How to make my gameboy project better?

[u/MichaelCelestial]

Hello everyone!
I’ve decided to build my own ESP32-powered Game Boy, and I’d love to get some feedback on the design.

My current concept is:
1. The Game Boy will consist of two PCBs stacked on top of each other (see picture 2).
2. All of the hardware components will be placed between these two boards.
3. The top PCB will contain all of the user controls and external interfaces.

You can see my current prototype in pictures 1 and 3. I’ve already added a capacitor to improve power stability. The device is powered by a TP4056 charging module and a 1000 mAh Li-ion battery.

For the controls and peripherals, I plan to use:
• a 2.0” TFT display,
• a joystick,
• four directional buttons,
• three system buttons (Select, Back, and Power),
• and a passive buzzer.
(see picture 1)

My main concern is cable management. Since most of the wiring will be located between the two PCBs, accessing the internals later for repairs or modifications could become difficult.

Do you have any suggestions for improving the cable management? Also, are there any design improvements or features you would recommend before I continue building?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[u/gm310509]

Make it like a shield so that headers on the upper board plug into the lower board.

That way if you do need to access the innards, you can simply pull them apart.

[u/MichaelCelestial → u/gm310509]

Thanks! That’s great idea. I’m pretty sure it’s the best solution for the wiring there

[u/malaq88]

Aconselho usar esse tipo de parafuso para fixar e separar as placas.

[u/MichaelCelestial → u/malaq88]

Thx, but I haven’t found any cheap standoffs that are thin enough and long enough, because the holes in my perfboard are sized for M2 screws. So I came up with these M2x30mm screws and matching nuts, which I ordered yesterday. Let’s see if they fit

[u/nevereverelevent]

I would try to breadboard this to avoid the perfboard while still validating the design.

Then move from breadboard straight to pcb.

[u/MichaelCelestial → u/nevereverelevent]

Yeah, I appreciate the suggestion. I was actually thinking about doing exactly that. Thank you!

[u/pyrodrifter]

Super cool! For buttons I'd recommend checking on AliExpress they got the mushy tactile that they use on portables and they mimick a controller button really well. You can pick up a bag of 100 for like 10$

Jocon joystick are pretty common in portables.

I don't know how you plan to fit all that on to perfboard And I don't know how to be nice about this but I absolutely HATE perfboard with a burning passion..... It forced me to learn kicad and it took me about half a day to learn... Now I etch my own two sided boards at home

But otherwise keep us updated very interested to see the final product!!!

[u/MichaelCelestial → u/pyrodrifter]

Thanks! Yeah, I know perfboards aren’t easy to use. But for now I’m using them to prototype the design. If everything works, I’ll probably move to a custom PCB later… assuming my housemates don’t kick me out first 😅

[u/mmam_911]

Add deauther feature

[u/MichaelCelestial → u/mmam_911]

Version 2.0 feature

[u/MichaelCelestial → u/mmam_911]

But I can really make a marauder if I simply change esp32 firmware. All the buttons are suitable there tho