The Analogue Turbo Duo clone shipped in time for Christmas 2023. Are you happy with yours ?? Find firmware updates here.
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Messages - ColinM

#1
I ordered mine last week, and it shipped today!
#2
Quote from: guest on 04/27/2018, 12:01 PMSo tell us more about this project? What kinds of parts do you source? How long does it take and how much does it cost to put one together?
Parts list:
Original broken Gameboy (modified the shell and the stock power switch, buttons etc)-Ebay
Pi Zero W -Adafruit
LCD display -Amazon
Gameboy control board from http://store.kitsch-bent.com
Glass screen cover (It's bigger than the stock one) http://store.kitsch-bent.com
Gameboy game you don't mind destroying for just half of the shell -Ebay
LiOn battery -Adafruit?
Charging circuit -Adafruit?
Audio circuit/amp -Adafruit or Kitsch I can't remember
new speaker - Kitsch I think
MicroUSB port to mount where the gamelink was -ebay
Amazon cheapie USB hub (3 port to mount where AA batteries went for USB port access to the Pi)


A decent amount of time, soldering, troubleshooting, etc. I made my first one that I posted the picture of for myself, then made 4 more assembly line style for my wife and a few friends. After the first one things got easier, I also only did 2 buttons, you can go as far as doing 4 button on the front and 2 on the back. No audio jack, just audio out through the speaker etc. I kept things simple.

I'm sure I forgot a few things but it was probably under $75 for all the parts including shipping from various places. I sourced things from ebay, Amazon, and http://store.kitsch-bent.com

There is Sudomod build using the original control board, it's a  completely different build than mine:
https://www.sudomod.com/wiki/index.php?title=Game_Boy_Zero


I know on the Kitsch Bent site there is a walkthrough or how to somewhere, but that site is blocked at work for some reason...maybe since I was on there so much before haha. If I had to do another one, i'd just buy a new Gameboy shell, or go the route of 3D printing a shell that you can just put everything in much easier. Modifying the Gameboy shell and getting everything to fit was a huge pain. It's a lot of wiring, cutting, test fitting, re-wiring and fitting stuff that wasn't designed to be in there. There are kits you can buy where you just supply the pi zero and everything else is ready to go in a shell that looks more like a GBA. DON'T waste your money on the Gameboys that they sell on ebay for $300, a friend of mine bought one and I opened it up to see how it was done in order to build my own...it was a rats nest of wires, hot glue, and piss poor soldering. His ebay one is sitting broken somewhere now and he uses the one I made for him instead.
#3
Quote from: guest on 04/27/2018, 10:26 AMCool. How's the input/display lag? I've heard RetroPi isn't as responsive as it could be.
I've only ever had issues with lag using crappy USB controllers and certain TVs or crappy portable screens. The buttons are wired directly to the Pi, so no issues with input lag, and the display lag is not noticeable, no idea what it actually is. I'm sure there is some.
#4
I made RetroPi Gameboys for a couple friends and  myself, better option so you aren't messing around with stock hardware...plus I put NES, Atari, etc games on it too. Not the same as original obviously but it scratches the itch for portable play.

Uses a lithium ion battery pack, backlit screen, and microusb charge port.

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#5
Didn't even know this was a thing or I would have preordered sooner...granted I just got my Duo a couple weeks ago haha.

Preordered a copy just now and looking forward to getting it.
#6
Just wanted to post a public thank you! He was awesome to deal with, answered all my annoying questions and the Duo I got is immaculate! I would highly recommend his services!
#7
Quote from: in99flames on 04/23/2018, 10:45 AMGotcha. I wont be needing it for component. Ill keep this info handy though as I may in the future! Thanks!
S video you'll need something like this then:

S-Video 'Y' Adapter (4-Pin S-VHS Male to Two BNC Male Connectors) : 45-455 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004GIDT00/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_UiF3Ab2S0MJGE

And you can just run rca audio in through bnc adapters. Whatever video signal you send in, is the signal it sends out. It won't convert anything. I haven't tried composite on it yet. But component, s video, and rgb work great. Try and get one that has all the button covers, replacements of those are hard to come by.
#8
Quote from: in99flames on 04/23/2018, 12:09 AMAwesome. Ive dealt with bnc a lot. Im gonna check it now. Thanks!

