Ben Heck's Giant Game Boy

In this episode of the Ben Heck Show Ben gives the fans what they've always wanted. Using original Game Boy hardware Ben creates a giant gameboy using an FPGA and a VGA screen!
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[@Alopexus]

That signal issue with the display cable (at 7:06) was fascinating. I had a look at the original board schematics and can see that the GB drives the display with 5V digital logic (Horizontal sync, two data lines (for 2-bit colour), clock, vertical sync and a ground line). As you say in the video, insulation and shortening of the cable was a good solution to this problem. Adding to this, I was thinking that it might be cool to use this as an example of why solutions like differential signalling might be a good idea when designing systems for transmitting digital signals over (potentially messy) wires in viewer's own projects. Thanks for another awesome episode, I absolutely love the show. I've learned so much from it recently, having watched every episode I can in my spare time. It's become compulsory viewing material for me, so a huge thanks to everyone in the Ben Heck Show team, I'm a big fan. :D

[@Netbug]

Theremin Boy.

[@KhanGarth]

make more portable systems non portable

[@RexZShadow]

+Garth Palmer This is totally portable... I bring it onto the train or bus =X

[@KhanGarth]

RexZShadow then you probably have to pay for an extra seat

[@johndorian4078]

+Garth Palmer gamegear ........:)

[@AwesomeGames56]

I love it, your channel has been built around making things portable and you actually made something stationary out of something portable. I'm sure there's a word for it but it's not coming to mind.

[@mooncabbagere]

This is probably the coolest BHS show in ages! Loved it.

[@Kwad_rat]

I haven't been watching the latest episodes, but I like the change of format. Great episode.

[@HardenedMetapod]

This one really looked like a fun project. This is the first episode in a while that I actually watched all the way through with no skipping. I'd like to see more ridiculous projects like this. Your console hacks have always been my favorites.

[@cheesyboofs]

The best finish to a project in a long time. Nice work.

[@cesarbretschneider]

A little bit of black mesh over the speaker would have looked great... ^^

[@jonmayer]

This is a fantastic build and a great idea. The screen looks so crisp and beautiful.

[@everlasting1]

I didn't know I needed Ben Heck in my life until now.

[@KizulEmeraldfire]

There are a lot of ways that this could be improved to make it more accurate, but the fact that it was even done at all is quite amazing. :D Good on ya, Ben Heck!

[@lmeza1983]

your craftsmanship quality is more awesome than the project itself.

[@andykillsu]

If you could do this again with a Game Boy Advance SP that would be pretty sweet!

[@MrHamsterbacke756]

+TheWioreks Do you have so long arms? It would be pretty uncomfortable to play.

[@mselector7698]

+Mr HamsterBacke Nah, its the SP (flip one). Wouldn't be that bad

[@andykillsu]

Mr HamsterBacke It would be the flip version like M Selector said. I would just like to see what they could do with it to make it into a laptop type of thing.

[@tomasxfranco]

The SP has shoulder buttons, you'd need to swing your arms or get an extra pair to reach.

[@vladtomoiaga4721]

Or use foot pedals for the sholder buttons :-)

[@trulygg]

This is exactly what I was hoping to see from this project, gj!

[@UROCYON]

Awesome! Wish we could have seen more that a few frames of the mounted gameboy hardware in the back.

[@AshtonSnapp]

Now we just need giant cartridges!

[@A_S_M_R]

Who edited this? Why did we see Ben do a summary of the how he intended to make and build the gameboy AFTER we'd seen him do most of it?

[@MaxPower_Designs]

And solder the ground about 4 times!

[@muh1h1]

i was Wanderung that too...

[@PatTheNESpunk]

Great job on this, Mr. Heck! And I

[@CoreDreamStudios]

+Pat the NES Punk Pat! :D

[@k0nidias]

+Pat the NES Punk I really don't get the Amiibo argument... How is Nintendo benefiting from product shortages? There's already demand for the toys... It's not like they create more demand by limiting the production number. It's not like they are making more money than if they just had larger numbers of units produced... They'd make more money selling more Amiibo, not less. The only people profiting from the shortages are flippers.

[@a1rh3add]

OTBWY I do understand it. Nintendo uses the Skylanders concept to market their DLC. You buy the content and it comes with cheap little figures, so it's DLC. For example, to unlock the 2 player co-op in shovel knight you need to pay for it. How you pay for it is you buy a figurine and scan its code in the RF chip. THAT IS BY DEFINITION DLC! It's fine and dandy, nintendo can do whatever they want. The WiiU is going to be my last Nintendo console. My 7 year old son doesnt even play it anymore because even he knows it's garbage.

