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This portable laptop mod houses both a PS4 and Xbox One
Want a PS4 and an Xbox One, but don't have the space in your entertainment center? Enter the PlayBox. The laptop-style console mod, created by serial tinkerer Eddie Zarick, crams both systems into a single design, complete with a 22-inch, 1080p display. It's not sleek, but seems perfectly playable despite a few shortcomings. For instance, to keep its innards cool you can't have both consoles powered on simultaneously. Zarick says he's also had trouble with the PS4's capacitive power button, although you can always get around it by pressing the PS nub on Sony's DualShock 4 controller. Unfortunately, the Playbox was a special commission, so you're unlikely to lay your hands on one. Still, if you're desperate for something similar, you could always request a follow-up -- maybe challenge Zarick to throw a Wii U in there too?
Analogue Interactive outs ebony ash encased Neo Geo CMVS Slim, pre-order yours for $649
If your interest was piqued by Analogue Interactive's walnut shelled Neo Geo MVS arcade system, you may want to take a peek at the outfit's refreshed CMVS slim console. Keeping with the MVS' hand-crafted theme, the CMVS Slim encases the rig in 100 percent ebonized ash. Or, if you preferred the walnut facade, you can still grab the console in that shade as well (pictured after the break). Unlike the model we saw earlier this year, this kit condenses all of the outputs to a single DIN jack -- offering S-video and composite connections via an included cable. Should you be so inclined, you can opt for a cable upgrade to make use of component or SCART connectivity for "the ultimate retro videophile experience." These classy consoles still bear the same $649 price tag as their plastic predecessor. Want a matching arcade stick? Toss in another two Benjamins. If you're ready to pull the trigger and pre-order, hit the source link below, and yours will ship in 5-7 weeks.
Fusion Micro mod weds PSP and GameCube hardware, but battery won't last the honeymoon
It may not be the first console we've seen modded and squeezed into portable clothing, but we've got to admire the sheer pluck of cramming all the GameCube's goodnesss into PSP hardware. Modder Ashen, also responsible for the stockier GameCube Fusion, has managed just that, with some heavy-duty adjustments and modifications. The Fusion Micro is a fair bit chunkier than the original PSP, mainly due to the fan and heat sink behind all that busy hardware. Other modifications include an extra analog stick on the right to mimic the GameCube controller and two card slots for games and emulation. Despite this impressive engineering, however, it won't stand up to extensive plays; this unholy union of Nintendo and Sony can only squeeze out about two hours of gaming from its 5000mAh battery. Click on after the break to see Zelda in action, alongside a full break-down of the controls and modifications. [Thanks Ashen.]
Water-cooled, luggable PS3 offers semi-convenient gaming for your on-the-go lifestyle
We've seen plenty of handheld console mods, but only a few laptops -- most impressively, Ben Heck's sleek PlayStation 3 -- and PS3Hax admin Pirate recently finished his water-cooled take on the notebook PS3. The cooling system replaces the stock heatsinks, allowing for a slimmer design, and one much more polished than the last water-cooled version we saw. Weighing in at 15 pounds, it's also got a built-in keyboard and speakers, a 500GB hard drive, and a 720p / 1080i screen. If this sounds like your type of machine, Pirate's put it on eBay, where it's currently heading north of $1,500. He's not looking to make a profit, promising that after costs a portion of the selling price will go to server expenses at PS3Hax, with another portion dedicated to tornado relief efforts in Joplin, Missouri. Check out the video after the break to see this beast in action. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Analogue Interactive crafts a Neo Geo MVS from walnut, yours for $649
There's plenty of folks that will sell you a so-called "consolized" Neo Geo MVS arcade system, but you won't find many quite as impressive as this bit of kit from Analogue Interactive. Crafted from 100 percent real walnut, the console boasts a seamless design without any visible screws or nails, all the audio / video outputs you could want (for a Neo Geo, that is), and even some working dust flaps. Of course, it does come at a bit of a premium price -- but $649 is actually the exact same price that SNK's original Neo Geo AES home console sold for back in the day, and it was only made out of plastic. Check out the gallery below for a closer look, and hit up the source link below to get your order in if you like what you see -- the first units are expected to ship early next month. %Gallery-121516%
Liquid-cooled Wii takes console mods to a ridiculous extreme
There are console mods and there are console mods... and then there's this -- a completely custom Nintendo Wii built from steel and cooled by two liquid-filled containers that would look more at home in a mad scientist's laboratory. Not surprisingly, this mod took a long time to complete. Bit-tech forum member Angel OD began the so-called "UNLimited Edition" project way back in December, 2009 and, after a few diversions, finally finished it this past weekend. Be sure to hit up the links below for a look at the complete build process, and a few more shots of the finished product.
