Forget the iPhone Duo; it's all about the PlayStation 2 Duo, a foldable handheld that plays PlayStation 2 games, and it could well be the coolest thing I've seen all year.
The project, posted on Hackaday.io by LCLDIY, shows a video walkthrough of his project to make a PS2 handheld that not only plays his favourite games, but that folds like the new iPhone. He bought three broken PS2s at a flea market for $20 and chopped up the motherboards to make one compatible for a handheld device. Then, with a foldable LCD, 3D modelling software, and a 3D printer, our intrepid creator got to work.
One of the most interesting bits is seeing LCLDIY making the circuit board for the control sections, as well as figuring out how to keep the LCD screen in place using special hinges for the folding element of the handheld. Ok, it's all interesting, especially seeing all of the gubbins inside the console when it's open.
And this isn't just a gimmick; LCLDIY has made some special buttons that slot into the casing to give it that PS2 feel, and all of the games you might expect to play on an old PS2, like GTA: Vice City, God of War, and Shinobi, which I spent a lot of time playing when we worked with Sega last year to advertise the new SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance game. And here's another cool feature - you can hook up a wireless controller to this foldable PS2 and essentially use it as a small portable PS2 that you can carry around with you to a friend's house or on holiday.
LCLDIY has uploaded all of the related PCB-related files and 3D printing enclosure data on Hackaday if you want to have a go at building this handheld yourself. Honestly, if I had the patience, I would definitely give this a bash, but my fingers are made for smashing keyboard keys and not wielding soldering irons. Still, if any of you do have a go, I would love to see your efforts!