[@a1rh3add]

OTBWY Okay, no need to be so hostile. Here's my point. A toystolife is where you buy a figure and can scan it into a game and either play with the figure or like you scan a weapon and can use the weapon in game. Technically that is on disc DLC but hey, it's cool because it's the whole idea of the game. What nintendo has done is taken it and integrated the concept into what are full commercial games in order to capitalize on the ever growing DLC market. By all means, if I'm so "retarded" please explain to me the difference between DLC and an amiibo. Of course exclude the fact that it comes with a figurine because we already covered that.

[@filthypigdaddy]

+a1rh3add I can't see what they said but you seem pretty hostile yourself

[@ChristopherLaRock]

I love it when you work with retro game systems. These are the game systems people of my generation grew up with. You should put your videos out on DVD and Blueray. They would sell big time!

[@dripfreefpv9695]

That thing is beautiful. So glad you brought it to the MGC this year. It was an honor and a joy to play. Fantastic work as usual Ben.

[@maker_karen1785]

+Tony Matarrese Glad you got a chance to play it! I tried to play Qbert down in the lower lever, but it was broken by the time I got a turn. :(

[@dripfreefpv9695]

+theHeckwithKaren I'm sorry to hear it broke. I'm glad I stopped by early, I must admit Ben has been a huge inspiration to me. This show has helped to inspire many projects of my own, so the Ben Heck Experience is always one of my first stops. I also apologize for not crediting you and Felix in my previous post.

[@maker_karen1785]

No worries at all. Glad to hear good things from a fan.

[@therealdjap]

Loved this! I thoroughly enjoy watching you and Karen build things!

[@Viewer-ld5rc]

I want that giant gameboy for my room!

[@rubenehecatl8840]

Absolutely beautiful! Great work.

[@steelsmiter]

It amuses me to no end that you're actually making something bigger :D

[@gui_saba]

This is one of the coolest things I have EVER seen. Great job to all!

[@ellyawesome]

WANT

[@_Majoras]

+Elly Awesome gbc incoming

[@arceus413]

Do a giant gameboy color

[@ImDeadAtBirth]

I did a backlight and then also a Bivert mod to my DMG gameboy. HUGE improvement. I love this project.

[@TheRealVastile]

I work as an artist in a trophy shop, in fact, that's where I am watching this now, and setting up vinyl and weeding is part of my gig here. Super cool stuff you can do with it and we have lots of toys in the shop, from lasers, sublimators, engravers, and of course, my vinyl cutter. I'm very fortunate and I'll be able to use them all for my Tabletop Mini-Cab raspberry Pi Console project, The Vastendo - Cab King.

[@maker_karen1785]

+TheRealVastile I just got a blast cabinet set up. Between that and the vinyl cutter, some sweet etching is going to have to happen in the near future.

[@TheRealVastile]

I think we've got one of those, as well. I just set up our etchings. Anything flat goes on our lasers, but if it's a glass stein or the like, we invert the design and I hand it to our production guys. The compressor on the thing makes a huge noise, but it's a lovely machine.

[@maker_karen1785]

They're really useful. Especially for cleaning metal before and after welding. But for etching, if you can fit the material in a laser, I much prefer it. Bonus if you have a rotary attachment to do round objects. The blast cabinet is great for large materials, or those that would be toxic in the laser cutter.

[@bagofclothes7360]

Hey Benjamin! You should do a consolized version of the gameboy. Take the FPGA software you used in this episode, and "consolize" the gameboy motherboard, by having maybe 15kz RGB, VGA, or maybe hdmi, as outputs. And then you could cut the traces on the board for the controller, and make some kind of gameboy controller, maybe using an NES controller. Seriously, I would KILL for an RGB modded gameboy and you're right there man with VGA out of a real gameboy. So amazing man.

[@NativS2002]

bagofclothes73 Even better if it would have a button that would change it between gameboy mode and super gameboy 2 mode

[@ManuTheDeath]

omg i want to make one! is there a guide for the fpga and wirings needed? please!

[@thatpersonwithamlpiconwhos2861]

That's so cool! The big buttons give it an arcade feel

[@erhanalankus]

Ben, you're such a bad boy. Soldering without a fume extractor, spraying paint without a mask.

