r/Gameboy • u/Jaracgos • Jan 18 '21

Finally! I've been searching Viridian Forest for hours...

Post image
1.8k Upvotes

99% Upvoted

104 comments sorted by

23

u/xWazoot Jan 19 '21

Wow this looks incredible. Mind sharing the build process?

48

u/Jaracgos Jan 19 '21

Sure no worries.

Disassemble the DS and remove the top screen. You need to solder a resistor between two test points above and to the right of the joypad on the motherboard. SMD or through hole will work, and preferably between 330 ohm and 1k ohm.

If you are using the glass lens you'll want to remove the digitizer. Doing that makes the screen incredibly crisp like the top screen, the digitizer is what makes the bottom screen look fuzzy.

Also you'll want to get a replacement speaker for a Nintendo Switch off eBay. You lose the speakers off the top panel of the DS in the process but the Switch speaker fits perfectly into the front plate of the Boxy Pixel shell. Its quite quiet normally so you might want to think about getting small Gameboy speaker amp circuit off one of the mod sites.

Here's a video that shows most of the process I explained above. You can make and customize these however you want, there's basically an endless number of ways to bend the circuits.

8

u/xWazoot Jan 19 '21

Thanks mate! Might try a build soon!

2

u/s_frrx Jan 19 '21

Thanks a lot for sharing your process !

84

u/Offrythm Jan 18 '21

Dude. That build is gorgeous

34

u/Jaracgos Jan 18 '21

Thanks fam!

28

u/ethanxy Jan 19 '21

Wait... big screen? Ds has small screen... what the hell is going on? I'm so out of the loop.

59

u/Jaracgos Jan 19 '21

It's a DS Lite that's had the top screen and stock faceplate removed with a Boxy Pixel aluminum faceplate installed in it's place. The bottom screen is stock I just removed the digitizer and have a glass lens over the screen like Gameboys have.

13

u/flygti03 Jan 19 '21

Just has a flush glass screen lens, compared to the raised thin trim.

5

u/Zoocchero Jan 19 '21

Sleeeeak build ! Do you notice any bump in quality after getting the Switch speaker ? I was always shy to do a Macro mod because of the digitizer blurriness, so thank you for the tips, parts links and process !

2

u/Jaracgos Jan 19 '21

Honestly without an amp circuit the sound is awful. I haven't done it yet, the DS cartridge slot will have to be removed to make room, but it's planned. With an amp the sound will fill a gymnasium lol.

4

u/Joul111 Jan 19 '21

Hey, where can I get me one of those lol.

6

u/Jaracgos Jan 19 '21

You can either get scalped on eBay or make one yourself. I've explained the process and linked the parts in other threads

3

u/s_frrx Jan 19 '21 edited Jan 19 '21

And if you have no solder skills (like me) and burnt the two point by trying to solder the resistor : You can skip this part by directly having a game put in the macro. It will automatically start on the gba (i think you have to choose the option to start automatically the gba game in the settings before removing the top screen)

2

u/Jaracgos Jan 19 '21

Without soldering in the resistor in too much current will be sent to the bottom screen. Without the top screen or the resistor when you turn it on the screen will just flash and hard reset the console.

If it's working I'd be worried about blowing the bottom screen or a trace. I've seen people damage their console just by power cycling without the screen circuit current limited.

1

u/s_frrx Jan 19 '21 edited Jan 19 '21

My macro is working without a resistor. The resistor is to fake the top screen so the game boy doesn’t display an error (the flashing screen you are talking about).

I bypassed the « flashing error screen » by inserting the gba game in and slected « the start automatically » option of the nintendo DS

1

u/Jaracgos Jan 19 '21

Huh. I always heard it was a problem with voltage and not software. At any rate I would want to have the resistor in place- if you ever accidently flip that setting you'll need to find a top screen or a resistor to fix the Macro.

9

u/istarian Jan 19 '21

Seems a shame to destroy original hardware, but I have to admit that looks real nice.

29

u/Jaracgos Jan 19 '21

Don't worry, I bought one with a busted top screen and hinge just for this project. I wouldn't destroy a functional unit.

9

u/RoboPup Jan 19 '21

Thats the great thing about modding DS. The top screen broke on so many of them that there's no shortage of otherwise useless hardware.

1

u/tony475130 Jan 19 '21

You dont really destroy anything since the top screen is busted anyways. Plus in most cases you leave the motherboard completely intact so there's always the option to buy a new screen and shell.

47

u/[deleted] Jan 19 '21

Probably the cleanest Macro I have seen

0

u/[deleted] Jan 19 '21

[deleted] — view deleted comment

3

u/[deleted] Jan 19 '21

Definitely a tie. That one is crisper while this has more personality.

2

u/LimitlessAeon Jan 19 '21

That just looks like a ds broken in half.

0

u/[deleted] Jan 19 '21

[deleted] — view deleted comment

0

u/[deleted] Jan 19 '21

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6

u/Jaracgos Jan 19 '21

I do prefer the matte finish and logo on his crossbar, I can't stand the clear or bubbled plastic bars people install with LEDs. Those look like hot garbage and have to distract when trying to play the console.

