Raspberry Pi 3 + Adafruit Arcade Bonnet + Pelican Case = Rugged Handheld Console

I still remember the time I accidentally dropped my Game Boy Color onto the pavement as a young teenager. It was the lime green version (the best one), and I was devastated when I picked it up to find that beautiful case was scratched and cracked. It still functioned, but in this modern world of fragile glass and aluminum devices, you have to wonder if maybe handheld video game consoles should be a bit more rugged.

Reddit user burNINJAlapeno seems to think so, because they built a handheld console into a Pelican case. For those who aren’t familiar, Pelican is well-known for making very tough cases in a variety of sizes and shapes. This particular model, probably the least expensive in the line up at less than $13, is the 1020 Micro Case, which is designed to protect small devices like cell phones. That small form factor makes it perfect for building a portable console.

The electronics inside are a Raspberry Pi 3, paired with an Adafruit Arcade Bonnet Controller. Power is provided by an Adafruit Lithium Ion battery and charger. burNINJAlapeno did have to slim down the components to get it all to fit in the Pelican case; the Raspberry Pi 3’s Ethernet port was removed, and the Arcade Bonnet was soldered directly to the Pi.

The final product looks very tidy and comfortable to play on. Additional shoulder buttons were installed on the outside of the case, which means a wide range of games can be played. The screen is a generous 5” 800x480 TFT display from Adafruit, so no squinting should be necessary. If you’re looking for a rugged handheld yourself, this looks like a fantastic and affordable build to emulate.