Video Game Chatter

Smitty

DCC 4Life
Joined
Apr 7, 2013
Messages
22,488
Hmmm, I don't really have a set of instructions, per se. I use a youtube Channel from a guy named ETA Prime. This is his most relevant video for general installation, but he's got tons of specific vids.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QcC2GmV9Ew&list=PL_IqQoAmrtFDK4QWl_iaimL9Lh-hpvKpR&index=3&t=0s

Here are some internet set up articles I found helpful:

https://www.pcworld.com/article/3190347/gaming/how-to-build-a-raspberry-pi-retrogaming-emulation-console.html
https://howchoo.com/g/n2qyzdk5zdm/build-your-own-raspberry-pi-retro-gaming-rig

Here is a list of the parts I bought:

The Raspberry Pi 3 Model B: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CD5VC92/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
You can get a B+, which runs slightly faster, but I've heard that's not really necessary. When the 4 comes out, whenever that is, they will be able to do a lot better with the N64 games and newer, but for now, the 3 does run MOST N64 games and many PS1 games.

You can also find "kits" on Amazon that come with many or most accessories, but I liked this specific case my friend had, so I get everything piecemeal.

Here's the case: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07349HT26/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You need a 2.5 amp power supply. I recommend one with an on/off power switch so that you can turn the system off that way besides powering it down in the OS: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FM0XOH8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You need a "class 10" microSD card. I got a 64 GB. Many people are saying that if all you want is NES, SNES, Genesis, the older systems, you are just fine with a 16GB or even a 32 GB could be overkill. Other people seem to be saying they can fill up a 64GB or even push capacity on a 128GB when they have "all" the games even from the PS1 era, which are much larger. I doubt I'll ever get "complete" collections from the PS1/N64 era, I just don't care that much for most of the games besides the classics, so I went middle of the road with this 64GB, which for me, is still probably overkill: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XX29S9Q/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You can use pretty much any USB or even bluetooth controller with the Raspberry Pi 3 because it has on-board Bluetooth and on-board wifi built in, but I wanted to be tech nerdy and instead of using my existing PS4 controllers, I went out and bought two highly rated retro controllers, one cheap one and one expensive one, to really sell the experience. The first has USB and bluetooth and is more expensive, the second is just usb and is relatively cheap. I haven't received the second one yet; and I'll say this about the more expensive one: It feels relatively tiny, and I'm not thrilled with the responsiveness over bluetooth, though it IS functional. I may try with it plugged in instead and see if it's any faster.

1) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018K3Q4KS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
2) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XWD8QQJ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I also got this wifi/USB keyboard pad. Many times you need a keyboard to be hooked up (for set up, and even some roms require keyboard input, like with MAME arcade emulators, apparently, you need the keyboard to exit the emulator at all). Better to have this little portable thing than having to lug around a full size keyboard to attach to it all the time: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WQG6A8C/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Finally, I got this carrying case from Amazon, hasn't arrived yet, but I anticipate all the accessories will fit in here nicely (with the possible exception of the keyboard, but I think it will fit also), so I can carry it all around in one package: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002VPE1QG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
 

mcnuttz

Senior Junior Mod
Staff member
Joined
Apr 8, 2013
Messages
15,667
Hmmm, I don't really have a set of instructions, per se. I use a youtube Channel from a guy named ETA Prime. This is his most relevant video for general installation, but he's got tons of specific vids.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QcC2GmV9Ew&list=PL_IqQoAmrtFDK4QWl_iaimL9Lh-hpvKpR&index=3&t=0s

Here are some internet set up articles I found helpful:

https://www.pcworld.com/article/3190347/gaming/how-to-build-a-raspberry-pi-retrogaming-emulation-console.html
https://howchoo.com/g/n2qyzdk5zdm/build-your-own-raspberry-pi-retro-gaming-rig

Here is a list of the parts I bought:

The Raspberry Pi 3 Model B: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CD5VC92/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
You can get a B+, which runs slightly faster, but I've heard that's not really necessary. When the 4 comes out, whenever that is, they will be able to do a lot better with the N64 games and newer, but for now, the 3 does run MOST N64 games and many PS1 games.

You can also find "kits" on Amazon that come with many or most accessories, but I liked this specific case my friend had, so I get everything piecemeal.

