When it comes to retro-gaming for the Raspberry Pi 3 board, there’s no lack of option with firmware like RetroPie or Lakka, a few off-the-self accessories like USB or Bluetooth gamepad, a an HDMI monitor, you can get started in no time.
However, if you want to make a retro arcade game console, it may take some more efforts, as you’d normally have have to design the case yourself, source the buttons and controls, the display, extra electronics and so on. But the “DIY classic retro arcade game console” based on Raspberry Pi 3 board currently sold on Banggood for $247.99 should make things much easier, as it’s supposed to be plug and play, while still offering the option to add or remove games, and mess around with the hardware if you wish to.
Banggood did not provide the full technical details, but here’s what we know about the specifications:
- Based on Raspberry Pi 3 board (included)
- Display – HD LCD screen
- Connectivity – WiFi and Bluetooth, 10/100M Ethernet
- Controls – Rocker, 6x red buttons, 2x blue buttons
- USB – 4x USB port to add more control devices with up to 4 people playing at the same time
- Audio – Speaker, rotary button for volume control
- Misc – On/off buttons
- Power Supply – Yes…
- Dimensions – 26 x 25 x 32 cm (acrylic case)
The console comes with about 8000 classic games pre-installed, and ships with a power adapter and cord, and a male to male USB cable.
The view from the back of the device shows it should be easy to open, and if you find the Raspberry Pi 3 board to be a bit too slow for your need, you could easily replace it with a faster board. The other boards for display and volume control appear to be off-the-shelf part with the part number clearly marked, so it may be easier to find resources if you have troubles while working with another board. Beside Banggood, I could also find the game console on Aliexpress for $236.50 plus shipping, but with the latter pretty expensive to my country.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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