Many companies offer to publish a guest post/sponsored content here, and I always ignore these requests. That is until recently when a large computer company wanted me run an article about “what people look for in a gaming laptop”, which I passed on but it got me thinking about what I want in a gaming laptop.

The short answer is a built-in Steam Controller. The end result is the gadget equivalent of Homer Simpson’s car, odd-looking and Frankenstein-ish, but this monstrosity is honestly what I want in a gaming laptop. Mock me all you want.

The appeal of the Steam Controller is the dual trackpads, a feature which originated on laptops. Splitting the controller and having it flank the screen turns this laptop into a giant handheld gaming device, like a Nintendo Switch or 3DS.

The layout of this laptop is how I imagined holding the device on my lap or on a table. I usually hold game controllers parallel to the ground hence the controller facing skyward on this laptop.

Even if this device weren’t used for gaming, I feel the location of the dual trackpads is very convenient for everyday stuff like scrolling webpages or mouse cursor movement. Most people tend to cradle their laptops where the two flaps meet, so having controls by your thumbs would be very beneficial in my opinion.

This is a console design for those who like to play classic Arcade games like Pac-Man or Galaga. It’s about the same size as other consoles like the PS2 or Xbox One. You power it on and the marquee lights up, just like an Arcade Cabinet.

So why is this thing so huge for the tiny Raspberry Pi computer? That’s because it’s a storage box for other video game marquees which can be swapped in:

This mockup above is shown with about a dozen marquees, I did that so you can see the layout. In truth this thing could hold about 50 – 60 marquees. The marquees are held in place like the blood slides from Dexter’s trophy case.

There’s plenty of room underneath the marquees for the Raspberry Pi and all the components you’d want to throw inside. The light for the marquee on the front is an LED light box.

I expect we’ll be getting clone consoles for the first wave of disc-based systems (like the PSX, Sega CD, 3DO, Saturn, and Dreamcast) any month now. So I thought I’d put together a console design that can lend itself to all cartridge and disc-based systems.

I felt a jewel case, much like the ones for Blu-rays and DVD’s, would be the perfect housing for clone consoles. This jewel case is one-size-fits-all, accommodating both disc and cartridge systems. You pry it open for discs, cartridges are slotted in the back.

The jewel case can come in several colors, and it has a sleeve allowing you to put whatever artwork you want on the cover, be it console or game-based.

For this design I went with a case that’s about the size of 2 Blu-Ray cases stacked.

Jewel cases are cheap and easy to replace if they get worn out. They’ll probably be effective in protecting the console within, much like a phone cover.

Here is the main reason I went with this system: the ability to store all inactive systems on a shelf. You just hookup the ones you need, the rest can sit quietly on the shelf.

When the systems are sitting like this, the controller ports are on the bottom protected from dust. The cartridge slot and ports in the back (USB, HDMI) would be against the back of your shelf, also protected from dust.

For me, I would prefer to collect systems in this fashion. They’re compact and easy to store. Plus they’d look pretty cool on the shelf, in my opinion.

I was going over the dozens and dozens of SNES USB controllers listed at Amazon, and it occurred to me that no one made a version that resembled the controller at the beginning of Toy Story 2. Maybe someone could offer this color variant? I know I’d want one.

As for the console itself, it looks the same as the SNES, but the section around the cartridge slot is blue-ish in color. A bit of a downgrade, not sure if I’d want to paint a SNES console to replicate that.

This is from the cutting room floor of the jewel case console design a few posts back. I went with that design because it could be used for ALL platforms, however I did start things off with a Genesis-only design, thought I’d share it here.

My initial goal was to create a compact video game system that can store in a shelf, and also combat dust when not in use, so the Genesis game cartridge cover came to mind.

The case spine slides open like a spy camera in a James Bond film, revealing ALL the electronics (the HDMI and power ports are opposite the controller ports). The cover and the spine can store custom art if you prefer another look.

This could also apply to other systems, but many cartridge systems had cardboard boxes to store games back in the day, so they wouldn’t look as stealthy as this design.

