This DIY Raspberry Pi retro gaming handheld fits right inside an old Altoids tin
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When it comes to retro gaming handhelds, we’ve seen a handful of these devices pop up, such as the $59 budget retro gaming console that comes with 15,000 preloaded titles or the more powerful SBC-powered OLED handheld. However, suppose you’re interested in DIY handheld projects. In that case, there are many Raspberry Pi-based builds, including this one, which lets you create a handheld that people will have to look twice at to realize it’s actually a gaming device.
Meet Pi Tin, an open-source retro gaming device built around the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W and a 2.8” 320×240 TFT display. It can emulate most SNES, GBA, PS1, Genesis/Mega Drive, and even some N64 games. According to one of its creators, Pi Tin was born out of the lack of quality DIY handhelds and takes direct inspiration from the MintyPi project, a DIY gaming console that fit inside an Altoids mint tin but was abandoned because it relied on closed-source hardware.
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A gameboy inside an Altoids tin
Pi Tin's gamepad uses the same Alps tactile switches and elastomer membrane design as the Game Boy Advance SP and DSi, and features a soft power button for turning the system on or off. You can also use the handheld while charging and it even works with all USB-C cables and chargers. As per the original description and based on testing with the 3D-printed case option using a 2000mAh battery, the battery lasts up to 5 hours of gaming.
Building a Pi Tin requires a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W, a few components, and some soldering and engineering skills. It can be built in two different designs: a 3D-printed clamshell case or an Altoids tin. The Altoids tin option leans more toward aesthetics than ergonomics due to the constraints of fitting everything inside the tin. It is also more difficult to build than the 3D-printed version and has 40% less battery capacity.
Building your own Pi Tin
As a DIY project, the creators behind Pi Tin have included an in-depth guide that walks you through the hardware, software, and final assembly for both of Pi Tin’s designs. So if you’re thinking about building one yourself, rest assured that the guide is there to help if you get stuck along the way. You can also check out Pi Tin’s Reddit post, where the creator has answered a bunch of questions from Pi users.
That said, one common question on the Reddit post was about cost. The creator mentioned that sourcing all the components should total around $100. And let’s not forget the time spent assembling and 3D printing components, which adds to the overall effort required. However, lucky for you, the creators have said they are working on making kits with assembled PCBs available for purchase, which should make the process much easier, though the cost will likely remain around the same.
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