SegaPIE
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So after I built a Retropie console in an old NES case, I got an email saying that the Pi Zero had come back in stock so I bought one (mainly as they're quite hard to get hold of at normal un-inflated prices). So whilst it was on the way, I did a bit of googling to see what people had done with these using Retropie.
I found quite a few people had put these into old Gameboys of various versions as well as custom cases and old Gamegears as well, but not having one of these handy and not being too confident soldering I thought it best to avoid this.
What I did see was a few people putting these directly into NES controllers. Now this appealed, but I wanted to be able to play Sega games too so I instead found a faulty (cable frayed) Saturn controller on eBay and won it for 1p!
A bit more googling as well as reading the db9 info on the Wiki has enabled me to wire the controller directly to the PiZero pins and get it up and running as a completely hand-held SEGAPIE!
I've yet to attach the console case to the back of the controller, but I've got it all working apart from that. I will be spraying it up black to match the controller too and I'll post some finished pics to this as an update once I've finished it off. I tried to fit the Pi inside the case, but had no joy as it's actually quite tight in there once you open it up. Actually has a chunkier Xbox 360-pad feel about it when you hold the case to the back where it will eventually be secured.
So far though, here's some progress pics. Feel free to let me know what you think or ask any questions about it and I'll be glad to share anything with regards to this setup and how to go about it yourself.
Cheers!
Pics are here: Dropbox-Link
Retropie in a NES - Pi 3 with Mausberry circuit shutdown switch wired to buttons and 8bitdo NesPro30 controller
Retropie in a Saturn Controller - Pi Zero, GPIO controls using DB9 driver
Retropie in a PSX - Pi3
https://markyh444.wordpress.com -
Okay, so I've finished this off now and can say I am quite pleased with how it turned out. It works great and the controller feels good in the hand, even with the Pi Zero attached to the back.
I sprayed up the clear case I had to black and secured it to the rear of the controller.
Here's some more pics if anyone is interested:
https://www.dropbox.com/sc/xwyfivphl7hjibl/AAAUp6PDpo2zrzQ2L5FSeQLua
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Looks nice!
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Thanks.
I've actually got a few better pictures in the daylight. They're here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/tbds32fkvtkafet/AAAufRAbW1HCVkXhjmbCk5TQa?dl=0
Added a bit of black rubber trim to the case as well as a sort of skirt to help enclose the small gap that was left but without sealing it so the Pi can get some air.
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Slick! I really need to get a zero
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@rockyhill Thanks. Build info is all on my blog actually now if you want to take a look: markyh444.wordpress.com
😁
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