GG55 - a self-made game console

This is a game console I build as a gift for the 18th birthday of a friend, originally as hardware to play Smash Simon a game I've made together with some friends, but it can do way more ;). It was build from an old laptop with a custom designed case und runs Batocera, an linux based emulation OS (batocera.org). You can find the cad design of the case on onshape: https://cad.onshape.com/documents/7560239f6fe17c7d4cf64598/w/8a47a09bccb38b5e09941efb/e/0df3d87badd881ae933a3c0b?renderMode=0&uiState=69bc1c57a74a9b97d9475947

Features

• Runs Batocera (you can play many kinds of games)
• Wifi
• HDMI output
• Plays Crunchyroll and Netflix (using Chrome kiosk mode)
• plenty of usb ports :) (6 on the front + 1 in back (used by the wifi adapter))

Parts

• old laptop (I used an old Lenovo G710 I had laying around)
• Sata 22pin extension cable (to fit the harddrive in the top of the case)
• 2 mini usb hubs (to have enough ports for 4 controllers)
• Usb wifi adapter (the original was not supported by batocera and didn't fit in case)

Building log

I started by disasembling the laptop and taking out the mainboard and the other, for the project useful, components, like the power connector and the usb ports extension.

I then carefully put the mainboard down on some standofs of antistatic foam, I had laying around from the packaging of the rp2040s of my makroboard christmas gift project, and tested the functionality using an external display and an usb stick with batocera on it. The system booted normally, so I started to take the measurements for the case design.

As the ram and cpu cooler were on the bottom of the mainboard, I had to design standoffs to support the board in the case.

For simplifying these and for visualising the measurements, I put an image of the board as background of the sketch.

I also added plenty of holes for airflow to keep the system cool and an engraved text on the front.

To be able to power the thing on, I recycled the original powerbutton by just making a hole in the top part and hot glueing the original button with its pcb under it.

As I was limited by the maximum printsize of the 3d printer I was using, I had to put the harddrive above the board, so I just put in under the top part of the case.

For the power plug I designed a little standoff on the wall inside the case to mount it. I then assembled everything using plenty of hot glue ;) .

To get enough air to the bottom intake holes, I reused the rubber feets from the laptop case and just hot glued them to the bottom, then I installed batocera and set everything up.

The reaction on the party was really nice, we directly made a little gaming tournament ;).

If someone has any thoughts, ideas or questions regarding the project, feel free to open an issue.

Big thanks to @SillyGoose123 for letting me use his 3d printer.