The Raspberry Pi is still the most flexible retro gaming setup you can build. Load up Batocera or RetroPie, connect an 8BitDo controller, and you have access to thousands of classic games across dozens of systems — NES, SNES, Mega Drive, PlayStation, Neo Geo, arcade machines — all from a device that fits in your hand.
One thing has changed since we wrote our Raspberry Pi getting started guide: prices have risen. The Raspberry Pi Foundation has put through two price increases in 2026, citing global chip shortages and component costs. The Pi 5 is now considerably more expensive than at launch. It’s still worth it — but the budget calculations have shifted, and the right kit for your money in 2026 looks different from what it did six months ago.
Here are the setups worth buying at every price point.
Budget Setup: Classic 8 and 16-Bit Gaming
If you want NES, SNES, Mega Drive, Game Boy, and arcade games — everything up to and including PlayStation 1 — a Raspberry Pi 4 is still the right choice. It handles this generation of hardware without breaking a sweat, software support is mature and well-documented, and it’s cheaper than the Pi 5.
A new Pi 4 3GB model was introduced in early 2026, sitting between the 2GB and 4GB variants. For retro gaming purposes, 3GB is more than sufficient — the games you’re running don’t require significant RAM. It’s worth checking the current price difference between the 3GB and 4GB models before buying; if the gap is small, the 4GB gives you more flexibility.
What You Need
The Board
Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (4GB) — check current price on Amazon UK →
The Case
The official Raspberry Pi case is fine for a basic setup. If you want something more in keeping with the retro aesthetic, the Retroflag NESPi 4 Case is the classic choice — NES styling, functional power and reset buttons that hook into the Pi’s GPIO, and enough airflow to keep things cool.
Retroflag NESPi 4 Case — check current price on Amazon UK →
The Power Supply
Use the official Raspberry Pi USB-C power supply. Third-party supplies are a common cause of instability — the official one is worth the small premium.
Official Raspberry Pi 4 Power Supply — check current price on Amazon UK →
The Storage
A 64GB Class 10 microSD gives you comfortable room for a decent game library. SanDisk and Samsung are the reliable choices — avoid unbranded cards, which fail at inconvenient moments.
SanDisk 64GB microSD — check current price on Amazon UK →
The Controller
The 8BitDo SN30 Pro is the recommendation — SNES button layout, Bluetooth, USB-C charging, and compatibility with every system you’ll be running on the Pi. D-pad is excellent, which is what matters for retro gaming.
8BitDo SN30 Pro — check current price on Amazon UK →
Mid-Range Setup: Up to PlayStation and Dreamcast
For consistent PlayStation 1, N64, and Dreamcast performance, the Raspberry Pi 5 is the right board. It’s significantly more powerful than the Pi 4 and handles these systems without the frame drops and audio stutters that affected the Pi 4 on more demanding titles.
The Pi 5 also opens up some PlayStation 2 and GameCube emulation, though software support for these systems on the Pi 5 is still maturing — manage expectations accordingly.
What You Need
The Board
Raspberry Pi 5 (4GB) — check current price on Amazon UK →
The Case
The Pi 5 runs hotter than the Pi 4 and benefits from active cooling. The Argon NEO 5 M.2 BRED case is a clean aluminium option with passive cooling that handles most gaming workloads. For heavier use, the official Raspberry Pi 5 Active Cooler is worth adding.
Argon NEO 5 Case — check current price on Amazon UK →
Official Raspberry Pi 5 Active Cooler — check current price on Amazon UK →
The Power Supply
The Pi 5 requires a 27W USB-C supply to run at full performance. The official Pi 5 power supply is the one to use — third-party supplies that don’t deliver the full wattage will throttle the board.
Official Raspberry Pi 5 Power Supply (27W) — check current price on Amazon UK →
The Storage
128GB is the sensible minimum for a mid-range setup covering PlayStation and N64 libraries — game files are larger than 8/16-bit titles. A fast UHS-I card (U3 rating) makes a real difference to load times.
SanDisk 128GB microSD (U3) — check current price on Amazon UK →
The Controller
The 8BitDo Pro 2 adds more face buttons and two additional rear paddles over the SN30 Pro — useful for PlayStation games that use all four shoulder buttons. Also Bluetooth and USB-C charging.
8BitDo Pro 2 Controller — check current price on Amazon UK →
Handheld Setup: Retro Gaming on the Go
If you want the Raspberry Pi experience in a portable form factor, the Retroflag GPi Case 2W turns a Raspberry Pi Zero 2W into a Game Boy-style handheld. It’s not as powerful as a full Pi 4 or Pi 5 setup — the Zero 2W is limited to 8/16-bit systems and lighter PlayStation 1 titles — but the form factor is excellent and the build quality is genuinely good.
What You Need
The Board
Raspberry Pi Zero 2W — check current price on Amazon UK →
The Case
Retroflag GPi Case 2W — check current price on Amazon UK →
The Storage
A 64GB card is sufficient for the Zero 2W’s library range.
SanDisk 64GB microSD — check current price on Amazon UK →
The Arcade Cabinet Build
The logical endpoint of the Raspberry Pi retro gaming setup is a bartop arcade cabinet. A Pi 5 with a good arcade stick, a 1080p monitor, and a flat-pack cabinet kit produces a machine that looks and feels like the real thing — and plays everything from Pac-Man to Metal Slug to Street Fighter II.
We’ve written the complete guide to building one: How to Build a Bartop Arcade Cabinet. For the arcade stick, the 8BitDo Arcade Stick is the recommendation — Sanwa parts, Bluetooth, and compatibility with both PC and consoles.
8BitDo Arcade Stick — check current price on Amazon UK →
Which Software?
For the Pi 5, Batocera currently offers the best out-of-the-box experience — fast setup, excellent controller support, and the most consistent performance on demanding systems. For the Pi 4, RetroPie has the largest community and the most comprehensive documentation. Our Raspberry Pi getting started guide covers all three main options in detail.
Prices change — always check Amazon before buying. All links use our affiliate tag which helps support pc-play.com at no extra cost to you. Last updated June 2026.