There's no need to reinvent the wheel. There are many initiatives based on the Raspberry Pi Zero out there, but the concept of a portable console is interesting for two reasons: accessible learning and satisfaction. I understand that "hunting down" the necessary components can be problematic for some users; however, that's when kits like PiPlay Portable come into play. It runs on two AA batteries, and it's very easy to assemble if you know how to solder.
What are you going to build this weekend? Do you have a Raspberry Pi gathering dust in a drawer? I have no doubt you can improvise a shell, connect a gamepad, and turn the mini computer into a multi-console, but if the idea is to make it portable, the challenge is a bit bigger. The first step is to get a Raspberry Pi Zero, either in its standard edition or its W variant. The acquisition process is still quite complicated, and many users have been forced to pay a shocking premium. But what about the rest of the parts? While we could follow the "spaghetti route" and compress all the floating connections inside a shell, everything looks much cleaner if a PCB designed with certain components in mind comes into play. That said, let's make room for PiPlay Portable.
A 2.4-inch TFT screen, twelve buttons, a 3.5mm audio output, and a module for two AA batteries shape this kit. The special edition of PiPlay Portable includes a laser-cut shell, but the design is open source, and all relevant files will be published on GitHub. The makers also confirmed that PiPlay Portable will work with both the Zero and the Zero W. Obviously, the software base is RetroPie, opening access to the main 8- and 16-bit consoles. Its battery life with two AA batteries is about three hours, and as far as I can see, there are no major restrictions on adding more batteries or replacing them with a lithium solution (including the corresponding charging circuit).
The PiPlay Portable Kickstarter campaign is relatively small. It aims for a total of five thousand dollars, and with 24 days to go, it's about to reach its goal. The minimum cost of the kit without the shell or the Raspberry Pi Zero is $49. Adding the shell doubles the price, and if you want the complete option, the price is $150 (only four of this type are available). Personally, I'd lean toward the basic kit and look for the rest elsewhere. First deliveries, in July.
