In another episode of “Where can we install a Raspberry Pi?”, the user “banjokazooie” from the Sudomod forum took this kind of project to the next level with a hybrid between a portable console with RetroPie installed and the GamePad of a Wii U. The work inside the shell is complex, and the combination of a Raspberry Pi 3 with the 6.5-inch screen gives a maximum of three hours emulating the Nintendo 64… but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want something like that.

A Raspberry Pi Inside a GamePad

Build a Retro Console with a Wii U Controller
Raspberry Pi Wii U

One of the most important details we find about all these Raspberry Pi-based modifications is that the level of knowledge required to pull them off keeps dropping. In some examples, everything comes down to connecting the necessary parts and making minimal software changes, which fortunately have already been written by true geniuses, relentless code riders with astonishing skill. We also have to recognize the effort of those who develop modules, controllers, and adapters so the Raspberry Pi can communicate with very different peripherals. Of course, nobody is forced to take their first steps with an advanced project, but once you absorb certain fundamentals, the sky is the limit. What’s next on the list? A Wii U controller.

The Hardware Inside

Build a Retro Console with a Wii U Controller
Yes, a lot is happening inside that shell...
  • Original Wii U GamePad shell
  • Modified Raspberry Pi 3
  • Charging and protection circuits linked to two 18650 batteries
  • 6.5-inch screen with its controller and HDMI input
  • Teensy 2.0 and two special modules to adapt the original controls
  • Small audio amplifier
  • Flat HDMI cable (a standard cable would never fit inside the shell)
  • microSD card breakout

Besides fitting all components into one shell, the natural limits of the Raspberry Pi 3 demand more precise work on its power source, especially when you want to use it portably. Luckily, the material is documented on GitHub.

Build a Retro Console with a Wii U Controller
... but once closed, it looks great.

Let’s be honest: it’s not exactly an economical project. Personally, I don’t think the modder sacrificed a working Wii U controller, but the sum of the components puts us at around $200. At this point, anyone might think they can get a complete console for that price, and maybe that’s true, but DIY follows other rules. What matters here is the result, and if there were any doubts, it’s fantastic.

For more details, visit the official site.