MakerBuino: An exciting DIY-portable-Arduino based game console !

Unboxing : 

MakerBuino comes in two versions:  Standard and Standard+Tools.  The tools version includes a soldering iron and everything you need to build the kit.  

Close Up : 

Building the MakerBuino

Intended as a companion to read before the OFFICIAL BUILD GUIDE

Some additional hints on things to be aware of during assembly. 

Unboxing. 

Use the buttons to prop board up to make it even for soldering. 

Little containers are great for organizing kits with many parts. 

You need to save your component lead 'off-cuts' so clip them off FACING AWAY from you into a small box. 

Careful to distinguish between similar LOOKING parts. 

Can use needle-nose pliers to bend leads out a little to make it easier to mount on the board. Be very gentle. 

When preparing to insert the IC, gently & SLOWLY roll / bend it against a firm non-static, non-scratch surface. This will make the pins easier to insert. 

*OPTIONAL / NOT RECOMMENDED*

I pulled the battery JST connector out to make it easier to move the board around for soldering. It was firmly in there, so used two sets of pliers to remove. IT's VERY easy to DAMAGE your board like this, so only do this step if you are super confident in your abilities.  Not recommended & NO REFUNDS if you damage your product. Mini linesman (square pliers) must be parallel to sides of JST mount on board.

If you haven't recently trimmed your fingernails, I'm sure a motivated person could do it without tools as well. 

 */ END OF OPTIONAL STEP*

A real PROTIP is to use tools to prop components FLUSH to the  board from underneath & solder them in on top. 

This will keep it even when you solder.

The serial programmer,  in this instance. 

The LCD will no longer let you sit it entirely flat. 

The Volume & Brightness Dials ESPECIALLY must be soldered in flush, or they will not be able to turn as they will hit the LCD. Check it on both sides to make sure no gaps are under one of the Dials connector legs. 

*OPTIONAL*

Use a microscope (or magnifying glass) to make sure all your solder joints are not overlapping. 

For the curious, I viewed the USB microscope output on Ubuntu using Cheese App. No drivers were necessary. 

 */ END OF OPTIONAL STEP*

Almost done...

Booting !

All that's left is the case assembly. 

I used clear gorilla tape to affix the speaker to the back plate. 

Can now play all the demo games on the card !

Remember to sleep!

*We had some extra colored buttons around the office, so used those to spice it up a bit. The standard kit comes with black buttons. 

IF you hit any snags, check here first : 

IMPORTANT NOTE : Had a brief panic it was dead, as I accidentally shut it off while it was loading a game. When you turn it back on, the screen will be lit, but no content shown. 

If this happens to you, follow the C-button (top left) reboot method here : 

https://www.makerbuino.com/build-4-some-more-soldering/

BE PATIENT while games are loading, up to 30 seconds each.