My Freeplay CM3+ Slim Internal Look

Checking out the internals of my Freeplay CM3+ Slim build while overusing the words "Hot Glue," "Finicky," and "Relocated."

The Magnet Wire:
I first saw magnet wire in this really cool video of a Pokédex handheld.

The Ribbon Cable Connector:
This is not where I purchased mine; my exact purchase isn't available anymore, but these LOOK like the exact same ones I used. I think I'd grab a 5 pin variant if I could find one though for a better fit.

The speakers:
It looks like these are currently unavailable, but it will give you an example at least. I'd do some research to see if there are more powerful options too. These get the job done, but are not great. Putting 2 additional rear firing would help out.

Joy Cons:
I just purchased mine in a 5 pack on eBay (listing not available anymore) for $15.99 if I remember right. They are pretty abundant so you just have to do a bit of searching. I'm thinking about another Slim build with some upgrades, and might even try out some new sticks. Maybe 3DS sticks.

Copper Tape;

3D Printed Port Cover:
You can just use any piece of thin anything really. Just make the port cutouts as clean as possible and get the clean look. I use this port cover and cut of everything from the flat piece so I can sink it into the case.

Kapton Tape;

Epoxy:

The 4.6nF Capacitor:
I just noticed that I used a 4.7nF capacitor. Well I guess it's close enough :)

The Glass Screen:
I've been searching my emails for the order and haven't found it. The glass was just a blank glass Game Boy Advance screen cover. I saw a post on the Freeplay site that showed the maker had scratched away the coloring on the glass Freeplay screen to widen up the space for the full screen mod. So you could check out modding the glass screen in that way, or I bet something like acetone would help remove the coloring completely. If I find the exact information for my purchase I'll add it here.

Soft Tact Switches:

Tact Switches:
The exact listing for my order isn't available. These LOOK like the ones I used, but the button caps on mine are slightly more rounded I think. I don't know about this seller or anything. I just did a quick search to show an example, so search around a bit. The button caps can help you shorten or lengthen the button too. You can cut/file a little of the button post (not too much because the post tends to be hollow near the bottom I've found) to make it shorter, and you can just glue the cap on and hold it higher up while it dries to make it longer.
You can also find tact switch assortments like this one (I haven't purchased this and I don't know about the seller):

The Leathery Textured Decal:
It's some left over material from a MacBook palm rest kind of decal. Just scrap I had lying around. I'll show the link, but I'm not suggesting anyone buy a MacBook palm rest decal to use on their system :)

[Crusen]

How'd you wire up the joy con sticks? I mean if you could post a diagram of sorts?

[nerdMike]

Hello, do the Freeplay board support updated Pi compute module? Like pi4, if already exists atm.. 🙂 Ps. Great job, this is how the expensive Freeplay should be, with all the missing buttons 👍👍

[rewanderson]

I want to give you a BIG thanks. If it weren't for your videos my wife and I would have NEVER attempted this. I was actually really sad when I first heard about these. The idea of "modifying a gba case" and "soldering stuff to the board" scared the daylights out of me. After watching a few of your videos I was practically shouting "I CAN DO THAT!!!" at my computer screen...We now both have a working model. Haven't done the l2/r2 boards yet though. I think I know how to do it, but I haven't found a video specifically installing that board. Perhaps something you have done that I'm missing? Anyway, you rock. You've blown my mind wide open as to what's possible with a personal build. Thanks for the vids and keep up the AWESOME work. Oh and yeah you can get standard 5mm pitch 6 pin breakout boards for like $2 that work with at least Vita sticks. No way am I gonna try soldering to that little connector thing lol

[bahnsteighallodri]

a masterpice of a retro-handheld-console - the best i've ever seen.thank god thumb-sticks yeeey, nice d-pad, 2 speekers - only the l2/r2-triggers are missing - am i right? But if i could, i would bought this - it's a no-brainer. your project kicks my lazy gaming ass to a tooltime crafter ... at least in theory. :))

[timothylyle]

This build is something I would really like to build, but I don't have any experience with the hardware. I know my linux/pi well, as well as having repaired some smartphones, but never soldering of this type. Do you have a suggestion of some sort of project I could do to start to acquaint myself with the skills needed for this project? Also, would creating a model and having the case 3d printed be a good solution?

[braybray]

Do you think it’d be possible to have the Xbox dpad in the original spot with little modification to the board

[miisterE]

Do you mind sharing details of how you moved the power switch? It looked like you were using the two left most pins on the slider switch. I've tried this and cannot get the system to turn on, if plugged in to the wall the green light turns blue so I don't think I'm far off but still missing something.

[kairon]

I find that the D-Pad for the Thrustmaster's Xbox 360 controller works really well.
There's a place in in or around China that sells all kinds of buttons & switches, I think you would have a fun time looking through different ones for this hobby.

What kind of screen do you use? is it a LCD one?
Also, Would it be feasible to install some sort of rumble in something like this?

[Larkas]

This is awesome!!! I've been brainstorming something along these lines, but I was hoping I could find a 3D model of the GBA case so I could prototype and fiddle around by expanding the back cover to add L2/R2 (or triggers), and to come up with a better layout for the ABXY buttons (something a little more cross shaped), but no luck so far. Still, I thought about using the JoyCon analogs as well, and the mini-speakers too, and it's awesome to see they work nicely!!!

[jazzawazza]

Jesus you have done some tinkering. Reminds me of how a psp is assembled put 20 pcb into a shell haha.

[neemoweemo]

Can you explain how you moved the d-pad? Or if you could post a schematic of how the solder on the copper tape is oriented? That part kind of confused me, sorry.

[neemoweemo]

This is just too cool, man. You planning on making a tutorial? I would love to see it.

[TheHasselnott]

Honestly I am really impressed. Can i ask you for advice on how to get started? I am a decent thinkerer but watching you i realise how much i have to learn to get too your level. Would you recommend getting the base kit from freeplaytech and take it from there?

[craiganater]

Is this something I can build myself, is it a kit or something? its almost exactly what I;ve had in my head for a retro pi handheld emulator

[hAksR]

Just amazing wtf you gonna do next a flip up lcd display? Hip you keep on outdoing yourself on this one..

[evanj]

That is freakin awesome! You sir, are very talented. I remember I used to make mods like this but now with my kids, I barely have enough time for me! I kinda put my CM3 in the back burner for now. Reason being is because I've been building up my PS3 library and also my GameCube. There is plenty of hardware I still need to get for my CM3. I will be setting aside some money here pretty soon for all my upgrades to the cm3. Oh, you forgot to mention, how does the cm3+ perform? Does it overheat without the fan? Does it throttle after a certain amount of time?