Zega Mame Boy Build and Walkthrough

[@NickBaysingar]

Came across the newer version of this kit (with the two additional face buttons plus the optional rear shoulder button module) on Handheld Legend and it immediately piqued my curiosity. I have always loved the DMG for its form factor, but the classic Gameboy library was never all that compelling to me so I have never had a reason to mod/rebuild a DMG until now. I have already ordered all the parts to do my own build and can't wait for everything to arrive. He has a Gameboy Advance SP version now and I'm already eager to do a build for that as well. Plus he's offering pre-soldered versions which is super nice since soldering those stupid clicky button pads on is an absolute nightmare lol.

[@jaredfunk1574]

Man, do I ever hear you on the clicky button pads stress 😅. I'm happy you're supporting John; he's good people!

[@sharptoothtrex4486]

Nintendo Game Boy's and Sega Game Gears both make great portable Raspberry Pi MAME arcade consoles.

[@dinierto]

What a cool build! Makes me want one ❤ Great video

[@guardianbeardizer6361]

Really really wanna get one of these. I have a GPI Case but want a full form DMG (GPI is I believe 20% smaller)

[@NotMee999]

Thanks for the video

[@E-Box]

I've been wondering where this guy has been. I've also had Crazy Castle 2 haunting my mind for the last couple of days. Are these things connected?

[@rgswissrgswiss1118]

Great shell

[@Phoenixwizard77]

That looks really sweet. It definately has the coolness factor. Though soldering the actual rasberry pi to the board looks a little daunting for a novice like me...

[@primetimefunkmods3]

The owner of the shop will do the soldering for a bit extra, and I don’t blame you!

[@Phoenixwizard77]

@@primetimefunkmods3 Ooh. Tempting... very tempting... lol

[@gatchaponkei]

I'm totally building one of these now!

[@knoptop]

Awesome overview and build. I want to build one, but I'm new to how the raspberry pi integration works. is the emulator already on the pi or is that loaded?

[@primetimefunkmods3]

The emulators are on board the SD card once you have burned the image with the operating system to the SD. The SD card goes into the pi, and the pi is mounted the board, and it tells everything how to run! I would just lookup how Retropie works for a better overview. But I can tell you, it’s pretty cool. I loved learning how it all works and customizing my first Retropie build. It’s how I got into retro gaming as a whole!

[@knoptop]

@@primetimefunkmods3 Thanks for the information! Now, I'm catching up on the current state of raspberry pi chip shortage prices. :(

[@primetimefunkmods3]

As luck would have it, the creator of the Zega Mame Boy got a shipment of Pi Zero 2 units a ways back, and you can get it very reasonably from him with the kit. Rare indeed, but he has some left, I believe!

[@knoptop]

@@primetimefunkmods3 That is AWESOME! instant buy! Thanks so much!

[@antoniocarlosparente528]

Nice work

[@imm311]

Great video! God bless you and yours! Praying for you.

[@primetimefunkmods3]

Well, it’s unexpected, but I’ll take it! :)

[@gamemoddesign3391]

Nice video.

[@larrymartian]

Perfect! Where can I buy one?

[@gnclmorais]

www.zegamamegear.uk/zega-mame-boy

[@primetimefunkmods3]

www.zegamamegear.uk/zega-mame-boy

[@natepressler750]

With the image provided, are you able to add any additional games relatively easily?

[@primetimefunkmods3]

Yeah, you can just add the games over wifi with a client like WinSCP

[@natepressler750]

@@primetimefunkmods3 Awesome-thanks!!

[@theodorescontras5569]

hey just ordered one of these, kind of a silly question but I see that you need to download an image to burn to an SD card, is it safe?

[@primetimefunkmods3]

The owner of the site does the images himself. Just snag the file, burn the image to an SD card, and you’re off to the races!

[@austinjames6124]

What all was included with the Zega Mame Boy? I am thinking about doing this build, but I am getting a little confused about what actually comes with the Zega, so I don't accidentally order extra parts that I don't need. I know I need to get the Raspberry Pi separate, is there anything else no included?

[@primetimefunkmods3]

That’s a tough one; the site owner has a bunch of different options available on his site because there are a few variations to how one can make the kit. I would just email him with your questions; he is a pretty communicative and helpful guy.

[@danielturnage]

Why didnt you add the extra buttons? Also did you use a preloaded sd card?

[@primetimefunkmods3]

This earlier version didn’t have the extra buttons; I really just wanted it to use it for standard two button systems anyway. The SD card was loaded with an image that John provides from the website for his kits.

[@retropiu1202]

I want one!!!

[@jijic.7204]

Hi, Can we put a game cartridge as decorative?

[@primetimefunkmods3]

For cooling purposes, I don’t think it’s a good idea to cover the cartridge vent. And anyway, there isn’t really anything there to affix a cartridge to

[@jijic.7204]

@@primetimefunkmods3 Okay I see, Do you plan to make a Game Boy Color version? A PI Kit into a GBC :)

[@MegaBastian85]

Work this with a Banana pi zero 2?

[@Bahnmor]

What kind of battery life does this get?

[@RBKing80]

Wouldn't have used a clear shell myself. Seeing the screen is too big looks weird.

[@primetimefunkmods3]

I swap shells all the time and I have it in a Metal Boxy Pixel shell now. I just wanted the kit to be the star for at least a day! 😏

[@Sand_danGlokta]

@@primetimefunkmods3 Did you have to cut out the cartridge guard area of the Boxy Pixel shell?

[@primetimefunkmods3]

@@Sand_danGlokta No, I just needed to file down one little tab on the left side of the shell to make room for the screen brightness dial.

[@Sand_danGlokta]

@@primetimefunkmods3Thanks! I’m looking into the compatibility of the orange pi zero 2w. The better specs would be nice.

[@petermuniz9296]

Why I can’t just get a retro pi zero sd card why do I have to download an image?

[@primetimefunkmods3]

The image is what you burn onto the SD card. You use a program like Balena Etcher to stamp the image onto the SD card, and then when you put it in, it has all the stuff you need for the unit to run. You may want to do some reading about this before you attempt it. The image has Retropie, but the image has to be specifically tooled for this device and its drivers for it to not be a nightmare to set up.

[@petermuniz9296]

@@primetimefunkmods3 my last pi zero I just buy a retro pi SD card and am good to go

[@gatchaponkei]

Where did you get the clear case from?

[@mctwistman119]

Are you able to use the funnyplaying ips screen with this kit?

[@primetimefunkmods3]

Nope, the kit has a TFT screen soldered to the front board, and it's made to just use that

[@cnoto2020]

Mine isnt soldered and it looks crazy difficult to do.