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    Retro Pi in a Mega Drive II

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    • MadRikXIVM
      MadRikXIV
      last edited by MadRikXIV

      0_1487855563287_16804355_10158271726785652_932186017381202033_o.jpg

      HI, been lurking on the forums whilst collecting parts needed.

      Aiming at putting the Pi in this dead Mega Drive case I located, only has a few dings and scratches, want to give it a new lease of life, most of the parts have turned up, waiting on a male female short power lead, and a short ethernet cable to coil inside, looking at getting all the ports to the outside of the case.

      Planning on getting the 3 USB ports out the side adapter slot.

      Somewhere I have a Mayflash Mega Drive adapter, hoping there will be room and space to replace the old front ports on the case.

      Contemplating finding a cheap Mega Drive game, thinking about putting a USB slot in the Cartridge port, so can easily remove the USB stick, and it will hide under the Cartridge, or putting a small text

      Hoping to use the on off button, to power it down, reard the Barry Hubbard page several times.

      Then maybe, finally a led, looking to keep the case as original looking as possible, with minimal filler.

      Fairly simple(ish) build, but my inner geek is eager to get started, who needs GTA V when Attack of The Mutant Camels is a click or 3 away.

      Did get as far as installing the Retro Pi system, and was blown away at how good it is.

      obsidianspiderO mattrixkM 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 3
      • obsidianspiderO
        obsidianspider @MadRikXIV
        last edited by

        @MadRikXIV Looks like it will be a nice project.

        If you can, I'd suggest wiring up an adapter so you can use real controllers in the original ports. I used one from Raphnet, but there are also many others that will work via USB.

        I haven't seen anyone else go the route that I did of putting a TFT inside a game cartridge, but if you do decide on that, I'll be glad to offer any insight I can.

        Good luck!

        📷 @obsidianspider

        MadRikXIVM 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • mattrixkM
          mattrixk @MadRikXIV
          last edited by

          @MadRikXIV I'd love something like this, as that is the exact system I grew up with. I don't know if you'll have the space, but have you considered putting a hard drive in there too?

          My ES themes: MetaPixel | Spare | Io | Indent

          MadRikXIVM 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • MadRikXIVM
            MadRikXIV @obsidianspider
            last edited by MadRikXIV

            0_1487938432147_712J3Aa8XKL.SL1500.jpg @obsidianspider said in Retro Pi in a Mega Drive II:

            @MadRikXIV Looks like it will be a nice project.

            If you can, I'd suggest wiring up an adapter so you can use real controllers in the original ports. I used one from Raphnet, but there are also many others that will work via USB.

            I haven't seen anyone else go the route that I did of putting a TFT inside a game cartridge, but if you do decide on that, I'll be glad to offer any insight I can.

            Good luck!

            The screen idea is a way off at the moment, need to re aquaint myself with the dremel first, but is a definite maybe.

            The Mayflash, is a convertor for plugging in old controllers that I have somwhere, goes to USB, when I locate it, pull it apart, hoping it fits in the current ports with minimal cutting, plan on getting them for other sysytems as well, as I at least have the other controllers for them, and cheaper than buying 2 new USB ones, gotta have authentic controllers if I'm not allowed space for all the original hardware

            Took some persuading to allow my Amiga 1200 with a USB disk drive and Compact Flash WinLoad drive in the living room.

            obsidianspiderO 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
            • MadRikXIVM
              MadRikXIV @mattrixk
              last edited by

              @mattrixk something I have considered, but then, 128gb USB stick should cope with anything I need, no need for bulky PSOne images, still got my Original Playstation in the TV cupboard, and about 200 Games on the shelf.

              Remove the cartridge slot (will look at trimming it so at least the flaps are still there) adds a bit of depth where the Pi will sit, depends how much coiling of leads is needed, got the shortest 50cm ones possible, just waiting on a couple to turn up.

