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Vilros

Build a Retro Gaming Console

Create your own retro gaming console using Raspberry Pi 4 and RetroPie to play classic games.

  • Raspberry Pi
  • Beginner
  • 60 minutes
  • 5 steps
Start the tutorial

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You'll need

Prices from vilros.com. Tax and shipping at checkout.

Before you start, you'll need

  • Raspberry Pi 4 (4GB recommended)
  • MicroSD card (32GB or larger)
  • USB game controllers (2 recommended)
  • HDMI cable
  • Power supply
  • Keyboard (for setup)

Get RetroPie image

About 10 minutes

Download the RetroPie operating system.

  1. Visit retropie.org.uk/download.
  2. Download the Raspberry Pi 4 image.
  3. Extract the .img file from the downloaded zip.

You should see

RetroPie image file is ready.

Install RetroPie to SD card

About 15 minutes

Write RetroPie to your SD card.

  1. Download and install Raspberry Pi Imager or Etcher.
  2. Insert SD card into your computer.
  3. Open imaging software and select the RetroPie .img file.
  4. Select your SD card as the target.
  5. Click 'Write' and wait for completion (5-10 minutes).
  6. Safely eject the SD card.

You should see

RetroPie is installed on the SD card.

First boot and controller setup

About 15 minutes

Configure RetroPie and controllers.

  1. Insert SD card into Raspberry Pi.
  2. Connect HDMI to TV, connect controllers, connect keyboard.
  3. Connect power last—Pi boots into RetroPie.
  4. Follow onscreen prompts to configure your USB controller.
  5. Hold a button on your controller when prompted.
  6. Map all buttons: D-pad, A, B, X, Y, Start, Select, shoulder buttons.
  7. Skip buttons you don't have by holding any button.

You should see

Controller is configured and RetroPie main menu appears.

Add game ROMs

About 15 minutes

Transfer games to RetroPie.

  1. Press F4 or select 'Quit → Quit EmulationStation' to reach command line.
  2. Find Pi's IP address: hostname -I
  3. On your computer, open file explorer and type: \\[PI_IP_ADDRESS]\roms
  4. Or use USB: create 'retropie' folder on USB drive, plug into Pi, wait 30 seconds, remove and plug into computer.
  5. Copy game ROM files into appropriate folders (nes, snes, genesis, arcade, etc.).
  6. Back on Pi, restart EmulationStation: sudo reboot

You should see

Games appear in RetroPie menus by system.

Start playing!

About 5 minutes

Enjoy retro gaming.

  1. Navigate systems with D-pad and A button.
  2. Select a game and press A to launch.
  3. Press Start+Select together to exit a game.
  4. Explore different emulators: NES, SNES, Genesis, PlayStation, arcade, and more.

You should see

You're playing retro games on your Pi!

It didn't work

  • Controller not working in games.

    Go to RetroPie menu → Configure Input to remap controller. Each emulator may need individual configuration.

  • Games don't appear.

    Check ROM files are in correct folders. Some systems require BIOS files. Restart EmulationStation after adding ROMs.

What to do next

Stuck? Contact Vilros Support with your board model and what you see on screen.