RetroPi Game Emulator
Long before the NesClassic was released, enthusiasts have been enjoyed the same functionality from their Raspberry Pi. So if you would like to play games from your childhood, but the hardware is sold out of all of the stores near you. This will be your best route to nostalgia. Getting this setup on my Pi took quite a bit of effort and research. This guide will help you avoid the pitfalls and be on your way to exact sweet justice on your pixilated enemies in as little time as possible.
What you will need before you get started:
Hardware
This will be a pretty easy process if you follow the instructions directly. However, be aware that there is a vast amount of customization available in this process. If you find something lacking there are answers our there. This is a basic path and direct path to get you playing quickly.
Step 1: Create a folder to keep all of the files for your RetroPie project in one folder. I created a folder on my C driver just because it was easy to access.
Step 2: Locate the RetroPie image that you downloaded to your computer from https://retropie.org.uk/download/#Pre-made_images_for_the_Raspberry_Pi and unzip it by right clicking on the file and selecting 7-ZIP then 'Extract here'.
This will create a file in the same folder that we will load onto the microSD card. In my case it is called retropie-4.3-rpi2_rpi3.img
Step 3: Make sure the microSD card is in the computer and identify what drive letter it is assigned. Open Win32 Disk Imager so we can use it to image the microSD card with RetroPie. Click the folder icon under 'Image File' and navigate to the image file we just unzipped and click 'Open'. On the top right under Device select the driver letter assigned to your microSD card('F:' is the drive letter for my microSD). Once both of those are are showing correctly click 'write' at the bottom.
There will be a warning window that pops up once you click 'Write'. Click 'Yes' on that warning if all of the information looks correct.
Step 4: Remove the microSD card from your computer and put in the Raspberry Pi. The microSD slot is located on the back of the Pi. Then plug in the keyboard, HDMI cable to your monitor, game controller, and finally plug in the power.
Step 5: The Raspberry Pi will now start and ask you to configure the controller.
Hold a button on the controller for 5 seconds to start the configuration process. Follow the instructions pressing each button as it is asked for. When you have pressed all the buttons hit the button assigned to 'A' to complete the process. The configure screen will now disappear, and you will be on the main RetroPie screen.
Step 6: Open the UBS thumb drive in your computer. Create a folder called 'retropie'.
Then remove the USB drive from your computer and put it in the Raspberry Pi. When you do this the activity light on your USB drive should start flickering. It will create some folder on the USB Drive for you. After about a minute move the USB drive to your computer again and it should have folders inside the one you created.
Step 7: Copy your ROMs to the corresponding folders on your USB drive. There are copyright free game ROMs that you can download at http://www.nesworld.com/article.php?system=nes&data=neshomebrew Once you are done copying them you can plug the USB drive back into the Pi.
Step 8: Connect the Pi to the internet. You can plug in an Ethernet cable, or use Wi-Fi. To setup the Wi-Fi we will need to use the game controller to navigate to the RetroPie configuration screen press 'A' again. You will now be on the RetroPie configuration screen. navigate down to the bottom of the list and use 'A' to select 'WIFI'
In the Wi-Fi screen select 'CONNECT TO WIFI'. This will bring up a list of active networks around you. Select your network from the list. The password screen will now display. Enter the password using your keyboard. Then press enter to accept the password.
If you were successful the internet screen will show your 'current-ip'. Use the controller to select exit, and you will be back on the RetroPie configuration screen again.
Step 9: Update the software on the Pi. Navigate to and select the 'RetroPie Setup' option from the list. On this screen we will use 4 of the options which will take some time.
In this order select the options: 'Update RetroPie-Setup script', 'Basic Install', 'Update', and 'Perform Reboot'. It will take several minutes per option. Once it is done the RetroPie main screen will look a little different with some new options.
Step 10: Play! You should be done with the setup now. Once it restarts your RetroPie main screen will look different. Use your game controller to navigate. Select the game system you would like to play, and then it will list all of the ROMs you have available for that console.
Select the game you would like to play.
