Retro Gaming with Raspberry Pi

The NES Classic Edition Gave Us A Nostalgic Taste and Then Took it Away

A few years ago Nintendo released the NES Classic Edition, a miniature emulation clone of its 8-bit juggernaut the Nintendo Entertainment System. This mini console had the look and feel of the original console and came preloaded with thirty classic games that people from the 1980s (and those of us making our kids play them today) know well.

However, Nintendo never seemed to have them in stock very long before they were sold out and scalped for double or even triple the price on places like eBay. Sounds like a similar scenario for people wanting a PS5, or Xbox Series X in 2022. Prices on eBay for the NES Classic Edition are still hovering between $100.00 - $150.00 for a used console.

Most people, like me, who refused to pay the inflated price were content to just wait until the console was back in stock for $59.99. Then out of the blue Nintendo discontinued the console, likely in anticipation of its Nintendo Switch Online service or due to production costs.

While some of these games have transitioned to Nintendo’s online service, not all of the games from the NES Classic Edition are available. That means if you want to play Bubble Bobble, Mega Man 2, or Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest you’re out of luck. Furthermore, what about the games that were left off of Nintendo’s mini console that aren’t available on Nintendo’s online service either? Were fans given an 8-bit taste only to have it taken away?

The Raspberry Pi Zero W Makes a Solid Retro Gaming Console

What if we made Our Own NES mini console?

What if we could make a better console?

What if we didn’t just replicate the NES Classic Edition or the Nintendo Switch Online games?

What if we could make a console that reached deep into our nostalgia and went beyond anything that the NES Classic Edition or Nintendo Switch Online service could ever give us?

What if we made a retro gaming rig capable of playing our favorite NES, SNES, Sega Master System, Sega Genesis, Game Boy, and Atari 2600 games?

Thanks to the Raspberry Pi Foundation, the tiny single-core Raspberry Pi Zero W, along with a few required accessories, is capable of being transformed into the NES Classic Edition Console and more of your dreams! The best thing about the Raspberry Pi Zero W is that it only costs $10.00.

If you're interested in learning more and you want to know how to turn your Raspberry Pi into an amazing little gaming machine then check out my next article that goes through the materials needed and the step-by-step process for making your own retro gaming rig.

This article was written and published on a Raspberry Pi 4B 8 GB Model.