How to turn your old PlayStation into a ‘Playstacean’

Have you ever seen something so cool that you immediately thought, ‘I have to make that’? This is what one game console enthusiast thought upon encountering artist Anh Dang’s ‘Playstacean’ – a crab-themed take on the PSone console.

Hence, GingerOfOz decided to put a 3D printer, a beat-up PSone, and an unhealthy dose of creative obsession to work and bring this crustacean console to life, sharing the entire process in a video on his YouTube channel streamed on March 21.

First things first – you need a PSone (the smaller, rounded redesign of the original PlayStation), and this DIY master found one in a slightly battered condition on eBay. The ‘battered’ refers to the shell, but the motherboard should be functional.

Sourcing the base PlayStation and designing the Playstacean shell

To begin, you’ll need to blend the PSone’s tricky form with the shell design from Anh Dang’s artwork. Next, GingerOfOz used CAD software to design real-world-fit parts with precision. 

According to him, some details from the design aren’t easy to make, so you should take some tradeoffs into account, like chunkier limbs, extra shell space, and flatter curves.

Modeling the upper shell

Now, replicate the PSone’s top shape and add the crab’s ‘face’ – including eye sockets and antenna-like elements. The eyes will be glued in and carved for disc clearance. Make sure to recreate all six parts of the disc lid mechanism, add metal rods to hold the lid to the shell, and improve durability.

Testing and printing prototypes

Next is the 3D printing, for which GingerOfOz used the Bambu Lab X1 Carbon. The best practice is to first print the smaller parts and test fits before committing to full prints.

Modifying the PlayStation PSone motherboard to fit the Playstacean

The outer edges of the PSone motherboard’s ground plane need to be trimmed to fit the new shell design, as well as requiring beefy ground wires for stability, while being careful not to damage any of the components.

Building the lower shell

Then, it’s time to build the lower shell, which includes mounts for the motherboard and disc drive, cutouts for I/O ports, eight limb openings, and angled controller/memory card ports, which GingerOfOz managed to put together using just wedges and screws to hold the ports in place.

Making the crab controller arms

He then built the crab controller arms with fully functional PS1 controllers on pincers equipped with PS1 controller buttons, pose-able arm segments, and a ball-and-socket joint for 360-degree movement. 

These should also include hollow arm segments that allow wires to route through, using a ‘poles and holes’ method to manage cable slack during movement. GingerOfOz also recommends PETG filament for stronger joints.

Once one arm is done, mirror the design for the second arm, swapping out the D-pad and face buttons.

Adding the finishing touches

Finally, add triggers for the arms, six crab legs around the base, internal mounts/posts for alignment, and memory card flaps, making sure all is aligned and functional.

Print the final parts in proper colors and optimal angles to reduce layer lines, assemble all 56 3D-printed pieces, carefully route and solder all wiring, tweak any fitment issues with spacers or trimming tools, and screw it all shut.

Turning a PlayStation into a ‘Playstacean’ – and more

And there you have it – you’ve turned an old Playstation into a Playstacean, a fully functional customized crab-like console, so enjoy it. If you’re feeling ready for more DIY projects, you can also try making an NFC music box, an electric supercar for kids, your own wellness light therapy gear, or even a laser harp.

What do you think?