A designer who goes by Luke The Maker has done the impossible: he made me want a 3D printer. Why? Well, he’s used on to make a game console for UFO 50.
The pseudo-retro game collection is one of Polygon’s favorite games of the year so far. It purports to present 50 games from now-defunct (and fictional) UFO Soft, published from 1982 to 1989 for the LX console.
Of course, the LX console doesn’t exist; you can only play UFO 50 on your PC.
But on Oct. 4, Luke the Maker decided to change that. On X, he’s been documenting the process of designing a functional LX.
As of Oct. 17, he’s done it, and I’ve never needed a 3D printer more.
The LX made by Luke the Maker consists of a 3D printed shell with a small PC inside. It has a chonky power button and a floppy disc drive, as well as two ports to plug in controllers. It’s faithful to the appearance of the console in UFO 50’s launch trailer and UFO 50’s startup screen, and I covet its blocky, beautiful form.
On X, Luke said the console cost around $280 to make — not including the PC components inside the housing. Luke also created a custom shell for the printed circuit board of an NES controller to function as the LX’s controller. It has two buttons and a D-pad — simplicity in a nutshell. Players switch between games by pressing the System button on the console itself, as the controllers don’t have a start button. In a video showcasing the build, LukeTheMaker writes that he believes it’s the intended design.
LukeTheMaker says the printer files will like be made available on his excellently reviewed Etsy shop within a week or so. I’m waiting! Now, how do I use a 3D printer…?
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