Let me know! Im still sorting the tons of artwork and marquees. Its a lot to go through :-P
If you do component in you'll need to make audio breakouts. The audio connects in through phoenix connectors. The swtich i got was missing a few, these are the correct ones you'll need:

https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/phoenix-contact/5452217/277-11439-ND/5187291

Then you'll have to wire RCA jacks to those.

I used these and wired them to the phoenix connector:

HTTX RCA Female Plug to AV Screw Terminal Audio/Video Connector Adapter (8-Pack) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HAVU9IE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_.DC3AbV0B1X9T

But you could just buy an RCA audio cable cut it and use that.
#9
Quote from: in99flames on 04/22/2018, 01:22 PMWelcome sir! I really like that switcher........what is it and where can I get one?

Also. If you are looking for any MVS carts for your home arcade neo geo console... I have around 50 mvs carts i need to sell(many with Original artwork and instructions). Many duplicates but some good titles.
It's an Extron System 10 Plus. I snagged mine on ebay for under $50 shipped. Then you'll need RCA to BNC adapters and S video breakouts to BNC etc. Once it's all set up it's a very very nice switch though.

I'll be in touch about MVS carts!
#10
Quote from: wildfruit on 04/18/2018, 06:24 PMWelcomings! Nice telly.
I have an urge to come and tidy your cabling though.
I got my duo from KC. You won't regret it.
Yup, got my Duo from him the other day...man this thing kicks butt!

Oh don't worry that is strictly a temporary setup. The cables are already neatened up quite a bit since that picture though. That was driving me nuts as well. I had to install some more outlets in my basement first so the pile of extension cord in the corner is gone too. This was an unfinished basement I just put flooring down and am in the process of making a "rec/game room". So the layout overall might even change. Hence using furniture I already had for the time being until I figure out exactly how I want things set up.
#11
Ok I snagged a Hori and an Avenue 6 on ebay...from japan. So once I get them i'll tear both apart to clean them anyways and see how things are wired. Then if need be, whichever pad I like less will become the doner for the stick project.
#12
Quote from: soop on 04/17/2018, 11:05 AMIt shouldn't really matter how it reads the inputs - you're just doing a pad hack right?  Just wire all your stuff to the pads on the avenue 6.
Well yeah, but I'd like to not have to buy and ruin any good avenue 6's to make this. Although it's starting to look like a tough prospect. The PCE reads controller inputs differently than any other controllers I've built it seems.
#13
Quote from: guest on 04/17/2018, 10:23 AMNeato looking stick.  I like the milled/lasered logo.

I think this is what you're looking for:  https://gamesx.com/controldata/turbocont.htm
Thanks! Yeah the logo is laser engraved out. Hmmm, looking at how the PC Engine reads controller inputs this may be trickier than I thought...not impossible, but more complicated for sure. Oh well, won't know until I go for it haha. I'll have to snag a broken Avenue Pad 6 from ebay to tear apart and explore as well to sort things out further.
#14
Hi all, relative newcomer to the forum here. A couple years ago I got into Neo Geo stuff, I picked up an AES for a decent price...realized it was way too expensive to collect for, let alone play games on. So I made a consolized MVS system and started getting arcade carts for substantially cheaper, and of course the 161 in 1 cart etc.

The problem with the Neo Geo continued to be expensive controllers that in my opinion weren't that great without upgrading the sticks and buttons. So I figured i'd build a controller using high end arcade sticks and buttons.

This was the end result

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Now that i'm diving head first into PC Engine stuff, i'd love to build a 6 button stick for my soon to arrive Duo from Keith Courage.

My plan is to use a 8pin mini din port on the controller, so I can just use a mini din to mini din cable and not have to get an expensive and also stupid short stock cable. That way the cable is completely removable and length won't be an issue.

So does anyone have a pinout/wiring diagram for an avenue 6 button pad, or for the 8 pin din port of the console itself? I don't have a 6 button controller to tear apart to see what goes where.

Anyways, i'd love to get this build up and running and document my progress. I'll probably go with wood for the enclosure again, but I am playing around with other ideas.

