Make Your Own Handheld Console

As a general rule, electronic devices are more challenging to design and build as their size decreases. Just about anyone can put together a basic retro gaming arcade in an afternoon, but building a handheld device takes an entirely different set of skills. YouTuber DIY Dr.K is well aware of the difficulties associated with building compact, handheld game consoles. He has built a slew of them in the past, but recently came to the realization that his followers were unable to reproduce them on their own.

That’s just no fun for those that want to play along at home, so DIY Dr.K designed a simpler handheld that just about anyone can assemble from off-the-shelf components. Despite its simplicity, it looks polished and is a very capable little gaming machine.

The system is built around a Raspberry Pi 5 single-board computer which not only gives it some substantial computing horsepower, but also makes it very user-friendly to work with. This was paired with a high-resolution 8-inch display that conveniently comes in a case that makes it perfect for use as a handheld without modification.

The console naturally still needs a controller, and that is typically a challenging part of the build. All of the D-pads, joysticks, and buttons have to be wired into the computer, fit into the case, and programmed for use. So DIY Dr.K cleverly sidestepped this issue by adding rails to the display case for Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons. A battery and charging circuit rounded out the major hardware components, then Batocera was installed to instantly turn the handheld into a retro gaming powerhouse.

The bill of materials is listed in the video description, and DIY Dr.K walks through the entire build step-by-step. Of course you can use the same basic approach, yet also add your own unique touches. The best part of a DIY console is that you can make it your own.