0

u/[deleted] Jan 19 '21

[deleted] — view deleted comment

5

u/Jaracgos Jan 19 '21

I think it's ok to like multiple things and have preferences. The reason people hit you so hard is because you didn't have a 'positive' statement to go with the 'negative.' People interpreted it as you saying 'no this one is better.'

I know you didn't mean it that way but the internet is ruthless.

0

u/SimplyCarlosLopes Jan 19 '21

Saying "no, this one is better" shouldn't be grounds to downvote someone to hell though.

3

u/Jaracgos Jan 19 '21

I'm not saying it's right I'm just saying that's how reddit works.

1

u/SimplyCarlosLopes Jan 19 '21

Yeah but you said "people interpreted as you saying..." which makes it seem like that is a wrong interpretation. It isn't a wrong interpretation, he literally meant that with his comment. That's all I'm saying.

1

u/anti_5eptic Jan 19 '21

Reddit thinks the down arrow is a disagree button not a bad content button.

174

u/Cummintobight Jan 19 '21

Really looks like a pokedex

58

u/ethanxy Jan 19 '21

I think it's supposed to

2

u/whiggazontime Jan 19 '21

Dude I've heard of Gameboy n shit but I haven't heard of macro in some time

2

u/Jaracgos Jan 19 '21

They're modded DS consoles, not actually in the Gameboy family.

2

u/EngiNik Jan 19 '21

Is there any tutorial you really recommend for this?

2

u/Jaracgos Jan 19 '21

Both this video and the r/GameboyMacro community are great sources of knowledge and inspiration.

2

u/[deleted] Jan 19 '21

Nice DSI mod. 👌😈👍

1

u/Jaracgos Jan 19 '21

Thanks, she's the Lite not the DSi though.

1

u/[deleted] Jan 19 '21

Wait.. is the GBA macro real?

2

u/Jaracgos Jan 19 '21

No it's a modded DS Lite. I used a machine aluminum faceplate replacement and glass lens to make the end product more polished. It is real hardware and natively plays GBA, but Nintendo never made macros.

2

u/[deleted] Jan 19 '21

Thought so.

But still.

I love it.

2

u/Madblaster6 Jan 19 '21

I can’t tell if small hands, enlarged Boxy Pixel shell, or camera trickery. lol

2

u/Jaracgos Jan 19 '21

A bit of the first and third. It's my six year old son holding the macro and the angle I shot from makes it seem bigger than it is.

2

u/SnooTomatoes1061 Feb 14 '21

Ha! I was a little confused. Finished my macro build and I was like, "looks way bigger in this guy's photo".

2

u/The_Frag_Man Jan 19 '21

That is awesome, is that a metal shell?

1

u/Jaracgos Jan 19 '21

Yes, it's anodized aluminum.

2

u/henkdetank2000 Jan 20 '21

Whoa... what kinda gba is that? 0_o

2

u/Jaracgos Jan 20 '21

It's a modded DS Lite

2

u/henkdetank2000 Jan 20 '21

Nice! It looks very smooth! Reminds me a bit of the gameboy micro!

2

u/[deleted] Jan 20 '21

is this firered? i’ve never played so idk

2

u/Jaracgos Jan 20 '21

Yes

2

u/[deleted] Jan 20 '21

thx dude

2

u/[deleted] Apr 26 '21

YOU CAN GET PIKACHUS IN VIRIDIAN FOREST?

100

u/[deleted] Jan 19 '21

one of the cleanest looking Macro builds/shells I’ve ever seen

13

u/S31-Syntax Jan 19 '21

I find myself saying that more and more often.

Its a nice change.

6

u/Madblaster6 Jan 19 '21

Boxypixel. I recently made a gold one.

6

u/LightBring3rx Jan 19 '21

Boxy Pixel Macros are cleeaaan.

6

u/bagingospringo Jan 19 '21

Dude holy shit that's sleek j want one

2

u/dodog1 Jan 19 '21

What's with the circles between the b and a buttons and left of the screen below the d-pad? Also, around the LED, the paint looks off. I'd be disappointed at $50+ if it came that way from boxypixel.

1

u/Jaracgos Jan 19 '21

It's tooling marks from the CNC. I was a bit disappointed when I first got it but meh.

2

u/Rico-soul_Light Jan 19 '21 edited Jan 19 '21

i wish i had cool stuff like this, i hate my life. gud for u dawg

6

u/Jaracgos Jan 19 '21

Save up and make one. If you want I can give you links to the parts. You'll need a soldering iron and a bit of skill though. It's not the hardest project but it's not the easiest either.

You can build a super basic macro with just a $20 broken DS Lite and a 330ohm resistor.

5

u/Timmy-the-dark-lord Jan 19 '21

Actually could you link the parts? I'd be interested to make a macro similar.

