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[[Image:benpic.jpg|thumb|Benjamin Heckendorn]]
[[Image:benpic.jpg|thumb|Benjamin Heckendorn]]
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'''Benjamin J. Heckendorn''' (b. [[October 19]] [[1975]] and raised in [[Madison, Wisconsin]]) is the creator of many portable [[Video game console|video game]] units and is also an [[independent film]] maker.


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He builds new game systems by taking old video game systems such as the [[Atari 2600]], or the [[NES]] and cutting up the internal [[PCB]] until he can fit it in his hand. He then designs a custom case and cuts cases on a [[CNC]] machine. His creations have been featured in such publications as [[Wired (magazine)|Wired]], [[Popular Science]], and [[Maxim (magazine)|Maxim]], and on TV shows like [[The Screen Savers]] and [[Attack of the Show]].
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'''Benjamin J. Heckendorn''' (b. [[October 19]] [[1975]] and raised in [[Madison, Wisconsin]]) is the creator of many portable video game units and is also an independent film maker.

⚫
He builds new game systems by taking old video game systems such as the [[Atari 2600]], or the [[NES]] and cutting up the internal [[PCB]] until he can fit it in his hand. He then designs a custom case and cuts cases on a [[CNC]] machine. His creations have been featured in such publications as [[Wired Magazine|Wired]], [[Popular Science]], and ''[[Maxim (magazine)|Maxim]]'', and on TV shows like [[The Screen Savers]] and [[Attack of the Show]].


===Atari===
===Atari===
The portables that started it all, the VCSp is Ben's first portable. They all use some form of [[Atari 2600]] board cut up into a smaller [[PCB]].
Ben has created a line of portable [[Atari]] systems, all using some form of [[Atari 2600]] board cut up into a smaller [[PCB]].
These portables can be found at:


*[http://www.benheck.com/Games/VCS_projects/Original/VCSp%20Story%201.htm Original VCSp]: The one that started it all!
*Original VCSp: Ben's first portable project. [http://www.benheck.com/Games/VCS_projects/Original/VCSp%20Story%201.htm]
*[http://www.benheck.com/Games/VCS_projects/Rev1-5/VCSp%20Models.htm Revisions 1-6]: After "it all" was started these units came next.
*Revisions 1-6: After "it all" was started these units came next. [http://www.benheck.com/Games/VCS_projects/Rev1-5/VCSp%20Models.htm]
*[http://www.benheck.com/Games/VCS_projects/VCSp_SE/VCSp%20Special%20Edition.htm VCSp Special Edition]: An all-oak VCSp.
*VCSp Special Edition: An all-oak VCSp. [http://www.benheck.com/Games/VCS_projects/VCSp_SE/VCSp%20Special%20Edition.htm]
*[http://www.benheck.com/Games/VCS_projects/Vagabonds/Vagabond_03.htm Vagabond 2003]: A special unit made to be small.
*Vagabond 2003: A special unit made to be small. [http://www.benheck.com/Games/VCS_projects/Vagabonds/Vagabond_03.htm]
*[http://www.benheck.com/Games/VCS_projects/Vagabonds/Vag2k1.htm Vagabond 2000]: A special unit made even smaller.
*Vagabond 2000: A special unit made even smaller. [http://www.benheck.com/Games/VCS_projects/Vagabonds/Vag2k1.htm]

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===Microsoft===
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*A [[Microsoft]] [[Xbox 360]] was modded so it has a similar form factor of a laptop. [http://benheck.com/Games/Xbox360/x360_page_5.htm]


===Nintendo===
===Nintendo===
Ben has created three different [[Nintendo]] portables:
Ben has created three [[Nintendo]] portables:
*[http://www.benheck.com/Games/Nintendo_projects/NESp/NESp%20page%201.htm NESp]: Uses a "[[NES-on-a-chip]]" and is quite small.
*NESp: A portable version of the [[NES]], it uses a "[[NES-on-a-chip]]" and is quite small. [http://www.benheck.com/Games/Nintendo_projects/NESp/NESp%20page%201.htm]
*[http://www.benheck.com/Games/Nintendo_projects/SNESp/SNESp%20page%201.htm SNESp]: The original SNESp built in 2001
* SNESp: Built in 2001, it is the portable version of the [[SNES]]. [http://www.benheck.com/Games/Nintendo_projects/SNESp/SNESp%20page%201.htm]]
*[http://www.benheck.com/Games/Nintendo_projects/N64p/N64p_page1.htm N64p]: Portable [[N64]]
*N64p: Portable [[N64]] [http://www.benheck.com/Games/Nintendo_projects/N64p/N64p_page1.htm]


===Sony===
===PC===
*The MGDp: a fully functional [[personal computer|PC]] built into an old [[MGD]] beer case. [http://www.benheck.com/Other/MGD%20How.htm]
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Ben has made two [[Sony]] portables as of now:
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*[http://www.benheck.com/Games/Sony_projects/PSp/PSp%20page%201.htm PSp]: A portable [[Sony PlayStation]]. (Note how a lowercase "p" is used; this project predates the [[PlayStation Portable]] which is abbreviated "PSP.")
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*[http://www.benheck.com/Games/Sony_projects/PS2p/PS2p%201.htm PS2p]: A portable [[Sony PlayStation 2]].


