Redherring32, a talented hardware modder and woodworker, has unveiled the world’s first handheld Xbox console. This remarkable creation features a real original Xbox motherboard, which has been adapted to work with a 9-inch 480p display. It also boasts Wi-Fi 6 for Xbox Live connectivity and a handy 100W PD USB-C port for speedy charging.
This particular mod stands out as one of the boldest ventures the Xbox community has witnessed to date. It marks the first full transformation of an Xbox console into a handheld device, setting it apart from the more typical handheld or ultra-compact mods often seen with PlayStation and Nintendo consoles.
With the gaming world abuzz about a possible Microsoft handheld console, it’s amusing to note that an enthusiast has seemingly outpaced the tech giant, crafting a handheld experience from the original Xbox. While devices like the Steam Deck already fill this portable gaming niche, if Microsoft were to release a handheld, it’d likely focus on delivering contemporary gaming thrills, unlike this mod, which harks back to the 480p era. Interestingly, the original Xbox has previously been modded to run Halo 2 at 720p, hinting at its untapped potential.
To achieve such an impressive feat, Redherring32 went to great lengths to repurpose the original Xbox hardware for a handheld casing. The detailed process is well-documented on Twitter, highlighting the intricate motherboard trimming and the creation of 12 custom PCBs specifically for this venture.
Moreover, there is a GitHub page ready to host the “full source for all of the PCBs,” promising to make the entire project open source once Redherring32 is prepared. A video walkthrough and gameplay showcase are in the pipeline, though they haven’t been released yet as of this writing.
This Xbox mod is a pioneering trim down of its kind, although the trend of shrinking down home consoles isn’t new. Redherring32’s previous projects, like the “TinyTendo” and “PicoPad”—a handheld NES and the smallest NES controller on record, respectively—also highlight his expertise in this niche area.
