Your perfect setup

markyh444

@Melvin-FoX If you check out my WordPress site in my signature you'll see how I've evolved through my 3 builds. The latest, the PSXPi, is probably the slickest in finish and software polish as well with the launching images etc.

ZogZogAkita

Hiding RetroPie setup menu

Save es_systems.cfg located in /etc/emulationstation/es_systems.cfg
cp es_systems.cfg es_systems.cfg.BACKUP

Then enter in es_systems.cfg and remove the following lines referring to retropie section (viewed as any emulator):

<system>
<name>retropie</name>
<fullname>RetroPie</fullname>
<path>~/RetroPie/retropiemenu</path>
<extension>.rp .sh</extension>
<command>sudo /home/pi/RetroPie-Setup/retropie_packages.sh retropiemenu launch %ROM% </dev/tty >/dev/tty</command>
<platform/>
<theme>retropie</theme>
</system>

sselph

I'm not big on looks but my favorite customization I did was set it up so that all my saves were versioned locally and sync'd up to my NAS whenever the pi was connected to my local network. It used git so I could even create new branches and have other users with different saves.

edmaul69

@ZogZogAkita instead of deleting it if you put this on the line above it

<!--

And this on the line below it

-->

It will hide it.

caver01

@Melvin.FoX It would help to know what exactly you are building. Is it an Arcade cabinet? A console to be hidden by the TV? A portable? Are you using arcade joysticks and pushbuttons? Wired controllers? Bluetooth? Maybe you haven't decided yet and you are just working through software configuration, but I expect you could get more ideas from people if we had an idea about your vision.

For example, I built a 4-player arcade cabinet. I had similar goals to your list, but there is definitely a physical aspect to these projects that shouldn't be overlooked:
Pushbuttons to easily control the Pi's volume.
Mausberry circuit (or Control Block) for safe shutdown via pushbutton, and pushbutton booting.
LEDs for backlighting buttons and trackball were important for me.
I bought USB connector ends so I could make custom-length USB cables for cleaner internal wiring.
Extruded aluminum and riveted ABS coated plywood housing (roadcase)

Finally, I would add that I consider my system a work in progress, and I probably always will. You could easily invest as much free time as you have available in the process, so make sure an early iteration results in a working, playable system that you can continue to improve over time. I understand the desire to make everything perfect, but don't be afraid to enjoy your work early, or to share your system with friends. I am still not completely satisfied with my setup (it's just part of the hobby), but people who see it are still completely blown away.

ZogZogAkita

@edmaul69 Thank you very much, it will be useful for me !!

edmaul69

@ZogZogAkita you are welcome

Melvin.FoX

@caver01 many thanks for sharing! I am building an arcade stick console. Don't have any recent photos because I still wait for few detail parts to finish it up.
http://i.imgur.com/iRkR3wa.jpg
It's basically an arcade stick build from scratch (I did all the carpentry with my friend). I also did some artwork and first of all the whole planning process (measurments), parts used etc.

It's almost done in matter of hardware but I still have to do a lot with it. Few main aspects:

power rocker socket
HDMI and RCA (composite) signal output
2 x USB (for additional controlers or keyboard to control Kodi)

As you can see it's based on MVS arcade cabinet. It wasn't wired up when taking this photo but in front there are two square led push buttons with artwork (25 Cents Push to reject).

caver01

@Melvin.FoX Excellent! What are you using for the button controller? IPAC? Something similar? Looks like a good project. I have a friend who is interested in building something similar.

Melvin.FoX

@caver01 I bought the arcade parts on aliexpress. They have pretty decent quality. They came with a usb board which connects controllers with Raspberry. All the wires were also included so it was just plug n play setup. I have spare iPac from previous project (that in fact was never completed) but it was easier for me to do it this way.
It looks like this:
https://www.modmypi.com/image/cache/data/rpi-products/arcade/DSC_0518-800x609.jpg