// Workers AI · dad joke modeIs James Channel a good swimmer? He's always in deep water.
James Channel | |
|---|---|
 James Channel's YouTube profile picture | |
| YouTube information | |
| Channel | |
| Years active | 2023–present |
| Genre | Video game console modifications |
| Subscribers | 440 thousand |
| Views | 57.9 million |
| Last updated: September 15, 2026 | |
James Channel is a YouTube channel known for performing absurd modifications on retro video game consoles and hardware. He first gained attention in 2024, after making his own Nintendo Playstation. James content would receive media attention from many video game outlets including Kotaku, PC Gamer, and GameSpot.
Content
[edit]The content of James Channel mainly revolves around James preforming absurd modifications on retro video game console hardware. James's first video was in January 2024, where he attempted to recreate the unreleased Sony PlayStation prototype. In his video, he puts a first-generation Playstation motherboard inside of a Super Famicom shell, resulting in the disk storage being exposed from the SNES's cartridge slot.[1][2][3]
In March 2024, James put an entire Nintendo Entertainment System console into a NES cartridge. He did this by using a plastic shell of the cartridge and putting into a Famiclone. The power is supplied by a Micro USB port and a headphone jack.[4] In August 2024, he hot glued a CRT screen on to the original Game Boy handheld. Due to the power needed for the CRT screen, the total battery life lasted two minutes and five seconds.[5]
In September 16, 2025, James turned the first-generation Xbox home console in to a handheld one. The video documenting the project is 33 minutes long.[6] The video took over three weeks to make due to a technical issues in the middle of the video.[7] He use hot glue,[7] duct tape and super glue for the project.[6][8] The total battery life, which was powered by a 20-year-old iPod dock,[9] lasted 9 minutes and 40 seconds.[6] In May 2026, he did the same thing to a PlayStation 2 console, turning that into a handheld as well.[10]
In July 2026, James criticized Nintendo for not making a Virtual Boy controller for the Nintendo Switch 2, which would correspond with the release of Virtual Boy games on to the Nintendo Switch Online service. This resulted in him making his own wireless Virtual Boy controller for the Nintendo Switch 2.[11]
Reception
[edit]James content would receive media attention from many video game journalists. Outlets that have covered the channel include: Kotaku,[6] PC Gamer,[7] GameSpot,[3] Engadget,[8] and GamesRadar+.[11] His content was noted for its absurdity. James Bentley of PC Gamer said "It's not often I find myself chuckling at DIY projects, but YouTuber James Channel got a hearty one from me," noting the part where James saws an Xbox in half for his video.[7]
Zack Zwiezen of Kotaku described the Xbox handheld as the "most dangerous handled" and that the video corresponding with the build was "fantastic".[6] Damien McFerran of Time Extension said the process of him creating the CRT Game Boy was "completely intentional and very amusing [and] scary to watch."[5] McFerran would later say in an article about the NES cartridge console, that "James Channel doesn't put much stock in the idea of 'planning ahead', but in all honesty, that just makes things more interesting."[4] Anthony Wallace of Retro Dodo said that the exposed disc drive on his Nintendo Playstation was "frightening". Overall, Wallace said "the work by James Channel reminds us of the unique history in how our favorite video game consoles became a reality."[1]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 Wallace, Anthony (2024-01-08). "Creative Modder Builds the Fabled Nintendo Playstation by Sony". Retro Dodo. Retrieved 2026-09-12.
- ↑ Extension, Time (2024-01-07). "Random: Modder Creates Frankenstein 'Nintendo PlayStation'". Time Extension. Retrieved 2026-09-12.
- 1 2 "YouTuber Builds A Nintendo PlayStation, Saves $300,000". GameSpot. Retrieved 2026-09-12.
- 1 2 McFerran, Damien (2024-03-26). "Random: Modder Turns NES Cartridge Into NES Console That Can Play Itself". Time Extension. Retrieved 2026-09-12.
- 1 2 McFerran, Damien (2024-08-05). "Random: Crazy Modder Adds A CRT Screen To The Game Boy". Time Extension. Retrieved 2026-09-12.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Zwiezen, Zack (2025-09-17). "Man Creates Most Dangerous Handheld Xbox Ever". Kotaku. Retrieved 2026-09-12.
- 1 2 3 4 Bentley, James (2025-09-22). "YouTuber makes a 'portable monstrosity' Xbox using a handsaw, hot glue, and eight disk drives: 'It's working. It's actually working!'". PC Gamer. Retrieved 2026-09-12.
- 1 2 Campbell, Ian Carlos (2025-09-23). "There's more than one way to make an Xbox handheld". Engadget. Retrieved 2026-09-12.
- ↑ ""Now I can take Steel Battalion with me everywhere!" - Hey gamers, I've found your Xbox handheld". GamesRadar+. 2025-09-17. Retrieved 2026-09-12.
- ↑ "Ah, yes, a custom PS2 handheld that could slice a limb off, but beats the Steam Deck on battery life". GamesRadar+. 2026-05-26. Retrieved 2026-09-12.
- 1 2 "Modder does what Nintendon't and makes a Switch 2 Virtual Boy controller". GamesRadar+. 2026-07-16. Retrieved 2026-09-12.