Short answer: a Raspberry Pi 5 with Batocera is the most capable do-it-yourself retro console for the money. You need the Pi 5 (4 GB is enough, 8 GB gives headroom), active cooling, a proper 5V/5A USB-C power supply, a 64 GB or larger microSD card, a micro-HDMI cable and a controller. Flash the Batocera image for the Pi 5, boot it, and copy your own legally obtained games over the network. It runs everything up to PlayStation 1 and Dreamcast comfortably and much of the N64 and PSP libraries.
What you need
- Raspberry Pi 5: the 4 GB model is enough for emulation; 8 GB is future-proofing. A starter kit such as CanaKit’s bundles the board with a case, cooling, a power supply, a microSD card and a micro-HDMI cable; check the listing for the exact contents.
- Cooling: the Pi 5 throttles under sustained load without a heatsink and fan. Use the official Active Cooler or a case with a fan.
- Power supply: a USB-C supply rated 5V/5A. Weaker phone chargers cause random crashes and limit USB power for controllers.
- Storage: a 64 GB or larger microSD card from a reputable brand, or a USB SSD for faster loading.
- Cable and controller: a micro-HDMI to HDMI cable, and any USB or Bluetooth controller. 8BitDo pads with a 2.4 GHz dongle are a popular plug-and-play choice.
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Batocera vs Recalbox vs RetroPie on the Pi 5
| Batocera | Recalbox | RetroPie | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official Pi 5 image | Yes | Yes | No; installed with a script on Raspberry Pi OS |
| Setup effort | Low | Lowest | Higher |
| Best for | Most people: broad system support, good defaults | Beginners and families | People who want to tweak Linux |
We recommend Batocera for a first build: it has an official Pi 5 image, handles controllers well and keeps the menus simple. RetroPie remains excellent on older Pis, but on the Pi 5 it is a manual install.
How to install Batocera
- Download the Raspberry Pi 5 image from the official Batocera website.
- Write it to the microSD card with Raspberry Pi Imager or balenaEtcher. This erases the card, so double-check you picked the right drive.
- Insert the card, connect the TV and controller, then power on. The first boot expands the storage and takes a few minutes.
- Connect the Pi to your network (Ethernet or Wi-Fi in the Batocera menu).
- Add games from your computer: open the Batocera network share (on Windows,
\BATOCERAin File Explorer; on a Mac,smb://batocera) and copy your game files into the matching folder underroms. You can also copy from a USB drive. - Back in Batocera, update the game list and use the built-in scraper to download box art.
Some systems, including PlayStation 1, need BIOS files. Batocera lists which ones each system needs; use files from hardware you own.
What a Pi 5 can play
- 8- and 16-bit consoles, Game Boy family, arcade classics: perfect.
- PlayStation 1 and Dreamcast: excellent, with upscaling on many games.
- Nintendo 64 and PSP: much of the library runs well; some games need tweaks.
- GameCube and PS2: limited. If those are the goal, a mini PC is a better base.
Make it look like a console
Retro-style cases turn the Pi into something that belongs under the TV. RetroFlag makes Pi 5 cases styled after the N64 (64Pi) and the Dreamcast (Dream Case), sold on Amazon under the GeeekPi brand. Check that any case supports the Pi 5’s cooling before buying.
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Is a Pi 5 better than a game stick?
Yes, by a wide margin. It is far more powerful than the RK3032 and Amlogic chips in “4K game sticks”, it gets software updates, and you decide what goes on it. The trade-off is an evening of setup. If you would rather have something that works out of the box, see our TV console guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Batocera or RetroPie better on the Raspberry Pi 5?
Batocera, for most people. It has an official Pi 5 image and simple setup, while RetroPie has no official Pi 5 image and must be installed with a script on Raspberry Pi OS.
Do I need the 8 GB Raspberry Pi 5 for emulation?
No. The 4 GB model handles retro emulation well. The 8 GB model adds headroom for other uses.
Can a Raspberry Pi 5 play PS2 or GameCube games?
Only to a limited degree. It is excellent up to PlayStation 1 and Dreamcast and handles much of N64 and PSP, but PS2 and GameCube need more powerful hardware.
Does the Raspberry Pi 5 need a fan for retro gaming?
Yes, active cooling is recommended. Without it the Pi 5 throttles under sustained load.
Is it legal to build a Raspberry Pi retro console?
Yes. The hardware and emulation software are legal. Use games and BIOS files from hardware you own.
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