I'm not gonna lie...that article might as well have been in Greek.

So I was reading over this thread and I guess my question is this:

Is there any real benefit to running the emulators on a Pi other than it just being a fun DIY project? I currently have a gaming pc hooked up to my big screen that I run RetroArch on for this kind of stuff. While there are usually some annoying config issues whenever you install a new core, it seems much simpler than setting up a dedicated box. Of course, I guess not everyone already has a pc they can use for this purpose.

DanHo2010 said:

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So I was reading over this thread and I guess my question is this:

Is there any real benefit to running the emulators on a Pi other than it just being a fun DIY project? I currently have a gaming pc hooked up to my big screen that I run RetroArch on for this kind of stuff. While there are usually some annoying config issues whenever you install a new core, it seems much simpler than setting up a dedicated box. Of course, I guess not everyone already has a pc they can use for this purpose.

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Other than having a cheap, small, low powered box, no, there's not really any benefit that I can think of.

DanHo2010 said:

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So I was reading over this thread and I guess my question is this:

Is there any real benefit to running the emulators on a Pi other than it just being a fun DIY project? I currently have a gaming pc hooked up to my big screen that I run RetroArch on for this kind of stuff.

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For you, maybe not. I have one PC in the house in my office using a normal sized screen, so I wanted a cheap system I could set up to use on the TV in the family room without tying up my PC. This made perfect sense to me, as now the kids can play Mario or the wife can play Zelda while I'm in the office working.

Alternatively I could have spent 3x as much on a cheap PC to do the same thing, but then I'd still have a computer to hide somewhere and wires to run. With a Raspberry Pi I did it on the cheap in a tiny box, with just power and HDMI cables to worry about - no cables going around the house to get to a PC I have hidden in a closet somewhere.

DanHo2010 said:

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So I was reading over this thread and I guess my question is this:

Is there any real benefit to running the emulators on a Pi other than it just being a fun DIY project? I currently have a gaming pc hooked up to my big screen that I run RetroArch on for this kind of stuff. While there are usually some annoying config issues whenever you install a new core, it seems much simpler than setting up a dedicated box. Of course, I guess not everyone already has a pc they can use for this purpose.

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It's relatively cheap and mobile. I take mine to family gatherings for the kids (and some adult competitions) or on trips I stay in a hotel. At less than $100 all in price with 3 controllers it's a nice, easy setup.

Makes sense. Hadn't thought about the portability aspect but that is a big one. I might have to look into it just for that.

I got all of my stuff this evening. The SD card has NOOBS preloaded. I have no idea what to do now as far as adding an emulator, ROMs, or other software. Any help would be appreciated.

AW 1880 said:

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I got all of my stuff this evening. The SD card has NOOBS preloaded. I have no idea what to do now as far as adding an emulator, ROMs, or other software. Any help would be appreciated.

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This article posted at the beginning of this thread does a great job walking you through everything.

http://lifehacker.com/how-to-turn-your-raspberry-pi-into-a-retro-game-console-498561192

That seems pretty straightforward but the preloaded stuff on the SD card is confusing me a little. Do I need to delete that or just ignore it?

Wipe the card and start from scratch.

Wonder if there is a cartridge stl i could print and stick a pi in....

I just got through playing NES and SNES games for the last two hours. Thanks to those who posted on this thread. The instructions on the link above were pretty much idiot proof.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1887826

Would probably cost 5$ to build in plastic, few days to print. I'd print it for the cost of plastic if someone wants one.

Aggie MHA said:

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You need special equipment for ROM dumping. Just go to emuparadise. It's a safe site. I trust it more than torrents. You can DL individual ROMS or entire sets for a system.

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The lack of Sega Master System, Genesis, Sega CD, & 32X love in all these recent emulation threads concerns me!

You guys should also be playing the handhelds via emu: GB, GBC, GBA, Sega GG.

If you're 8 bit fans, don't forget to give the Atari 7800 some attention!

If you're a big retro nerd like me, get into Turbo Grafx 16/PC Engine.

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Are you all not worried about the legality of downloading all these ROMs?

I don't think nintendo even thinks it is legal to rip the ROMs from game cartridges you already own.

There is a guy I know who makes these rapsberry pi consoles and sells them with thousands of ROMs on them. No way that is legal.

Charlie Delta said:

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Aggie MHA said:

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You need special equipment for ROM dumping. Just go to emuparadise. It's a safe site. I trust it more than torrents. You can DL individual ROMS or entire sets for a system.

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The lack of Sega Master System, Genesis, Sega CD, & 32X love in all these recent emulation threads concerns me!

You guys should also be playing the handhelds via emu: GB, GBC, GBA, Sega GG.

If you're 8 bit fans, don't forget to give the Atari 7800 some attention!

If you're a big retro nerd like me, get into Turbo Grafx 16/PC Engine.

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Are you all not worried about the legality of downloading all these ROMs?

I don't think nintendo even thinks it is legal to rip the ROMs from game cartridges you already own.

There is a guy I know who makes these rapsberry pi consoles and sells them with thousands of ROMs on them. No way that is legal.

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Selling systems preloaded with a bunch of downloaded ROMs is definitely illegal.

So is downloading ROMs but no one is pursuing it like they do movies/music.

boboguitar said:

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So is downloading ROMs but no one is pursuing it like they do movies/music.

