How I Built a Mini Retro Console for Under $40

in LeoFinance6 months ago

Nostalgia hit me hard one night. I missed playing the classics—Super Mario, Sonic, Street Fighter—on an old chunky TV with a wired controller.
But retro consoles are expensive (and hunting them down is a nightmare).

So I built my own. And guess what? It cost less than $40.
Here's how I did it:

What You’ll Need:

  1. Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W (~$15–$20)
  2. Micro USB power cable (probably already lying around)
  3. Mini HDMI to HDMI cable (~$5)
  4. USB game controller (~$10)

Optional:

  1. Case (3D printed or $5 plastic shell)

The Steps:

  • Install RetroPie:
    Download the RetroPie image, flash it onto the SD card (I used BalenaEtcher), pop the card into the Raspberry Pi.

  • Load the ROMs:
    I added legal backups of the games I owned (seriously—stay legal). Just drag and drop into the right folders.

  • Connect Everything:
    Plug the Pi into the TV, connect your controller, and power it up.

  • Play! 🎮
    RetroPie has a super easy menu, and you can customize themes, save states, and even rewind gameplay if you mess up.

Why It's Awesome:

  1. Tiny (fits in my pocket)

  2. Cheap (compared to real retro consoles)

  3. Endless games (across dozens of systems)

It’s a simple, no-drama setup that delivers massive nostalgia vibes.
Trust me: when that 16-bit start screen boots up... you’ll feel all the feels.

Posted Using INLEO