A talented hardware modder and woodworking enthusiast known as Redherring32 has shared an incredible creation: the very first handheld Xbox console. This groundbreaking device has been crafted using the original Xbox’s motherboard. It features a 9-inch 480p screen, supports Wi-Fi 6 for Xbox Live, and offers fast charging through a 100W PD USB-C port.
This ambitious mod stands out as one of the Xbox community’s most remarkable feats, marking the debut of a handheld Xbox conversion. Until now, we’ve mostly seen portable and compact versions of PlayStation and Nintendo consoles.
What’s fascinating here is the timing—there’s been a lot of chatter about a possible official handheld Xbox console. While gaming powerhouses like the Steam Deck have already filled a similar role, much like the old Sony PSP and PS Vita did, it’s amusing that a dedicated fan like Redherring32 has managed to outpace Microsoft, assuming they have plans for such a device. Naturally, an official Xbox handheld would be geared towards modern gaming, and not anchored to the 480p glory days of the original Xbox. Interestingly, the original hardware has been modified before to run games such as Halo 2 at 720p.
Redherring32 achieved something quite special by miniaturizing the classic Xbox hardware into a portable form. The original Twitter thread sheds light on his process, including trimming down the Xbox motherboard and creating 12 custom PCBs designed specifically for this project. To help others try their hand at similar mods, he even detailed his process in a comprehensive guide.
Moreover, a GitHub page is waiting to host the full source for all the PCBs once Redherring32 is ready, promising a fully open-source project. While a video and gameplay demonstration are expected soon, they haven’t been released just yet.
This isn’t Redherring32’s first foray into console mods. He has previously used his skills to create the “TinyTendo” and “PicoPad,” which are an open-source handheld NES and the world’s smallest NES controller, respectively. His innovative approach continues to reshape our expectations of what gaming hardware can be.
