If you’re planning to build a retro gaming device, there are several things to consider to ensure that your device meets your expectations and performs well. Here are some of the key things to keep in mind:
- Compatibility: Check which consoles and games you want to play and make sure that the emulators you choose can run them properly. Some emulators may have issues with certain games or consoles, so research which ones are the most reliable for the games you want to play.
- Performance: The performance of your retro gaming device will depend on the processing power and graphics capabilities of the hardware you choose. Make sure that you choose a device with enough processing power and RAM to handle the emulators and games you want to play.
- Controller compatibility: Retro games often have different control schemes than modern games, so make sure that the controllers you choose are compatible with the games you want to play.
- Storage: Retro games can take up a lot of storage space, so consider how much storage you’ll need for your device. Some retro gaming devices use external hard drives or USB drives for additional storage, while others have built-in storage.
- User interface: Usually referred to as a “front end” – Consider how you want to navigate through your game library and launch games. Some retro gaming devices have custom user interfaces that make it easy to navigate through your library, while others may require a bit more technical know-how to set up.
- Aesthetics: If you’re building a custom retro gaming device, if its a console or even a full size Arcade cab – consider how you want it to look. You can choose a pre-made case or build your own, and there are many options for customizing the look of your device with different colours, graphics, and LED lighting.
- Library content: Do you want EVERY SINGLE GAME, for EVERY SINGLE SYSTEM, or just a selection of games for the systems you remember and played – sometimes too much choice will have you spend more time looking for a game to play than actually playing it !! Trust us , we know 😉
Overall, building a retro gaming device can be a fun and rewarding project, but it’s important to carefully consider all of these factors to ensure that your device meets your expectations and runs smoothly. In the next section we will go through the various options for your device, from using a SBC (such as a Raspberry Pi) to going for a fully loaded PC Build that can play EVERYTHING!