I’ve been wanting to make something like this for a while but never got around to it.
I also wanted to get a dedicated piece of hardware ala the Steam Deck or a Raspberry Pi or something, so Indie devs would have a spec to target to ensure smooth gameplay while not having to do any kind of special build since it would run normal Linux. A proper Linux Console
I also wanted to design a custom controller for it. I actually got the PCB designed, but never made it and never made the enclosure. It was gonna be kinda like the new Horis where it’s half-modern controller/half-SNES controller, only mine is based on the XBox layout not the PlayStation’s, and also I had the buttons oriented somewhat like a gamecube, with a big “main” button, a smaller secondary button, and two auxiliary buttons (tho arranged in XBox order still)
Maybe I’ll come back to the project someday.
The GBA, not bc it has fancy features like the Wii, but bc the mods deliver an experience I couldn’t otherwise have.
Sure, running ripped games on a PS1 or full-on Slippi on a Wii is nice, but I wasn’t locked out of those experiences. I could use a PC or even my phone these days to get a similar experience.
However, GBA hardware mods are all about making the GBA the best it can be, not just doing something in yet another place like the Wii mods.
For instance, in the form factor of the GBA (i.e. the landscape form that is far superior to the SP), you can:
With those mods and the extensive and wonderful GameBoy/GameBoy Color + GBA library, you get a truly elite handheld experience.
Sure I can play GBA games on my phone, but I can’t play them with a device that feels so good to hold like this. A dedicated distraction free gaming experience on the go as well. It’s personalized and practical and beautiful.
So yeah, loading backups from SD on a Wii is cool, but to me, nothing beats perfecting an already great device through hardware mods!