Worklog 2025 Summer Contest - The s00per64

[s00per64]

Hi! I’m a long time lurker who keeps getting sidetracked every time I try to build anything. After over a decade of false starts, I’m finally committing to completing a portable.

And my project idea? I’m putting my namesake on it. Here’s my goal for this summer:

The s00per64​

So what is it? Well, I had thought about building either an N64 or Wii portable. Even though I’ve never posted about it, I have experience hardmodding both and I’ve learned a lot over the years. My heart was leaning towards N64 until I remembered how difficult it was to deal with the finer details. (Board size, expansion pak placement, etc.) After thinking it over, I decided not to go with N64 for several reasons.

So with that aside, I decided to build an N64 portable… but with a Wii! Some key points on the design:

• Hybrid frankencased/3D printed case (I have CAD skills sufficient for component mounts, but not great beyond that)
• Full RVL board suite, cell count and screen type TBD.
• N64 face button layout, maybe shuffled slightly to ease playing GC titles
• Retention of second analog stick for GC compatibility
• Button board type TBD (Custom PCB, 3D printed tact mount, perfboard, etc)

I have a Leapster to use for a donor case on the way but not much else to show at the moment. But just for the memes:

Good luck to everyone!

 

[turknatr]

Hi! I’m a long time lurker who keeps getting sidetracked every time I try to build anything. After over a decade of false starts, I’m finally committing to completing a portable.

This is a tale as old as time. I was the same way back in the Benheck.com days. I wish you luck on your build, and can't wait to see what you come up with.

 

[cy]

I love your Venn diagram! It does a pretty solid job of capturing the challenges the N64 tends to present (minus power draw, the N64 is actually pretty decent for that compared to the Wii or God forbid any Xbox or PS console after the PS2). The N64 mobo when compared to the Wii can be summed up as "The hardest, smallest N64 trim is larger than the biggest and easiest Wii trim" - that thing seriously takes some work to cut down to size!

With that said, I like the approach your taking - I've always thought a Wii with C buttons could be really cool! Aurelio told me that you can put a 100 ohm resistor between tact switches and ground (or 3v3 if you're pulling it high) to simulate pulling either of the joysticks high or low. I got to make use of this in my N64 GC project which I've linked here - it does a better job of describing what I'm talking about visually than I can put into words.

Looking forward to seeing what you come up with!

 

[s00per64]

With that said, I like the approach your taking - I've always thought a Wii with C buttons could be really cool! Aurelio told me that you can put a 100 ohm resistor between tact switches and ground (or 3v3 if you're pulling it high) to simulate pulling either of the joysticks high or low. I got to make use of this in my N64 GC project which I've linked here - it does a better job of describing what I'm talking about visually than I can put into words.

I had this exact thought today, not surprised someone's already done it. It's an option, but I'm also considering just "doubling up" the GC X, Y, and Z buttons like VC games do.

I think it'll come down to what's better for games like StarFox where I'd need to press more than one C button at a time.

 

[s00per64]

So some parts have been ordered, here’s the status on everything so far:

• Fresh Wii is on the way
• Leapster is on the way (Revision two or whichever the hell it is. I’ll post pics when it arrives.)
• 4Layer board suite is ordered
• ABS filament for mounts arrived today
• Have not decided on a screen yet. Want to go with RVL-DD but need to get hands-on with the Leapster to see which size will fit.

Alright, so I’ve been brainstorming some things while I’m waiting, and the biggest issue is the button layout. Even though this is meant to be an “N64” portable, a goal of mine is to maintain GC/Wii compatibility as if it’s any other Wii portable. This is a problem because there’s only so much overlap with N64 and GC button mapping. Because of this, I realized I need to test button layout options with RVLoader before finalizing any control decisions (I might be able to custom-map all this but I need to check first)

The (buttons to GC+2.0) options:

• C buttons to a resistor array “analog stick” as per cy’s suggestion. This works with most VC games, but takes away GC compatibility without additional non-N64 buttons.
• C buttons to X/Y/Z/Z2 fixes GC issue but breaks VC compatibility unless I can map buttons to the right GC/classic controller analog stick. I also need to see how Z2 is handled by RVLoader.

If I can’t remap buttons to the right stick… then the plan will be to go with the faux-analog stick option and either:

• Add GC-style X/Y buttons below the A button (Picture a GC button layout flipped vertically.)
• Physically separate A/B and C buttons and add X/Y back in as normal

I toyed around with KiCad to see if I could design custom PCBs for the buttons, but I’m gonna hold off on PCBs until I figure all this out. I’m gonna 3D print squishy tact mounts first.

 

[s00per64]

Alright, so the Leapster arrived today and… oh boy… So basically, it’s very smol. I had the first Leapster revision as a kid, but this is noticeably smaller.

For reference, that’s not the Wii I’ll be using but it’s a basic OMGWTF trim. I can shave off a little more around the edges and I should be fine, but it’s gonna be tight. I’m gonna keep going for now though, it’s very comfortable to hold and it’s just the right size for a 3.5” RVL-DD screen. The rest is going to be a challenge though, particularly where to cram the cells.

In other news, the Wii also arrived today and I had RVLoader installed and working in about 15 minutes. I played around with GC2Wiimote and realized I HAVE to wire the C buttons to the right analog stick. So the next step is going to be playing around with how to re-integrate X/Y.

 

[s00per64]

BIG Update

Yesterday, my 4Layer parts finally arrived. I also decided to go ahead and trim the board since it’s been hacked and I’ve tested controller settings.

Today I tested the board with the PMS2 and a composite screen, the board immediately tried to boot into RVLoader. (Success!)

In other news, I decided I’m giving up on the Leaptster/frankencasing. The Leapster is too small/irregularly shaped to accommodate batteries. Also, it was going to take a lot of effort to clear out the case interior and blend parts in (and even more if I have to redo anything with the buttons.) I have to design a lot in CAD anyway, drawing the main shape isn’t gonna be that much more work honestly.

Attempt #1 for the back half is on the printer right now. I designed it in TinkerCAD (Yes, TinkerCAD, it’s free and I have experience with it) and I’m gonna engage on the long struggle of making small changes, as we do. It’s my own design but it’s got a very clear GBoy vibe to it.