This was going to be my original approach for the previous NES clone console design, but once I settled on a clear plastic cover for the cartridge bay I opted for a Nintendo look. Thought I’d revisit the concept, which is a homage to the unloved TurboGrafx 16 (PC Engine in Europe/Japan). 

This is another front-loading console, with a wedge-shaped flap that folds down when a cartridge is inserted. I know the original TurboGrafx console had no cover for its cartridge pins, but you gotta keep the dust out.

The TurboGrafx was ahead of its time, with cartridges (known as ‘Hucards’) small enough to work on a handheld device called the TurboExpress. Unfortunately none of its games captivated me in the same way Nintendo and SEGA did, so I’ve yet to play anything from its library of games. Anything worth seeking out?

In my opinion there’s a potentially big market for a modern flat panel display that comes in a 4:3 aspect ratio. A display which is specifically intended to be used with retro gaming consoles or arcade cabinets.

There used to be 4:3 flatscreen displays but those primarily served as computer monitors and only got as large as 20 inches, and they came with VGA or DVI inputs. As far as I know, flatscreen TVs for the living room always came in a 16:9 aspect ratio.

It wouldn’t be enough to just make a 4:3 display, this gaming TV would need a built-in upscaler (like the Framemeister) to enhance all incoming signals to fit the HD display.

I also recommend that the display breaks with the standard 1080i resolution, and instead offers a unique 960i display that would be tailor-made to host the majority of systems. Here are all the (pre-HD) systems and their native resolution, along with the multiplier needed to fit a 960 display:

Unfortunately the SNES and Genesis don’t fit the mold, so there would either be some stretching or a black border to preserve pixels. Atari Lynx and Phillips CD-i don’t mesh either, but who plays those? Overall a 960 display is a much better fit than 1080 for all systems.

This TV would need all the connectors of yesteryear: RCA, Component, S-Video, and possibly coaxial for systems that used RF switches. Maybe SCART as well, for folks in Europe.

Thought I’d make a TV design for what I was describing a few posts back. I’m sure 70’s and 80’s kids will recognize what’s going on here, so I won’t blab on and on. I call it the “Game TV”, a 4:3 display for old video game systems. The big switch in the base is decorative.

The display could even have a curve to replicate the old tube displays of CRT televisions. A built-in scanline feature is also a must, again to mimic CRT displays.

I put all the video inputs in the base of the stand, something TV manufacturers should consider. Not only would it be tidier for cables, but the screen could be even flatter in profile. Another approach would be to have all the inputs in a separate box (about the shape of a Blu-Ray player) that is tethered to the TV with a single cable, for people who want to hang their TV on a wall.

BONUS: here is a wood grain variant with a “rabbit ears” stand:

Another 4:3 gaming TV design, this one Atari-themed. I thought about designing TV’s with consoles built-in, but then I remembered those awful TV/VCR (or DVD) combos from over a decade ago, so for now I think it’s best to just stick to vanilla TVs that require separate consoles.

Just open up the side panel to reveal storage for controllers. The paddle controllers sit on the inside of the door panel, allowing their wheels to look like the channel dials of an old television set.

It would be tidier if all the controllers were wireless, which the modern AtGames Atari systems are anyway, though I don’t think they’ve released paddle controllers yet.

This is something I should tackle soon: controller storage. Sometimes I have too many strewn about. The messy controller menace must be stopped.

If you’re not familiar, Everdrives are flashcarts which store games via an SD card, and there are currently several on the market for cartridge-based systems, including the SNES. Thought I’d utilize the built-in LEDs, which happen to be the same colors as a traffic light, for this fun Mario Kart-inspired design.

Everdrives are a bit pricey but they can do some pretty cool stuff besides playing ROMs on original hardware, such as the ability to add CD-quality music to games. I would love to play Zelda: A Link to the Past with an orchestral score, or TMNT IV with arcade-quality music and sound effects.

The Nintendo 64 was revolutionary in countless ways, its impact still resonates in modern consoles and games. Unfortunately the N64 and its games have not aged as well as its predecessors, the SNES and NES. Some games like Mario 64 still hold up today, while others like Goldeneye 64 are difficult to enjoy after years of playing more advanced shooters.

