Building a retro gaming console with Raspberry Pi

[James Falconer]

Has anyone out there built a retro gaming console with a Raspberry Pi? Super tempted to give this a try myself... with the NES Classic and other consoles coming to popularity again, all of these classic games and systems are cool again!

 

[Mooserman15]

This forum is for Android, not RaspberryPi.

 

[James Falconer]

Well, the forum is actually titled Raspberry Pi. Hoping some friendly AC members with RP experience will be able to lend me a hand here

Looking forward to the discussion!

 

[dryja123]

Well, the forum is actually titled Raspberry Pi. Hoping some friendly AC members with RP experience will be able to lend me a hand here

Looking forward to the discussion!

What're you looking to do?

I currently have a Pi running RetroPie with N64, PS1, retro PC games, NES, and SNES in a basic fan cooled case connected to my TV.

RetroPie is simple to install and the ROMs are easy to load into the system.

If you have any questions on installing RetroPie, or any ROMs, I'd be happy to help.

 

[petitpois24]

Retropie is the best way to go. I also bought a snes usb controller to go with my pi zero. Nostalgia complete!

 

[dryja123]

Retropie is the best way to go. I also bought a snes usb controller to go with my pi zero. Nostalgia complete!

I completely agree, it's a great platform for beginners and experts.

How well does SNES run on the Zero? I picked up a few handfuls of Zeros when Micro Center had them on sale for a dollar. I wanted to set them up for RetroPie and give them out as gifts but I got side tracked with other projects.

Thanks

 

[Jon Sewald]

I built my whole setup for $90. That included the Raspberry Pi 3, a power adapter, a case, 2 SNES usb controllers and a 64gb micro SD. I've been enjoying it, and my 3 (almost 4) year old loves it too. He askes to play the porcupine game (Sonic 2) all the time.

 

[James Falconer]

Awesome! I picked up a Raspberry Pi 3 kit, but haven't had the chance to put everything together yet. Very excited though... retro games get me a little too excited.

 

[James Falconer]

@Jon Sewald - that's amazing, do you have a link to what you bought?

 

[James Falconer]

@petitpois24 - so good. You have a pic of your retropie console!? Would love to see it, will give me more motivation to get moving on mine

 

[Jon Sewald]

The case I bought was similar to the one linked, except it had a fan. For some reason, the one I ordered links to a metal case. I'm still waiting on the 64gb card, but I flashed an 8gb one I had laying around. The retro pi file was about a half a gig, and with the the exception of the PSX and N64 games, most the other games were about a 1mb in size. I had the thing flashed and running in about 15 minutes. Besides one small config to make the sound run through HDMI, the thing runs with minimal setup.
I haven't tried it yet, but wired 360 controllers and bluetooth PS3 controllers are suppose to be supported to. I just liked the retro feel on the SNES controller while playing Donky Kong Country.
Pi 3 and Power supply
Controllers
Case

 

[James Falconer]

@Jon Sewald - so good! Thank you!

 

[dryja123]

@petitpois24 - so good. You have a pic of your retropie console!? Would love to see it, will give me more motivation to get moving on mine

Here's my setup. Nice and clean

 

[dryja123]

Currently working on building a fully portable GameBoy with the Raspberry Pi Zero W. It will be equipped with a rechargeable battery.

I'll post back as my build progresses but here's a picture of the screen I'm testing.

 

[dryja123]

Here are a few update photos:

Drilled out the extra button holes:

Buttons in and testing the screen before install:

Screen installed, buttons installed, custom rear R1 and L1 buttons installed, rechargeable battery power supply installed:

I'm waiting for a few blank solderable USB A female adapters to arrive so I can wire in an external USB port.

I'll post back with updates!

 

[dryja123]

So close to the finished product! Just need to figure out better wire management and receive my solderable USB A Female adapters and my gorilla glass screen protector. Wired up the volume wheel and everything is working!

Wired up custom L1 and R1 tactile switches in screw holes that weren't needed: