There’s a buzz in the gaming world thanks to Redherring32, a creative hardware modder and talented woodworker. This innovator has unveiled the first-ever handheld Xbox console, crafted from the modified motherboard of an original Xbox. The device features a 9-inch 480p screen, integrated Wi-Fi 6 for Xbox Live, and a 100W PD USB-C for speedy charging.
This ambitious project stands out in the Xbox community as the initial handheld conversion of its kind, surpassing the more typical mods of PlayStation and Nintendo systems that make them portable or ultra-compact. In light of the speculation about a potential official handheld Xbox device—despite Steam Deck and other PC handhelds filling similar roles—it’s amusing that an enthusiast has managed to pioneer this concept before Microsoft. While Microsoft would likely aim a new handheld at modern gaming tech, not the nostalgic 480p days of the original Xbox, it’s worth noting that previous mods pushed the hardware to run Halo 2 at 720p.
Redherring32’s dedication to condensing the original Xbox into a manageable handheld is nothing short of remarkable. Detailed in a comprehensive Twitter thread, they describe trimming the Xbox motherboard and, notably, creating a guide for this unique mod, along with designing twelve custom PCBs specifically for the project.
Plans to share the schematic are underway with a GitHub repository expected soon, paving the way for openness and collaboration once Redherring32 finalizes the details. A video walkthrough and gameplay session are in the pipeline, albeit not yet released.
For context, while this marks the first extreme Xbox modification of this nature, similar transformations have occurred with other consoles. Redherring32’s past projects include endeavors like “TinyTendo” and “PicoPad”—an open-source handheld NES and the petite “world’s smallest NES controller,” reflecting their knack for shrinking down classic gaming tech.
