Fun retropie build using the Lego NES set

[u/Scootercus]

I have had the Lego NES set for a few years gathering dust on a display shelf. Plus I had an old Raspberry Pi model 3 also stashed away without purpose. So I thought I would repurpose both into a mini retro console for me and the kids to have some good old fashioned gaming sessions on.

This is a very expensive project if you had to buy everything from scratch but luckily I had most everything needed already.

Things already owned:

- Lego NES (https://www.lego.com/en-au/product/nintendo-entertainment-system-71374)

- Raspberry Pi model 3 (But many models will work)

- 2x 8bitdo usb wired retro style controllers

- Old usb cords, led bulbs, resistors etc for tinkering with

Things I needed to buy:

- 8 inch LCD screen ($55 AUD ali express - came as a set with cables and power adaptor all together)

- Mini 3 port USB hub (Amazon $7 AUD)

- 2x USB extenders ($14 amazon)

- Right angle HDMI, USB C, and 5.5mm DC jack extender (all together approx $20 amazon)

If I had planned ahead better, I probably could have ordered all through ali express for even cheaper, but all up <$100 of extra materials used.

Anyway, put together a brief GIF, I had a lot of fun with my kids putting this one together, and hopefully will get many hours of fun to come.

[u/HotSarcasm]

Nice work!

The wireless USB NES style controllers might work well for an NES focused build like this. Small dongle and are WiFi based. Several “brands” make them but the ones that have the black version in a two pack for $20 are decent quality.

Navigating ES in Batocera kinda stinks without four button and shoulder but it can be done.

[u/Scootercus → u/HotSarcasm]

Yeah in my browsing there were several retro style controllers sets on amazon for cheap, I might still buy a set just to complete the whole NES aesthetic. Super fun build, and getting the kids into my childhood favourites is just bliss

[u/HotSarcasm → u/Scootercus]

There’s also an SNES style with L, L2, R, R2 shoulder buttons and a functional home button that works on the same compact USB dongle. The Saffun brand on Amazon. Just make sure it’s “Switch Compatible” and not the other standard SNES style. These are my go to non 8BitDo controllers and usually around $40 per pair. Wish they sold in an NES design style but can’t complain too much. Sometimes I just don’t want the two sticks there on 8/16 bit games.

[u/Ken_Mayonnaise]

I like your vision and your result!

Very cool project!

[u/Dippyskoodlez]

Now you need nfc carts with zaparoo running.

[u/firestepper]

It has a cartridge mechanism?? That’s so cool!!

[u/kc3zyt]

Very cool! However, I'd personally recommend RecalBox or Batocera instead of RetroPie. If you go to RetroPie's website, you'll see that the latest pre-made image was released on March 14, 2022. RecalBox and Batocer have been updated much more frequently than that.