MAKERbuino kit with Tools - Soldering kit - Arduino - DIY Retro Game Console for Kids - Learn Electronics and Programming - Micro USB - Tools Included - USB Soldering Iron

I've assembled numerous DIY soldering kits in the last year, and I'm a slightly experienced hobbyist with a few years soldering experience.This kit was interesting.... I wish it had come with printed instructions, rather than making me go to their website. Be as it may, I used my smartphone to go to the site, and the instructions were easy to follow and understand, and while I didn't need to peruse the instructions for soldering, I read it and felt MAKERbuino struck a good balance between giving thorough, clear instruction without dragging out explanations or talking in too much detail.For anyone new to DIY electronics, or if you're considering gifting this to someone new, make sure you/they have someone with experience to help you. As great as the instructions are, if you can find someone to mentor you/them as it's built, it'll go much better.Experienced hobbyists may or may not find the process straightforward (more on that in a minute) and advanced hobbyists could put this thing together without thoroughly reading the instructions. The PCB is very clearly laid out, the only info missing is the specific resistor and capacitor values.Returning to the start of that last paragraph.... I found the workflow laid out by the instructions for assembly noticeably different than more common workflows. Specifically, I'm talking about installing the electronic components. In my experience, the components of lowest height go on the board first, and you gradually add components of increasing height. The instructions for this kit go all over the place. First, a few resistors, then capacitors. Then an IC socket, then a screen. Going back to capacitors, then a diode, then headers, and so on.I can understand why the person(s) that wrote the instructions did this, to an extent; Once you solder on about 1/3 of the components, you are instructed to connect the battery and see if the screen turns on. Then you finish soldering in the remaining components. But I still think the process of choosing and soldering down components could be more streamlined.Overall I didn't have any difficulties assembling this kit, and my completed game console works as advertised. One advantage of going on to their website is once you go through the instructions, you're shown what other people are doing with these consoles, and encouraged to share your own modifications. Be it writing your own software, making your own case by carving, 3D printing, etc. or looking to get some more games, the site is very welcoming.Finally, a note about the included tools. As many other reviewers state, the included soldering iron is VERY weak, and I discovered the included solder has a shockingly low melting point. I feel it's worth noting the needle nose and diagonal cutting pliers that are included are of surprisingly excellent quality too.If you don't have a soldering iron, you'll need a USB wall charger with a current output of at LEAST two amps. If you choose to use your own soldering iron, like I did, don't use the included solder unless the iron you have can't get that hot either. Again, the included solder has a very low melting point, and melting it at high temperatures will badly oxidize it and hinder it's ability to flow nicely. I simply used my soldering station and my own solder and had zero issues.

I had a lot of fun making this there are a few cons I have to talk about.The soldering iron was vary vary bad it caused cold joints and I had to go buy a real one after I messed up and had to desolder 2 components.There are 2 components that look 100% alike the writing on the bake is so tinny you need a magnifying glass to read them ( wish I did ) took 1 hour to desolder the 3 pins each 30 mins in and I had to go to the store and buy a real soldering iron and some copper wick this made finishing the kitt so much faster.The sound is not working I have no clue why ( 99% think I did something wrong ) but it works and I love it.Things you should buy before getting the kit a REAL soldering iron with a copper wick and some electrical tape or hot glue (to hold the speaker in place ) and a vault meter (it is on the way so I can see if I can fix the sound )All in all, this was a lot of fun can't wait to make my 1st program on it.

I bought it to learn how to solder and it was a very good experience on mine the soldering iron didn't work very well so I ended up having to pick one up but other than that the kit went together really nice and easy and it was a very good trading experience for soldering

My son wanted one of these so much and was thrilled when he finally got it. He is very good at building, circuits, soldering, and electronics in general. He put it together in no time but it got stuck in the stock game and he's never been able to get out of that game screen. We've been in contact with the company and they were very kind to trouble shoot with us, which is why we are giving at least 2 stars. But after sending them all the pictures of his soldering and explaining the issues we were having, they finally said we would need to ship the game console to Croatia to have them fix it there. We've put in too much money at this point to ship it to another country and I don't want to make my son wait that long while hoping it doesn't get lost in the process. We're just going to return it at this point and cut our losses. Hopefully they can work out the bugs in some of these consoles/games.

Love the concept of this! A brilliant way to get kids (and clumsy adults like me!) into technology repair and building. Had to return mine because a few parts were missing from the box, but overall I was pleased with the quality.

Everything is good.

Charger port broke after 2 days, now my son can't charge it.

Excellent project to make some quality-time with your kids and teach them something in the proces.My kid is 10 and we did couple of steps together, and then he did some on his own. I learned a lot too.The best thing about this project is that it looks hard but it turns out very fun. I've never seen my son so concentrated on doing something neat and by the numbers.It's also a great gaming gadget after you construct it, and takes away the spotlight from top mobiles and consoles (for a while at least).Got it as a Christmas gift for my friends and they were excited too.Recommended!