Retro Gaming on a Raspberry PI 2

Howdy hardware enthusiasts! I’m excited to share with you my latest project: transforming a Raspberry Pi into a retro gaming console using RetroPie as the emulating operating system.

The last time I wrote about a Raspberry was when I converted a Raspberry PI 1 into a local DNS Server and Self Hosted AdBlocker via Pi-Hole (Check blog post here -> https://mariusserbanica.co.uk/2023/01/27/using-a-raspberry-pi-as-a-local-dns-server-an-ad-blocker/), but now, I’m back at it again! And I can’t stress enough how precious and versatile those little things are!

Now, if you’re like me, and you grew up playing games like Super Mario Bros, Donkey Kong, Legend of Zelda, Pokemon Red & Blue, and others like that and you’re looking to play and re-live those awesome childhood moments then you’re in luck! Stop now and don’t go on eBay to look for different retro consoles, or cheap knock-offs in order to play your precious games. I’m here to tell you that you can do all this AND more with a simple Raspberry PI 2 and a couple of old gamepads.

Now, I can play all my favorite classic console games on a single device, from the NES and SNES to the N64 and Atari, as well as the GB, GBA, GBC, and many more!

First, I gathered all the necessary components: a Raspberry Pi 2, a 32GB microSD card, two Xbox 360 gamepads, and a cheap smart TV. I installed RetroPie on the Raspberry Pi, which was easy thanks to the step-by-step guide on the official website.

Once I had the OS up and running, it was time to load up my favorite games. There are a few different ways to do this, but I chose to transfer the ROM files (which are easy to find if you dig around *wink* *wink*) to the microSD card using FileZilla. The transfer process was straightforward, and I was able to organize my games into separate folders by console type.

I connected the Xbox 360 gamepads to the Raspberry Pi using a, and RetroPie recognized them immediately. I tested the controllers with a few different games and was pleasantly surprised at how well they worked. The buttons and joysticks were responsive and had a satisfying tactile feel.

Finally, I hooked up the Raspberry Pi to the cheap smart TV using an HDMI cable. The TV was nothing special, but it had low input lag and good picture quality, which made a huge difference in the retro gaming experience.

With everything set up, it was time to dive into some classic games. I started with Super Mario Bros. on the NES, and I was instantly transported back to my childhood. The graphics looked crisp and colorful on the TV, and the game ran smoothly without any noticeable lag. I was also impressed by how well the Xbox 360 gamepads emulated the original NES controller, with the same button layout and responsive D-pad.

Next, I tried out some SNES games like Super Mario World and Donkey Kong Country. The SNES emulator ran flawlessly, with no issues or slowdowns. I was impressed by the vibrant colors and crisp graphics on the smart TV, and the Xbox 360 gamepads worked just as well with the SNES games as they did with the NES games.

I also tested out some N64 games. I just want to say that some games from N64 or PS1 will be tricky, some N64 games work fine but if you really want the full-on power of a Raspberry, then you should do all this on the latest model, the Raspberry PI 4, as you will get more CPU/RAM power in order to run those emulations.

Overall, I’m thrilled with how this project turned out. With just a Raspberry Pi, some gamepads, and a cheap TV, I was able to create a retro gaming console that can play all my favorite classic console games. The setup was easy, the games ran smoothly, and the experience was just like I remembered it from my childhood. If you’re a fan of classic console games, I highly recommend giving this project a try!

Now… if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a princess to save and she’s not in this castle! 🙂