README

🎮 GamePi

A portable handheld retro gaming console powered by a Raspberry Pi Zero W. The GamePi is designed as a low‑cost, DIY‑friendly device capable of running classic game console emulators with full physical controls, a compact display, and portable power.

🎥 Watch the GamePi demo video

🎯 Project Goals

1. Design a portable handheld retro gaming console that supports targeted retro console emulators with a complete control interface:
   • NES
   • Sega Genesis
   • SNES
   • Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance
2. Include all essential controls:
   • Directional pad (D‑Pad)
   • A, B, X, Y buttons
   • R/L bumpers
   • Start & Select buttons
   • Mono audio with volume control
3. Reuse already‑owned components from college program where possible to keep costs low.
4. Keep the design affordable and iterative — the current revision is a working prototype, to be refined over time.

🛠 Design & Features

• 3.5‑inch LCD screen for retro game visuals
• Display settings interface via 3 front‑mounted buttons
• Mono audio output with adjustable volume wheel
• Portable — powered by onboard AA batteries or external micro‑USB
• Removable Raspberry Pi Zero W
• Accessible ports — micro‑USB (power), USB (devices), and mini‑HDMI
• Removable battery compartment cover
• Removable Pi cover with convenient port cutouts

🧩 Hardware Overview

• Main Processor: Raspberry Pi Zero W
• PCB: Designed in Altium
• Enclosure & Buttons: Designed in Fusion 360
• Display: 3.5" LCD
• Audio: Mono speaker with volume control
• Power:
  • AA battery pack (portable mode)
  • External micro‑USB (bench power mode)

🖼 Enclosure & Assembly

The enclosure is designed for both ease of access and durability:

• Rear battery cover allows quick battery changes
• Rear Raspberry Pi cover enables Pi removal for other projects
• Pi connects to PCB via female header rail for tool‑free removal
• Port access slots in the Pi cover for power, USB devices, and HDMI

📜 Design Philosophy

This prototype intentionally uses mixed component types (axial + SMD resistors, etc.) for the sake of component availability:

Some unintuitive design choices may be noticed in the PCB files. For example, the use of both axial and SMD resistors. This stems from goal #3 — “Reuse already‑owned components from college program.” Some SMD components were not available during development, so axial/radial parts were substituted.

📂 Repository Structure

GamePi/
????????? Enclosure/          # Fusion 360 CAD models for case & buttons
????????? PCB/                # Altium PCB design files
????????? media/              # Images and demonstration video
????????? README.md

🚀 Future Improvements

• Refine PCB layout for cleaner component selection
• Improve enclosure ergonomics
• Integrate rechargeable lithium battery + charging circuit
• Implement conductive silicon button pads for quieter buttons
• Add stereo audio support
• Explore Pi 4 CM for improved performance

👤 Author

Cameron Stauffer
Electrical Project Engineer | Hardware & Embedded Systems Enthusiast
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