FIELD TESTAround the perimeter of the board are large ground
planes that will enable us to find good spots to
connect our projects to ground. The two USB ports
have easy access for hacks, and can be used for the
included joypads, or for USB drives – more later.HACKABILITY
But can we hack this? Well, yes! Cosmetically, we
can remove the board from the PlayStation chassis
and insert it into a 3D-printed case, with a small HDMI
screen, and break out the USB ports. Adding a USB
battery would enable the kit to be used on the move.
But, electronically, this is really just a single-board
computer similar to the Raspberry Pi. It’s running a
version of Linux, and so it is just a computer. The two
game controller USB ports are the gateway to fun.
Using some software called BleemSync, it is possible
to adapt the operating system on the device and
run your own games from a USB drive plugged into
port two. BleemSync also provides a neat interface
via a web browser and a direct USB connection to
your computer.A PlayStation Classic?
ROM PROBLEMS
Game emulation is a legal grey area, but the common points to note are that if you are
downloading the games, collectively known as ‘ROMs’, from the internet, then you
are breaking the law, and opening yourself up to possible viruses and malware. If you
are using your own game CDs/cartridges to create backups, known as ‘dumps’, then
this is still illegal. The whole ROMs debate has raged for many years and across many
systems, and it will continue to rage for many years to come.
Some games are ‘abandonware’, and the creators/publishers have disappeared into
the mists of time. But the majority of games have a publisher or owner who can claim
copyright theft. Nintendo recently issued take-down notices to a number of websites
hosting games for Nintendo consoles as old as the NES.
To blur the lines of this issue even further, in recent months there have even been
legally dumped ROMs on archive.org which can be downloaded for use or played
directly in the browser. Before engaging in this activity, it would be prudent to review
the laws for your country.
We at HackSpace magazine do not condone software piracy or copyright theft.Above
Attaching a USB
drive to the internal
USB port connectors
means that we can
hide USB drives full
of games!If you would like to add some extra tech, then the
5 V and handy GND planes mean that we can add an
Arduino, or other microcontroller, to control NeoPixels
and many other types of LEDs.
When the PlayStation Classic came out, it was
overpriced and featured an underwhelming game
selection. But, as something that we can hack, the
PlayStation Classic offers a conveniently sized chassis
into which we can add our tech, hack the existing
software, and enhance the product to meet our
needs. Right now, this is being sold off with drastic
price cuts – it was £15.99 in Amazon’s recent sale.
At this price, it’s a great option for a hacking platform,
whether you’re looking to build a DIY handheld
gaming rig or something more adventurous.Above
The main circuit board for the PlayStation Classic is well-made
and provides lots of power for emulationBelow
;he <:) ports Jan Ie used to JonneJt Åash storaNe
externally or internally via soldering for a clean look