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It's one thing to download ROM for personal use and something else entirely to sell systems loaded with downloaded ROMs. Game companies have definitely cracked down on people selling bootlegged games or systems.

tamusc said:

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boboguitar said:

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So is downloading ROMs but no one is pursuing it like they do movies/music.

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It's one thing to download ROM for personal use and something else entirely to sell systems loaded with downloaded ROMs. Game companies have definitely cracked down on people selling bootlegged games or systems.

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I mean yes, they are both illegal.

Ag_of_08 said:

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https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1887826

Would probably cost 5$ to build in plastic, few days to print. I'd print it for the cost of plastic if someone wants one.

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If you're making any of these, hell yes I'll take one.

Ag_of_08 said:

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https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1887826

Would probably cost 5$ to build in plastic, few days to print. I'd print it for the cost of plastic if someone wants one.

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I'll pay for one + s&h

boboguitar said:

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tamusc said:

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boboguitar said:

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So is downloading ROMs but no one is pursuing it like they do movies/music.

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It's one thing to download ROM for personal use and something else entirely to sell systems loaded with downloaded ROMs. Game companies have definitely cracked down on people selling bootlegged games or systems.

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I mean yes, they are both illegal.

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I do not think anyone has ever gotten in trouble for downloading a few ROMs, especially really old ones. Getting ROMs for new games would put a target on your back, but you would probably just get a letter from your ISP asking you to stop the downloading if you get caught.

However, people have been taken to court for trying to sell or distribute ROMs that hurt the profits of a company.

So I finally ordered parts to do this. My plan was to use an older monitor hat has hdmi but no speakers and then send the audio to a bluetooth speaker. But I'm seeing that the bluetooth audio probably won't happen from a quick google search. Has anyone figured this out?

sdc177 said:

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So I finally ordered parts to do this. My plan was to use an older monitor hat has hdmi but no speakers and then send the audio to a bluetooth speaker. But I'm seeing that the bluetooth audio probably won't happen from a quick google search. Has anyone figured this out?

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Literally the first item in a google search of raspberry pi Bluetooth speaker.

https://www.raspberrypi.org/magpi/bluetooth-audio-raspberry-pi-3/

boboguitar said:

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sdc177 said:

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So I finally ordered parts to do this. My plan was to use an older monitor hat has hdmi but no speakers and then send the audio to a bluetooth speaker. But I'm seeing that the bluetooth audio probably won't happen from a quick google search. Has anyone figured this out?

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Literally the first item in a google search of raspberry pi Bluetooth speaker.

https://www.raspberrypi.org/magpi/bluetooth-audio-raspberry-pi-3/

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Now, literally go to that page and search for the word "retropie" and report back with your findings. Literally.

sdc177 said:

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So I finally ordered parts to do this. My plan was to use an older monitor hat has hdmi but no speakers and then send the audio to a bluetooth speaker. But I'm seeing that the bluetooth audio probably won't happen from a quick google search. Has anyone figured this out?

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I haven't tried this, but the raspberry pi has a headphone jack you could use for audio.

Charlie Delta said:

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sdc177 said:

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So I finally ordered parts to do this. My plan was to use an older monitor hat has hdmi but no speakers and then send the audio to a bluetooth speaker. But I'm seeing that the bluetooth audio probably won't happen from a quick google search. Has anyone figured this out?

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I haven't tried this, but the raspberry pi has a headphone jack you could use for audio.

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Yeah, I think that will be my best option if the bluetooth is a no go. Thanks!

https://discourse.osmc.tv/t/testing-bluetooth-audio-streaming-a2dp/9116?u=sam_nazarko

Is there an easy way to back up the game saves created by the ROMs? I want to have a back up of all my game saves on my computer in case the sd card in my raspberry pi fails.

Those files should be in the directory "/home/pi/RetroPie/".

A windoze PC probably won't be able to read the Linux partition though, so you may have to use a network connection and something like FTP to transfer the files.

Edit: rsync is an easy way to sync directories across a network. If have a windoze machine that's always on and you can get DeltaCopy to work as an rsync server, then it is easy to automagically back those up periodically using CRON.

ntxVOL said:

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Those files should be in the directory "/home/pi/RetroPie/".

A windoze PC probably won't be able to read the Linux partition though, so you may have to use a network connection and something like FTP to transfer the files.

Edit: rsync is an easy way to sync directories across a network. If have a windoze machine that's always on and you can get DeltaCopy to work as an rsync server, then it is easy to automagically back those up periodically using CRON.

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Thanks. This is something I would probably just do manually by removing the SD card and plugging it into my computer. Is there a good windows program that would let me view the linux partion on the SD card?

I read somewhere that I could make an Ubuntu Live CD and boot from the CD to read the linux partition on my sd card. Is that a good method?

Charlie Delta said:

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I read somewhere that I could make an Ubuntu Live CD and boot from the CD to read the linux partition on my sd card. Is that a good method?

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That is actually a very good idea!

Is that a serious offer? I'm also willing to pay for the supplies, S&H, and perhaps a few bucks for your troubles.

What controllers do y'all use for SNES games?

Completely missed this post. Let me try one and I'll let y'all know, if be happy to print them