Purchasing a Pi tonight

[Omega85]

I'm looking to purchase a Raspberry Pi tonight, from a good place with a good deal. I'm completely new to this, but I'm determined to have the ultimate emulator console and I'm under a budget.

So far, what I understand is that you can format the SD card and throw Retropie on it, but then I see people online who access emulation station. What's the difference and why are they installing Retropie if they're using emulation station? And, is this all installed within NOOBS? Is that an operating system? I'm lost.

I'm looking for a good bundle package. My goal is to find something with SNES controllers so I can load up my Nes, Genesis and Snes roms.

Thanks!

[Floob]

This helps understand how it works and how to get started:
https://github.com/retropie/retropie-setup/wiki/First-Installation

[mediamogul]

@Omega85 said in Purchasing a Pi tonight:

What's the difference and why are they installing Retropie if they're using emulation station?

I'm sure someone will answer this more thoroughly, but RetroPie is a bundle of software installed on an very light OS that specializes in facilitating the easy installation and removal of over fifty different emulators and ports and also supplies easy access to the tools necessary to customize the overall experience. It is not a part of NOOBS, but multi-boot NOOB installations can be found elsewhere to allow RetroPie to live in harmony with other popular distributions such as OSMC and OpenELEC.

My goal is to find something with SNES controllers so I can load up my Nes, Genesis and Snes roms.

The SNES controller is a fine choice and the gold standard by which all other retro controllers are judged, but if you think you might ever be interested in playing PSX or N64 games and you don't want to buy into anything more in the future, you'll want to consider one of the many options that parallel the Playstation or XBox control schemes.

[Omega85]

@Floob Thanks, the documentation definitely clarified a couple of things. Does this mean that you can boot multiple operating systems as long as you have multiple sd cards?

[Omega85]

@mediamogul Currently, I have a PS4 Dualshock 4 controller. I think the usb snes controllers are what I'd like to be using primarily for the older stuff.

[Omega85]

Alright guys. Here's the package I'm looking at on amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/CanaKit-Raspberry-Complete-Starter-Kit/dp/B01C6Q2GSY/ref=pd_sim_sbs_147_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=8FR75X7SYQRQME10MDK0

Now, there's one thing I need to understand. It comes pre-loaded with NOOBS. I'm guessing I can wipe out NOOBS by deleting it and then install the .img file on the sd card? If it's that easy and you can confirm, I'll be placing an order before bed.

[mediamogul]

@Omega85 said in Purchasing a Pi tonight:

I'm guessing I can wipe out NOOBS by deleting it and then install the .img file on the sd card?

Reformat the card and then install the image. It's just that simple.

[herb_fargus]

@mediamogul doesn't even need a reformat. Just reimage

[mediamogul]

@herb_fargus

Apple Pi Baker tends to hang if you don't reformat first, but I'm sure it's the exception. It can be a bit finicky to begin with.

[herb_fargus]

@mediamogul I suppose that's true. Doesn't hurt to reformat with sdformatter if the initial image doesn't work.