Modder loveablechevy completes HandyDuo, her two year quest for portable NES and SNES bliss (video)
We never get tired of playing the classics, and we never get tired of new ways to play those classics -- especially hand-crafted portable ones. A modder by the name of loveablechevy has been working on this custom creation for over two full years now, a combination of a RetroDuo gaming system, providing NES and SNES compatibility, with a PSOne portable screen and a whopping 4,250mAh battery. The resulting creation, shown in a video after the break, looks to be on the beefy side, but we would definitely make room for it in our backpacks.
Bacteria's back with portable Nintendo 64, complete how-to guide
The quest to build the perfect portable Nintendo 64 continues, but we imagine we'll stop seeing so many disparate designs soon. That's not because Bacteria's latest bulbous handheld has achieved perfection -- far from it -- but rather because he's provided a 2.5-hour, step-by-step video guide to help you build it from the ground up. And hey, the system isn't too shabby, either. The "iNto64" portable features integrated Controller, Rumble and Expansion Paks for complete N64 functionality, built-in speakers and a headphone jack, rechargeable batteries for up to three hours of play, even a video-out port if you get tired of staring at the ubiquitous 5-inch Sony PSone LCD. The only obvious oversight is controller ports for more inputs -- seems our buddy Bacteria wasn't a big fan of GoldenEye. See it play some of N64's other best games after the break, while we dust off our gamebit screwdriver. Obvious though it may seem, know what you're getting into before you do likewise; ripping up classic cart-based consoles isn't for the faint of heart.
World's first portable Sega Saturn has a face only a gamer could love
We'll start by saying that this perhaps the most aesthetically challenged portable console we've ever seen, and while it is a bit more slim than that "portable" GameCube we spied a few years back, it too is hardly pocketable. So why cover it? Because it's the first and only legitimate way to get your Fighters Megamix fix while on the go. (No, the Game.com version does not count). It was created by a modder who goes by the handle Evil Nod over at the benheck.com forums and contains what looks to be a full-sized console re-skinned and surrounded by a one of the system's optional analog controllers split in two. There's a 7-inch screen front and center and a nine volt battery 'round he back. The result ain't pretty, but we'd let it spin our Panzer Dragoon collection anytime. [Thanks, ttsgeb]
Modder trims the fat, turns chubby original Xbox into svelte XBMC machine
The original Xbox has been cracked six ways to Sunday, giving us the distinct impression that those consoles still in use are, at this point, providing services very different than its designers intended. XBMC is largely responsible for that, turning the original big black box into a more than respectable media machine, and now modder Richard Wileman has given it a redesign to suit its functionality. He's replaced the original, full-sized HDD with a 2.5-inch model, performed a DVDectomy, and wedged everything into a svelte, aluminum case. There's even an IR port on there for remote control and a wee LCD for checking playlists without turning on the TV. It's less than half the size of the original and, by our count, more than twice as attractive.
Hailrazer's Kamikaze 64 is the most polished portable N64 yet (video)
Money talks, and, in the world of custom hardware, occasionally yields some amazing results. Such is the case with Hailrazer's latest handheld console mod, the Kamikaze 64. It's a portable version of Nintendo's decidedly wired Nintendo 64 that someone commissioned him to build, probably after seeing his impressive NCube portable GameCube. This one is equally comprehensive, and while it doesn't compete against either of the supposed world's smallest portable N64s, it does offer the full suite of controls, plus input for a second controller, video output, and even includes the controller's I/O port on the back. (That means it's Controller Pak compatible, and its future owner can take his or her all-time greatest Mario Kart 64 ghost replays on the road.) No word on how much the mystery commissioner paid for this one, but we're thinking they got a good deal. [Thanks, Jonathan]
Xbox 360 laptop brings retro looks to an eBay near you
If you thought only a semi-deity like Ben Heck could splice consoles into laptop-shaped cases, here's some evidence to the contrary. This week, CollinE from Ben's forums put the finishing touches to his own, rather professional looking, Xbox 360 laptop. Adorned in a red and black color scheme that features a throwback giant X on the top lid, his 360 stays true to the original console in almost all respects -- including the "wind tunnel" noise generated by Collin's five fans. The fact he also consulted our guide on how to do this is just a cherry on the top for us, and you can find a video tour of the hardware after the break. Should it take your fancy, the machine's now on auction with all proceeds going to the "make Collin's Christmas merrier" foundation. %Gallery-80885%
Xbox 360 Elegant Edition shows Microsoft how it's done
You know, we've pretty much all been enamored with the Zune HD's industrial design, but one unintended consequence for Microsoft was that it made its console look even more childish and toylike. It was inevitable, then, that a group of industrious Swedes would take up arms against this injustice and right the world with their Elegant Edition mod. Featuring three 120mm cooling fans, an aesthetic borrowed straight from the 1980s, and absolutely no shame about its bulk, this mod is cooler than the original in both the literal and colloquial sense. We'll accept no arguments to the converse. Better still, if you're willing to part with some cold hard cash, these fellas will build one for you too. We've got a few less glamorous shots of the redressed box after the break.
