L64 redefines portable N64 style

So, no disrespect intended towards the great Ben Heckendorn, but this reworked Nintendo 64 painstakingly assembled by a modder named "Marshall" is one of the best looking DIY portable consoles we've ever seen. Known as the L64 (which stands, rather geekily, for L337-N64), this device takes Heckendorn's N64p and styles it in a completely faithful Nintendo-inspired package, with support for external controllers and all of the N64's titles including those that require an expansion pack. Seriously, this thing looks so good, we're thinking that instead of paying professionals thousands of bucks to develop crappy hardware like the N-Gage, Nokia and friends might be better off crowdsourcing their product design to guys like Marshall, Ben, and their legions of fellow fanboys who seem to have a real flair for this kind of work.

[Via digg]

[Crazylink @ Jun 16th 2006 9:36PM]

I wonder if this guy will make me one.

[vrf @ Jun 16th 2006 9:53PM]

Very nice work. I think I'm going to have to figure out that vacuum-forming technique for my own projects.

It's missing a d-pad, though. No biggee, I guess.

[derek @ Jun 16th 2006 10:13PM]

hurrah! Does it have Video Out so I can hook it up to my TV? ;)
Now... where do I send mine...

[nub @ Jun 16th 2006 10:13PM]

so, it doesn't have a D pad, i thought that some of the games required the D pad for like zoom and stuff, like on a sniper rifle (for fps).

[matthew @ Jun 16th 2006 10:16PM]

if it doesn't have a tv out then he shoudl get rid of those external controller ports to save some room, as they'd be pretty useless. amazing job

[Andy @ Jun 16th 2006 10:29PM]

The three fork design allowed players to either use the dpad or the analog stick (couldn't really reach both at the same time without repositioning your hands). Most opted for analog, so I can see why the designer opted for the same.

[Chris @ Jun 16th 2006 10:41PM]

Unless you're talking about the thing that ignites and produces light, I think you mean FLAIR.

[elleana @ Jun 16th 2006 10:50PM]

By the way, it's 'flair' not 'flare'. Looks sweet though.

[Seo @ Jun 16th 2006 11:02PM]

Awesome.

[Neal Saferstein @ Jun 16th 2006 11:08PM]

How is the battery life ?

Neal Safestein

[Crazylink @ Jun 16th 2006 11:38PM]

The D-pad is important. In Kirby 64 it's the only way to move.

[Matt @ Jun 16th 2006 11:48PM]

http://gamesoft.dyndns.org.nyud.net:8080/l64/index.htm?coral-no-redirect
No D-Pad, also no L-button. I don't see anything about an expansion pack though, so I don't know how he got those games working.

[Gygaxis @ Jun 17th 2006 12:03AM]

I like the dreamcast stylings

[JP @ Jun 17th 2006 1:30AM]

Without a D-pad Worms Armageddon is unplayable, and an external game pad defeats the point. But even so, as my friends from Mass would say, "It's wicked pissah"

[Peter S. @ Jun 17th 2006 1:32AM]

No D-Pad, No L button.

The expansion is included inside the case, as is a memory card, supposedly.

These typically run 1.5-3 hours, possibly more. Home-made portables are typically low on battery R&D, but home consoles were never meant to take on the road.

[McGranahanster @ Jun 17th 2006 3:49AM]

Why not just get the Nintendo Wii.

Better value.

You can play Wii, Gamecube, N64, SNES, NES and SEGA Genesis games.

The Wii also has a long sencer chip that sits at the front of your tv and detects the movment of your control. So if your playing a baseball and you swing the controller, then the bat will swing.

It will also conect to the Nintendo Wi-fi connection server so you can vs people around the world for free. You can also surf the net using it's inbuilt softwhere Opera.

I also heard that it will be able to connect to your Nintendo DS.

Nintendo has already showen it at the E3. It is expectedto come out in America in the last half of the year. It will be cheaper then the Xbox360.

I just can't wait till it comes out into Australia

[Kip HT @ Jun 17th 2006 5:04AM]

Yeah, get the google toolbar with spell check. PLEASE.

Whats with engadget, no updates for what like, 8 hours or something. I know its early morning now in America, but usually there is at least one post during the night.

[alarm @ Jun 17th 2006 6:10AM]

Nice. Too bad the N64 board isn't any smaller, other wise you could make a more 'hand friendly' size.

I'm interested in the way you made your case. I've been toying with the idea of making my own cases for a while now, but never considered vacuum molding. How much did it cost to set up, and was it difficult at all?
The problem with this method is there is no way to hold stuff inside it. How did you fix everything in place?

[strider_mt2k @ Jun 17th 2006 8:02AM]

Really nice work!

I have to agree.

McGranahanaasnhanster, you've missed the point entirely.

[Dave P @ Jun 17th 2006 9:08AM]

McGranahanster,

This Wii, it plays games?

[hawk @ Jun 17th 2006 10:31AM]

Nice Wii shill, McGrahahmHamster.

[david cleckley @ Jun 17th 2006 2:06PM]

zOMG moving a controller is so l33t i cant wait to get that KEKEKEKE ^^_______ ;^

/sarcasm

screw the wii.

[PAVEL007 @ Jun 17th 2006 2:46PM]

Grrrrreat idea, especially for a lenghty car drive! If it has TV output, then even better. The controller plugs resolve any controlls pitfalls. It's got to have the memory exp. pack built-in inside in order to be any worthy. How about its battery technology/life? Is it car-lighter-plug friendly? I hope it doesn't run on built-in micronuclear reactor :-)

I'm lately bored of current crop of getting-overly-ultra-complex console games on my PS2 & XBOX; I wish I could just load some great N64 game to kill some time with instant play rather than sinking-in-the-gameplay for 30 min. They should try to manufacture it in limited series with big N's blessing. Just like SEGA Nomad or Nintendo Advance, which is generally a SNES, but with modern set of batteries (lithium-ion or others...).

