bigmak wrote:
Saw your collection pics at nintendoage 🙂 thumbs up

Thanks! It’s easy to get overshadowed by the larger collections but I’m still proud of my lil one (the one posted a couple above mine is jaw dropping).

Baptist wrote:
i like how you have the fire extinguisher in the picture… just in case… (nice unit) how much did you pay?

Lol it’s in my dad’s garage at the moment so that’s why there’s the extinguisher. I didn’t have to pay for it. This was family owned since brand new back in 89. My dad bought it at Kmart for like $800 I think it was.

Looks good! Thanks for sharing the writeup.

HP Lovethrash wrote:
Funny, I had never heard of this either until like 2 weeks ago! There is a new retro game shop where I grew up in VT (it appeared like 20 years too late heh) that has one. The guy wants like $350 or so I think. It looks really cool, I was tempted to go for it but wouldn’t want my top loader to get jealous :).

So how would you rate the video quality? I’m dreading the day I finally get to working on my top loader to attempt jailbar-free AV output. Maybe a hard-wired NES TV is already good to go…

$350 is a steal for one of these. They go for close to a grand or more on ebay and thats in crappy shape. I can always take your top loader and give it some attention while you play with the SHARP lol 😛

Got some new goodies!

NINTENDO HANDHELD COLLECTION:
Gameboy
Play It Loud! Gameboy
Gameboy Light
Gameboy Pocket
Gameboy Color
Virtual Boy
Virtual Girl – NEW!
Gameboy Advance x2
Gameboy Advance SP 001
Gameboy Advance SP 101 – NEW!
Gameboy Micro
Nintendo DS (fat)
Nintendo DS Lite
Nintendo DSi
Nintendo DSi XL
Nintendo 3DS
Nintendo 3DS XL – NEW!

GB GAMES:
Pokemon Red
Pokemon Yellow
Pokemon Blue
Toy Story
Donkey Kong Land
Dr. Mario
Super Mario Land
Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins
Super Mario Land 3: Wario Land
Kirby’s Dreamland 2
Jurassic Park
Quarth
Pokemon Gold
Pokemon Silver
Test Drive 6
Ghosts n’ Goblins
Everdrive GB Flash Cart – NEW!

GBA GAMES:
Pokemon Sapphire
Pokemon Fire Red
Gran Turismo
EZ Flash IV Flash Cart – NEW!

VIRTUAL BOY GAMES:
Mario Tennis
Wario Land

ACCESSORIES:
Game Genie (Gameboy)
Game Shark (GBC/GBP)
Gameboy screen magnifier
Pokewalker
GBC/GBA Worm Light
Gameboy Printer + new box of refill paper
GB/GBC Link Cable
Gameboy Camera

Next on my list to get:
Flash Boy for the Virtual Boy
GB Pocket (early model without battery light)

ALBUM: http://imgur.com/a/O7nl5#0

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bigmak wrote:
http://nintendoage.com/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=5&threadid=49598

I don’t have one myself, but really nice 🙂 congrats

Thanks! I had no idea this actually gets updated? I need to register and add my serial #.

You aren’t the only one that didn’t know that. Many people I know had no idea this was a real licensed product of Nintendo. I played on this bad boy exclusively from the time I was in diapers till I got engaged. It still works but I wanna see it shine again. I wanna try to get the missing pieces 3d printed eventually but for now it’s just coming back to my house to get a good cleaning.

DogP wrote:
I also painted one of my shells years ago: http://www.projectvb.com/painting.html .

There was also someone who painted theirs white (I don’t remember exactly what the deal was, but I kinda remember someone trying to sell it as a “RARE Prototype”).

DogP

Really? “A rare prototype”, huh? lol That’s pretty sad. Yours looks kick ass though.

RunnerPack wrote:

retronintendonerd wrote:
… I was going to have a friend cut me the logo in vinyl but paint is a much more official look to it.

Why are they mutually exclusive? Just cut the vinyl as a negative, and use it as a stencil.

EDIT: D’oh! I didn’t read the rest of the thread… 😛

Using the Virtual Boy font someone here made up …

*raises hand* 😉

Lol yeah the negative idea works a lot better. You keep proving you are the man, time and time again! First my display, now the font. 😉

Haha that is awesome! I had no idea that thread even existed. That one came out great!

[retronintendonerd]

morintari wrote:
retronintendonerd wrote

Step 7: CAREFULLY remove your stencil and let the paint dry

Wow Retro, thanks for all of those steps!:-)

I’ll have pictures to go with the teardown steps as soon as I finish up the project.

Also, the size for the fonts were only placeholders. If a mod can edit the sizes on my writeup post that’d be great.

The actual font sizes are as follows:
Controller: 28 pt
Shell: 43 pt

EDIT: Progress has come to a stand still at the moment while I wait on my logo to be made into a vinyl stencil so it’s easier to paint on.

• This reply was modified 10 years, 4 months ago by retronintendonerd.

speedyink wrote:
Wow, it’s looking awesome! Good job!

Thanks! I’m putting on the finishing touches as we speak. All that’s left are these damn logos now that I got my printer working

Later Japanese systems got the EXT name as well. Looks like it was changed from Playlink to EXT at some point, we’re kind of trying to pin point where in the serial number list that happened.

