Controllers come in all shapes and sizes, depending on the gamers’ needs, and most importantly, their holding comfort. Things get really interesting as a lot of big tech companies invest a lot of effort in designing a one-size-fits-all controller, which holds good for long gaming sessions. While most controllers are more or less the same size, there’s always that element of curiosity for accessories that are radically different from the standard proportions.
YouTuber Crux, who’s known for interesting creations with an infusion of gaming, has crafted a mini controller out of pure curiosity. Having got the Backpack Buddies GameCube controller keychain, he asked himself the question – can this be turned into a functional controller? That led to this interesting DIY project that is as intricate as things can get, since the maker is dealing with the super small size of things.
Designer: Crux
We all have keyrings in some form or another, and these cute little accessories evoke the feeling – what if these were functional? The DIYer addresses this curiosity with the functional GameCube controller keychain that looks extremely satisfying as it takes shape. Since he was dealing with very small proportions here, the rotary motor tool does the trick of shaving off the extra bit on the inside of the keychain controller to make space for all the electronics. To put together the intricate joysticks, D-Pad, and other buttons, the DIYer goes down the 3D printing lane. Of course, the button controls and the joysticks had to be mounted on a sturdy base on the inside; that’s why Crux goes for the surface-mount tactile switches.
The DIY progresses with splitting the two controller halves and making up the necessary space to fit the electronics. The ultra-thin enameled wires connect the different components to the Waveshare RP2040-Zero microcontroller board, which is programmed with firmware that makes the cute little keychain gamepad act like a native GameCube controller. The final step involved salvaging the wire and plug from the real controller and attaching it to the output ports. Once everything is in place, it’s time to connect the controller to the port and enjoy some gaming. He demonstrates a session of Fortnite and then moves to Mario Kart Wii. All the inputs work as intended, and you just wish this thing were available to grab right away.
If you manage to check out the complete video till the end, Brux hints at more keychain projects in the future. These include the SNES controller, N64 controller, and 3DS controller, which are absolutely cool. Somehow, if he can manage a wireless keychain controller DIY, that would be sublime.