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • obsidianspiderO
                obsidianspider @MadRikXIV
                last edited by

                @MadRikXIV No need for a dremel, at least not for the controller adapter. You could desolder the original wiring from the Mega Drive and solder it up to an adapter like you posted. Taking apart a USB adapter should be pretty easy.

                📷 @obsidianspider

                MadRikXIVM 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • MadRikXIVM
                  MadRikXIV @obsidianspider
                  last edited by

                  @obsidianspider Excellent, need to get in my loft and box of wires and stuff to find it, less cutting the better.

                  So far, just the HDMI, power in location of the old holes at the back, then a network port, just because, if its open, may as well, and 3 USB slots on the old expansion slot.

                  I know the USB and HDMI leads can snake inside the case, keep trying it, itching for the rest

                  obsidianspiderO 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                  • obsidianspiderO
                    obsidianspider @MadRikXIV
                    last edited by

                    @MadRikXIV If it were my project I'd take apart the Mega Drive, taking lots of pictures as I went, and look at what the original board for the controllers as well as the power and reset switch look like and see if I could reuse them. Heck, even the part where the game plugs in could be used to have the USB port use the original pins. That's how my screen on my Super Famicom Pi works, the cartridge slot is wired up to the Pi and the screen is wired to the game PCB (I desoldered all the chips) and then if I don't want to use the screen I just take the cartridge out.

                    📷 @obsidianspider

                    MadRikXIVM 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                    • MadRikXIVM
                      MadRikXIV @obsidianspider
                      last edited by

                      @obsidianspider There will be pics when I start, looking to keep it simple ish to begin with, the switch may be useable, was investigating it when I opened the case up, just a square one with 4 solder points, not sure on the control ports yet, but they looked to just be soldered to the board, so could be a case of working out which pin is which.

                      When I find the adapter, it should only be a few wires to join together, to the USB board.

                      Did it with the same plug when I added them to my Original big black XBox for the C64/Amiga Cruiser sticks

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                      • MadRikXIVM
                        MadRikXIV
                        last edited by MadRikXIV

                        So this weekend, I got the Dremel and dug out the USB adapter and cracked out the soldering iron...(Some pics, not as many as I should have taken but a few of the changes)

                        0_1488193884019_1.jpg

                        The last pieces turned up so it was time to get altering, I held a moments silence for all the pleasure Sega provided me.

                        So, opened up the case, nice and symbol, just a few screws, and removed the metal shielding and a circuit board I was never going to work out why it didn't want to play anymore...
                        0_1488193998193_2.jpg

                        Removed the circuit board, and cartridge slot, I wanted to make as much space inside as possible for the leads to run, about.

                        First job I did was cutting the base grooves out, and any fixings that aren't needed anymore, the masking tape being a reminder of which ones are screw holes, and I cut the cartridge slot down to just the screw holes.

                        0_1488194119493_4.jpg

                        I used the Amazon Basics 4 port hub in the side, taking out the old Mega CD port, bit of masking tape, and cut 3 small grooves, the USB ports slotted in, sure port 4 couldn't be accessed, but that has been utilized with an ESYNIC keyboard dongle, so not wasted.

                        Placing the USB ports upside down, made for an easy fit, but the motherboard stuck out too far, so I cut about 4mm off of it using the Dremel, and the top fitted perfectly.

                        Two holes in the old AV and power positions, and the HDMI extender and power extender slotted in with a little pressure, with a liberal amount of hot glue to hold them in place.

                        My biggest challenge, the Mayflash adapter

                        0_1488194518892_4a.jpg

                        0_1488194556482_4b.jpg

                        How inconsiderate, just a fraction and this could fit with ease, but no...

                        0_1488194594282_4c.jpg

                        So I un soldered the original JoyPad ports from the Mega Drive Motherboard, cracked the case open on the adapter and slowly soldered the wires between the ports, lot of swearing as no where had a 'Helping Hands' in stock, and it's been a long time since I played with solder, and the only leads I had are from an old PC case, gotta recycle when I can.

                        0_1488194704839_5.jpg

                        Nice and easy...

