Redherring32, a talented hardware modder and woodwork enthusiast, recently unveiled a groundbreaking creation—the first-ever handheld Xbox console. What makes this achievement remarkable is its foundation: a modified motherboard from an actual original Xbox. Paired with a 9-inch 480p display, this handheld marvel features Wi-Fi 6 connectivity for Xbox Live and boasts 100W PD USB-C fast charging capability.
This ambitious project stands out in the Xbox community, marking the very first handheld conversion of an Xbox console. Unlike the more common modifications of PlayStation or Nintendo consoles, which often involve creating compact or portable versions, this Xbox transformation is in a league of its own.
It’s quite amusing to note how an enthusiastic individual managed to realize this vision before Microsoft itself. For years, there have been hushed discussions and speculations about a potential handheld Xbox device. Although with devices like the Steam Deck filling that niche, and previously entered by Sony’s PSP and PS Vita, such a venture by Microsoft would likely aim at modern gaming demands—far beyond the 480p graphics of the original Xbox era. It’s worth mentioning that the Xbox has been reconfigured before to run Halo 2 at a sharper 720p resolution.
Redherring32’s effort to miniaturize the original Xbox hardware into a handheld format is nothing short of astounding. Some of their meticulous labor is laid bare in their Twitter feed, including a guide on how to trim the Xbox motherboard—a pioneering effort since this is the first modification of its kind. The project is further supported by 12 custom PCBs, specifically crafted for this handheld endeavor.
Looking ahead, Redherring32 plans to release the “full source for all of the PCBs” on GitHub, making the project open source once finalized. Although a detailed video and gameplay demonstration are in the pipeline, they weren’t available at the time of this report.
This is the maiden major modification involving an Xbox, but Redherring32 isn’t new to such feats. They have previously applied their expertise to develop projects like “TinyTendo” and “PicoPad.” The former is a handheld NES project, while the latter holds the claim of being “the world’s smallest NES controller,” and both of these ventures are open-source.
For those passionate about gaming and hardware tinkering, these developments are as exciting as they are groundbreaking. Whether you’re here for the innovation or to draw inspiration for your own projects, the gaming community continues to thrive with ingenuity and creativity.