R2D2 turned into retro gaming shrine, includes head-mounted projector
We don't know exactly how to say this without overloading your nerd subsystem, but this R2D2 unit packs eight consoles, an integrated sound system and a projector for throwing your Jet Grind Radio sessions onto a wall. The only extras you'll need are the masses of controllers you see above and the steady constitution to not erupt into geek euphoria. Popular Science reader Brian De Vitis is the man you have to thank for this splicing of console goodness, and he's been kind enough to also provide a picture of the R2's mobo-laden innards. It awaits just past the break. [Via Hack N Mod]
Xbox Micro makes the Wii look overweight
Welcome to Micro Saturday at Engadget! In the absence of hard hitting stories and shocking exposés, we thought we'd turn to the lighter -- and thinner -- side of the news. Enter the Xbox Micro, a 1-inch thick celebration of all that is good and holy about the world of DIY mods. It took six months to make, with a few clever design decisions along the way, but it looks good enough to make even the ninja-black Wii suck its gut in. Comparison pics with the original behemoth are after the break, and hit the read link to see the exposed guts of this little beauty. [Thanks, Matt and Jesse]
Bacteria's back at it with IntoGrafx portable TurboGrafx-16
Bacteria's already stepped up his game considerably with his recent IntoPlay portable PSone mod, but he's now truly won our hearts with his latest DIY build: a portable TurboGrafx-16. Like a redder, more bulbous TurboExpress, this one uses an official 5.4-inch Sony PSone screen for a display (and speakers), packs a built-in battery that's said to last three hours between recharges, and includes plenty of nice touches like a region free switch for American and Japanese games and a pair of turbo switches for the action buttons. Of course, like most such mods, this is a one-of-a-kind creation, but you can check out the complete build process at the link below, and get a glimpse of it in action in the video after the break. Read - ModRetro, IntoGrafx - Bacteria's portable TurboGrafx games system Read - Bacteria's site, IntoGrafx build
Hello Kitty Xbox 360 dazzles while you frag
You may remember deviantART member Ricepuppet from his days dressing up his Xbox 360 in Domo-kun stylings. He's back, combining our love for console paint jobs with all things Hello Kitty. No matching controller this time, but there's more than enough stars, shades of pink, and cuteness to make up for it. The Sanrio charmer isn't the only new mod he's got, we also spotted consoles adorned with Halo Wars, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Chocobos (of Final Fantasy fame). Now how about we see some of that HK love plastered on a Rock Band drum set?Read - Hello Kitty modRead - Go Go Sonic modRead - Halo Wars modRead - Chocobo racing mod
Bacteria returns with IntoPlay, the expectant looking portable PSone mod
We've seen plenty of semi-portable mashups from modder extraordinaire Bacteria, and now he's back with another luggable system that turns a PSone into a fully integrated handheld. The system is naturally made from a PSone console itself as well as a travel screen, a third-party controller, custom case, and, most importantly, a lot of skill and patience -- roughly 100 hours worth. You cay buy the tangible bits in a kit on eBay for £49.99 (about $70 US), then follow Bacteria's stupendously comprehensive instructions to build your own. Or, you can just watch the video below and live vicariously. [Via benheck.com Forums]
Xbox 360 gets stylish Domo-kun paint job
It may not be quite as elaborate as some console paint jobs, but if you're looking to add a touch of Japan to your Xbox 360, you may want to follow the lead of deviantART member Ricepuppet, who has managed to create a relatively faithful Domo-kun themed console. As you can see above, that even includes a matching controller, which we presume is still fully functional (and, apparently, twice as likely to slip out of your hands). Just don't go too nuts and decide to pair it with a Hello Kitty-themed Wii, there's no telling how they might get along. [Via Engadget Spanish]
New SNES portable is heavy on the SNES, light on the portable
The SNES has certainly proven to be one of the most popular consoles to get the portable treatment among those go-getter console modders out there, and it looks like it's not showing any signs of losing that status, with this so-called SNEP (Super Nintendo Entertainment Portable) only the latest to pop up on our radar. As you can see above, this one is a tad less portable than some other handheld SNES mods we've seen (it also apparently needs to be plugged in), but it does at least do better job than most at staying true to the SNES's (or, more accurately, the Super Famicom's) instantly-recognizable appearance. There's no plans available for building your own, unfortunately, but you can check it out in action in the video after the break.[Via Nintendo Wii Fanboy]