                        Time to check this will all fit

                        0_1488194742246_6.jpg

                        Added a fan to my Pi, just well, just in case I look at Kodi and stuff, and well, it's cheap and there if needed.

                        Found a power switch lead from a PC, so edited the script to allow it to run the shut down script that was on this forum, editing the pins to 12 and 14, when finished, the switch can be mounted easily under the old power switch.

                        Moment of truth time, will this all fit?...
                        0_1488194889244_7.jpg

                        Result, it does and the case goes on, and looks fairly tidy.

                        No One would know the difference..
                        0_1488194945979_8.jpg

                        Rear HDMI and power plug...
                        0_1488194989710_9.jpg

                        Right hand side, 3 USB ports...
                        0_1488195019153_10.jpg

                        And a full frontal, just waiting on a couple of new Mega Drive Controllers to turn up for the real deal.
                        0_1488195093371_11.jpg

                        Left to do...
                        Waiting on an Ethernet extender to possibly add to the back of the case, WiFi is poor, even with the edit to the Pi, but, not a deal breaker, as I'm not likely to sort another hub out near the telly, but, may add it, just well, because I can.

                        LED power light, I have a spare one from a PC case with jumper pins, but seeing that everyone adds a resisitor in line, so need a resistor to add.

                        Check and hope my Mayflash wiring is working, once my controllers turn up.

                        Some Retro Pi tweeks, this had me swearing, as got the White Screen when changing themes, so had to edit back to it, only tweek I plan on doing is to add a 'Segaaaaa' video splash screen.

                        Was certainly a fun Sunday, although, the smell of solder and hot plastic is still with me, not a major modification, but I'm pleased with the results, kept the original shape, and at first glance, you wouldn't notice the diffference.

                        H 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 3
                        • P
                          postmangav
                          last edited by

                          This looks amzing. Great work :)

                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • MadRikXIVM
                            MadRikXIV
                            last edited by

                            Quite happy, the Mayflash soldering to the original Joystick ports WORKS.

                            Not too shabby for a sunday morning detox, first bit of soldering in over a decade.

                            Just need to order for a Mausberry, for a total on off option, and add the LED to it, as the current switch only safe shuts down to a sleep state.

                            Maybe use the switch as an 'Esc' button on the GPIO pins and put that on the reset switch to exit stuff, as not all controllers have enough buttons (My old Cruiser and Zip sticks have a good old fashioned one button config).

                            Just got to google and search how to do that bit of script, some tricks take longer for this old dog to work out.

                            Looks like another international delivery for me, then, quietly get the parts and another Pi for the Famicom version :D

                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                            • H
                              HallelujahJaffar @MadRikXIV
                              last edited by

                              @MadRikXIV This is awesome. I still remembering opening up my Sega Genesis on Christmas morning visiting my Grandpa. Best gift ever.
                              You're making me want to start a similar project on nostalgia alone

                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • I
                                iVirtualZero
                                last edited by

                                Another awesome piece of gaming history converted into a laggy emulation box. Hopefully the original motherboard didn’t get thrown away and went to a person that wanted it.

                                Thorr69T 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote -1
                                • Thorr69T
                                  Thorr69 @iVirtualZero
                                  last edited by

                                  @ivirtualzero said in Retro Pi in a Mega Drive II:

                                  Another awesome piece of gaming history converted into a laggy emulation box. Hopefully the original motherboard didn’t get thrown away and went to a person that wanted it.

                                  Ah yes.. This butthurt guy again.

                                  Apparently you didn't see in either post that the units were non-functional before they were modified. Can you show me on the doll where Retropie hurt you?

                                  RPi 3b
                                  Official PSU
                                  Official RetroPie image
                                  Pandora's Box 5 controller

                                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                  • D
                                    DeltaGemini
                                    last edited by

                                    Awesome! Good luck! I just finished doing something similar with my Master System 2: blog post here

                                    Master System Retropie front
                                    Master System Retropie back

                                    I had a hell of a time fitting all the cables inside.

                                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
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