DIY Project: Create A Portable Raspberry Pi 2 Game Console

If you have been following Adafruit’s series of DIY projects, you must have heard about the portable Raspberry Pi 1 game console. Moving ahead in the same lieu, the designers are now bringing in second version of this project. This part of project picks up the initial concept of PiGRRL and transforms it into a much powerful iteration with the Raspberry Pi 2. The dimensions are almost the same but with more buttons (A. B, Y, X, L, R, start, and Pause) along with four other buttons over the PiTFT. The system also features a small sized audio amplifier and a speaker that allows you to enjoy the cute sounds of 8-bit goodness.

 

If you follow this update carefully, you will see it is much easier to make the game console. The build time has been reduced to almost half through this tailor made gamepad PCB. The makers just need to solder the buttons along with an IDC box header with the gamepad PCB. Gone are the days when you would lose so much time and energy in button wiring. The Raspberry Pie 2 project mainly aims to give a helping hand to the beginners. But that doesn’t mean it is any less complex, you will need to put in all kinds of efforts and time for wire tinning, soldering, as well as good ol’ elbow grease. If you do it with dedication, it wouldn’t take more than a weekend to complete.

 

The Adafruit parts that you will be requiring for this purpose are Raspberry Pi 2, PiGRRL Gamepad PCB, 2.8” PiTFT Plus, Mini Metal Speaker, 1X 2by20 pin IDC box header, 2500mAh battery, slide switch, 40pin GPIO ribbon cable, and PowerBoost 1000c. As per for tools and supplies, you will need Filament, 3D Printer, Heat Shrink, Helping Third Hands, Panavise, 30AWG + 26AWG Wire, Soldering Iron + Solder, wire stripper, cutters, 6x #2-56 3/8 machine screws, 14x #4-403/8 machine screws, filling tool, hobby knife, mounting tack, and glue.