If Nintendo were to release a N64 Classic, they should strongly consider refining both the hardware and the games to make the experience more palatable for contemporary audiences.

First off the controller. The N64 controller was always a bit awkward, and if you’re conditioned to modern controllers it can be almost unplayable at times. So I propose GameCube-inspired controllers, they have a contemporary layout, built-in rumble, and a lot less bulk.

Next up is the games. Because they are in 3D, Nintendo could, in theory, edit them to render at a 16:9 aspect ratio and with a higher resolution, say 720p. They could even increase frame rates for games like Goldeneye 64, which ran around 15fps in the original.

Models and textures could be improved, but I think that’s a bit of a stretch to ask for. However it should be noted that Nintendo has remastered a few games recently: Mario 64 and Star Fox 64 for the DS; Zelda Ocarina of Time and Zelda Majora’s Mask for the 3DS. These updated games could be ported to the N64 Classic, along with the original versions for the purists.

Other games have been recently remastered like Turok: Dinosaur Hunter and Turok 2. I have doubts either would be candidates for the N64 Classic. Yes they’re pretty tame now, but not family-friendly enough for Nintendo’s brand.

Rare did make a more polished version of Goldeneye 64 back in 2008 that was intended for the Xbox 360, but licensing issues with Nintendo killed the project. Could that version be resurrected for the N64 Classic? I hope so, it would be the killer app, much in the same way Star Fox 2 was for the SNES Classic.

In summary: different controllers, and refining all the included games for better presentation and gameplay. Not too much to ask for, right?

About 3 years ago ATGames released the Colecovision Flashback, a throwback console that looked decent and featured a solid collection of games, but unfortunately had poor sound and controls. They’ve yet to release a second version, but with HDMI conversions being all the rage these days, I’m sure a Flashback 2 is inevitable. That said I thought I’d take a stab at designing one.

I felt a more compact and ergonomic controller like the Wiimote would be ideal. With a shoulder and trigger button, this controller could be played with one hand. It can also be oriented to play like a NES gamepad too, just like the Wiimote was able. It features a real analog stick.

The overlay cards are now gone, thanks to the extra space of an HD display. Pressing the ‘?’ button on a controller will display an onscreen overlay. The game is shifted to the left, and overlay directions are shown on the right. Game tutorials and tips could also be shown in this fashion.

This console design is about 1/3 smaller than the Colecovision Flashback, and the controllers here are also about half the size too. Thought I’d put the space savings to use and bring back a feature from the original Colecovision: controller storage!

Just lift the flap to access the wireless controllers. The original Flashback was a big hollow box (which people have used for RetroPie conversions), so may as well use that space for something.

While I was making this I recalled that Coleco stood for Connecticut Leather Company, which might explain the leather texture that adorned the system and controllers. Very meta move, Coleco!

I’m not an RPG gamer, I only checked out Witcher 3 because it reminded me of Red Dead Redemption due to the open world and horseback travel. Once I started playing I was hooked, within weeks I beat the main game and both expansions, then had another go because there were so many mission and story possibilities.

The game already has so much, but seeing as there won’t be another Witcher game for several years (if at all), I’m hoping CD Projekt Red could throw us fans a bone and add an endless mode to the game.

Contracts for creatures would keep popping up on notice boards (seen above), bandits and monsters would keep reclaiming villages and settlements, and new loot would appear throughout the land. I know it’s reducing Geralt to being a sheriff of sorts, but it’s better than nothing.

The addition of more random dialogue for Geralt would also be welcome. Hearing him say “Winds howling,” hundreds of times is really my only complaint with the game.

This mode would kick in once the main story and side missions are completed. Perhaps other Witchers like Eskel and Lambert could be unlocked and playable to spice things up in endless mode.

My one big request: allowing players to restore Kaer Morhen to its former glory and customizing it like Corvo Bianco in Toussaint (from Blood and Wine). The costs for this renovation would warrant a lot of grinding, so it would compliment an endless mode nicely.

This game is already huge, I personally feel that Blood and Wine is practically Witcher 4 (it’s that big), so I’ve no business asking for more. However it was so good that many games I’ve tried since have been underwhelming, so any excuse to go back to Nilfgaard would be welcome.