If this goes well, i'd be more than willing to make a few for anyone interested...but even at a reasonable price I probably can't beat Hori fight stick prices. So there's that haha. I'll keep a list of parts and prices that I use here for anyone that wants to tackle it themselves as well.


EDIT: Picture size fixed so it wasn't gigantic
#15
Quote from: imparanoic on 04/16/2018, 11:07 PM
Quote from: guest on 04/16/2018, 11:09 AM
Quote from: ColinM on 04/16/2018, 10:50 AMI don't have my Duo yet, but plan on immediately making controller extensions.
It might be cheaper to buy rather than make 'em.  They're ~$2 plus shipping on monoprice; here in cornland that works out to $4.50 for one or $6 for two and gets even cheaper if you need more.
monoprice sells compatible cables for pc engine ? if yes, please forward link, i will order a few and pass to my cousin who lives in NY
If I remember right this is the monoprice cable:

https://www.monoprice.com/product?c_id=102&cp_id=10215&cs_id=1021501&p_id=534&seq=1&format=2

I ordered this because I wanted black though:

http://www.kraydad.com/mini-din-8-pin-male-female-black-6-ft-extension-cable/

I'm sure you can find black ones cheaper somewhere but I wanted to use Amazon Pay, and didn't want to wait for shipping from China.
#16
Neo Geo was another console that I was surprised had such short cables. Especially annoying since the awesome controllers were best suited to being put in your lap.

The NES Classic had awful short controller cables too, not to mention didn't even have official extensions for a little while. People figured out how to use WiiMote cables to extend it. So that didn't seem like a money grab, just a weird choice.

I don't have my Duo yet, but plan on immediately making controller extensions. My setup doesn't lend well to moving the console away from the TV closer to the couch for playing.
#18
QuoteIt works for me. Maybe try it in another browser or different computer/phone?
Awesome! That worked, appreciate it!
#19
That link seems to be broken? Or at least I can't get it to work?
#20
Haha I meant a PCE Duo..I'm still figuring out what means what lol. I'm in contact with Keith Courage to get one from him.

Yeah the extron is a commercial grade switch. Uses BNC inputs. It's not officially for component, technically just RGB, S video and composite, but component works fine. It's night and day better than those pelican switches.
#21
Buy/Sell/Trade / Re: WTB: IDE hard drives
04/12/2018, 08:55 AM
If you are still looking I have at least 3 or 4. I have to check what size they are though.
#22
Still have any of these?
#23
Hi all! I found this forum because I was searching for information about the different models of PC Engine, found out about mods and whatnot, all that good stuff. This site is an overwhelmingly awesome resource for a prospective Turbo Duo(I think?!) owner.

I've been collecting systems and games to play, not to sit on a shelf for a few years now. I also am in the process of building a consolized Neo Geo arcade board, have modded quite a few of my own, built raspberry pi Gameboys, portables of other types etc.

My current setup is a 36" Sony Trinitron SD CRT with all my systems running through an Extron System 10 Plus switch, via either component or S Video.

The only system I had growing up was SNES and Gameboy. I purchased a Virtual Boy for 39.99 at Babbages when they were dirt cheap too the year after they came out. Other than that, I got a used PS1 and Neo Geo Pocket Color in high school, gamecube in college and then got into PC Gaming.

I've hit it hard in the past few years, once I realized I could solder quite well, and repair electronics, I started getting broken or abused systems and fixing them for myself.

Started with a Sega Master System, then a Neo Geo AES, then a Sega Saturn, Genesis 2, NES, Atari 2600, and of course I have my original SNES, Virtual Boy, Neo Geo Pocket Color, Gameboy, Gamecube and PS1. The next logical system I always wanted was the Turbo Grafx 16, but for a multitude of reasons i'm hoping to snag a Turbo Duo. I don't need collectible, I want to be able to play the games! Part of the reason I got rid of my Neo Geo AES was this. Just too expensive to play, the MVS carts are considerably cheaper.

My current setup after I had just moved into my house and started unpacking to set things up, i'll be building a better stand for the TV and consoles as my next project. This was just so I could finally play again after everything being in storage while my wife and I were renting an apartment. I keep all my games/accessories in another couple bookcases nearby, so the layout needs some work.

EDIT: I'm in upstate NY in the United States. Forgot to mention that!

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