Summary
- Simple DIY handheld: controller strapped to a hinged screen, evokes retro DS vibes.
- Raspberry Pi hides in the screen and streams PC games for playable AAA performance over Wi-Fi.
- All controls custom: Arduino reads buttons; Pi + hinge lets screen fold down for protection.
We’ve seen a ton of impressive Raspberry Pi handhelds in the past, and they’re all very impressive. They also come in a variety of shapes and sizes; while some try to make something as close to the Steam Deck as possible, others just want to squeeze all that hardware into an Altoids tin.
However, what if we just cut out all of the fancy projects that use intricate and well-designed cases and make something that is, essentially, a controller stuck to a screen? If that sounds more your style, someone has created just that, and it gives me vibes of what the Steam Deck would have looked like if it came out around the turn of the 21st Century.
This DIY handheld console keeps things simple
In a YouTube video, Cass Designs breaks down their latest project. If I had to describe it, it would be essentially a controller strapped to a screen via a hinge. It reminds me of one of those drone controllers where you can see through the on-board camera while you fly. It also gives me Nintendo DS vibes, but without the second screen. So I guess, just a Nintendo S, then.
So, what inspired Cass Designs to do this? Well, they made an observation that, honestly, I hadn’t even thought about:
I designed and printed a hinged Nintendo Switch mount last year, and it made me start wondering why in this recent influx of handheld PC gaming consoles, we haven’t really seen a hinged one emerge. The last one I can think of is the Nintendo 3DS, which had the last version released over a decade ago. There’s currently a retro handheld called the Retroid Pocket Flip, but that isn’t for modern gaming.
While I don’t think I have the capability of building something that can natively run current gen games in a handheld form factor, I know I can build one that can stream from my desktop PC with basically unnoticeable input lag.
The end result is a project made from scratch. Yes, even the controller, which uses an Arduino inside to register button presses. The Raspberry Pi is hidden within the screen and acts as the beating heart of the entire project. And once you’re done with it, you can flip the screen down to keep it safe.
Cass Designs also demoed using a streaming service to cast games onto the Raspberry Pi. This lets him play far more graphically intense games using a gaming PC with all the benefits of his portable Pi console. He notes that, if the Wi-Fi strength is strong enough, the frames and input lag are all within playable limits, so it’s a great way to play triple-A games without cooking your Pi.