Damn. So many good ideas in this thread. (This is my first built and I am waiting on regulators and what not to get here). I could put up some sketches though. I would like peoples opinions/feedback.
I'm new to this stuff/artistically handicapped, so I drew the front/size to scale, and it all looks doable, but I included the measurements on here for ya'll.
Front
Back/Side
The write up:
Case is a modded circle pad pro. This combined with a Lower ds faceplate and some pieces of plastic frankencased off the circle pad and that is basically it. The circle pad pro came with the triggers and Z buttons intact, so that works well for me.
For buttons, I did not really know what to do, so I ended up picking up 2 of the PiGrrl zero 4 button PCB with common ground.
Adding a second slider and retaining the slider pad triggers/Z and that is basically all the control / outside aspect.
Internally, I am having some difficulties. I am waiting on my regulators/parts so I am working on refining my technique by soldering/desoldering old useless electronics.
If I lack the balls to cut up this wii, I will use a rPI. In that case, I would wire up these PCB to a teensy rather than the IO pins on the PI (easier upgradability in the future).
If I do cut up this wii, I will try wiring the buttons to a classic controller PCB (there are testpoints on the board), so you can basically cut it down to ~3cm by 3cm. Bought a cheap knock off wiimote online in the hope that the traces are more visible and not obscured like the stock one. Optimally the best bet would be to setup a small board like the GC+ that includes a small bluetooth chip and emulates the classic controller connected to a wiimote.
Here is my actual design:
Looks pretty dope. Regarding the triggers on the back, I think you actually need to raise the buttons on the front or lower the triggers on the back a bit. I think it would be best to raise the front buttons because you primarily use your thumbs for the front, with the index fingers supporting the case and the pinkies resting a little lower.
So assuming the ring/middle fingers are for triggers, having your thumb and middle finger on the same level is a bad idea because it doesnt allow the hand to achieve an ergonomic feel. Holding it for a long time would result in pain/stiffness in your thenar eminence (palm near the thumb).
Damnit. Adding this response to your design made me question the feeling of my own...