Thinking back, this has been one strange and amazing ride since “The 5th GeN64” made its debut back in February. But I knew that after taking over a year to conceptualize, prototype and build the first version of this portable, that I had a pretty special design on my hands.
Fast forward a couple of months from its initial release and the Midwest Gaming Classic was right around the corner, which I made a challenge for myself to bring not one, but two completed N64p’s to the convention. And though it was just by the skin of my teeth, it happened and I had two fully functional “Zelda” themed portables on display.
But little did I know at the time that things would be taking a huge “holy shit” kinda turn shortly there after and a You Tuber by the name of John Riggs and an Instagram video would begin to change my perceptions of my little corner of this hobby, as it currently sits around over 1.3 million views! Which to me, is a pretty damn big deal!
This in turn lead to the next challenge, which was to see if this effort was repeatable plus some and as design and assembly improvements made there way into these builds, not only was it doable, but it was faster and more reliable (albeit a few hiccups) than building 2 were just a few months prior.
Of course there as been a lot more going on since this and for the first time, at the end of August, I’ll be attending the Retro Game Expo in Hartford, CT. I’ll only be going as a spectator and I’m looking forward to having my son tagging along for the first time as well! So this has been a year of firsts that just keeps getting better!
Downing's Basement 