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Easy Beginner handheld Retropie Device Builds?

Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2018 7:29 pm
by SkyCaptainHD
Just curious of different project beginner builds for Raspberry Pi Retropie handheld devices? I've seen the Waveshare Game Hat device from what I've seen is really easy and affordable to put together. I'm looking for recommendations for similar project builds like the Waveshare Game Hat that is affordable ($50-80 max in total project parts list) and easy for beginners to put together. If I can incorporate my RPi 3B into the project that would be cool too.


I'm kinda new to the Raspberry Pi community. I have a Raspberry Pi 3B running the current Retropie version with a bunch of Retropie game system ROMs running on it with 2 iBuffalo SNES gamepads.

Re: Easy Beginner handheld Retropie Device Builds?

Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2018 8:17 am
by Hellweaver666
I think the Gameboy Null project looks pretty easy, or the Pi0cket Tiny Pi Pro (both are available on Tindie and there are vids on YouTube)

Re: Easy Beginner handheld Retropie Device Builds?

Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2018 9:24 am
by SkyCaptainHD
The Gameboy Null looks cool but unfortunately it doesn't have sound. And the Pi0cket Tiny Pi Pro I don't think that has bumber L & R buttons like a SNES controller. I forgot to mention I'd like to be able to play SNES and GBA games so the L & R and the A,B,X,Y and Start and Select buttons are a must. Thank you for the recommendations though. Those ones are pretty cool. Thank you very much for your help.

Re: Easy Beginner handheld Retropie Device Builds?

Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2018 9:59 am
by Hellweaver666
ok... So there's another project that could work for you. It's called the ODROID GO. It's a Gameboy esque hand held based on the ESP32 and can be put together with nothing but a small screwdriver! If I recall, The Retro Future channel on Youtube recently did an unboxing and build vid.

Re: Easy Beginner handheld Retropie Device Builds?

Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2018 8:33 pm
by SkyCaptainHD
The ODROID GO could be another possibility to start out with. It looks pretty simple and has an actual case for it unlike the Waveshare Game Hat. The ODROID GO doesn't have as many buttons on it for games like SNES or Sega Genesis but I guess that's okay since from what I've read is that the processor can only handle older games systems.

Re: Easy Beginner handheld Retropie Device Builds?

Posted: Thu Nov 22, 2018 7:49 pm
by Kelinesh
SkyCaptainHD wrote:
Thu Nov 15, 2018 8:33 pm
...It looks pretty simple and has an actual case for it unlike the Waveshare Game Hat...
HoolyHoo (3DHooly) on the forum here created a really nice case for the Waveshare Game HAT. You can buy the 3D Printer file and have it printed from an online or local 3D printing company. This fixes the issue about a case and also reduces the amount of travel the joystick has, which is a complaint on the device. The only "complicated" part is that his case requires the replacement of the ABXY buttons to fit properly I believe.

Link to 3D Files for Purchase
https://gumroad.com/l/GdONp

Regards,
Kelinesh

Re: Easy Beginner handheld Retropie Device Builds?

Posted: Thu Nov 22, 2018 8:40 pm
by Kelinesh
SkyCaptainHD wrote:
Fri Nov 09, 2018 9:24 am
... the Pi0cket Tiny Pi Pro I don't think that has bumber L & R buttons like a SNES controller...
If you feel like waiting, the creator is working on a Tiny Pi Advance.

Link to Hackaday with progress:
https://hackaday.io/project/99651-tinyp ... escription

Regards,
Kelinesh

Re: Easy Beginner handheld Retropie Device Builds?

Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2018 2:43 pm
by SkyCaptainHD
Thanks Kelinesh that Tiny Pi Advance looks pretty sweet. The original GB Advance was my favorite for fitting my hands.

Do you have a link on the Forums here for HoolyHoo's post/discuss on the Waveshare Game Hat 3D Printed case? I want to see if there is a discussion on replacing the buttons (X,Y,A,B buttons) for his 3D printed case.

Re: Easy Beginner handheld Retropie Device Builds?

Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2018 11:15 am
by Flavor
SkyCaptainHD wrote:
Mon Dec 03, 2018 2:43 pm
Thanks Kelinesh that Tiny Pi Advance looks pretty sweet. The original GB Advance was my favorite for fitting my hands.

Do you have a link on the Forums here for HoolyHoo's post/discuss on the Waveshare Game Hat 3D Printed case? I want to see if there is a discussion on replacing the buttons (X,Y,A,B buttons) for his 3D printed case.
If you like the original GBA form factor, then you might want to check out the Freeplay Zero or Freeplay CM3.

Re: Easy Beginner handheld Retropie Device Builds?

Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2018 11:30 am
by SkyCaptainHD
Flavor wrote:
Wed Dec 05, 2018 11:15 am
SkyCaptainHD wrote:
Mon Dec 03, 2018 2:43 pm
Thanks Kelinesh that Tiny Pi Advance looks pretty sweet. The original GB Advance was my favorite for fitting my hands.

Do you have a link on the Forums here for HoolyHoo's post/discuss on the Waveshare Game Hat 3D Printed case? I want to see if there is a discussion on replacing the buttons (X,Y,A,B buttons) for his 3D printed case.
If you like the original GBA form factor, then you might want to check out the Freeplay Zero or Freeplay CM3.
Yeah eventually I want to do one of those builds once I get some more money saved up. For now I'm gonna stick with the Waveshare Game Hat since it is really affordable and it helps that I already have a RPi 3b and a MicroSD card. All I need to get after I get the Game Hat is the battery and maybe a better case.

But definitely one the of Freeplay handhelds is on my list of must do projects.