There have been several wireless controllers released for the NES and SNES Classic consoles, and they all feature a dongle that, in my opinion, is a bit too large and unsightly to look at. So I propose a dongle that is concealed inside a NES Zapper.

The trigger of the Zapper would be the ‘sync’ button, and an LED light would be in its barrel to indicate power or syncing-in-progress. It would be a smaller Zapper to match the scale of the NES Classic.

With the NES Classic being re-released sometime this year (Nintendo: 2 controllers, longer cords, and Ice Hockey this time please), I feel this dongle design would be a hit with collectors. Some companies like 8bitdo sell their wireless dongles separately so people can just swap these in without having to needlessly buy another controller.

A R.O.B. the robot wireless dongle could also be made for the NES Classic. I don’t know what could be made for the SNES Classic, the Super Scope was rather silly.

Carrying cases are trendy again, thanks to the surging popularity of the NES and SNES Classic Mini consoles. Thought I would design a case that features a built-in monitor, a handy feature for gamers who want a compact gaming rig, or a means to game on the go. This case is about the size of a large lunchbox, and was inspired by portable record players.

It transforms from a suitcase into a retro TV, complete with a wheeled cart (the wheels are also functional in suitcase mode). The TV is a USB-powered portable LCD monitor. The flaps on the sides of the case clamp everything down in both suitcase and TV mode.

The transformation adds a great deal of versatility; theoretically you could always use this case, either as an entertainment center or means of transporting the game system.

I felt the pairing of a TV and cart would illicit nostalgia from those who enjoyed seeing one of these wheeled into their school classroom back in the day. The wheels are optional, more storage could be added if they were nixed.

Speaking of storage, this configuration allows for 2 mini systems to sit side-by-side. There is also a drawer for controllers. An LCD display is built into the front flap, a power bank is built into the back flap, allowing for gaming on the go.

The systems and controllers don’t need to be fastened down, because they’ll always be sitting flat. They can be accessed by lifting either flap on the case.

It’s a shame that tablets like the iPad or Galaxy can’t be used as dedicated HDMI displays, their 4:3 display ratio would be perfect! Just toss one in a case like this and you’re golden. Alas, a 6″ or 7″ portable monitor would be needed for this design.

Just add a smartphone or Nintendo Switch to this cradle/controller and you can play pinball video games. The bumper buttons and table-like orientation allow players to enjoy pinball just like they were playing on a real machine.

But wait, there’s more! Just slide the marquee and stand the device upright and it is now an arcade cabinet.

The marquee slides on rails, allowing this to transform between pinball and arcade configurations. The marquee sign is a loose flap that swings down automatically in both modes, thanks to gravity. 

I haven’t figured out how to lock the marquee in place just yet. I’m thinking of a rail system that “hooks” on both ends. Maybe magnets could be used as well.

The marquee doesn’t even need to be on rails. It can be a detachable cover that is manually moved from one position to the other. I was just being fancy here.

For smartphones the display should automatically reorient itself for both modes. A Nintendo Switch may need to be adjusted between both modes for the games to display properly. I could also see this device coming with a built-in screen like those Basic Fun Mini Cabinets.

I forgot to add a plunger for the pinball mode, my bad.

This past week a company called Basic Fun released a handheld version of The Oregon Trail, an educational PC game from the 80’s. I’d like to see the first SimCity (1989) get the same treatment, mostly because that was my PC game from the era.

Of course I gotta be cheeky and make a design that is based on the game’s box art. My design is in keeping with Basic Fun’s Oregon Trail handheld, but if they want to add a bunch of dials and displays like the aforementioned box art, that would be pretty cool too.

SimCity was a mouse-intensive game, so this version would need a touch screen and a stylus for building roads and power lines with ease. A nub control is also available for those who like to do everything manually.

I don’t know if this is possible, but I’d love to see these handhelds plug into desktops or laptops via USB so people can play the games on their computers, just like the old days.  Maybe game saves could migrate between the handheld and PC?

Alas SimCity belongs to EA, and they don’t release cool novelties like these. However Nintendo surprised everyone with their Classics consoles, so maybe EA could follow suit and allow their old games to be sold in this manner. Time will tell.

