DIY Retro Gaming System Disassembly: RetroPie Vs Recalbox
The Raspberry Pi is the cheapest and most compact way to emulate the old video games you still love to play. You have several different ways to create your own retro video game console, but RetroPie and Recalbox are two of the easiest to use. Let’s take a look at their differences and choose the best one for you.
Applicants
Retro style game consoles are without a doubt the most popular project for the Raspberry Pi . Once set up, you can play a variety of old video games using a variety of controllers. All you need is a Raspberry Pi and the right software. RetroPie was the first full-fledged operating system emulator for the Raspberry Pi. Recalbox is newer, but simplifies the whole process a bit.
Both systems are based on RetroArch and EmulationStation , which together provide an interface that allows you to choose from a variety of emulators. Both RetroPie and Recalbox also come with a Kodi media center , so if you’re looking for a versatile entertainment center either will do. Both look pretty much the same, so aesthetics don’t really matter here. Finally, both RetroPie and Recalbox support online updates, rewind functions, save states, and screenshots. Here are other basics.
- RetroPie : RetroPie was originally a small project that launched around the same time the Raspberry Pi became widely available. This was part of our retro style game console customization guide from the start . It is currently a much larger project. Its main goal is to simulate as many games as possible on every Raspberry Pi model. It is also almost always updated within days of a new Raspberry Pi release. Due to its longevity, it also has active support forums and well-written documentation .
- Recalbox : Recalbox is slightly newer than RetroPie, and while easier to set up, it doesn’t have the same cultural reach as RetroPie. Aside from being a do-it-yourself operating system, it also functions rather uncomfortably as a storefront , although you don’t have to buy anything to use Recalbox. By default, Recalbox looks pretty much the same as RetroPie.
Both options give you a great DIY game console, but the setup process, game system support, and customization options differ between the two.
Recalbox is easier to set up for beginners
Let’s get this straight: Recalbox is undoubtedly easier to set up. While RetroPie has gotten a lot easier to set up over the years, Recalbox still takes it out of the water with its simplicity.
First, you don’t need to know anything about writing a bootable SD card with Recalbox, which is usually one of the more annoying parts of any Raspberry Pi operating system. Instead, download the latest version of Recalbox , copy all files to your SD card, and then place the SD in your Pi. Recalbox will take care of the rest. Retropie , on the other hand , requires you to use a third-party SD card builder or command line. Both options are simple enough, but Recalbox is simpler and less intimidating.
In terms of controllers, both Recalbox and RetroPie automatically ask you to set up controllers on first boot, but Recalbox has built-in support for PS3 controllers over Bluetooth (RetroPie needs some tweaking to get this to work.) While the process is almost identical in both tools, controller setup in Recalbox seems smoother.
After configuring the controllers, both RetroPie and Recalbox have the same options where you can set up Wi-Fi, make configuration changes, and update your system. Otherwise, you are ready to start playing games.
RetroPie has much more customization options, better system compatibility, and additional support
Recalbox may be easier to customize, but Retropie is much easier to bend to your will, especially if you enjoy customizing things. RetroPie lets you customize almost every aspect of a system so that it can run on a huge number of displays, with many different controllers, different operating systems, and more.
By default, RetroPie is set up for everything RetroArch can do , which means custom shaders, per-emulator settings, and more. Other than that, it’s also built so that you can choose which options are set, change the version of Linux it starts, create your own startup splash screens, customize display properties, and tinker with just about every possible setting . You can also use an insane amount of controllers with RetroPie, from Nintendo 64 controllers to custom ones . To cover it all, RetroPie has extensive documentation that walks you through all kinds of different customization projects. If this all sounds overwhelming, well it is. But if you’re building something like an arcade cabinet , you need that kind of complete control over everything.
Conversely, Recalbox supports PS3, Xbox, Bluetooth and standard USB controllers. Recalbox simplifies shaders by simply including two of the most commonly used ones, bitmap strings and “retro” (which automatically picks the best shader for each system for you), but if you want to add your own it gets tricky . In fact, doing anything outside of the default Recalbox is a bit awkward, and its general lack of detailed documentation doesn’t really matter. If you want to set up Recalbox like an arcade cabinet, it’s doable , but the process isn’t as well-documented as it is for RetroPie. This is all perfectly fine for most people who just want to plug their Pi into a TV and play classic games, and in fact, it’s probably better for most people, but if you want to tinker with everything, Recalbox is not for you.
RetroPie is also getting updated more often. A few days after the launch of the Raspberry Pi 3, RetroPie added support for it . In contrast, the latest non-beta version of Recalbox was released in March 2015 as version 3.2.11 . This means that there has been no stable update since the release of the Raspberry Pi 3. Unless you live on the cutting edge of cheap microcomputers, it doesn’t matter at all, but worth mentioning if you’re the type to take a new Pi every time it’s released.
Recalbox is best if you’re a beginner or want something simple, RetroPie is for people who need control
The choice of operating system to use here simply depends on how much you enjoy tinkering with settings. Want to just skip the setup and play your childhood Super Nintendo games? Go with Recalbox. It’s easier to set up and works great with most popular games.
Want to play little-known games on little-known systems like Coco or Dragon 32 ? Or do you need an easy way to deeply customize everything, like choosing which shaders will be displayed in which games? Looking to build a portable system or game machine ? RetroPie is your best bet.