Ben Heck's NEStari is virtually a virtual console

by JC Fletcher { Aug 27th 2007 at 1:30PM }

In a way, it's better than our own Virtual Console, because it's portable and it can play Journey Escape. Master console portablizer Ben Heckendorn made this portable NES/Atari monster out of an Atari Flashback 2 and a "NES-on-a-chip" found in many Famiclones and joystick-based TV games.

The placement of the Atari cartridge slot is a little unfortunate, but we're sure he wouldn't build a device with an unusable screen, so we doubt the cartridge obscures the view too severely. Cramming two whole consoles and four rechargeable AA batteries into a tiny handheld takes some maneuvering!

Seeing Ben's work always makes us want to learn electronics. It also makes us want to play old games-- guess which one we end up doing.

[Via Engadget]

Tags: 2600, benheck, nes, nestari

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Unbreakable_idea @ Aug 27th 2007 1:44PM

Beautiful and brilliant.

Nushio @ Aug 27th 2007 1:45PM

Ben Heck, the Gunpei Yokoi of our era.

*Someone* should give this guy a job, and by *Someone*, I mean Nintendo.

Its obvious this guy understands electronics better than Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony put together (with all the Wii Laptops/Xbox 360 Laptops, portables, and all that he's done).

massive_98 @ Aug 27th 2007 1:45PM

Check this video out. Its a time lapse of him making that gadget.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZQA2zGihCs

Zack W. @ Aug 27th 2007 2:02PM

@3

No, it is not.

massive_98 @ Aug 27th 2007 2:06PM

@4

ya...it is.

Jonathan Tran @ Aug 27th 2007 2:08PM

maybe the atari cart blocks glare! Brilliant!

Zack W. @ Aug 27th 2007 2:13PM

@5

Sorry if this is a double post.

That link you gave takes me to the 360 Song. It has nothing to to with the NEStari above. There is no time lapse...just a montage.

ssuk @ Aug 27th 2007 2:44PM

Sweet... Bit of a cheat using the NES-on-a-chip, but I wont hold it against him, he's a hero.

Zack W. @ Aug 27th 2007 2:50PM

Here is the actual thing in action:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8952850614249685807&q=nestari&total=3&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0

Jeremy @ Aug 28th 2007 1:57PM

That is so genius. I want mine were do I sign up to buy. Hey wait wasn't there a news story a few weeks back were Nintendo filed a patent that could be a portable Wii. What if it turns out to be a portable VC were you take the VC titles you download from your Wii. Just a thought or a dream one.