This DIY Xbox Handheld Appears as If It Got here Straight Outta 2001

Microsoft nonetheless can’t work out whether or not to make an Xbox handheld. Certain, it’s by no means made an actual try, but when the Redmond tech large needs inspiration, it ought to look no additional than this DIYer who crafted his personal lovely handheld based mostly on the unique Xbox from the halcyon days of 2001. The Xbox Steam Deck-like makes use of the console’s precise motherboard and can play any of the video games that got here out over its eight-year lifespan. Earlier than you ask, the creator is engaged on including WiFi connectivity so it will possibly return to Halo 2 multiplayer over a revitalized model of Xbox Stay.

The hand held Xbox is a giant, black brick machine, nevertheless it takes so many design cues from the unique console that it may have come straight from the drafting board of Seamus Blackley and the other Xbox creators. The console’s creator, who goes by Redherring32 on-line, mentioned the hand held sports activities a big 9-inch 480p show. The challenge required him to trim an authentic Xbox motherboard right down to measurement, which took him 4 complete months to do. Now, he’s offering a guide for anyone who needs to do the identical.

Over Discord, Redherring32 advised Gizmodo he’s been largely utilizing it to play Halo: Fight Advanced and Halo 2. It’s taken quite a lot of effort to get right here, and he mentioned, “The considered taking part in Halo: CE portably is without doubt one of the issues that saved me happening this challenge.”

The developer first got interested within the “portablizing” scene after he watched YouTuber Shank Mods’ 2018 video, the place he ported a Wii into an Altoids tin. The Nintendo Wii has proved surprisingly scalable, however the Xbox hasn’t acquired the identical therapy. Redherring determined to begin on the challenge final 12 months for the 2023 BitBuilt Summer time Constructing Competitors, and he’s reentered the project once more for this 12 months. The finalists for the indie developer competitors gained’t be revealed till Nov. 8.

Trying on the challenge now, I really feel nostalgic for these odd black-and-white buttons on the unique Xbox controller. The designer advised me the shell is an authentic design 3D-printed from industrial-level plastic. Redherring supplied the information for those who want to print one your self. Inside, the pared-down motherboard is mixed with 12 customized PCBs for all the varied controls and parts. The challenge is absolutely open supply, and you’ll obtain all of the information in your personal handheld on the creator’s GitHub.

After all, the scale will restrict its performance. The system normally will get about 1.5 hours of playtime, although it helps as much as 100W of USB-C charging. It doesn’t embrace a disc drive, however Redherring mentioned he can load video games onto its inner 128 GB microSD card. The designer added that he plans to construct a CompactFlash for storage and—ultimately—an M.2 SATA SSD.

Redherring speculated he may use the USB-C port to connect a separate controller for native multiplayer, however you’d most likely find yourself shouldering your pal for house on the 9-inch display.

The WiFi connection is one other difficult process requiring an extra PCB, however the handheld can connect with Xbox Stay with that put in. Properly, it gained’t connect with the unique model that went offline in 2010. There’s Insignia, a challenge based by a group of original Xbox fans that brings again the Stay servers alongside some exterior leaderboards.

If something, the Xbox Stay connectivity and the promise of returning to Halo 2 console multiplayer would put me over the sting. Sure, I can get my repair with Halo: The Grasp Chief Assortment, however for purity’s sake, there’s nothing like going again to the unique. I ponder if anyone nonetheless performs ad-hoc Zombies based mostly solely on the glory system.