Here's the case: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07349HT26/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You need a 2.5 amp power supply. I recommend one with an on/off power switch so that you can turn the system off that way besides powering it down in the OS: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FM0XOH8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You need a "class 10" microSD card. I got a 64 GB. Many people are saying that if all you want is NES, SNES, Genesis, the older systems, you are just fine with a 16GB or even a 32 GB could be overkill. Other people seem to be saying they can fill up a 64GB or even push capacity on a 128GB when they have "all" the games even from the PS1 era, which are much larger. I doubt I'll ever get "complete" collections from the PS1/N64 era, I just don't care that much for most of the games besides the classics, so I went middle of the road with this 64GB, which for me, is still probably overkill: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XX29S9Q/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You can use pretty much any USB or even bluetooth controller with the Raspberry Pi 3 because it has on-board Bluetooth and on-board wifi built in, but I wanted to be tech nerdy and instead of using my existing PS4 controllers, I went out and bought two highly rated retro controllers, one cheap one and one expensive one, to really sell the experience. The first has USB and bluetooth and is more expensive, the second is just usb and is relatively cheap. I haven't received the second one yet; and I'll say this about the more expensive one: It feels relatively tiny, and I'm not thrilled with the responsiveness over bluetooth, though it IS functional. I may try with it plugged in instead and see if it's any faster.

1) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018K3Q4KS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
2) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XWD8QQJ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I also got this wifi/USB keyboard pad. Many times you need a keyboard to be hooked up (for set up, and even some roms require keyboard input, like with MAME arcade emulators, apparently, you need the keyboard to exit the emulator at all). Better to have this little portable thing than having to lug around a full size keyboard to attach to it all the time: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WQG6A8C/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Finally, I got this carrying case from Amazon, hasn't arrived yet, but I anticipate all the accessories will fit in here nicely (with the possible exception of the keyboard, but I think it will fit also), so I can carry it all around in one package: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002VPE1QG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Good compilatiion, thanks man!

Atari 2600, arcade, and NES are all I really care about. For the arcade emulation I'd like to rig up a true joystick and button combo, then have an atari joystick and NES controllers to hook up as well.
 

Smitty

DCC 4Life
Joined
Apr 7, 2013
Messages
22,488
Good compilatiion, thanks man!

Atari 2600, arcade, and NES are all I really care about. For the arcade emulation I'd like to rig up a true joystick and button combo, then have an atari joystick and NES controllers to hook up as well.
NES is super, super easy. Just download the roms and put them in the pre-existing folder on the Raspberry Pi. Done.

Arcade is more complex. You'll have to do more reading up on that, I don't even know the details of all that yet.
 

mcnuttz

Senior Junior Mod
Staff member
Joined
Apr 8, 2013
Messages
15,667
NES is super, super easy. Just download the roms and put them in the pre-existing folder on the Raspberry Pi. Done.

Arcade is more complex. You'll have to do more reading up on that, I don't even know the details of all that yet.
Are you planning on taking the console on the road?

Can't decide if I want to do that or build a cabinet for it. I like the idea of a countertop build with the arcade joytstick/buttons & slanted monitor to mimic the old arcade experience. I've got a bunch of old scrap wood so will probably go that route.

Please share any info you find beneficial if you research the arcade games and I'll do the same.
 

Smitty

DCC 4Life
Joined
Apr 7, 2013
Messages
22,488
Are you planning on taking the console on the road?

Can't decide if I want to do that or build a cabinet for it. I like the idea of a countertop build with the arcade joytstick/buttons & slanted monitor to mimic the old arcade experience. I've got a bunch of old scrap wood so will probably go that route.

Please share any info you find beneficial if you research the arcade games and I'll do the same.
I love the idea of a cabinet but I don't have the space to do something like that, plus I like the portability of what I've done. It's literally a little brick that's about 2 inches by 2.5 inches. Smaller than my iphone. I can stick it in my pocket if I want. Take it to a friend's house and plug it into their TV.

If I was gonna do a cabinet, the entire thing is cheap enough that I'd just make a second one to have stationary in a cabinet.

I will let you know what I find about arcade/MAME. The trick as far as I can tell is finding the right emulator for the right "rom version." There are all different versions of ROMs for the main emulator, called MAME, and there are also different versions of MAME, as well. MAME roms can be MAME 0.37b5, MAME 0.78, etc, and all those different rom versions require different types of MAME emulators, whether it's mame4all-pi, or lr-mame2000, or lr-mame2003, etc. I just don't know enough to know what is compatible with what.