Well done! Enjoy the blast from the past when cared about games being good, not graphics.
What you will need before you get started:
Hardware
- A computer
- Raspberry Pi 3
- Keyboard
- Game controller of your choice (I'm using a PS4 controller connected through USB)
- Micro SD card(at least 8GB) and reader
- USB storage device
- RetroPie (downloaded)
- Win32 Disk Imager (installed)
- 7-zip (installed)
This will be a pretty easy process if you follow the instructions directly. However, be aware that there is a vast amount of customization available in this process. If you find something lacking there are answers our there. This is a basic path and direct path to get you playing quickly.
Step 1: Create a folder to keep all of the files for your RetroPie project in one folder. I created a folder on my C driver just because it was easy to access.
Step 2: Locate the RetroPie image that you downloaded to your computer from https://retropie.org.uk/download/#Pre-made_images_for_the_Raspberry_Pi and unzip it by right clicking on the file and selecting 7-ZIP then 'Extract here'.
This will create a file in the same folder that we will load onto the microSD card. In my case it is called retropie-4.3-rpi2_rpi3.img
Step 3: Make sure the microSD card is in the computer and identify what drive letter it is assigned. Open Win32 Disk Imager so we can use it to image the microSD card with RetroPie. Click the folder icon under 'Image File' and navigate to the image file we just unzipped and click 'Open'. On the top right under Device select the driver letter assigned to your microSD card('F:' is the drive letter for my microSD). Once both of those are are showing correctly click 'write' at the bottom.
There will be a warning window that pops up once you click 'Write'. Click 'Yes' on that warning if all of the information looks correct.
Step 4: Remove the microSD card from your computer and put in the Raspberry Pi. The microSD slot is located on the back of the Pi. Then plug in the keyboard, HDMI cable to your monitor, game controller, and finally plug in the power.
Step 5: The Raspberry Pi will now start and ask you to configure the controller.
Hold a button on the controller for 5 seconds to start the configuration process. Follow the instructions pressing each button as it is asked for. When you have pressed all the buttons hit the button assigned to 'A' to complete the process. The configure screen will now disappear, and you will be on the main RetroPie screen.
Step 6: Open the UBS thumb drive in your computer. Create a folder called 'retropie'.
Then remove the USB drive from your computer and put it in the Raspberry Pi. When you do this the activity light on your USB drive should start flickering. It will create some folder on the USB Drive for you. After about a minute move the USB drive to your computer again and it should have folders inside the one you created.
Step 7: Copy your ROMs to the corresponding folders on your USB drive. There are copyright free game ROMs that you can download at http://www.nesworld.com/article.php?system=nes&data=neshomebrew Once you are done copying them you can plug the USB drive back into the Pi.
Step 8: Connect the Pi to the internet. You can plug in an Ethernet cable, or use Wi-Fi. To setup the Wi-Fi we will need to use the game controller to navigate to the RetroPie configuration screen press 'A' again. You will now be on the RetroPie configuration screen. navigate down to the bottom of the list and use 'A' to select 'WIFI'
In the Wi-Fi screen select 'CONNECT TO WIFI'. This will bring up a list of active networks around you. Select your network from the list. The password screen will now display. Enter the password using your keyboard. Then press enter to accept the password.
If you were successful the internet screen will show your 'current-ip'. Use the controller to select exit, and you will be back on the RetroPie configuration screen again.
Step 9: Update the software on the Pi. Navigate to and select the 'RetroPie Setup' option from the list. On this screen we will use 4 of the options which will take some time.
In this order select the options: 'Update RetroPie-Setup script', 'Basic Install', 'Update', and 'Perform Reboot'. It will take several minutes per option. Once it is done the RetroPie main screen will look a little different with some new options.
Step 10: Play! You should be done with the setup now. Once it restarts your RetroPie main screen will look different. Use your game controller to navigate. Select the game system you would like to play, and then it will list all of the ROMs you have available for that console.
Select the game you would like to play.
Well done! Enjoy the blast from the past when cared about games being good, not graphics.
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