In this guide, we’ll show you how you can experience nostalgic gaming with classics such as Super Mario Bros., Zelda, Donkey Kong and co, with a single-board computer. We’ll also tell you how to make the Raspberry Pi look like a classic Nintendo entertainment system.
Setting up the Raspberry Pi
First, let’s take care of setting up the single-board computer. The Raspberry Pi B +, 2B and 3B are compatible with the NESPi Case, which we’ll talk about later, but we recommend the Raspberry Pi 3 as it already has built-in WLAN and Bluetooth. All you need is a (micro) SD card, a keyboard and, ideally, NES-style retro controllers.
First, download the RetroPie software to your SD card. There is an already finished, bootable image for download, which you can copy directly to the SD card.
Then insert the SD card into the Raspberry Pi. Connect the keyboard, monitor and gamepad and start up the Raspberry Pi. We recommend plugging it into the wall socket with a power adapter, as often the connected TV / monitor does not provide enough power to properly operate it. The developer board would then show with a flashing raspberry that it is undersupplied.
Configuring RetroPie
First, you have to set up the gamepad, followed by the configuration of the WLAN. To do this, press the “A” button on the gamepad in the emulator’s startup dialog to enter the WiFi menu. There you can then create the settings with the keyboard and connect the Raspberry Pi with the WLAN. Thus, the base device is completed.
Now it’s time to load games on the RPPs converted to RetroPie. You will need ROMs, replicas of games that you can download from the internet.
Finally, let’s look at installing the ROMs on the RetroPie. This is easiest with SFTP / SSH if the Raspberry Pi is in your network. As a protocol, select “SFTP”, host name “RETROPIE”, then enter username “pi” and password “raspberry”, and you will be connected. If you then put the ROMs in the folder, home/pi/RetroPie/roms/, the games are on the Raspberry Pi. Finally, restart the Raspberry Pi and then your favourite games are ready to play.
The perfect NES retrogaming look
The system is up and running and the games can be played, but the all-round retro experience lacks the original NES console look. The NESPi case from Retroflag is the solution. The NESPi chassis has four USB ports, two flip-up ports, and two USB gamepad ports.
Power and reset buttons are also available. The power button snaps into place just like the original when pressed and has a small red LED that indicates that the Raspberry Pi is on. On the underside of the NESPi Case there is a removable lid to allow you to attach the SD card. The housing is compatible with the Raspberry Pi models B +, 2B and 3B. The set includes a small screwdriver and instructions.
Installing the Raspberry Pi in the NESPi Case
In the first step, the USB and network plugs are connected to the Raspberry Pi, and the power and reset plugs are plugged into the GPIO pins. Pay attention to the orientation of the plugs, because if you put the plugs upside down, the Raspberry Pi may be damaged. Finally, mount the Raspberry Pi in the case.
A small warning before using the power switch; if you press the power button while the Raspberry Pi is running, it just disconnects the power and does not shut down the device. This could potentially damage the SD card. Therefore, you should first shut down the developer board before pressing the power button.
Better than the original?
Now you can play countless games on the Raspberry Pi. But the Raspberry Pi has a big advantage over the original console. If you still have an original Super Nintendo at home, for example, and have tried it on your flat screen TV before, you’re likely to have lost the fun due to catastrophic resolution.
This problem does not exist with the Raspberry Pi with RetroPie and the emulated games, as these are usually designed for the latest screen technologies.
