Here’s my primary project, a phone case gamepad. This has been on the backburner for a while and I’m finally going full steam on it. Major milestones will be posted here on the blog. For the week by week details follow my HackADay.io project. All project information will be open source and posted on Github.

WHY:

I hate touchscreen controls

I want to play action/platformer games on my phone. The straw that broke the camel’s back was “Prinny: Can I Really Be the Hero?” - I couldn’t beat a boss because my fingers kept missing the intangible touchscreen controls. I want a gamepad that is compact to carry, comfortable to hold, and works with multiple phones.

HOW:

Bluetooth module for prototyping

Current plan is an nrf51822 based gamepad in a 3d printed case. Users will be able to 3d print a case for their particular phone and drop in the electronics. When the user gets a new phone, a new case can be made and the electronics transferred.

INSPIRED BY (R.I.P.):

Xperia Play, OpenPandora., HTC Dream (G1), DS Lite, PSP