Six years ago a very cool Star Wars-themed Xbox 360 was released. It featured a C3PO controller and R2D2 console that made beeping sounds just like the astromech droid. The release of this special edition console was due to the pack-in game: Kinect Star Wars.

That Star Wars game was terrible. Regardless of the game’s quality, I don’t think you need the excuse of a pack-in game to release a themed console and controller nowadays. A themed console can be based on just about anything in pop culture (movies, TV, comics) if done right.

I went with The Last Starfighter for the above example. Like the aforementioned Star Wars console, it would play a sound when powered-on, like GREETINGS STARFIGHTER. It could even play a video of the attract mode or gameplay from the film’s arcade cabinet.

Other properties like TRON, Battlestar Galactica, and Wreck-it Ralph, to name a few, could be given a specialty console release without needing a tie-in game.

It can’t just be a paint job, some sounds or visuals from that property would need to be included in the user experience to make this purchase more enticing and worthwhile for customers. Otherwise they could just buy a bunch of custom decals for their vanilla consoles.

Microsoft and Sony could leverage these themed consoles to be tie-ins with major events. A new Avengers film opens in a few weeks, imagine if an Avengers console was released to mark the occasion? This console would play the Avengers theme when powered-on, and a MARVEL intro video.

Branching out into pop culture would open up many possibilities, you’re no longer limited to video game properties and their respective release dates. A themed console could be released anytime.

Last year Hyperkin unveiled their Retron 77, an Atari clone system with HDMI output. It has a similar look to their recent Retron 1 HD and Supa Retron HD systems. The company makes good-looking clone systems so I’m a big fan of theirs.

However they recently revealed the final version of their prototype (which I did like), and the new design struck me as odd. Here is a comparison:

All the buttons look like sugar cubes. It’s a passable design, but compared to the Retron 1 HD and Supa Retron HD, it’s not as faithful to the system that is being cloned, in this case the Atari 2600.

So I shuffled around all the buttons and controller ports, made the buttons capsule-shaped, and changed the power button to a mini-cartridge. The mini-cartridge has the same push-button design that the NES power button does.

The ‘CALL’ buttons have been placed above their respective controller ports. This layout is intended to be more evocative of the 2600. The RETRON 77 badge was moved to the cartridge label, mostly because I wanted the HYPERKIN logo by itself on the wood panel, much like an ATARI logo would be.

I try not to use my blog to be critical of others and their creations, but as an avid fan of console design, I felt the Retron 77 could be improved a wee bit. Obviously this is all subjective, my concept could be uglier in the eyes of some people. What do you think?

This Fix It Felix Jr. idea began as a full-size arcade cabinet that stored a tool chest and tool organizer (may post that design one day soon), but I felt a mini tool set would have wider appeal, so I went with that here. This is a functional mini arcade game that doubles as a case for a set of tools.

This opens up like a book to reveal the tools. It’s possible for the arcade to emit the phrase “I can fix it!” when opening the case, but that might get annoying after awhile.

The tools are for gadget-minded folks, no hammers or wrenches here. Included are a pair of pliers, wire cutters, wire strippers, precision screwdrivers, and more. I know the character used a hammer, but that would’ve made this too big. 

This mini arcade cabinet is about 7 inches tall, which is bigger than those Basic Fun models, which stand 5 and a quarter inches. Despite the tools taking up all the storage in the back, there is still ample room for an LCD screen, pcb board, controls, and batteries.

This would come with the actual Fix It Felix Jr. game. They made one as a promo for the first movie, which you can find on the Disney website. There are also some unofficial ROMs floating about as well. The weight of the tools would hold the arcade cabinet in place, ideal for lengthy play sessions.

The case can stand upright or lay on its side:

One feature I thought about including was a Voltage Tester that used the arcade screen to display information. I axed it because I didn’t think many people would want that feature.

So there you have it, a neat little tool set that you can display on your desk or shelf, and one that’s fun to play with as well. Speaking of which, I’d like to see Basic Fun release a Fix It Felix Jr. mini arcade cabinet, it would be the must-have item for the upcoming sequel.