[TK @ Jun 17th 2006 2:56PM]

great job

[Matt Galiazzi @ Jun 17th 2006 2:58PM]

yeah its great and all...but does it play Doom?

[Bernard @ Jun 17th 2006 3:56PM]

Where's the Z button?

[sponge_killer @ Jun 17th 2006 4:12PM]

I would buy one if it can play multiplayer Goldeneye anywhere.

[Chris @ Jun 17th 2006 5:52PM]

"zOMG moving a controller is so l33t i cant wait to get that KEKEKEKE ^^_______ ;^"

Someone used to play Starcraft.... ;)

[Crazylink @ Jun 18th 2006 12:19AM]

"yeah its great and all...but does it play Doom?"

Doom 64!!!!

[McGranahanster @ Jun 18th 2006 6:48AM]

Yeah I am a first timer on engadget.

Never heard of it untill me Gmail told me about it.

I am a bad speller too. To bad on mum's computer dosen't have the google toolbar. And if I was using my computer then I would be using Opera wich I don't think is compatible with the google bar.

The Nintendo Wii. Ofcorse it plays games.

And so what this thing is hand held.

I would still wait to save up money for the Nintendo Wii.

And eventurly your cartiges may stop working. On my 64 I blow and blow and blow at times to get it to work and then I give up.

This huy who created this must be really good at Nintendo programing as he would have it programe that if he has a controller plug that the l64 runs of the controll insted of it's own.

Someone also said that there is no dpad and also said that some games need them. Well I gues that just means that you have to play games on it that don't use the dpad. He could have used a different boad and tried to fit the dpad on it. He just might have to modifi the case. What also would be good if it doesn't have it is it has a backlight. He could of add heaps of stuff on it. Hey you know he could make a play for a new DS send it to Nintendo. If it's really good, Nintedo might pay him alot add might even try to employ him.

[Matt Rix @ Jun 18th 2006 12:29PM]

McGranahanster please stick around... your posts are hilarious. I'm a big fan of the Wii too, but please think about what you're saying... A portable system makes a huge difference.

[jorellh @ Jun 18th 2006 1:15PM]

Isn't the DS pretty much a a portable N64?

[Bernard Manansala @ Jun 18th 2006 9:05PM]

McGranahanster

5 words for you

You

Are

Missing

The

Point


I have no words to describe what this guy has put together aside from "IT'S A PORTABLE N64!!!"

McGranahanster, how old are you by the way? Have you ever played or even seen an N64?

[gometro33 @ Jun 19th 2006 8:51AM]

"Where's the Z button?"

Where the L-button is

[scott @ Jun 19th 2006 9:01AM]

Oh yeah, you blow allright. You blow and you blow and you blow.


It will be awesome playing that Wii on the short bus to school, huh?

[Aseem @ Jun 19th 2006 6:03PM]

I want to be the first to nominate McGranahanster as the Engadget comments MVP this season. Please don't leave us.

[alex @ Jun 24th 2006 2:40PM]

and add them together

[alex @ Jun 24th 2006 3:58PM]

hey my first comment box didnt show i spent a long time on that it was about a shell to go over the l64 and an n64 controler to use all the buttons it would be awesome I WANT A L64 SO BAD AND A PORTABLE DREAMCAST

[Goldeneyeplayer @ Jul 13th 2006 1:07PM]

McGranahanster, blowing on your cartridges not only doesn't work, but ruins the cartridge. And you ARE missing the point.

Sure, the Wii will be great, but can you play it in a car without swinging the controller into the window? This is Great!! I'm going to give stuff like this a shot...

[jon @ Jul 24th 2006 2:01PM]

what kind and how many batteries does this thing use?

[Tim @ Jul 27th 2006 11:52PM]

THATS AMAZING!! OMG, crazyness, just crazy!awesome....

[PapaSmurf @ Jan 18th 2007 4:42PM]

Whot are you guys talking about the D pad is underneath the screen. The 4 buttons. It has an UP-DOWN-LEFT-RIGHT arrow on it.

[THEONLYONE12345 @ Jul 20th 2007 10:57AM]

No. Those buttons re for volume and screen brightness because he used a PS1 portable screen, my dad has one and we play PS1 in the car-not sure what they run but you can buy them at walmart or any other store that still carries older hardware for that kinda stuff!

[conner @ Jul 23rd 2007 12:05PM]

ive seen other pic of this thing it has l and r buttens but still u guys r missing the point this thing is not real it is a fake he has photo shoped this thing is is not real

[Andrew Harrison @ Sep 7th 2007 2:51AM]

McGranahanaasnhanster,

first time on engadget?

[DeathChain01 @ Sep 16th 2007 2:50AM]

Dude, you should mass produce this L64! If need be, try to get Nintendo's permission, of course, but it's technically not an N64 anymore, it's the L64!! It would be perfect in the car, after I get bored with the only game I have worth playing for the Gameboy Advance SP. And the PSP gets THE worst glare, so this would be perfect!

[luke mckug @ Nov 7th 2007 11:21AM]

wouldnt be sure about the battery life?

what screen would it be standard lcd?

[Nat @ Jul 23rd 2008 1:18AM]

So what it dosen't have a D-Pad, think about it, if your using it for portability, you'll be playing 1-player games, I can't think of any 1 player games that NEEDS a D-Pad.

But if you really want to play a game that uses D-Pads, you could always plug a N64 controller into it, it has 4 ports on the front!