Prototyping a Handheld Gaming Console with the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4

Redditor 'Temporary-Ability-46' is building the first CM4 prototype that works on the RetroPie operating system and employs a 7" display from Raspberry Pi. The device uses a CM4 IO carrier board along with the addition of Teensy LC, power circuit, and audio circuit.

The handheld is capable of fast charging thanks to the addition of the power circuit and also supplies 5V and 3.3V required for the entire system. At the moment, Temporary-Ability-46 is using a 6000mAh battery that lasts for a few hours.

As mentioned earlier, the device features an audio circuit based on the UDA1334A DAC and the MAX98306 amplifier chip, which are integrated into the carrier board.

All the electronics are housed inside a 3D-printed case, that when compared to the size of Nintendo Switch, looks quite large.

"This is also based on the Wii U GamePad controls so I modeled the case off of that with the hand holds in the back that make it easier to hold," Temporary-Ability-46 notes. "I also used the button sub-assemblies that the Wii U GamePad uses."

Temporary-Ability-46 revealed that he is already working on the second version of the carrier board. More details about the projects are available in the Reddit thread.