[@DownsFamily2023]

quick question is it possible to convert an atari 2600 from that grey box that plugs in the cable port on a tv to aux

[@kelli217]

Yep! After so many projects where you take big game systems and make them small and/or portable, now you've taken a small portable game system and made it big! Balance has been restored.

[@veneratedmortal4369]

Best project you have done to date. They usually look a bit bodg, but this looks perfect.

[@cdreamworld]

i really like that your team had more onscreen exposure and dialog. i remember when felix first came on, he was always trying to avoid the camera and didn't speak. i like that they are more involved onscreen.

[@InsaneWayne355]

This is awesome! It looks perfect. Great job!

[@thomasw12]

This is amazing. The gameboy looks like it runs without a hitch expect for the power missing.

[@The_Pantomime]

I like how you really worked as a team in this episode👍🏻

[@CalHallows]

This is something I would have in my house proudly displayed as soon as people walk in through the front door. All guests will be required to play before I take their coat and offer them a drink.

[@BowsettesFury]

Should be in a museum now. This thing is sick.

[@neonjesterface]

A LOT of people actually sell cards that replace the amiibo figures, they serve the same purpose as a work around for MUCH cheaper

[@slugmilk4063]

I never knew a wanted a giant gameboy but the big buttons being functional instead of requiring an external controller like other similar projects sold me

[@hocadidilyocuttCAP]

"Hello, hello; I'm Adelle" LOL

[@stevebluh]

I was looking forward to seeing you play more games on it.

[@ionbladezofficial]

I haven't laughed at much on this channel until you brought up the Amiibo stuff. genuinely true stuff, hilarious how people take that so seriously.

[@pingfavi1unda]

This is awesome ! Love watching your channel :D

[@mrblond750]

Awesome job! Well done.

[@chilltech2292]

I love it when you make fun and childish videos, keep up the good work! Video recommendation, portable sega saturn!

[@stonent]

When the Game Boy first came out, they had oversized versions as displays at the store. You had the small one mounted in the display with the giant screen behind it so everyone could see you playing the game.

[@RetroRoadshow]

Magic Wand! Make my Gameboy GROW!!!!!

[@Alopexus]

+RetroRoadshow With four days of work, no less! :D Very cool stuff.

[@RandomAlexGuy]

You are a genius

[@marksmod]

make my joy stick grow

[@bzhmaddog]

Anyone knows what FPGA board is used to generate the VGA signal ? in the previous episode Ben used a DEO-Nano but this one is different.

[@0phoff]

Why did you need an fpga? I know they are faster etc. But I don't really know what thinking process went into this decision? Couldnt a micro-processor handle the screen?

[@snoleygames]

This is definitely one of my favorite!

[@QwertySanchezSA]

Could you hypothetically set it up so as well as the big old buttons, you could have a sneaky lil slot to push a nes controller into?

[@mrfilipelaureanoaguiar]

Great work seriously. The gaps are scaled from the normal Gameboy so bigger it is, easier you can see the flaws. You forgot the batteries to make it portable. 6volt marine battery would have done the job but in 4 days, that's really cool.

[@valefore82]

I'd like to get into designing my own pedals for guitar, any thoughts on where a good place to start would be?

[@danwilmot4235]

lmao at ben dressed as indiana jones yelling "batten down the hatches" in the intro. 5/5 acting skills!!!

[@gustos2478]

This is awesome! Keep up the good work!

[@GamingHistorySource]

how much would you sell this for .. out of curiosity ?

[@jeromevet007]

Awsome build !

[@RussellTeapot]

Hey! What about making a giant wrist game? :D By the way, awesome channel, I discovered it a couple of days ago and I'm binge watching it like crazy

[@CrazyRiverOtter]

"Game Man?" I think everyone's a Game Man for Ben Heck and his projects.

[@rebecavino6577]

that looks awesome great job Ben like always

[@derFleder]

Great, I love projects like this! Is there anywhere I could find information about how to get a video signal out of a gameboy like in this build?

[@Mr.ShyGuy96]

Is there a way to do this to a 2ds system? Make it so it has a video output and a gamecube controller as its external control.

[@devjock]

Oh wow, that is amazing! Really solid build. If you' re thinking of ever getting rid of it; don't auction it off. Wait until summer games done quick and donate it so they can auction it. Everyone wins!

[@danwilmot4235]

do australian amiibos work on u.s wii u's? there is no shortage here, any amiibo you want can be found fot $15 in most shops close to me.

[@armandorivera186]

That gameboy came out really nice! It's worth good money!

