Retrobox: DIY Raspberry Pi All-On-One Arcade Joystick (Full Build Guide)
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- Опубліковано 26 лип 2024
- I built an all-in-one arcade joystick containing a Raspberry Pi 3 that hooks up to your TV for playing retro games using RetroPie! Introducing: the Retrobox. This video will show you how to make your own.
● Full guide + parts list/links:
howchoo.com/g/zjm4zwzjzgi/pi-...
● What you'll need (direct links to Amazon):
Raspberry Pi 3 B+: amzn.to/2lh3t1l
Raspberry Pi power supply, 2.5A: amzn.to/2lLYXbE
MicroSD card, 32GB: amzn.to/2lkC9j4
Hole saw bit, 1-1/8": amzn.to/2lMQdC6
Box cutter: amzn.to/2lkCUZs
Screwdriver, Phillips: amzn.to/2kgrzJv
Cordless drill: amzn.to/2lN35bv
HDMI cable: amzn.to/2lMJDeP
Arcade button/joystick USB kit, illuminated (LED): amzn.to/2Nop3wZ
ABS project box, 7.5" x 4.3" x 2.2": amzn.to/2lga3Fk
Acrylic plexiglass sheet, 1/8" x 12" x 12": amzn.to/2lMKhsL
Raspberry Pi 3 heatsinks: amzn.to/2keWvtJ
Large rubber adhesive feet: amzn.to/2lO1Jgx
Brass spacer standoffs: amzn.to/2lkGbba
● Or, see all products in our Amazon List:
www.amazon.com/shop/howchoo?l...
● Hole template I used:
github.com/Howchoo/random-bit...
● Other guides mentioned in the video:
Installing RetroPie: howchoo.com/g/n2qyzdk5zdm/bui...
Power button: howchoo.com/g/mwnlytk3zmm/how...
Status LED: howchoo.com/g/ytzjyzy4m2e/bui...
● howchoo interests mentioned in the video:
howchoo.com/h/pi
howchoo.com/h/retrogaming
● Theme song:
"Microchip" by Jason Farnham from the UA-cam Audio Library.
● Affiliate link/advertising notice:
I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to AMAZON Sites. When you click on an Amazon link above and buy something through Amazon, Amazon may give me a small commission. - Наука та технологія
Check out the full guide on howchoo for a text and photo version of this build! howchoo.com/g/zjm4zwzjzgi/pi-retrobox-build-your-own-diy-raspberry-pi-arcade-joystick
Interesting project. Love retro gaming! I have no experience with Raspberry Pi's and would love build something. I have been looking at a few videos lately on how to make a bartop arcade. Hopefully one day I will get the chance. Thank you for taking the time to make the video!
Great video, thanks for showing us step by step and just how simple it can be to produce something so nice.
Glad you enjoyed it! :)
Flame polishing the edge of the acrylic would be a nice touch, its pretty simple and looks amazing.
Really happy this came up in recommended just finished setting up retro pie today 🙂
Thank you so much for the info about the additional controllers at 0:36. No other "UA-camr" answered this for me, and here you are first 30 seconds with an answer. Subbed 👍
No problem! :)
Awesome video! Thanks for taking the time to make it. Gonna build one in the next few days
No problem! :) Excited to see how your build turns out!
Thank you. You wouldn't believe how many bad videos of this kind of build i had to watch before i finally found this one.
No joke I'm building this right now
Hopefully your joystick isn't mounted crooked and your vents don't look a dog chewed on it like his. A little care goes a long way. Good luck and happy gaming Boss
Did you complete it?
Definitely need more subs man I'm gonna share this stuff around
Cool video inspiring me to make my own Arcade joystick :D
This was the videos I was looking for !!! Thanks Man
No problem! Enjoy
thanks for a great video, i built my own today, worked first time.
Awesome! Glad it worked out well for you
That's great, lad. That is what I want playing all MAME arcade games only.
Love the portable idea, I literally built this into an ikea table. One piece of advice add a laptop HD for much more storage, and a lipo for portable power haven’t played with a pi on my channel in a while, maybe time for a revisit
600th subscriber ;) hope you guys grow more, great videos! keep it up
Thanks Caleb! It means a lot. We're working on increasing video/guide frequency so we can share more with you!