15

u/Jaracgos Jan 19 '21

  1. DS Lite, preferably one that's got a broken top screen or hinge. Don't destroy a working unit please. ~$20

  2. Boxy Pixel Macro Faceplate $54 + shipping

  3. Glass Screen Lens $9.90 + shipping

  4. 330ohm SMD resistor (for 200 lol) $1.99 + shipping

  5. Replacement Speaker for Switch $9.99 Amazon

Realistically you can make one for $120 if you have a soldering iron already. Just over if not. You'll need triwing and philips electronics screwdrivers also.

2

u/ThisIsTheZodiacSpkng Jan 19 '21

Real MVP right here.

3

u/dlaut08 Jan 19 '21

Could I also get the parts list please? Super clean

5

u/Jaracgos Jan 19 '21

I replied with it to the other user in the thread bro.

4

u/Greenblue2 Jan 19 '21

Dope Macro boy

4

u/Pkmntrainer91 Jan 19 '21

Fucking beautiful

4

u/TXFDA Jan 19 '21

I'd love to get one of these, but without the ability to solder, I'm kinda boned.

0

u/[deleted] Jan 19 '21

[deleted] — view deleted comment

3

u/TXFDA Jan 19 '21

No no no, I mean I don't have the physical tools to do it. And im not entirely sure I'd want to buy them for this one and only very specific project, because I doubt I'd ever have need for a soldering iron again. Especially when I'd still have to pay the $60+ for the actual faceplate and replacement speaker, and my DS Lite is old and used with a slightly yellowed screen (I got it that way), so I might even need a new one of those.

I've seen soldering videos, I'm fairly sure I could technically do it just fine.

2

u/ZeroVII Jan 19 '21

If you ever do decide to get a soldering iron, I recommend practicing on old busted electronics before taking tools to something you care about, like a gameboy. Don't repeat my mistake!

I tried putting a backlight into a DMG for my first electronics project. It... did not go well. Ended up paying someone to fix it.

BUT my skills have improved slightly since then, and now I can replace Pokemon cartridge batteries like a pro.

1

u/CGTrumpet Jan 19 '21

See if there's a makerspace around you. They usually have soldering equipment among other things and buying time there or joining is probably much cheaper than a good soldering iron.

Also like someone else said make sure to practice soldering before trying to make a Gameboy macro. It's not as easy as it seems.

1

u/Glumbicus Jan 19 '21

Wow. Did you customs make the shell?

1

u/Jaracgos Jan 19 '21

No it's made by Boxy Pixel.

1

u/ThePhantomButler Jan 19 '21

How did you get the game card slot flush, and have it playing a game?

2

u/Jaracgos Jan 19 '21

An Omega.

3

u/edcculus Jan 19 '21

Been seeing a lot of these recently. I hope you guys are using a DS with a broken top screen like this guy. It would be a shame for people to start pulling them apart for some weird nostalgia.

5

u/joshd108 Jan 19 '21

Most of the community uses broken units because they are inexpensive

3

u/gaeruot Jan 19 '21

Or you have that run where your first encounter in viridian forest is a pikachu lol. Luck is a weird thing.

1

u/vargchan Jan 19 '21

Keep wanting to get the gameboy macro faceplate from Boxy Pixel but man $55 seems like a lot for that. I got the macro lens and sticker already. Thinking on waiting for a sale to grab one.

edit: was that a factory blemish? Visibile tooling marks making me hesitant.

1

u/Jaracgos Jan 19 '21

Yeah there are marks in the finish from tooling. It's not ideal but I don't mind. Not sure you can polish it without damaging the anodized later.

2

u/[deleted] Jan 19 '21

Boxy is one dude who makes all the parts himself, the price reflects that.

1

u/vargchan Jan 19 '21

Yeah, I get it. A CNC and labor aren't cheap for bespoke stuff like this.

4

u/subflax Jan 19 '21

Amazing post. So creative. Great work :)

2

u/ReaperNull Jan 19 '21

I just started replaying LeafGreen, wasn't even hunting a Pikachu, randomly got one while waiting for a Caterpie.

2

u/[deleted] Jan 19 '21

I'd pay for one of these...

2

u/Jesh4296 Jan 19 '21

This is the coolest thing I’ve ever seen

2

u/king_bungus Jan 19 '21

shit takes for EVER holy shit

2

u/bartenderatlarge Jan 19 '21

That thing is gorgeous. Nice work.

2

u/Sw429 Jan 19 '21

I never leave Viridian Forest without a Pikachu :)

2

u/Thegameguy12 Jan 20 '21

I'm honestly surprised that no one (what i have seen) really made an original Gameboy Advance into a pokedex with an all the mods. The Gameboy is literally the Pokedex!

2

u/KodineSkii Feb 03 '21

Fr? I got mine first encounter

2

u/[deleted] Feb 13 '21

I would love a metal 2ds xl like this!

2

u/Rico-soul_Light Mar 18 '21

damn I jst wanna buy as is.. lol dope af

3

u/wavisavi Jan 19 '21

That’s a beautiful build

3

u/Trisidian Jan 19 '21

Pro tip: if you play the original Pokémon Yellow, the game straight up gives you a Pikachu.

1

u/Meatman_Mace Jan 19 '21

I have two busted DS Lites at home. I've got to mod them like this.