Using Retropie in a Virtual Machine

[eclark5483]

Hi people, first post here. I have a question about using retropie in a virtual machine like VMware or VirtualBox.

I currently have a 32gb retropie setup that I created, but found a 64gb micro-sd card in my parts box that I want to use, but this time, I'd like to configure it all on my Windows 10 desktop, then transfer that image to the micro-sd when I am done.

I know I can get the virtual version of Raspian, which I have setup already and it works fine, but I am wondering if I can then just download the retropie packages, install them, and, the big one... transfer this image when I complete it.

The last install of retropie I did went pretty smooth, aside from fiddling around with the Odyssey2 emulator to get all the games working with 1 controller. But, got that worked out OK. !

Building on a Pi has been so much fun that I want to do it again. My current one is in a Smarticase. I ended up using the raspiaudio DAC hat with the built in speakers. This stuck out a bit further then the small cover could handle, but lucky for me I also bought the larger cover for the back too, so no probs.

With the added depth of the bigger cover, I might later on.. use some bigger speakers in it, and perhaps mount a cooling solution onto the Pie's CPU. Thinking I'll need a pin extender ribbon, will look around for one, I'm sure they probably make them.

Another thing I did, was bought a new power supply that supplies a little more amps then the official one does. This is because I am powering both a Pie and the screen, along with whatever draw the Raspiaudio DAC needs. I also got an adapter that let me put a power button on the power supply, this way I won't have to worry about wearing out the jack, or unplugging it from the outlet.

I know when many people make arcades with a Pie, they'll usually load it up with tons of systems, but not me.. I'm old, I like old school, so this one is loaded only with Atari 2600, Atari 5200, Odyssey2, GBA, NES, Genesis, SNES, and a little over a thousand MAME games. In addition to that, I also enabled Pixel/LDME so that it can be used for casual net surfing. All that on a 32gb micro-SD, and I still have about 10 gigs to spare.

Also picked up a Rii mini wireless keyboard and touchpad. Very useful for emulators like the 5200 or Odyssey2.

Altogether, it cost roughly $200 to make when all was said and done. Here are some pics of what it looks like.

[mitu]

@eclark5483 said in Using Retropie in a Virtual Machine:

I currently have a 32gb retropie setup that I created, but found a 64gb micro-sd card in my parts box that I want to use, but this time, I'd like to configure it all on my Windows 10 desktop, then transfer that image to the micro-sd when I am done.

If you want to configure the image on a PC, then transfer it to a PI, then the answer is no. The PC and PI have incompatible CPUs and hardware, so if it works on the PC, it will not work on a Raspberry PI (and vice-versa).

[eclark5483]

Yeah, that's kind of what I figured. If I remember correctly, the virtual machine version of Raspian is different from the ARM CPU that the Pi utilizes.

[thelostsoul]

Can't provide help on your topic, but doesn't seem it would work like you want. I can understand why you want do this, but is it required? I mean operating directly on the pi itself is the same as if you would do it in virtual machine. You can work from your pc in terminal at PuTTy client (or even from smartphone) indirectly on your RetroPie, you use roms directly from any usb drive, so the system and roms folder are split. But those are different topics, I just wanted bring them up, in case you didn't know and maybe could have a use for it. What follows is a bit off topic, but from your posting.

@eclark5483 said in Using Retropie in a Virtual Machine:

Also picked up a Rii mini wireless keyboard and touchpad. Very useful for emulators like the 5200 or Odyssey2.

I use the same Rii mini and its really useful. I mainly use it (besides for some administrative and terminal tasks) for Amiga 500 recently. Its not a full replacement, but for games requiring some clicks and keyboard entries, its perfect. But some games aren't playable (in sense of enjoying), because the touchpad isn't good as a real mouse. I never had a 5200 and Odyssey2, I may get into them now. I also can highly recommend the Buffalo Gamepads. I can see you have some noname version. If you aren't happy with it, then consider Buffalo.

[eclark5483]

Kinda like the controller I am using now. At first I was using an old Logitech F710, but I guess, for me, it was too bulky, and had more buttons on it then I would ever use. Not very practical when the only emulated systems I play are mainly old school. This was just meant to be a portable I could take along on trips for the kids to play... that and I had some time off from work and got bored and wanted to build something. I normally run the emulators on my PC with various controllers (N64/GameCube/etc). Been using emulators for, geesh, over 25 years? Even built a few arcades. Upright, cocktail & bartop. Though the Pi is relatively new to me. Been going on a huge documentation, YouTube and forum posting read-a-thon for the last couple weeks trying to learn what I can about it. So far anything I wanted to know I have been able to find through the forums and what have you. The main reason for wanting Retropie in a virtual machine is to write code and test it. That kind gets me thinking, someone needs to write a Raspberry Pi emulator now. :-D

[mitu]

@eclark5483 said in Using Retropie in a Virtual Machine:

That kind gets me thinking, someone needs to write a Raspberry Pi emulator now. :-D

It already exists, but emulating a video card is not included, so there's little use for RetroPie experimentation.
There's nothing stopping you from using RetroPie in an x86 PC (virtual or not), it's the same software that's installed on both the PC and the Pi, it's only the platform specific configuration and hardware capabilities that are different.
But if you intend to use a Pi, just get one and start experimenting. It's not a big investment (ok, it might be for some) and you already have the controllers and the TV/Monitor.