NES/SNES System Emulation on Pi? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: Anson
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 05, 2013, 10:45:56 pm
content: I just finished watching this video on you tube.And I gave me an idea. Would it be possible to make a small system using maybe a Raspberry Pi that would run both NES and SNES emulation? I'm not sure how the Pi actually works. I believe they have emulators for linux which I think is what is most commonly used on the Pi.

author: Anson
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 05, 2013, 11:14:47 pm
content: Done some searching seems the emulators require windows. Can you put XP on the Pi? What are the Pi's graphical limitations? From the specifications I have found it seems capable of running the NES emulation not sure of the SNES. If it can run windows fine it should run the NES emulation.

author: Skimask
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 05, 2013, 11:19:24 pm
content: Linux <> Windows'nuff said...

author: nerdyHippy
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 05, 2013, 11:48:00 pm
content: There are Linux S/NES emulators, and provided they work on ARM I'm confident that the Pi has enough snort to run them just fine.

author: justanothercanuck
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2013, 12:14:53 am
content: Stuffing a PC into a console case kindof sounds like sacrilege, but what do I know...Here's a project I came across some while ago, it's a NES done on a FPGA... From what I understand, it's better designed than the NoaC clones you see around, although I think the colours are a little off. No idea what the cost on this kindof thing would be though...Or even a redesigned PCB using the original chips:http://www.nintendoage.com/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=22&threadid=85690The consoles themselves are pretty cheap these days, you can find them on ebay pretty easily. Plus, there's also cartridges you can load ROMs onto and play your games that way:http://www.retrousb.com/product_info.php?products_id=34Or you could just buy a wii and use the virtual console.Plenty of options out there if you just want a low-cost retro gaming system.

author: Anson
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2013, 12:36:41 am
content: Well after more digging I have found some software for the Rpi called RetroPie and EmulationStation Which together do exactly what I was thinking. So theoretically for $35 dollars you can have a Nes/Snes with all your games in one place. There also seems to be provisions for hooking up the original controllers. They seem pretty pricey though. I think a $5 dollar usb controller is more my style. Now to see if it supports Ps1/2 That would just be totally awesome. I see they have Mame and Sega. The only Segea game I ever cared for though was sonic and I already have that on my daughters PS3.Is there a way to use a wireless PS3 controller on the Rpi? If I could use those that would be really sweet. I am thinking it should be possible. How exactly would that be done?

author: nerdyHippy
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2013, 12:54:45 am
content: I'm fairly certain that PS3 controllers are bluetooth, which should make them a cinch to get working. Otherwise, I have had good success using a wii classic controller attached to a cheap 12C-USB converter.

author: Anson
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2013, 12:58:41 am
content: Yes after some searching I found a short tutorial here on getting a PS# controller setup on the Rpi.http://booting-rpi.blogspot.ro/2012/08/dualshock-3-and-raspberry-pi.htmlSo it looks like this should be a fairly easy and straightforward project.