Tiny DIY Console Will Flex Your Soldering Muscles
With a little bit of technical knowhow and the right tools, you can turn a fistful of electronic components into a fully functioning, albeit simple, console.
Most people who play a lot of videogames will at some point have entertained the idea of making their own game, even if only for a split second. The Hackvision from nootropic design not only gives you that opportunity, but goes one better and lets you build the equipment yourself.
There's a couple of provisos though, firstly the games can't be very complicated - around the same level of complexity as Pong or Space Invaders, both of which come pre-loaded on the device - and you're going to need some soldering skills to put your console together. The Hackvision comes as a kit, and you'll need to solder each component into place, although if you're not feeling up to it, you can pay a ten-dollar premium to have it assembled for you. The Hackvision has a built in controller, but can also accommodate a Super Nintendo controller, a Wii nunchuck, or a homemade paddle controller with a little bit more tinkering.
While there are certainly easier and cheaper ways to play Pong or Space Invaders, there's a certain sense of satisfaction in knowing that you're playing it on a device you built yourself. If you fancy yourself as a something of an electronics buff, you can pick up a Hacktronic kit from nootropic's online store [http://nootropicdesign.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2] for just under forty bucks, or pick up an assembled one for just under fifty. The nootropic website [http://nootropicdesign.com/hackvision/index.html] has an extensive guide on how to put the thing together, as well as some helpful tips about how to start making new games for it.
Source: Retro Thing [http://www.retrothing.com/2010/10/hackvision-diy-retro-game-console.html]
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Most people who play a lot of videogames will at some point have entertained the idea of making their own game, even if only for a split second. The Hackvision from nootropic design not only gives you that opportunity, but goes one better and lets you build the equipment yourself.
There's a couple of provisos though, firstly the games can't be very complicated - around the same level of complexity as Pong or Space Invaders, both of which come pre-loaded on the device - and you're going to need some soldering skills to put your console together. The Hackvision comes as a kit, and you'll need to solder each component into place, although if you're not feeling up to it, you can pay a ten-dollar premium to have it assembled for you. The Hackvision has a built in controller, but can also accommodate a Super Nintendo controller, a Wii nunchuck, or a homemade paddle controller with a little bit more tinkering.
While there are certainly easier and cheaper ways to play Pong or Space Invaders, there's a certain sense of satisfaction in knowing that you're playing it on a device you built yourself. If you fancy yourself as a something of an electronics buff, you can pick up a Hacktronic kit from nootropic's online store [http://nootropicdesign.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2] for just under forty bucks, or pick up an assembled one for just under fifty. The nootropic website [http://nootropicdesign.com/hackvision/index.html] has an extensive guide on how to put the thing together, as well as some helpful tips about how to start making new games for it.
Source: Retro Thing [http://www.retrothing.com/2010/10/hackvision-diy-retro-game-console.html]
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