===Sega===
===Sega===
Ben has made a [[Sega Genesis]] portable called the Sega Exodus. It started life as a Radica Genesis collection DTV unit. However, its onboard composite video output and low power requirements made it the perfect candidate for a handheld.
*Ben has made a [[Sega Genesis]] portable called the Sega Exodus. It started life as a Radica Genesis collection DTV unit. However, its onboard composite video output and low power requirements made it the perfect candidate for a handheld. When a cartridge slot was added, it gained the ability to play most Sega Genesis games (however it is incompatible with [[Sonic & Knuckles]], the [[Sega 32X]], and other Genesis add-ons, a limitation caused by the re-designed hardware in the Radica DTV). [http://www.benheck.com/Games/Sega_projects/Exodus/Exodus.htm]

When a cartridge slot was added, it gained the ability to play most Sega Genesis games (however it is incompatible with [[Sonic & Knuckles]], the [[Sega 32x]], and other Genesis add-ons, a limitation caused by the re-designed hardware in the Radica DTV; (see
[http://www.benheck.com/Games/Sega_projects/Exodus/Exodus.htm]).

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===Xbox 360===
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An Xbox 360 modded so it has a similar form factor of a Laptop (see [http://benheck.com/Games/Xbox360/x360_page_5.htm]).


===SNK===
===SNK===
The [[SNK_PlaymoreSNK]] [[Neo Geo]] MVS Portable was built around a MV-1C motherboard from 1999. For a screen, it uses the Sony PSone screen wired for [[RGB Video]]. The board was set up with an updated BIOS and a pair of wires to get stereo sound. Everything is mounted in a CNC cut case made of acrylic plastic. Read the entire build-up story ([http://www.benheck.com/Games/SNK_projects/NEOGEOp/NeoGeo_1.htm]).
*The [[SNK Playmore|SNK]] [[Neo Geo (console)|Neo Geo]] MVS Portable was built around a MV-1C motherboard from 1999. For a screen, it uses the Sony PSone screen wired for RGB Video. The board was set up with an updated BIOS and a pair of wires to get stereo sound. Everything is mounted in a CNC cut case made of acrylic plastic. Read the entire build-up story [http://www.benheck.com/Games/SNK_projects/NEOGEOp/NeoGeo_1.htm here].
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*The SNK Neo-Geo Arcade cabinet: The first of Ben's gaming creations that stands a chance against a full body slam. [http://www.benheck.com/Games/SNK_projects/Neo_Geo_Arcade/Neo_Arc_1.htm]
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*The Neo Geo MVS console: Uses standard Neo Geo controllers to play all your favorite MVS games on your TV [http://benheck.com/]


===Miscellaneous===
===Sony===
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Ben has made two [[Sony]] portables:
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*[http://www.benheck.com/Games/SNK_projects/Neo_Geo_Arcade/Neo_Arc_1.htm The SNK Neo-Geo Arcade cabinet]: The first of Ben's gaming creations that stands a chance against a full body slam
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* PSp: A portable [[PlayStation]]. (Note how a lowercase "p" is used; this project predates the [[PlayStation Portable]] which is abbreviated "PSP.") [http://www.benheck.com/Games/Sony_projects/PSp/PSp%20page%201.htm]
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*[http://benheck.com/ The Neo Geo MVS console]: Uses standard Neo Geo controllers to play all your favorite MVS games on your TV
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* PS2p: A portable [[PlayStation 2]]. [http://www.benheck.com/Games/Sony_projects/PS2p/PS2p%201.htm]
*[http://www.benheck.com/Other/MGD%20How.htm The MGDp]: a fully functional PC built into an old [[MGD]] beer case


