Retro Game Console

2025-12-24

The retro game console system is built on the Quectel Pi H1 single-board computer and supports the operation of various classic games through the RetroPie emulator platform. It provides a smooth control experience with Xbox controllers and touch displays, enabling plug-and-play access to nostalgic games and creating a portable retro game entertainment terminal for game enthusiasts.

Development Resources Summary

Development Accessories List

Accessory Name Quantity Specifications
Quectel Pi H1 Single-Board Computer 1 Quectel Pi H1 Smart Ecosystem Development Board
USB-C Power Supply 1 27W USB Type-C Interface Charger 1.2m Cable Length Standard Power PD Power Supply Suitable for Raspberry Pi 5
Xbox Game Controller 1 Xbox
8-inch IPS Capacitive Touch Display 1 8-inch Capacitive Touch Display for Raspberry Pi, 1280×800, IPS, DSI Interface
Ethernet Cable 1 Length: 1m; Transmission Rate: Gigabit
CPU Cooling Fan（Optional） 1 Raspberry Pi 5 Official Active Cooler with Heatsink and Thermal Pad

Get Started Quickly

Hardware Connection

Install Cooling Fan

Plug the fan cable into the FAN header on the board, then secure the heatsink clips into the mounting holes as shown:

Connect Display

Select an 8-inch IPS capacitive touch display (you can also use an HDMI display).

Align the pin header of the display with the 40-pin interface of the board and snap them together, then secure them tightly with standoffs. Next, connect the MIPI interface of the display to the corresponding interface on the board. The completed connection is as follows:

After the display is connected, plug in the Ethernet cable, and finally connect the Power In port to supply power to the board.

Project Implementation

Environment Preparation

1. Update Software Sources

sudo apt update

2. Install and Configure SSH

sudo apt install openssh-server

Set Auto-Start

sudo systemctl enable ssh

Restart the Service

sudo service ssh restart

3. Install Essential Tools

sudo apt install git
sudo apt install neovim

Install RetroPie

4. Download the Official RetroPie Installation Script Repository

git clone --depth=1 https://github.com/RetroPie/RetroPie-Setup.git

5. Launch the RetroPie Configuration Menu

cd RetroPie-Setup
sudo ./retropie_setup.sh

6. Basic Installation

In the menu, click Basic Install to start the installation. The entire process takes approximately 1 hour.

Launch and Configuration

7. Access RetroPie

Method 1: Enter the following command in the terminal:

emulationstation

Method 2: In the desktop environment, locate the rpie icon and double-click to launch:

8. Initialize Controller

When you open the emulator for the first time, the Welcome screen will appear, prompting you to configure a controller. Refer to the following for details:RetroPie Documentation

Controller button reference:

Exit the software:

  • Normal exit: Press Start → menu appears → select Quit → Quit EmulationStation

System Settings

9. Disable GPU Rendering

Edit the environment variables file：

sudo vim /etc/environment

Enter i to enter edit mode, and comment out the following content:

__GLX_VENDOR_LIBRARY_NAME=mesa
MESA_LOADER_DRIVER_OVERRIDE=zink
GALLIUM_DRIVER=zink
VK_ICD_FILENAMES=/usr/share/vulkan/icd.d/freedreno_icd.aarch64.json

After finishing the edits, press Esc to exit the edit mode, then enter :wq to save and quit.

10. Restart the System

sudo reboot

Load Game ROMs

What is a Game ROM?

A ROM is a digital version of a game cartridge or disc. Loading a ROM in an emulator is equivalent to inserting the physical cartridge into a game console.

How to Obtain Game ROMs?

  • Extract from game cartridges or discs that you legally own.
  • Download free ROMs that are voluntarily made public by the developers.

ROM File Path:

/home/pi/RetroPie/roms/

ROMs for different platforms must be placed in their corresponding subfolders. For detailed information, refer toRetroPie official documentation

Transfer ROM File

After connecting to the device via SSH using MobaXterm on your PC, you can directly drag and drop ROM files into the target directory to achieve fast file transfer.

Launch Games

Once the game ROMs are placed correctly, open RetroPie, where you will see that the corresponding platforms and games have been successfully detected.

Application Demonstration

After completing the above installation, you can start playing your games.

The specific steps are as follows:

  1. Enter RetroPie，method to access.

  2. For the first time, you need to configure the gamepad buttons. For details on how to configure the gamepad buttons,please refer to the following.

  3. After configuring the handle buttons, enter the main interface. At the bottom of the main interface, there is an operation instruction for the interface buttons.

  1. Let's take the games that have been uploaded to GBA as an example. The game ROM files have already been transferred, for details please refer to transfer ROM file.

  2. Press the left and right buttons to select to the GAMEBOYADVANCE interface. Click A to enter. After entering, you can see the installed GBA game ROM. Use the up and down keys to select the corresponding game file, and then click A to start the game.

  1. The picture below shows the actual running screen of the game. Please note: The key operations for different games may vary.
游戏截图
  1. The methods of exiting the game.
  • Use the controller to enter the game settings menu and exit via the game's built-in option.
  • Hot + select, the specific key is the one set in the previous controller mapping.