If you're a fan of retro gaming and want to play classic games to bring back fond memories from your childhood, there's no need to search eBay for old games consoles when you can build your own retro games system. We will take you through the process of building a portable DIY retro gaming console with a Raspberry Pi using the open-source RetroPie software.
Why Build a RetroPie Gaming Console?
RetroPie is an open-source software package that allows you to turn your Raspberry Pi 3, 4 or Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W into a classic retro gaming machine. The software package contains a wide range of emulators, including:
Sega Genesis
Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Atari 2600
Nintendo Entertainment System
PlayStation 1 & 2
RetroPie is continuously updated by enthusiasts and community developers adding new features. It also offers tons of customization options, including software tools to configure your Raspberry Pi as a retro-gaming machine.
Besides Raspberry Pi, it's possible to install RetroPie on an ODroid C1/C2, or a Windows/Linux PC.
Things You Will Need to Build RetroPie Console
You will need the following items to build your own retro gaming console using Raspberry Pi and RetroPie software:
Raspberry Pi board: you can use a Raspberry Pi 3, 4 or Zero 2 W
16GB Class 10 microSD card
Official Raspberry Pi power supply, or equivalent 5V/3A one
HDMI cable
USB game controller
Small display (such as a 7-inch touchscreen)
Battery pack or power bank
3D printed or purchased case (optional)
Once you have all the parts, you can continue with the installation and assembly.
Install RetroPie on Raspberry Pi
There are two different ways to install RetroPie on a Raspberry Pi:
Or write a pre-made OS image for RetroPie using the Raspberry Pi Imager tool: select Choose OS > Emulation and game OS > RetroPie, then the appropriate version for your Raspberry Pi model.
Along with a different front-end menu system and customization options, some of these offer a different range of emulators.
Enable Auto-Login and Auto-Start RetroPie on Boot
At this stage, you can connect the touchscreen display to the Raspberry Pi. Our example build uses the DFRobot 7" touchscreen display. You can use any small display between 5" and 10", such as the official 7" Raspberry Pi display, whichever is available.
To enable auto-login and ensure RetroPie starts as soon as the Raspberry starts or boots, you first need to connect to the Raspberry Pi via SSH to access it remotely from another computer.
Power on the Raspberry Pi and connect it to your router using a LAN cable. You can use the Fingapp or check your router's DHCP settings to find the Raspberry Pi's IP address so you can SSH in.
Once you are connected via SSH to the Raspberry Pi, follow these steps to enable auto-login (if not already enabled) and start the RetroPie emulator automatically on boot.
In a Terminal window, type the following command to open the Raspberry Pi configuration tool:
sudo raspi-config
Enable auto-login by selecting, 1 System Options > S5 Boot / Auto Login and then choose either B2 Console Autologin or B4 Desktop Autologin.
With auto-login enabled, run the following command (replacing YourUserName with your own username) to open the .bashrc Bash shell script in the nano text editor:
sudo nano /home/YourUserName/.bashrc
Add the following line to the end of the script:
/usr/bin/emulationstation
Press Ctrl+X and then Y and Enter to save the changes.
Restart the Raspberry Pi.
When you restart, RetroPie will automatically start on the boot—there's no need to run a command anymore.
Configuring the Controllers
On the first boot, you will see a screen to configure your USB game controller. Makes sure you have one plugged in. You may also use any Xbox or PlayStation controller (except DualSense) via a USB adapter to work with your retro gaming console.
On this screen, you need to map the controls by clicking the buttons on the controller. Complete the on-screen instructions and then move to the next part where you will add the games.
Add ROMs and Games to the RetroPie Console
You can add the games, aka ROMS, to the RetroPie console via a USB drive. Alternatively, you can install the retropie-manager to enable a web interface to manage RetroPie games and ROMs.
You can download the ROMs from the internet, for whichever emulator you want to use. Copy the ROMs to the USB drive and then connect it to Raspberry Pi.
If using the web interface, upload the ROMs directly, and then you can start playing the classic games on your Raspberry Pi.
You may also follow these steps to upload game ROMs:
Press Windows + R, type \ \IPAddressOfRaspberryPi and press Enter.
Open the ROMs folder and paste the game ROMs there.
Restart RetroPie (Raspberry Pi).
Once you restart the Raspberry Pi, you will see and play the new games (added ROMs) in RetroPie.
Making the Retro Gaming Console Portable
To make this retro gaming console completely portable, you can use a UPS HAT or battery pack for the Raspberry Pi. There are various battery packs available, powered by lithium-ion batteries. To learn more, you can refer to our guide to Raspberry Pi battery packs for your retro gaming console.
Alternatively, you could use a power bank with 5V/3A USB output to power the Raspberry Pi or build your own DIY battery pack to power the retro gaming console and play your favorite games on the go. For the latter, you will need:
Connect the battery’s +/- terminals to the Bat and GND terminals on the PowerBoost module.
Connect physical Pin 2 (5V) and Pin 6 (GND) of the Raspberry Pi 3/4 to the 5V and G (ground) pins respectively, as shown in the diagram.
To charge the battery and power the Raspberry Pi, you can connect a 5V/3A adapter to the PowerBoost 1000 module.
The battery backup time will vary depending on the battery capacity and display size you choose.
Assemble It in a Case
For the finishing touch, you may well want to put your portable retro games console in its own case. The size and shape will depend on the exact components you're using, in particular the type of display. A wide range of cases are available to buy, such as this NeeGo case to house a Raspberry Pi 4 and official 7-inch touch display. Alternatively, you can opt to 3D print one from STL files, such as this similar case on Thingiverse.
If you are going to use a battery and theAdafruit PowerBoost 1000 module as discussed earlier, you can download this tablet-style case from Thingiverse and then your 3D printer to make it or get it printed by a 3D printing service provider. Make sure to use the official Raspberry Pi 7-inch display to fit all components in these particular 3D-printed cases.
Affordable Portable Retro Gaming Console
By using a small display and a DIY battery pack, you can build a completely portable retro gaming console with your Raspberry Pi 3, 4 or Zero 2 W that you can carry with you anywhere. All you will need is a controller to play the classic games on the go. To give this project a clean look, you could buy or 3D print a suitable 3D case and assemble all the components in it.
