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Jan 15, 2015 | By Simon

As new video games systems including the latest Playstation and XBox are released, it seems like more and more video gamers have been increasingly finding joy in some of the more simple video games that came out on video game consoles decades earlier, too.  Whether it’s playing the original Duck Hunt game on the Nintendo Entertainment System or the Oregon Trail on MS-DOS, the need for minimal gaming skills has created an entire community of “retro gamers”.

Thankfully, modern day technology is capable of emulating these systems on our modern-day computers...oftentimes emulating multiple video game systems - including the original Nintendo, Super Nintendo, Apple II and others -  from a single and cheap processor.  More recently, the Raspberry Pi community has developed an emulator that uses the affordable development board to create a retro-gaming console called the RetroPie Project.  

Starting with a simple idea of turning the Raspberry Pi into a retro-gaming console, the RetroPie community has exploded with various projects that use various hardware and software scripts for creating one-of-a-kind retro gaming experiences.  

Among other projects that tap into the RetroPie platform is a new 3D printed handheld gaming console that was developed by the fun folks over at Adafruit Industries, the Super Game Pi.  

The DIY console features 12 buttons, an analog joystick, stereo speakers and a 5” HDMI display...all powered by using a Raspberry Pi A+ with RetroPie image.

Previously, the Adafruit team developed something similar with the 3D printed DIY GameBoy, however the Super Game Pi supports more games, a larger screen, better sound and of course, more buttons.  

“With a 5" true HDMI screen, the Pi can run Emulationstation so you can play just about any emulator,” said Adafruit.   “Ports and PC games are also supported as long as you can update the Pi to run proper libraries and dependencies. By default, the RetroPie image includes all the libraries to run a hand full of retro emulators (NES, SNES, Apple II, PC, GB, GBA).”

Adafruit sells a majority of the necessary supplies for the project, however you may be able to find some that you have laying around somewhere.  To print the enclosure, Adafruit has supplied the necessary 3D printing files, which were created in Autodesk 123D, here.

Parts

• Raspberry Pi A+

• TFP401 HDMI Driver

• 5" TFT Display

• Analog 2-axis Joystick

• Cupcade Adapter PCB

• 6600mAh Lithium Ion Battery

• SNES Controller

• PowerBoost500C

• Stereo 2.8W Class D Audio Amp

• 2x Mini Metal Speakers

• 40-pin FPC extension

• USB Mini WiFi module

Tools & Supplies

• 3D Printer

• Soldering Iron

• Power Drill

• Panavise Jr.

• Helping-Third Hand

• PLA + Ninjaflex Filament

• Hakko Flat Pliers + Flush Diagonal Cutters

• 30AWG silicone coated strand wire

• Heat shrink tubing

• HDMI Flat Cable

• Female Jumper Wires

• 3.5mm Stereo cable

For a full run-down on the build, which they warn is an advanced project that takes about six hours, you can check out the project in-full over at Adafruit.  

 

 

Posted in 3D Printing Applications

 

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