Looking Raspberry Pie recommendations

[envytomdead2]

I picked up a super retrocade for $35 and liked it pretty well however now it just freezes up. I thought it might be a good time to move to a Retropie. Basically I am looking to run:

 

Arcade

Atari 2600

Atari 7800

Game Gear 

Genesis 

Master system

Nes 

Snes 

 

I am also looking for both composite and HDMI out. 

 

Are there any kits in particular kits/installations people recommend?

 

Thanks in advance.

Edited November 8, 2020 by envytomdead2

[+MrZarniwoop]

Honestly, it mostly doesn't matter, as it's hard to go wrong. My two cents:

 

1. Trying to save money? Buy a Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ as RetroPie will run just fine on it for the emulators you're interested in. There are a remarkable array of retro-themed cases, including ones that look like an NES, Super NES, or even a re-imagined Atari 2600.

 

2. But, it's so cheap you may as well go for the high end and buy a Raspberry 4 Model B with 2GB of RAM or more, although RetroPie itself won't really benefit from the extra memory. There are a variety of form factors, and a better fit for maximum performance because you may want to play games for a Sega Dreamcast, Nintendo 64, or Sony PlayStation much better. In that case, a cool cooling case like the Argon ONE with a fan HAT may make sense.

 

Most people opt for cheap USB gamepads, but you can use modern Bluetooth controllers for the Microsoft Xbox One or Sony PlayStation 4. A favorite are any of the controllers from 8BitDo. If you want a new dedicated controller that will handle just about everything in RetroPie, it's hard to beat the 8BitDo SN30 Pro+.

 

If you insist on retro-authenticity, you may consider:

 

1. A good arcade controller like the Atari Dual Fight Stick with Trackball USB. They even sell a version with an RPi 3B+ inside it already.

 

2. Use your original DB9 joysticks with a USB adapter like the 2600-dapter D9 or a Bluetooth Wireless Atari Retro Joystick and Paddle Adapter.

 

Good luck. It's really amazing to suddenly have effortless access to just about everything. One bit of advice: as you learn about RetroPie and start playing with configurations, have a USB keyboard handy as it makes everything a thousand times easier. Plus, a keyboard is handy with some of the emulators sometimes, like if you're playing Atari 2600 games with an original Atari CX40 Joystick and need the keyboard to trigger SELECT or RESET/START!

 

 

[mr_me]

Pi4 2GB should be fine, unless you plan on using high resolution video.  Both composite and micro-hdmi is built-in.

 

https://www.canakit.com/raspberry-pi-4-custom-kit.html

 

You'll need a 3.5mm 4-pole av cable for composite video.

Edited November 9, 2020 by mr_me

[envytomdead2]

53 minutes ago, MrZarniwoop said:

Honestly, it mostly doesn't matter, as it's hard to go wrong. My two cents:

 

1. Trying to save money? Buy a Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ as RetroPie will run just fine on it for the emulators you're interested in. There are a remarkable array of retro-themed cases, including ones that look like an NES, Super NES, or even a re-imagined Atari 2600.

 

2. But, it's so cheap you may as well go for the high end and buy a Raspberry 4 Model B with 2GB of RAM or more, although RetroPie itself won't really benefit from the extra memory. There are a variety of form factors, and a better fit for maximum performance because you may want to play games for a Sega Dreamcast, Nintendo 64, or Sony PlayStation much better. In that case, a cool cooling case like the Argon ONE with a fan HAT may make sense.

 

Most people opt for cheap USB gamepads, but you can use modern Bluetooth controllers for the Microsoft Xbox One or Sony PlayStation 4. A favorite are any of the controllers from 8BitDo. If you want a new dedicated controller that will handle just about everything in RetroPie, it's hard to beat the 8BitDo SN30 Pro+.

 

If you insist on retro-authenticity, you may consider:

 

1. A good arcade controller like the Atari Dual Fight Stick with Trackball USB. They even sell a version with an RPi 3B+ inside it already.

 

2. Use your original DB9 joysticks with a USB adapter like the 2600-dapter D9 or a Bluetooth Wireless Atari Retro Joystick and Paddle Adapter.

 

Good luck. It's really amazing to suddenly have effortless access to just about everything. One bit of advice: as you learn about RetroPie and start playing with configurations, have a USB keyboard handy as it makes everything a thousand times easier. Plus, a keyboard is handy with some of the emulators sometimes, like if you're playing Atari 2600 games with an original Atari CX40 Joystick and need the keyboard to trigger SELECT or RESET/START!

 

 

Thanks for all the info.

Edited November 9, 2020 by envytomdead2

[envytomdead2]

8 minutes ago, mr_me said:

Pi4 2GB should be fine, unless you plan on using high resolution video.  Both composite and hdmi is built-in.

 

https://www.canakit.com/raspberry-pi-4-custom-kit.html

Thanks that should do it!