I can go to emuparadise and download a "MAME ROM" but I don't know what emulator version it is, what rom version it is, etc. I need to figure that all out.
 

Texas Ace

Teh Acester
Joined
Apr 7, 2013
Messages
23,400
If you have a PS4 and didn't play GoW, you should be forced to donate it to someone who will make better use of it.
 

Cowboysrock55

Super Moderator
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Joined
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Messages
52,461
If you have a PS4 and didn't play GoW, you should be forced to donate it to someone who will make better use of it.
You know now that I look into I might try it. I'm not big on linear games. Which it's always been. But what I've read now about the new one is that has totally changed. Actually looks like a game I might love now.
 
D

Deuce

Guest
You know now that I look into I might try it. I'm not big on linear games. Which it's always been. But what I've read now about the new one is that has totally changed. Actually looks like a game I might love now.
From top to bottom, the GOW games as a whole are a better series than any other video game series and 95% of movie series that ever existed.
 

Cowboysrock55

Super Moderator
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Messages
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From top to bottom, the GOW games as a whole are a better series than any other video game series and 95% of movie series that ever existed.
Yeah and see I wasn't that into the previous ones. I just didn't like the linear format of them. It was a game I'd play to a point and then stop for a loss of interest.
 

1bigfan13

Your favorite player's favorite player
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Messages
27,122
You know now that I look into I might try it. I'm not big on linear games. Which it's always been. But what I've read now about the new one is that has totally changed. Actually looks like a game I might love now.
It's great. There are some linear aspects to it but for the most part it's open world.
 

fortsbest

DCC 4Life
Joined
Apr 8, 2013
Messages
3,733
I bought it a few weeks ago, but haven't had time to sit and get into it yet. Hopefully this weekend since it's supposed to be miserable hot.
 

Smitty

DCC 4Life
Joined
Apr 7, 2013
Messages
22,488
I've never liked the GoW series, but I do feel that way about the Witcher 3. If you haven't played AND beaten it, just stop playing video games, cause you're doing it wrong.
 

Cowboysrock55

Super Moderator
Staff member
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Messages
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I've never liked the GoW series, but I do feel that way about the Witcher 3. If you haven't played AND beaten it, just stop playing video games, cause you're doing it wrong.
Witcher is another series that I never got into. But then tried Witcher 3 and loved it. I'm hoping GOW will be the same for me.
 

midswat

... soon
Joined
Apr 16, 2013
Messages
4,241
I’m way late to the party but I saw RDR for $16 at Walmart and picked it up.

Not even 100% sure what I’m supposed to be doing but I love just running around everywhere doing whatever the frick I want.
 

Smitty

DCC 4Life
Joined
Apr 7, 2013
Messages
22,488
I’m way late to the party but I saw RDR for $16 at Walmart and picked it up.

Not even 100% sure what I’m supposed to be doing but I love just running around everywhere doing whatever the frick I want.
Not much for open world games, then?

RDR is one of the best games ever though, IMO. Good choice. The letters on your map will signify available missions.
 

midswat

... soon
Joined
Apr 16, 2013
Messages
4,241
Not much for open world games, then?
I’m just not much of a gamer. Have to say that I think RDR is the first game like this I’ve ever played.

Otherwise I’ve just fired up NCAA football or Sniper Elite whenever I played.

RDR is one of the best games ever though, IMO. Good choice. The letters on your map will signify available missions.
Yeah I’m figuring it all out. Mostly hunt for money and do missions occasionally. I’ve not played it much but it’s not getting boring like most games typically do (aside from the two already mentioned)
 

boozeman

28 Years And Counting...
Staff member
Joined
Apr 7, 2013
Messages
121,744
I am excited for football season again.

And like a cheap slutty whore with a crack addiction, I may buy Madden yet again.

I literally have not touched my Playstation since last October when I moved and let my kid take it up to his Little Man Cave.
 

Sheik

DCC 4Life
Joined
Apr 8, 2013
Messages
10,903
I always thought I'd be one of those weird guys that played video games into his mid 30s.











Turns out I was correct.
 
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