[@romikomirashima]

that awesome, that would be cool to have or be able to build, nice job

[@DogRox]

Doooooode, that is killer! :-) I so want that! Hehehe! But seriously though, that definately is a museum piece if you ask me. You guys did a very good job! thumbs up

[@Tall_Order]

Now you should build giant cartridges for each game you have lol. BTW I made a USB adapter for my gameboy color, but would I need to lower the voltage? USB = 5v, GBC uses 3v. It works but I don't want to use it long term if it will damage it.

[@nobodyinparticular7299]

ah man you guys inspire me to build something! I appreciate yall.

[@r.d.e.2803]

awesome build!

[@RupeeRhod]

this is so well made and simply interesting to play around with, it would be nice with an option to hook up a controller or arcade pad for sustained play sessions. If I had time, money, skills and the drive you guys have I would definitely do this build myself.

[@molotov2634]

what do you do all that stuff do you sell it? i would love you have one of those in my house!

[@Tuxy79]

Great episode!

[@kylewilson3289]

I'm having problems understanding why this guy doesn't have more subscribers, he deserves more.

[@grezlad]

Really cool idea guys, I would have liked to see more info on the FPGA programming aspect of the build.

[@element14presents]

+grezlad Check out this Bonus FPGA video! It's now a KZbin embed for those having issues with the previous flash player. www.element14.com/community/docs/DOC-80945/l/ben-hecks-fpga-programming-bonus-video?ICID=BH-featurecontent

[@NickHjorth]

Awesome project!

[@furrymessiah]

It would be super cool if Ben took this to a GDQ and displayed it there!

[@lucid5994]

That part about the Amiibos was so funny and true Ben!

[@kokroucz]

I was recently modeling GB, GBC and GBA in blender so I still remember those constructions and our todays hero is not mising on detail. Some of them if get wrong will break the whole model. Especially with the very first one console. Following models are featuring less and less details, less parrarels and more curves, those are usually easier to "cheat" wih. So the great "grey" took me nearly 20hrs color and advance about 7 - 9 hrs each, and despite all of that I still enjoyed "his chubbiness" the most ;P

[@Dogbreath1974]

Great build, can the great Ben Heck get a usable backlight screen into the Gameboy Color

[@NecroDingus]

That is awesome! It looks so nice!

[@Spiker985Studios]

This is awesome! Karen was so happy too.

[@professorducky27]

Holy cow this is AMAZING! hahah Awesome job guys!!!

[@K3NnY_G]

Understandably, Ben soldering at a million miles a min is me soldering on a good day..

[@doffer987]

Wow! Great project! I wish that I had such a big Gameman ;)

[@Scarybug]

Did you end up using my Game Boy in that "evolving" scene? Also, if you equip bombs and arrows at the same time, you fire a bomb-arrow when you hit A and B together.

[@PhoenixPLPhoenix]

Crazy stuff... thumbs up!

[@GaudyMarko]

so do you have to open it up to change the game cartridge?

[@Pandsu]

The one thing I think this is missing is perhaps a regular controller port (maybe for an NES Gamepad) and Link Cable Port. I would put both of those where the original Link Cable port was, with a hatch you can close to hide those ports (and maybe you can actually store a Link Cable and NES Gamepad in there). The Original Game Boy had a cap for that port as well, so it wouldn't be too inauthentic. I just think it'd greatly improve the actual playability and being able to use Multiplayer Features would also be great.

[@sam060497]

While thinking last night in bed about a new multi-monitor setup I'm working on I got to thinking; what about a multi-monitor laptop? When you open the lid it could perhaps fold out into two or even three screens? Perhaps on a vertical hinge with a latch of some sort? Even spring loaded so it pops out by itself? Or maybe it can function like a sliding door, sliding out sidways? You could also use it with the extra screens closed and use just the one screen, when you want it to be compact? This is perfect for you, master Heck

[@bobiseenflop7616]

wow.... im very impressed..... like really.... thats just awesome

[@ClaudeDufourmont]

Hello congratulations, please what is the model of your multimeter?

[@timmydirtyrat6015]

Back in my day, one Game Boy took up a whole room!

[@JessicaJKent]

This is cool as Heck

[@Viewer-ld5rc]

Ba dum tssss!

[@gaijinoverseer950]

Ha.

[@annecasa1]

Reported for bad language These comments shouldn’t be allowed on this great Christian website

[@proyectosledar]

hhahaaha, thats so funny, well done Ben