How to build a Raspberry Pi MAME in a NES

A step by step video showing how to build your own Raspberry Pi MAME inside a NES Case. Part 1 shows how to set up your Pi to play games, and Part 2 shows how to convert a NES to fit a Pi inside.

This setup will work fine on either the 256MB or 512MB Raspberry Pi. Bryan tried this project with both models and they both work well.


Part 1

The RetroPie Project has a lot of different emulators available, but he focused on the NES, SNES, and SEGA systems.

Software

- Cyberduck
- TextWrangler or Notepad++

Parts List

- Raspberry Pi (512) Model B
- Pi Case
- 8GB SD Card
- USB SNES Controller
- Keyboard
- Mouse
- Monitor
- HDMI Cable

Step 1 Download & Install

Download Retro Pi image from PetRockBlock.com. Then make a bootable SD Card and extract Retro Pi. For a Mac, Bryan used the guide over at AllTheWare. If you've got a PC, you'll need WinDisk32 Imager.

Once you've made a bootable SD card, place it into Raspberry Pi and boot up!

Step 2 Boot Raspi and Set Up Emulation Station

When you first turn on Emulation Station you'll have to map your controller.

After that, exit out to terminal so you can set up your global emulator settings.

To set up your controller type the following in the terminal:
cd RetroPie/emulators/RetroArch/tools
./retroarch-joyconfig ~/RetroPie/configs/all/retroarch.cfg

Step 3 Raspi Config Setup

We're not done configuring things. Next up, go to terminal and type the following:
sudo raspi-config

At the Raspi Config window select the second option "expand_rootfs" and then press enter. You will be presented with a message saying "partition will be resized."

In the Raspi Config Menu select "memory_split." If you have the 256MB Model A enter "128" into the field. If you have the 512MB Model B enter "256" into the field.

Then exit to terminal.

Step 4 Update your Pi

Type the following into the terminal:
cd RetroPie-Setup
sudo ./retropie_setup.sh

Update script
Update binaries

Run Binaries-based Installation

**This can take awhile!**

Step 5 Move your ROMs and Edit your Config Files

Bryan found it easiest to FTP into the Raspberry Pi to get his ROMs on to the device. On the Pi, go to terminal and type "ifconfig" to find your IP address. Then use your favorite FTP client to move your ROMs to the Pi. Bryan used Cyberduck on the Mac to FTP.

If you're using Cyberduck, here's what you do. Go to quick connection. Select SFTP. For server number, type in the IP address you got from your Pi. The default username is "pi" and the default password is "raspberry."

Then navigate to RetroPie / Roms. Transfer ROMs according to folders. Bryan also moved all of his unwanted emulators to a new folder he created called "Unused." When you fire up Emulation Station, you won't see the emulators in that folder.

Navigate to RetroPie / Configs / all
Then find retroarch.cfg open in text editor. If you've got an SNES controller like Bryan and want to set it up just like he did, check out his configuration file here. pastebin.com/bnUpPpk2

Step 6 Making things pretty

Go to Terminal and type in the following:
cd RetroPie-Setup
sudo ./retropie_setup.sh

Run ES-scraper. It will grab box art and game descriptions so you'll have a nicer looking menu. However, ES-scraper isn't perfect, so you can clean up any incorrect information.

To correct your library, use Cyberduck again to download the gameslist.xml file located in the Rom folder. Then you can open the XML file and edit titles,descriptions and images.


Part 2 Building a Raspberry Pi Mame Inside a NES Case

Build your own fully function NES MAME Machine using a Raspberry Pi

Parts List

- A BROKEN NES, don't destroy a piece of history! Check Ebay.
- Model A (256MB)
or
- Model B (512MB)
- Super Nintendo USB Controller (I Brought the Gtron Controller on Amazon)
- 8GB Class 10 SD Card
- MausBerry Shutdown Circuit
- Ada Fruit Board Edge Mounting Kit
- Belkin Ultra-Slim Series 4-Port USB 2.0 Hub
- Plugable USB 2.0 2 Hub x2
- (Optional) Edimax EW-7811Un 150 Mbps Wireless 11n Nano Size USB Adapter

Cables and Bits

- Ultra Slim HDMI
- AC Adapter Extension Cable
- Wall Plate with Ethernet and HDMI Keystones
- 2.2k Ohms Resistor (for the LED)
- Two USB Male to Micro cables
- One USB Mini cable

Controller Config
- pastebin.com/bnUpPpk2

NES Switch Wiring Diagram
- plus.google.com/photos/100895179273047163977/al…

Website Resources

- supernintendopi.wordpress.com/
- lifehacker.com/how-to-turn-your-raspberry-pi-in…
- blog.petrockblock.com/


Music Credit
- Artist: Eric Skiff
- Song: Were the Resistors