Retro Game Restore (RGR) recently took a moment to answer questions regarding their work on the upcoming Original XBOX (OG XBOX) Console Clear/Replacement Shell project. It has been awhile since our last update, and many of our viewers might not be users on twitter to follow RGR. So to bring everyone up to speed. Here is the quick Q and A interview we did with Martin from RGR at the end of July (Sorry I am just now getting this out):
Q: How is the OG XBOX clear shell coming along?
A: We are still working on it. There are delays due to the mold factory capacity, but we are on the right track to make it steps by steps.
Q: What are the issues you have been seeing with these larger shells?
A: We have to face lots of issues for Larger shells during injection, as we won’t 100% exactly know how the plastic flows will go till we have the mold ready. We need many many injection tests to make it flow as expected. As what we make are clear transparent shells, then we have no chance to hide any none perfect spot. Have to do an injection test and then modify the mold a bit to fix what we have issues and then test again. For this kind of larger shell, we have modified the mold at least 10 times to reach the goal we expected.
Q: Do you feel the experiences you have had so far in all your other projects had helped make any of this easier?
A: Yes, since we started to produce these retro console shells, we learned lots of new tech and also try to apply these new stuff into products if we can. And we have many 3D printers in the studio, new tech to make retro gaming stuff we love is always what we want to learn.
Q: What projects would you like to pursue going forward?
A: So far, we are also working on some electronic PCBA stuffs, it should be released soon, please allow me to keep it secret for now. And, our main job now is making those pre-order projects ready.
Q: Do you have an updated time table for the OG XBOX shells?
A: Our goal is to make first injection test for full mold at around end of September, mid of October, or at worst before the end of 2024.
RGR does some amazing work with their custom replacement shells which offer high quality shells for controllers, carts, and consoles. Though this quality comes with a step price, and the cost is largely due to the nature of injection molding prototypes and attempts, as well as the limited small unit run of these shells. It is completely understandable that products like these can be out of many retro gamers budget.
However if you do have a controller fix and/or console mod projects in mind. Consider using an option like this as it gives the modder an option to save the original plastics without the need of cutting holes in pieces that are no longer made. RGR still has Super Nintendo and Super Famicom shells as well as some awesome SNES/SFC controller shells launching soon. Links to their site below.
LINKS:
Retro Game Restore Site | https://retrogamerestore.com/store/
RGR Twitter Post on SNES pad | https://x.com/RgRDev/status/1821380633261928493