Control Raspberry Pi Emulator via Miniature Cartridges

While the fact that you can now fit hundreds of games into the size of a single game’s cartridge from 20 years ago is mind-blowingly awesome, there’s still something satisfying about securing your favorite cartridge in a console and seeing it boot up with your favorite game. ElBartoME decided that he’d like to have the best of both worlds, and constructed his own a Raspberry Pi case in the shape of a miniature Super Nintendo console complete with a cartridge slot.

When the proper cartridge is inserted, custom emulation software is used to read, and even write as needed, NFC tags embedded inside, choosing the game for him based on what is physically in the slot.

Physically, his beautifully finished little SNES isn’t much bigger than the original controllers, and it allows him to plug one of them in via an integrated connector purchased online. His write-up includes 3D printing files, as well as a connection diagram for the controller socket, which requires connecting only 5 wires. Once everything is setup, the Raspberry Pi recognizes the SNES controller as a normal gamepad, allowing interface with whatever game he wants to play. Be sure to check it out in action in the video below: