Does it still make sense to buy RPi3B+ for RetroPie?

Ashpool

In addition to the other Posters arguments, I would say: If you know what to do with the 3B+ afterwards, just go ahead with that one and wait for a hazardless/ready-to-go retropie-image for the 4 before buying one. And there are lots of DIY-Projects out there (aside from retro-gaming and mediacenter solutions) to be found, so that if you are eager to venture into the "maker"-world, a 3B+ bought now and becoming replaced later is not a wasted investment, but an opportunity gained ;)

Clyde

Following @Ashpool, I'd like to recommend the official website of the Raspberry Pi Foundation. It shows many great projects and you can even download the monthly magazine "MagPi" as PDF for free.

Clyde

@Darksavior said in Does it still make sense to buy RPi3B+ for RetroPie?:

While a 4 does require a microhdmi adapter, the official pi4 power supply is a lot cheaper than the 3b+'s.

Here in Germany, it's not that much difference. In my preferred Raspi shop, the old one costs 9,79€, the old one costs 7,90€. Both are said to be the official versions.

Darksavior

@Clyde Yea, for some reason, the official pi3 psu's go for like $12-13us and are hard to find but the pi4 psu's go for $8us.

Clyde

@Darksavior 😲 I checked again and alas, it is the same here in Germany. "My" shop shows it as out of stock, so their price is theoretical at best. On every other shop I checked, it's 14-15€.

So let's all hope that our RP 3B(+) power supplies don't break before long. 😉

ferhound

If you want Dreamcast emulation go for RPi4.

kataxeb

Except for Sega Dreamcast ROMs is it possible to play other retro games on the RPi4?

Clyde

@kataxeb Welcome to this forum. You should be able to play all retro games on the Pi 4 that you could play on the Pi 3. The Pi 4 just can handle even more resource-hungry games and emulators.

For a list of the supported systems and ports on whatever Pi model, see the Docs' sections "Arcade", "Emulators", and "Ports".

Ashpool

@Clyde said in Does it still make sense to buy RPi3B+ for RetroPie?:

So let's all hope that our RP 3B(+) power supplies don't break before long. 😉

Mh, Just checking the "official power-supplies" for the Raspi over at Berry Base and Conrad Electronics (chosen those, because both stores have shops in my hometown), i cannot confirm that -> the later store is charging around 11€ for each of them and BB is charging 7€ for the Micro-USB one (5.1V,2.5A) and 8€ for the USB-C one (5.1V, 3.0A) ... and both stores have the items available (in stock).

Clyde

@Ashpool Maybe they didn't get the memo yet. ;)

VictimRLSH

The Pi 4 uses a bit more power and is less suitable for portable applications. I have a Pi 4 but have no plans to replace the 3B in my controller-mounted build with it. I'm building it into a laptop/gaming console that will be similar to a Nintendo Switch in that it can operate from its own 7" HDMI screen or plug into a 4K TV.

Cabinet and bartop builds are going to get the most benefit from the Pi 4.

VictimRLSH

@robertbob Isn't that the other way around?

matchaman

Unless you are using a current RetroFlag (NES, MD, SNES) case, go for the 4.