FYI,
You can clean up your edges by sanding with 220 grit sandpaper, and using a butane torch for a finished polish. Takes some practice, but the results are well worth the effort.
definitely building this some day.
Your wet package on your porch came from the US Post Office (25 years with UPS). Thanks for a good guide for reference.
Lol thanks for the insight! I believe you are correct.
Nice video, and your voice is amazing, thanks for the tutorial !
Why thank you! :)
my abs box finally came in, so next time I have a few days off I'm going to put it together!
Ahahahahaha, I’m building this, great vid.
Shout out to Patrick.
He lost.
lol, I don’t know why that made me laugh.
Thank you. I have been wanting to build something like this for a while but was stuck on how to get an enclosure. I do wish though you showed cutting the holes for it. That's the one place I am a little worried I'm gonna mess up and have to start over.
awesome!
greetings from Algeria bro ur channel is a treasure,u have a new subscriber
Thanks dude! Can’t wait to bring you more
Pretty damn cool.
I'm going to use a couple pcb encoders for big 2 player box. Already have the RBP 3B up and running using a ps4 controller to test the Arcade, Nes, Snes & Sega Gen emulations. Don't really care to have it connect to another system.
Going to build a full size arcade cabinet also. With a pc to run launchbox and research. So basically looking at about $100 right from the start for a couple 2 player button and stick kits lol.
Quarantine project
Great Video! This was my first foray into building something like this and it went very well. Except for the joystick...I'm not certain why it's not recognized by ES. Any insight? None of the buttons, nor the joystick are recognized. I can maneuver to the 'configure new input' menu, but once I'm there, no recognition of the joystick or buttons. There is power, as the LED lights are on. Any help would be appreciated.
Just bought all everything on the list to make this even the band saw. Bought some extra part just in case I fail! Wish me luck, I invested in this cost me 350$ for everything... planning to make a few once I become succesful to make for the family :)
Awesome! You’re going to have a blast. If you run into any issues, feel free to post in the guide comments section or PM me and I’ll help you out. I monitor all the comments on howchoo so I’ll see it right away. :)
how u do
This is great. Was this done with no soldering?
EDIT: Yes it was.
Can a two player one be built like this similar to the xarcade and also is it possible to use this as a controller for a console
Thank you very much this video help me a lot I just have a question, if I configure my arcade joystick and I wanna go back to my regular control woulndt that mess my configuration? Because I did it with a PlayStation controller and a few days later all the commands were out of order (ex: start move to L2, select to X etc) so now in afraid that if I map my arcade joystick everything's goes out of order, thanks for your help
Your video is really easy to understand. However, I am wondering why some tutorials wire up a separate power supply for the leds? Do you know anything about this?
Nice Vid. I converted a Qanba stick with a built-in Pi and external card slot. I would love to know how the power switch and status light are connected to the Pi. I tried one way I saw online and it didn't work. Any chance you can give me the heads up?
I am going to make something like this with the Pi 4 (and then move on to a tabletop cabinet). Any issues with temperature inside the box? I plan to 3D print the case and need to see if a certain airflow is required.
Nice
Excellent video! Thanks for taking the time to show us how relatively easy it is to make this wonderful little box! It looks sweet! One question about the joystick: I imagine it's an eight-way, so you can play games like Pacman and games like Robotron? How does the eight-way effect Pacman, which originally used a four-way joystick? Does the eight-way joystick still work well with Pac-man, or do you sacrifice a little precision for variety/the ability to play many different games?
Thanks again, great job!
So the precision is really controlled in the emulation software; I don't think that this (or anything) can ever be a substitute for the original arcade hardware, but I've played a lot of Pacman and this is about as on-point as you can get from home :)
Good to know. I'm going with the Sanwa JLF-TP-8YT-SK as it's an excellent stick, but I'm sure the one you used was/is perfectly exceptable. The "feel" comes from the joystick's gate (square or octagonal), though I get what you're saying about the emulation itself, very true. Sanwa made a lot of the original hardware we grew up using.
