Embark on a Gaming Odyssey: Meet the Homemade PS1 Portable Mod
From the ashes of an old PlayStation, a talented electrical engineer, YveltalGriffin, has brought to life a remarkable creation - PS Hanami, a custom-built PS1 portable mod that doesn’t rely on emulation. This incredible feat was achieved in just a month, from concept to completion.
The PS Hanami portable mod, a marvel of DIY ingenuity
Measuring 181 x 91.5 x 30.25mm (WxHxD), the custom PS1 Portable is comparable in size to the PS Vita, although slightly taller to accommodate the motherboard. The most noticeable difference, however, is the depth, which is 63% thicker and less ergonomic. Despite this, the mod exudes a professional finish.
“Seeing how anything’s possible always lights a fire under me.” - YveltalGriffin
The PS Hanami portable mod uses a 16GB PicoMemcard+ SD card, courtesy of Robert Neumann’s (ramapcsx2) trimmed Xstation ODE. This allows gamers to play their favorite PS1 titles without the need for a disc drive. The mod even features a disc tray button that pops the SD card out, adding a touch of authenticity.
The intricate internals of the PS Hanami portable mod
To complete the authentic feel, YveltalGriffin employed Shinobi Scaler running GBS-Control, also by ramapcsx2. This innovative solution translates PS1’s RGB video into VGA at 480p and scanlines in 240p mode. Although not perfect, with occasional luma sync issues, a swift restart usually resolves the problem.
The 2S1P 3,500mAh 18650s battery, paired with the “red board,” provides up to 2.5 hours of gaming on the go. While not as long-lasting as the Steam Deck OLED, it’s an impressive achievement considering the technical adjustments involved.
If YveltalGriffin were to pursue a second edition, there are a few areas for improvement. The modder would likely add volume controls, hook up the power and reset LEDs, and address the issue of the power button being easily triggered. Additionally, the lack of a heatsink means the device can get quite warm.
Despite these minor drawbacks, the PS Hanami portable mod is a testament to the power of creativity and innovation in the world of handheld gaming.
A comparison of the PS Hanami portable mod with the PS Vita
