My RetroGaming "Console"

Well, I feel like they are everywhere these days so I jumped on the bandwagon and built my own retro-gaming console. All I have left is to print a custom label of my choice and slap it on my case.

Parts used:
- Raspberry Pi 3
- Micro USB extension cable
- HDMI extension cable
- Original NES blank case
- 64GB Micro SD
- Two Buffalo USB Retro controllers

Parts Required for build:
- Heat gun (to soften the extension cables for bending them in place)
- Hot glue gun
- Exacto Knife
- Dremel
- USB Keyboard for initial setup

 

I decided on the cartridge label art: retro Zelda!



All completed!

 

That looks great. I dunno if you do reddit, but /r/DIY would eat up a write-up on this

 

Would. So are you using it strictly for retro games?

How about a DIY here?

 

Unfortunately I am not. There seemed to be PLENTY of write-ups out there already. I used one from lifehacker, another from github and then some youtube videos to get er' done.

 

They say the Raspberry Pi processor can't do too much more than what a N64/PS1 game would require as far as processing power goes. For now I only have NES, SNES and N64 games loaded. I do want to get some Sega Genesis games on there as well. Luckily adding games is as easy as getting the ROM, putting it on a USB drive, plugging it in, and waiting for it to do its thing.

I can do a write-up here if anyone wants.

 

I use my Samsung Galaxy Tab for retro gaming, but the touch screen controller leaves much to be desired. I'm looking into rooting a PS3 controller into it, but I haven't gotten around to it. I know it can be easily done, but it's one of those things that takes a back seat sometimes.

 

If i had a PS3 or Xbox 360 controller i could've done a wireless controller through bluetooth (one good thing about the Pi3 is it has built in bluetooth and wifi), but in keeping with the 'retro' theme i bought two Buffalo SNES replica controllers. They're okay i guess.

 

https://www.howtogeek.com/286842/how-to-build-your-own-nes-classic-with-a-raspberry-pi-and-retropie/

 

very cool.

I have thought of building full size arcade using one of them but just dont have room right now.

 

So how exactly do you add the programming/games. For instance if i buy all on the list above then what? How do i go from assembly to playing games. Thx.

 

The Pi is just a small linux box- you would just need to get some emulation software and the ROM files for the games you want to play, then perhaps do some stuff to get your controllers all set up. Then just start the emulator and go.

One word of caution for anyone in this space- downloading roms for games you don't actually own is technically piracy (read: illegal) so the places you get them are kind of sketch sometimes. Always virus scan those files.

 

I typically use ip torrents for games and movies etc. Ill see if they have any nes/snes etc emulators. Will the pi3 be able to handle dreamcast?

 

You dont need to torrent emulators or roms, just google for them. I doubt the pi will handle dreamcast stuff well.

 

Lots of great games for the PS1/PSOne... actually miss some of them. That was a time when graphics could only be so good, and developers had to make the gameplay fun!

 

Funny thing is, I built this retro gaming 'console', booted it up to make sure it works and haven't touched it since. Still a fun project though.