This is amazing! By any chance, have you tried using the arcade version of Pac-Man, like from those Plug and Play consoles?
For the Pimoroni picade hat can I use a different board for the joystick controls?
What size bit did you use for white buttons.?? THanks.
I was wondering if you have any advice on an alternative to the raspberry pi 3b+ as they are extremely hard to find and or expensive since the pandemic. Any help would be much appreciated! Ive been wanting to build this thing for 2 years. Thanks.
yea sick
I wonder if they make io shields for the raspberry pi 3 that you could use around the ports
Where can I find smaller controllers? more or less than 15 mm,the panel 51x173 mm
is this the same thing for the raspberry pi4? I ask because your post is a couple years old now... and I've never built one - but this answers everything perfect except anything to do with RP4. Would a RP4 just be faster and more robust for bigger/newer games?
This is awesome. Would you be willing to build and wire the hardware for sale?
I did the same case and used your plans. ...I took of the 6 buttons on top and moved 2 of them on top as shoulder buttons...so i have 4 on top and the other 2 on the top side as my shoulder buttons for games like street fighter and mario kart. works great. Was not sure why you had placed all 6 on the top ....thanks
David D. Your setup is dumb lol unless your playing pinball
Like SF??? This is a normal arcade button layout, which SF started.
Can you show how you set up the controller on retropie? (As in what each button was mapped to)
I'm struggling with that part myself.
Once you boot into the Emulation Station and choose controller setup, it will step you through programming buttons. You basically hit the corresponding button or move the controller direction according to what button you are programming.
DO YOU HAVE TO DOWNLOAD THE GAMES ON IT, OR ARE THEY BUILT IN RASPBERRY PIE ? AND IF SO,HOW AND FROM WHERE?
Probably a stupid question, but can you use this as a controller even installed with Pi? I.E. can you use this as a fight stick with an xbox one maybe?
Love your video. Do you sell one? I never have the time or skill to build one :(
Nice video! Are you ever planning to put out a 3D printable case for the little guy? It would help SO much, as it speeds up the process for me.
Thanks! We weren't planning on it, but someone may have modeled something similar on Thingiverse -- let us know if you find a good one and we can add it to the guide!
Why would you 3d print something that is essentially a box when you will get much clearer results with basic tools?
I built this for Retropie to play NES games - specifically PacMan and Frogger. I setup the joystick and buttons fine in EmulationStation, but they joystick will not work with the NES games. Any ideas? I need a joystick for PacMan, the d-pad controllers are useless for that game.
Shit I might have to do this on my lunchbreak. I've got access to saws and drill presses for days.
id buy that
Would it be possible to make two of these, but only have the Rasberry in one and be able to connect the other one to the first one by just a connector of some sort? I like the size of it, but many games for the arcade are more fun when your two players ^^
Mikael Guggenheim Definitely! Just put a Pi in only one of them, and then connect its USB cable to the one that has the Pi in it. You only need one Pi, and this gives you two controllers. :)
It would work like that? Awesome! :D
You could even use one of those USB extension cables, make a port on the side and keep it super tidy
What would you have to do to have a back lite arcade box? How many LEDs would you need and where would you wire them into the Raspberry Pi?
I don't understand -- which part do you want to backlight?
How hard would it be to make the controller wireless?
Can this be used to play mortal kombat with the 6 buttons?
this sucks. after installing on windows i get no signal in hdmi. tried to reformat and install on mac using apple pi-bake and it takes for ever to write the software. still once done no signal on my hdmi monitor. cables are fine because i can plug my apple tv right up and it displays saw the video about removing the comments in the config file for hdmi to work, howver i cnat even look into the sd card after writing the retro pie image.keeps telling this drive is not able to be read on this computer and would i like to format it? I just formatted it, and wrote the retro pi to it, whats going on?
quick question: can we build two of these (like 2 controllers) and plug it onto one raspberry pi?
