One of the simplest mods we can make to our consoles is the complete replacement of their shells, either to restore their look or to apply effects that weren't available in the original configurations. For example, it's not that uncommon to find semitransparent versions, but the YouTuber BitHead1000, known for his “Glass” editions of classic consoles, recently shared the construction of a transparent case for the PlayStation 2 itself. The most surprising part? No laser cuts here—everything was done by hand.
While the world prepares for the imminent launch of the PlayStation 5, the ever-popular PlayStation 2 turns twenty years old. Technically, that happened last March with its debut in Japan, but the United States had to wait until October 26, and in Europe the delay stretched to November 24. With more than 155 million units sold (it's believed the final number is much higher), the PlayStation 2 remains the absolute queen of consoles, and just as important is what we can do with it today, including hacks and mods at every level.
Now, with two decades on its shoulders, any console loses its original luster, and the PlayStation 2 is no exception. Restoring its appearance isn't too complicated unless the shell has suffered damage, and that's where complete replacements come in. However, the YouTuber BitHead1000 decided to take a much more extreme path: instead of looking for a reproduction on eBay or AliExpress, he built a transparent case for his PlayStation 2.
A build without lasers
At this point, anyone would think BitHead1000 had planned to design the parts digitally and cut the acrylic with a laser… but he doesn't work that way. The cuts were made with a saw, a jigsaw, and a torch so the edges have a better finish. Even so, his main ally in the build was the glue. Except for a few specific pieces that need screws, the rest is a festival of glue, probably with a solvent base.
The video also shows some problems, like the “cracked effect” left on the disc tray when gluing its new front, and other interesting tricks, including sandblasting acrylic to reproduce the PS2 logo on the top. The anchor for the optical discs had to be cut and transferred to another acrylic piece, and as expected, all the RF shielding was sacrificed to the gods (nobody makes a transparent case to show simple pieces of metal). In my opinion, the most impressive and tedious part at the same time is the console's ventilation grille. The simple idea of having to make 90 holes by hand (and another 60 at the back) isn't easy to grasp.
https://old.neoteo.com/playstation-2-adios-definitivo/Needless to say, the PlayStation 2 Glass is a display piece. On one hand, any maintenance process would be torture with all that glue, and on the other, there are no slots to connect Memory Cards. All the same, we're amazed by the final result. Working with acrylic can be a blessing and a nightmare at the same time...
