3D Printed Small Scale Models of Video Game Consoles Past and Present

Okay, gamers, you can put down the controller or joystick or handheld device, step away from the keyboard. Pop your knuckles, stretch your thumbs or pop a pizza in the oven or whatever you like to do between gaming sessions. Taking a break from gaming doesn’t have to mean completely relinquishing your passion. You can actually move on to another entertaining and potentially equally time-consuming pastime that is in itself an homage to gaming culture.

One 3D modeler, designer, animator, and artist who goes by“DoctorOctoroc” has created some pretty awesome, 3D printed tiny scale models of video game consoles. They are available for purchase on the designer’s Shapeways page and range in price from $15 to $32. The models, which are about 1 ½” x 1 ½” x ½” (more or less) are shipped to buyers fresh from the 3D printer in white. Most are shipped in pieces and must be assembled, we assume with model epoxy or superglue. DoctorOctoroc encourages buyers to paint their models to resemble their real-life counterparts and provides recommendations for paint application. For an easy reference, buyers can also look at photos of the painted models on the Shapeways shop.

The details on these small-scale replicas are pretty impressive. For instance, the Nintendo Entertainment System, which is shipped in four pieces, features the “Nintendo” name and additional text, the LED, and even the hardware that protrudes from the ports on the sides of the gaming console. DoctorOctoroc has shared the PDF files of most of the models so you can view them in all of their 360-degree glory.

The attention to detail really is amazing given the size of the models. For example, with the Nintendo Gameboy Advance, which comes in four pieces, the screen section has been modeled separated so that a printed image of a screenshot can be applied to it before the model is assembled. The idea is to paint the models and, as shown with the screenshot, use a 2D printer to print certain details on adhesive paper. The SolidWorks files for the decals are also available from DoctorOctoroc.

Other favorites are the Mattel Intellivision, which features super-retro wood grain finish on the front of the console, the bright green Nintendo Gameboy Color with the screenshot of “Zelda,” and the Nintendo Famicom, which comes in eight pieces, including the tiny wires that attach the two controllers to the system.

We aren’t absolutely certain what you do with these models after you finish them but, come to think of it, we’re not sure what happened to all of the game consoles that sat neglected after their increasingly higher-tech successors claimed pride of place in the hearts and on the coffee tables of millions of gaming enthusiasts. As collections go, this one is far less space-invading than most others.

Have you created any of these 1:5 scale game consoles? Let us know what you thought over at the 3D Printed Miniature Game Consoles forum thread at 3DPB.com.