I mean, build one controller with the pi inside the box (as you did) and one controller with juste the buttons and a USB port to plug it in the "main controller"?
kevbou911 absolutely! Just build one without a Pi and plug its USB cable into the other Retrobox
Thank you I'm planning on building it but I need more $
I love the video. My only issue is that I do not know how to program the buttons or joystick... can someone help me? I'm still pretty new to raspberry pi and python. I'm trying to make my own arcade game
how do you configure you buttons and joystick to the corisponding actions in game
You’ll be prompted to map the buttons when RetroPie starts up. You can also change the button mappings per-game if you’d like (check the RetroPie wiki)
hi ilike the video but in the beginining you said that it can be a second controller but is that possible with two of those things?? bc mij brother and i love to play those games and like to build a arcade things( i never know how you call it but ok) so my question is when i plugged my controller in on a monitor can my brother put his controller in the same monitor and play with me or do we need to run retropie or another emulator on a old pc ??
P.S. sorry for my grammar my english isn't good enough i hope you know what i am asking you,
So what you’d do is build two of these but only put a Raspberry Pi computer into one of them-then the one without the Pi becomes a normal USB controller that you can plug into the main one, giving you a second player. You can also connect normal controllers to it.
@@Howchoo thnx
I wish I was born with the ability to cut.
We could all be so lucky.
If you used standoff’s you should have put a heat sink on the chip on the underside of the rpi (SDRAM) instead of the chip on the top left of the rpi (Ethernet and USB controller chip)
todo me bien solo algunos detalles que se pueden mejorar una de ellas seria los cortes de la caja que se hacen para la Raspberry Pi , en el mercado hay cables reforzados usb cotos que se pueden conectar a la Raspberry Pi y a si evitar que los cables usb que salen de la caja se vean
Can you use this with a game made with pygame? assuming that it has been programmed to use the joystick module and buttons without using RetroPie? Thankyou!
Yep, this is essentially a USB gamepad containing a Pi - so you can use it with whatever. Even Windows
Hey this is awesome! I started today for my son's 7th birthday, which is today. The template for the holes is different then what you are using. Does that matter?
Hey there! This is the template I used: github.com/Howchoo/random-bits/raw/master/retrobox/retrobox-template.pdf
I know I'm late to the game but will this work with the Pi 2B? From comparing the 2B with the 3, I think it should though the emulation won't be as good.
Not late at all! The Pi 2B will absolutely work.
Would you ever make a magic mirror + retrofit project. Magic mirror by day. Game system at night..
Can the box be made out of cardboard? Or can you build a box straight out of plexiglass?
I don’t see why not. However, you might crush the cardboard while playing! You could also use a plastic storage bin I suppose.
Can you include direct links to the exact parts?
Sure! Direct links to the exact parts is here: howchoo.com/g/zjm4zwzjzgi/pi-retrobox-build-your-own-diy-raspberry-pi-arcade-joystick#parts-list
Jeez I looked at that too and skipped right over it. Thanks!
was the pie preprogrammed when u ordered it?
A pi is always pre programmed. All you have to do is install the os.
Can you pls link the band saw thing?... Im trying to do this without the knife
SinX4Lyfe This isn’t the exact one I have (I have a Ryobi), but this is the same style: www.amazon.com/WEN-3959-2-5-Amp-9-Inch-Benchtop/dp/B077QMBTLP/?tag=howchoo-20
Where is the file for the housing???????????? Please answer I need this fast.
This is probably a stupid question but where do you get the games?
If a second one was built per the cheaper route, pi zero build, could it simply be hooked up to the first through the usb port to provide 2 player functionality for the games on the pi 3 build?
Watched through again, saw my answer, sorry
Great looking build though, thanks for sharing
No problem! If you want to use it just as a controller, you don't need a Pi at all. ;)
the "go ahead and..." guide to building a Retrobox
can i use this with mobile?
What blows my mind is why no one has made a damn box or kit you can buy that you would just need to buy a pi and some arcade buttons/stick to just put into it.
Instead you have to actually have all the tools and everything to make one, how has no one come up with selling a premade plastic case or anything that does this?
Interesting thought Phillip, I'm going to look into this a bit further.
wouldnt the arcade buttons be lit if the pi is on?
Can I connect this in led ??
