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Complete Prototype

A project log for PewPew Standalone

A Python-based micro game console, optimized for game development workshops.

dehipudeʃhipu 08/04/2018 at 16:573 Comments

The battery holders finally arrived, so I replaced the temporary one with a proper one. I must say they are flimsier than I expected, but I suppose I can't complain at this price.

With the device finally physically complete, I got to test how well it lies in the hands and how convenient it is to play on it. I have to say I'm not impressed. The two AA batteries add considerable weight and thickness, which together with the relatively small size of the device and closeness of the buttons doesn't work very well. It's not as bad as some handhelds I have seen, but could be better.

I'm thinking about switching to horizontal arrangement again, with the buttons on both sides of the display. Also, thinking about AAA batteries — they would be enough for a few days of playing still, but a bit lighter. They are slightly more expensive, though.

Discussions

davedarko wrote 08/05/2018 at 06:56 point

very optically pleasing :)

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Jan wrote 08/05/2018 at 08:37 point

Indeed it is. You even got white battery holders, nice!
I guess you can't expect to create a nice feel in the hands without some kind of case. It's not meant to be played with for hours, right?

It's really hard to get proper AA/AAA holders which don't bend too much nowadays, even if you're willing to pay a bit more. Have been at a electronics flea market recently where I bought very sturdy ones. They don't have markings on them so I can't tell you which manufacturer made them :(

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deʃhipu wrote 08/05/2018 at 21:36 point

I found TBH-2A-2A-SMT, which look very solid, but are also more expensive than I can tolerate for this project, even in bulk. I could also use just metal clips soldered to the PCB, something like TBH-CLIP-AA01, but they also seem to be overly pricey, especially when you consider that you need 4 of them.

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