram pack.
Man, Ben is really showing his hate for the n64 this episode... lol
How is the n64 easy to damage I've dropped it down a flight of stairs and it's like "nothin' is breaking me!"
The casing made it a brick shithouse, the internals are weak and definitely not meant to be re worked.
I have a Schrodinger's N64 that has never been dropped or anything, but goes for entire 6-month intervals of just being dead. Then it comes back to life, equally for no reason. I do not know wtf its deal is.
I can't find any unused Nintendo 64 anywhere.
@@CDRiley That won't be easy to find, a new n64 these days is probably like $800
Why not embed an everdrive with all the games?
Arcade Magician That would be cool, but I'd have it near the top of the case so you could insert a new SD card. I'd buy it.
Agreed! The SD card port MUST be accessible.
the laugh at the end, priceless :) continue on and forward team, i can't wait to see the completed project :) :) , even if it doesn't look too enjoyable because of the tough to mod n64 hardware!!!
basically he will build a Nintendo Switch
:D
Floppy Bird no
***** yes
The design to me looked more like the 2DS then the Switch.
Oh so if it looks like one, it's basically one? right.
The switch is such fail.
When is part 3 coming, i can't wait to see the final product :D
You are so freakin' awesome Ben. I'd kill for even half of your smarts with this kind of stuff.
thank you to every technology developer ever!!!!
is there Part 3 ?
so we are never getting an end to this build?
i miss this show, the new element 14 shows aren't as good but maybe I'm jaded
No, I agree
"Walk out backwards" by Bill Anderson is the song you were referencing. Lol. Good song.
Ben you are the best, you'll do it. Love this episodes!
i love the end reel with ben losing his mind
Where is Part 3? Its been forever...
I kinda want to build one... actually... NVM, but I love watching it built!
your way of deducting how things work is fascinating to me.
When is part 3??
That end slate had me rolling.
The only problem I have with the vita joystick is that it is smooth around the outer edges. The n64 joystick has an octagon shape with the 8 corners. Can't wait to see this one finished!
Wolverine Heck is back!
Couldn't you replace the memory pack RAM with an EEPROM or something else that wouldn't need the backup battery?
Mr. Ben is eating through that 30 million base. BY the time he's done, the N64 would be more of a collector item than a NEO GEO AES.
Ben and his team are geniuses.
You are an absolute genius I wish I had a fraction of your electronics skills
I understand like 30% of what he's saying and I'm still hooked. Wish I had a modicum amount of his knowledge of game systems and electronics.
Hey Ben. Thanks for making this video because it is quite obvious that it's not one of your favorite builds, but I'm looking forward to the last vid!! Also why do you use such a small screen for testing??
I can't remember what game it was but there was one where it helped to have the analog stick the slightest bit off center when you turned it on. I think it was something about the hud popping up (or hiding) when there was no movement so there would always be the slightest amount of movement when you did the trick.
The problem with hard-wiring in one controller pak (memory card) to the board is that if you have a decent-sized N64 collection you'll need a lot of memory cards, unless you delete all your save files every time you move over to a couple of new games... many N64 sports games pretty much take up an entire card each, and other games often take up lots of space too. Only one card is a pretty huge limitation. I know that all first-party software saves to the system, but most third-party games require controller paks. With a good-sized N64 collection you need a whole pile of the things in order to save all your games.
Love this. How are you going to handle the rumble feature?
Some N64 memcards (controller paks to be more accurate) had flash memory inside instead of battery backed ram, that would have been more convenient. The one I have also has bank switches so it is effectively 4 controller paks in one, which is convenient considering certain games like World Driving Championship use up an ENTIRE controller pak all by themselves.
Good work, so can you make a GameCube portable?
Take a shot every time Ben says "Micro-controller"
Last episode (~3m57s) you said you'd be wiring up RGB video output... Not sure I remember how much of a pain it was on this console, but shouldn't that get planned before you re-attach all these sockets and such?
I have at least 6 N64 systems around here somewhere, could you have turned the C-Buttons into a regular C-Stick like they did on the Gamecube?
Você é muito inteligente meu amigo, queremos parte 3.
Can't wait to see Ben's Nintendo Switch laptop!
you can use the analog stick from a Gamecube controller as a direct replacement for the analog stick from the n64. It is a direct dropin replacement and uses a more modern joystick component style.
I'm enjoying this build it's much more interesting when you have to troubleshoot as that's how everyone else makes portables there not supposed to be easy. Overall you seem to be putting much more effort in to this build thumbs up :)
You should have used the Horipad mini 64 controller, it has a GameCube analog stick and the controller is smaller.
Also, since you made a PCB for the controller chip, why didn't you make a full PCB for all the chips and components?
Ben should etch a Kill count on the back of the system to show how many systems died for this soon-to-be glorious masterpiece of a handheld system... love the N64!
The downside with almost all portable projects are the size of the screen. It could be so much bigger, specially considering N64 is not 16:9.
However this project is awesome, nice seeing the effort of making it as portable as possible.