Modder creates N64 that’s smaller than the original’s controller

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Taking an old console and making it as small as possible is a well-established tradition in the modding community, and there may be a new victor in the race to shrink the Nintendo 64 as far as possible (via Input). GmanModz has cut down an N64 to the point where it’s smaller than a GameCube controller — and only slightly bigger than the cartridges it takes.

Yes, cartridges. This isn’t an emulator, this is an actual Nintendo 64 that was cut, soldered, and otherwise modded to fit into a handheld package, complete with screen, battery, and controls (the joysticks are from a Nintendo Switch, chosen for their diminutive size).

At three and a half inches, the screen is smaller than what you’d be used to when playing an N64, and it has a resolution of 320 x 240. Making up the shell are two different plastics, with the back being more heat-resistant — an important consideration when you’re using a motherboard designed to be in a roomy home console.




The modder is no stranger to making portable versions of the console: they’ve also modded it into a Game Boy Advance SP-inspired form factor (twice). For this mod, though, they gave themselves a challenge: don’t custom-design any boards. There are some third-party boards inside that were available on an online modding shop, but they weren’t made specifically for this build. GmanModz says that this was “to be fair” to the previous smallest N64 record holder.

In the video showing off the project, GmanModz admits that it’s not the greatest portable Nintendo 64 experience. But that’s not really the point — the point was to make the smallest portable N64, and they apparently achieved that. “The battery life sucks, it’s uncomfortable to hold, but hey. It fits in my pocket. Does your N64?”



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Related Forum: Gaming Discussion

Source: https://www.theverge.com/2020/12/29/22205558/new-record-smallest-nintendo-64-mod-gmanmodz-cartridge-sized

Comments

"Modder creates N64 that’s smaller than the original’s controller" :: Login/Create an Account :: 6 comments

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TOXICPosted:

This would be nuts the play the old school Mario Kart in a handheld god damn.

oHuskyPosted:

If these were actually ever brought into production, I'd snap one up straight away

AnimePosted:

This is just awesome. Some people have really good talent.

36Posted:

wow thats kinda insane on how small they got it, i would happily get one just for something to do

ReidsoPosted:

Yeah, I would buy one of these

0101010101010101Posted:

This is so sick! I would totally buy one!