Is Retropie an OS?

[toptenmaterial]

I have a Raspberry Pi coming in the mail that I wish to use exclusively for gaming. Is Retropie an OS? Can I just start off with Retropie on my micro SD? I've been reading somewhat conflicting things so I wanted to reach out here. Thanks!

[Mr Robot]

Retropie is a set of scripts and emulators all set up and working in a single environment. It is installed on top of an OS called Raspbian. The RetroPie devs regularly create a Raspbian image with Retropie already installed.

 

• You can download the image and write it to a microSD and boot from it.
• You can install Raspbian and run the commands on the RetroPie github to have it installed on top.

 

The pre installed image is 'tailored' so they have removed stuff that you don't need if all you want is RetroPie, they have adjusted some of the default settings to make it more RetroPie friendly.

 

If you install Raspbian first and then install retropie on top of it you get a complete linux distribution with nothing removed as well as a full RetroPie experience.

 

It's up o you and your comfort levels with this stuff to decide which way you want to do it. I choose a full Raspbian and then run the install script over the top but most RetroPie users start with the pre-built image.

 

There are other retropie images available with roms and art already set up on them, these are generally made by people with too little linux technical knowhow but lots of enthusiasm; consequently there are usually lots of problems getting stuff running properly on them, superficially they look like a good idea but in reality it's just a path to frustration. I run a facebook group that helps people set RetroPie up properly with 17000 members who can tell you just how awful some of these images are.

[OldSchoolRetroGamer]

I run a facebook group that helps people set RetroPie up properly with 17000 members who can tell you just how awful some of these images are.

Wow awesome reply! Could you post the link to your Facebook RetroPie group?

Edited February 11, 2018 by OldSchoolRetroGamer

[Mr Robot]

Sure!

 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/RetroPieMakers/

[toptenmaterial]

MR, thank you so much for this easy and concise explanation!!!

[OldSchoolRetroGamer]

Sure!

 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/RetroPieMakers/

Thanks! Just sent a request ! (Rob Daviau)

[toptenmaterial]

Thanks! Just sent a request ! (Rob Daviau)

Me too! Jonathan Pressman. I fudged the first question as I don't know who/what Dizzy is.

[ClassicGMR]

Same here.

 

(I cheated and looked up Dizzy online)

[Mr Robot]

!! You get let in, no matter what you say, It's just to filter out the spam bots (they aren't smart enough to answer) and make sure you've read the warning about getting banned for illegal stuff.

 

You'd be amazed how many people still get kicked out for that and than act all surprised in PM.

[Mr Robot]

• You can install Raspbian and run the commands on the RetroPie github to have it installed on top.

 

I should add to this that at present, Retropie is not compatible with Raspbian Stretch so the pre installed image is still a Raspbian Jessie image and if you want to do the Raspbian + Install script method you will need to make sure you use a Jessie Raspbian image.

[toptenmaterial]

My Pi is up and running thanks to the folks on MR's group. There is a lot to learn but getting it going is pretty easy. By the way, the emulation smokes what I have going on on my PC.