Modder Makes SteamBoy, A Game Boy-Sized Steam Deck

A Redditor named PhyFawkes has recently unveiled their latest endeavor, the SteamBoy, a modded version of the Steam Deck that closely resembles the classic Nintendo Game Boy in size. The modder's creation has sparked a mix of reactions, ranging from admiration for the creativity to frustration over what appears to be a wasteful act of vandalism on a functional device.

PhyFawkes' SteamBoy is essentially a Steam Deck that has been dismantled and resized to fit the dimensions of a Game Boy. While it is almost exact in length, the overall design is significantly more compact. The project used a certain version of the Steam Deck, the LCD model, which differs from the OLED variant. Due to the reduced size, several buttons and joysticks had to be sacrificed.

Only the D-Pad, one analogue stick, face buttons, a trackpad, and menu and quick access buttons remain. A fan and heatsink, sourced from AliExpress, have been installed at the back of the device to manage the cooling. The chassis of the SteamBoy is entirely composed of 3D printed material. However, it is important to note that the onboard display of the SteamBoy is not yet functional.

It is a 1,200 x 800, 90Hz AMOLED panel originally designed for VR applications. PhyFawkes plans to create a custom adapter PCB to connect the Steam Deck's ribbon to the display, along with a modified BIOS to ensure smooth operation. While the project is intriguing for some, given its homage to the iconic Game Boy, it is clear that the decision to shrink a perfectly functional Steam Deck is unnecessary, especially considering Valve's recent price increase for the device.