What would it cost to commission the making of a portable N64?
I am considering having someone on here make me one of these. I have tried making it myself and ruined two N64 boards in the process, so I won't try it myself again. I can supply a console with cables, expansion pack and controller. I know there are a few other things that would be needed that would have to be supplied by the maker (batteries, screen, wiring, etc) and then I'd pay for them as well as the asking price for the work done.
Would want a few specifics like:
3 hour battery life minimum
3.5mm headphone jack
Built in speaker
The ability to swap games without taking the console apart, like a game boy.
Size of course depending on how small it can be made. I'd think width of a Nintendo Switch, thickness as much as is necessary to make all the components fit.
What would be a reasonable price for this? Also does anyone know anyone who could potentially make this or point me in the right direction?
Would want a few specifics like:
3 hour battery life minimum
3.5mm headphone jack
Built in speaker
The ability to swap games without taking the console apart, like a game boy.
Size of course depending on how small it can be made. I'd think width of a Nintendo Switch, thickness as much as is necessary to make all the components fit.
What would be a reasonable price for this? Also does anyone know anyone who could potentially make this or point me in the right direction?
Comments
Originally posted by: CZroe
MarshallH, creator of UltraHDMI, seems to be working on one. He keeps live-streaming board development. Not sure if it's commissioned or for himself, but it'll definitely be the ultimate N64p when complete.
I'll have to check it out, thanks for the heads up.
In order to fix the issues took some serious machine working and 3D printing of custom parts. The project as a whole seemed to take an amazing amount of time and effort, including the not-insignificant risk of total failure at various crucial steps in the process. So, anyone willing to take on this challenge will surely want to get paid handsomely, and it would probably take a long while to come together.
Personally, I would love to have a portable N64 too, but I will probably wait a few years or so until they have perfected N64 emulation in FPGA and use that to make a portable version... I wonder if anyone has had that idea yet? Standard N64 emulation is notoriously terrible, so if they can do it in FPGA it would probably be much better, right?
also, wondering if there are any legal things (patents/trademarks) that need to be addressed before a manufacturer like them would build one.
im surprised hyperkin hasn't built one yet.
also, wondering if there are any legal things (patents/trademarks) that need to be addressed before a manufacturer like them would build one.
Cloning the N64 Hardware is difficult I have read. Hard to program for architecture, even emulators have not been as perfect as people hope. Would make sense why we haven't seen clone systems possibly
and I think the Hardware patent is still in effect. They filed late also, in 2001.
Even the core RetroN5 technology is an SOC design with software that was marketed to them and their competitors (Retro Freak). Bunny Boy, Kevtris, JWDonal, etc are the ones who have actually brought us modern logic-level clones instead of just repackaging the same old ones like RetroBit and Hyperkin. RetroBit and Hyperkin and Yobo and GenerationNexx and the others were never capable or making or engineering the underlying technology in their products so they all use the same decades-old part designs. That's why they have to integrate a composite to HDMI adapter or straight-up emulate in their "HD" consoles where Kevtris can get native digital video from the same systems.
When Bunny, Kev, and the rest tell us that an N64 isn't feasible without emulation, well, they would know. Just like NES and SNES, the only way Hyperkin could make a non-emulation clone N64 is if clone N64 chipsets were already available on the market from others. They do engineer things, just not at that level.
I did find one person who makes them that would charge $1000-$1500 for a custom build. That is out of my price range. I was also wondering why Hyperkin didn't make anything yet, but I guess if that's the going rate, I may have to wait. There was one for sale for $440 on eBay, but I personally find it ugly in appearance. Even though it seems to work fine, I don't think I want that particular unit.
Geez, I searched Ebay for "portable N64" and think I found the one you're talking about, the Ocarina of time one, right? Lol, looks like somthing an eigth-grader put together in art class! I mean, obviously the technical nous required to pull that off is impressive, but clearly there is a reason why big companies divide the labour of technical design and visual design! Also, no D-pad?
Sheesh! Back into the loch with ye Nessie, I think, lol!
I did find one person who makes them that would charge $1000-$1500 for a custom build. That is out of my price range. I was also wondering why Hyperkin didn't make anything yet, but I guess if that's the going rate, I may have to wait. There was one for sale for $440 on eBay, but I personally find it ugly in appearance. Even though it seems to work fine, I don't think I want that particular unit.
Geez, I searched Ebay for "portable N64" and think I found the one you're talking about, the Ocarina of time one, right? Lol, looks like somthing an eigth-grader put together in art class! I mean, obviously the technical nous required to pull that off is impressive, but clearly there is a reason why big companies divide the labour of technical design and visual design! Also, no D-pad?
Sheesh! Back into the loch with ye Nessie, I think, lol!
Yeah it was the Zelda one. I'll hold off on that one. It'd be good if Ben Heck makes another, but he already doesn't want to because of the time and problems involved. Plus $1000+ is more than I'd want to spend. It'd be easier just to take my 64 to work and plug it in to a TV there if I really wanted to. I'll be keeping an eye out, but I don't see myself going beyond $600 honestly.