Yeah, don’t yank out the cable in retropie, I thought a theme install was done (it wasn’t) and I pulled the cord out, after plugging it back in, my theme was gone, the thing worked fine, still played games, but the theme was gone and it was all just a white screen with black text and basic animations, an update fixed it but don’t yank cables
Does it support android tablet via otg
would this work as a sort of controller to plug into a pc via usb
Yeah definitely. Just plug the USB cable into your PC instead of the internal Pi.
and the case you use is that a specific case or is it just a random plastic box??
You can use other housings if you want but I used a specific one-the link is in the full guide in the video description :)
Can i use it for controlling my robot ?
its raspberry pi too
Can you link for the stand off's/screws kit that you showed.
Surely, added to the parts list here: Sure thing! Added to the parts list in the guide: howchoo.com/g/zjm4zwzjzgi/pi-retrobox-build-your-own-diy-raspberry-pi-arcade-joystick#parts-list
Oh ya what size screws did you use as well?
Hola... Tu teclado solo funciona para Retropie???
Se puede conectar a pvc?
También puedes conectarte a una PC usando USB :)
holy heck i need this for skullgirls
Cool take on the pi setup there's something uneasy about the video. I can't put my finger on it. Cue cards or something? Ur eyes arnt looking at camera. Video monitor? I gotta know what it is. X)
Haha. Well, I actually shot this on my iPad, which makes it tough to know where to look (the actual camera/pinhole small). I set up a field monitor by casting my iPad's display and routing it through an Apple TV, but since it isn't directly behind the camera, I couldn't use it for notes. :)
So what you're seeing is the difficulty of shooting on an iPad -- however, as this is only our third *real* video, we're investing in a more "legit" camera soon!
howchoo
Okay now my brain can chill Thanks man feel free to point out any oddities on any of my videos. I'm sure there are a few.
Why not make the board comfortable/bigger though? Your joystick is too close to the buttons and there is no real estate there for palm rest, thats going to make extended fighter game play really uncomfortable. Control boxes are bigger for a reason.
You can definitely make it bigger if you'd like -- same guide/process, just use a different project enclosure ;) I opted for this size because it's more portable and compact. It shares the same button layout/spacing as the Pimoroni PiCade, if you're familiar with that.
Yeah, a bigger box would be more ergonomical. Plus you could add things like an amplifier and speakers in the extra internal space. Or just a stash for some candy.
It's free real estate
Do they sell bigger plastic enclosures?
Yeah they do -- the same company. Here's a link to the box I used: howchoo.com/resource/material/mtfkmdg1mtr -- Search the manufacturer name "Hammond" to find their other project box sizes.
Can i use this setup WITHOUT the pi . Just connect usb end to a computer
Absolutely. This is basically a USB controller with a Pi inside of it. Leave the Pi out and you can connect it directly to your computer (or any other device that accepts USB controllers).
How did you cut the hole? Can you make a tutorial or say which tool you use to cut the hole?
Use a 1 1/4 Whole saw circular blade.
Dave D. He measured the green button at "about an inch"... The joystick how was also smaller than the button holes... Then he mentioned the white buttons were a bit smaller than the regular buttons.. I'm confused if the guide only says 1-1/4" as a size.. So how would that size be universal for all holes? Wouldn't they fall thro?
Dave D. He measured the green button at "about an inch"... The joystick how was also smaller than the button holes... Then he mentioned the white buttons were a bit smaller than the regular buttons.. I'm confused if the guide only says 1-1/4" as a size.. So how would that size be universal for all holes? Wouldn't they fall thro?
If you can hold the drill steady enough, or use a drill press. I found a step bit in a pilot hole on slow speed worked better through the acrylic and the cover.
how much would you estimate you have invested in this including the raspberry pi?
He said how much in the video, roughly $90 dollars.
can you use 2 retroboxes using usb to play retropie?
Absolutely. You can just put a Pi in one and then connect the other to it. :)
can you make a link to the stand - offs?
Sure thing! Added to the parts list in the guide: howchoo.com/g/zjm4zwzjzgi/pi-retrobox-build-your-own-diy-raspberry-pi-arcade-joystick#parts-list