Ah Ok. If anyone is willing to take the time out, usually ebay sellers have the pictures of the undersides with serial and port in view. Don’t know how serious the search is though.

[retronintendonerd]

That won’t be difficult. Honestly, it was so simple my dog probably could have done it. The most annoying/difficult part was removing the 2 screws in the VB that you need an extended bit to reach. I used Valspar brand spray paint & primer in 1. Each item has about 2-3 coats on it. The logo is going to be done with a stencil and some of the paint I bought. I was going to have a friend cut me the logo in vinyl but paint is a much more official look to it. Using the Virtual Boy font someone here made up, I will just mess around until I get the correct sized font and secure the stencil over the spots and spray over it. If this makes no sense sorry, it’s late here right now lol

NEEDED TOOLS/ITEMS:
– Virtual Boy + controller (optional)
– At least 1 color/can of spray paint (the 2 in 1 primer and paints work best)
– Small-med phillips head screwdriver
– Extended special screwdriver for security screws
– Work area that’s paint-friendly
– Screw/parts holding container
– Printer + paper
– Precise cutting tool/Exacto Knife
– This font: http://www.planetvb.com/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=3812&viewmode=flat&order=ASC&type=&mode=0&start=20

Step 1: Remove eye cover and then remove all security screws from bottom of system except ones over cartridge slot. The 2 on either side of the cartridge slot are a huge PITA so an extended bit is needed.

Step 2: Remove black underside to reveal internals and remove several small phillips screws (three I think). Gently lift internal components (should come out as 1 piece) and set aside.

Step 3: Unscrew 4 small phillips head screws that hold the focus knobs into system and remove. Set aside screws and white plastic pieces and put the knobs and empty top half of your VB shell in your work area and get ready to get dirty!

Step 4: Paint the inside of all the pieces first so that you can lay it down without messing up paint on the other side. Repeat process on the outside of the pieces.

Step 5: Print out your new logo on sturdy card paper (72 pt font for shell) and cut out the letters with the knife, thus creating a stencil.

Step 6: Cover the shell with newspaper or plastic to protect the rest of it from unwanted paint. Then secure the stencil to the shell and gently spray paint over the stencil.

Step 7: CAREFULLY remove your stencil and let the paint dry

CONTROLLER GUIDE (optional):

Step 1: Open up the controller with a small phillips screwdriver (10 screws total)

Step 2: Unscrew the board and set aside.

Step 3: Lift up the rubber to reveal buttons and just simply remove.

Step 4: Paint your buttons

Step 5: While your buttons dry, you can prepare to apply the logo. Take some fine grit sandpaper or acetone (nail polish remover) and remove the existing logo.

Step 5: Print out your new logo on sturdy card paper (72 pt font for shell) and cut out the letters with the knife, thus creating a stencil.

Step 6: Cover the controller with newspaper or plastic to protect the rest of it from unwanted paint. Then secure the stencil to the shell and gently spray paint over the stencil.

Step 7: CAREFULLY remove your stencil and let the paint dry

• This reply was modified 10 years, 4 months ago by retronintendonerd.
• This reply was modified 10 years, 4 months ago by retronintendonerd.

I touched up the controller a bit until I can get my printer working so I can do the logos (my husband took the power plug for the damned thing and doesn’t remember where he put it lol).

The pictures don’t really let you see too well but the power switch sticker you see when you slide it has also been changed from red to pink.

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morintari wrote:
Seriously sweet Retro! keep up the nice work!:thumbup: My six year old son saw your work and said “I wish they made a Virtual Kid it would be blue and black”. so your work is inspiring us all.;-)

Thanks morintari! A Virtual Kid with that color scheme would look so awesome! Blue’s my favorite color and if it was more of a “girl’s color” I would have chosen it for the Virtual Girl. Maybe you and your son can do a joint project to make a virtual kid 🙂

Both of my US systems have EXT. on them.
VN10255715[0] and VN10497150[3]

I believe EXT. was just the US “name” for the port for the link cable. I think the Playlink was for Japan systems.

[retronintendonerd]

Here are some pictures of my project so far:

• This reply was modified 10 years, 4 months ago by retronintendonerd.

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Time to add the serial number to my second NTSC system a.k.a. the future virtual girl: VN102557150

Even if the light inside was also replaced to the same color as the lenses?

morintari wrote:
Dreamery wrote

I think that could work to effectively change the tone purple. 🙂
blue lenses plus the red color LEDs would equal purple.

Retronintendonerd wrote:

You may be onto something I might have to look into that.

If you do decide to get custom lenses please let us know where you got them.

and unknowingly you have made a pun [“I may have to look into that”)…In more ways than one:-D

Haha I didn’t even notice that. I will search around to see if I can find a place to do custom lenses. If I have no luck, I have a vinyl shop that could help me cover the lenses with a blue overlay to make purple.

I’m also working on a custom GBA using a spare my sister-in-law gave me. I want to get the backlight kit for it too. Why do I have to have such an addicting and expensive hobby? lol At least my husband can’t complain because I could be like other women and spend it on useless things like purses and shoes. At least video games we can enjoy together and eventually our child when we decide to have one.