==Hacking Video Game Consoles==
==The Book==
In February 2005, Ben released his book, entitled "Hacking Videogame Consoles", published by Wiley Publishing Inc. and printed under their ExtremeTech line. It contains step by step instructions for creating two [[Atari 2600]] portables, two [[NES]] portables, two [[SNES]] portables, and two [[Sony PlayStation]] portables, each in hand-built and [[CNC]]-cut designs. The book can be found with this link: ISBN 0-7645-7806-5.
In February 2005, Ben released his book, <u>Hacking Video Game Consoles</u>, published by Wiley Publishing Inc. and printed under their ExtremeTech line. It contains step by step instructions for creating two Atari 2600 portables, two NES portables, two SNES portables, and two Sony PlayStation portables, each in hand-built and CNC-cut designs. The book can be found with this link: ISBN 0-7645-7806-5.[http://benheck.com/Games/Book_projects/Book_projects.htm]

The book shows you how to build everything on ([http://benheck.com/Games/Book_projects/Book_projects.htm]) Ben's Project 42 page:


==External links==
==External links==
*[[Wikicities:c:Gameinfo:Benjamin Heckendorn|Benjamin Heckendorn on Wikicities]]
*[[Wikicities:c:Gameinfo:Benjamin Heckendorn|Benjamin Heckendorn on Wikicities]]
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*[http://www.classicgaming.com/vcsp/ The Atari 2600 Portables Site] - Old Official Site
*[http://www.benheck.com The Official Site of Benjamin J. Heckendorn] - Official Site
*[http://www.benheck.com The Official Site of Benjamin J. Heckendorn] - Official Site
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*{{YouTube|o2l04Y2wqUU|Portable SEGA}}
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*[http://www.classicgaming.com/vcsp/ The Atari 2600 Portables Site] - Old Official Site
*[http://www.portablesofdoom.org/ The Portables of Doom!] - Resources
*[http://www.portablesofdoom.org/ The Portables of Doom!] - Resources

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*{{YouTube|o2l04Y2wqUU|Portable SEGA}}


[[Category:1975 births|Heckendorn, Benjamin]]
[[Category:1975 births|Heckendorn, Benjamin]]

Revision as of 04:38, 1 October 2006

File:Benpic.jpg
Benjamin Heckendorn

Benjamin J. Heckendorn (b. October 19 1975 and raised in Madison, Wisconsin) is the creator of many portable video game units and is also an independent film maker.

He builds new game systems by taking old video game systems such as the Atari 2600, or the NES and cutting up the internal PCB until he can fit it in his hand. He then designs a custom case and cuts cases on a CNC machine. His creations have been featured in such publications as Wired, Popular Science, and Maxim, and on TV shows like The Screen Savers and Attack of the Show.

Atari

Ben has created a line of portable Atari systems, all using some form of Atari 2600 board cut up into a smaller PCB.

  • Original VCSp: Ben's first portable project. [1]
  • Revisions 1-6: After "it all" was started these units came next. [2]
  • VCSp Special Edition: An all-oak VCSp. [3]
  • Vagabond 2003: A special unit made to be small. [4]
  • Vagabond 2000: A special unit made even smaller. [5]

Microsoft

Nintendo

Ben has created three Nintendo portables:

  • NESp: A portable version of the NES, it uses a "NES-on-a-chip" and is quite small. [7]
  • SNESp: Built in 2001, it is the portable version of the SNES. [8]]
  • N64p: Portable N64 [9]

PC

  • The MGDp: a fully functional PC built into an old MGD beer case. [10]

Sega

  • Ben has made a Sega Genesis portable called the Sega Exodus. It started life as a Radica Genesis collection DTV unit. However, its onboard composite video output and low power requirements made it the perfect candidate for a handheld. When a cartridge slot was added, it gained the ability to play most Sega Genesis games (however it is incompatible with Sonic & Knuckles, the Sega 32X, and other Genesis add-ons, a limitation caused by the re-designed hardware in the Radica DTV). [11]

SNK

  • The SNK Neo Geo MVS Portable was built around a MV-1C motherboard from 1999. For a screen, it uses the Sony PSone screen wired for RGB Video. The board was set up with an updated BIOS and a pair of wires to get stereo sound. Everything is mounted in a CNC cut case made of acrylic plastic. Read the entire build-up story here.
  • The SNK Neo-Geo Arcade cabinet: The first of Ben's gaming creations that stands a chance against a full body slam. [12]
  • The Neo Geo MVS console: Uses standard Neo Geo controllers to play all your favorite MVS games on your TV [13]

Sony

Ben has made two Sony portables:

Hacking Video Game Consoles

In February 2005, Ben released his book, Hacking Video Game Consoles, published by Wiley Publishing Inc. and printed under their ExtremeTech line. It contains step by step instructions for creating two Atari 2600 portables, two NES portables, two SNES portables, and two Sony PlayStation portables, each in hand-built and CNC-cut designs. The book can be found with this link: ISBN 0-7645-7806-5.[16]

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