This Cornucopia-Shaped RetroPie Build Is the Coolest Arcade That You’ll See Today

RetroPie is a fantastic set of software that converts your ARM-based single-board computer’s OS into a dedicated retrogaming rig. It acts as a user-friendly frontend interface for a plethora of different vintage consoles and computers, including the NES, SNES, Game Boy, Atari 2600, Sega Genesis, ZX Spectrum, Apple II, and so, so much more. Because RetroPie runs on most single-board computer available today, we see arcade builds in all kinds of form factors, from mini arcade cabinets to handhelds. But Redditor Ealaipi’s cornucopia-shaped RetroPie arcade may just have the most interesting enclosure that we’ve ever seen.

We’ve not sure what Ealaipi’s design inspiration was for this build, but it definitely channels some of the industrial design cues from vintage mid-century “space age” TVs like the JVC Videosphere; that and the classic cornucopia or “horn of plenty” symbol from antiquity. Whatever the inspiration, it looks really cool with its curvy lines. That enclosure was entirely 3D-printed in Polymaker’s fabulous orange PLA. This arcade is fairly large, so the case had to be separated into a number of small sections that either click together or are glued together. While screws are better if you need to be able to take the pieces apart later, glue can produce a bond that is stronger than the rest of the part, so there is no worry about durability here.

Like most RetroPie builds, this one is built on a Raspberry Pi single-board computer. Specifically, Ealaipi used a Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+, which is currently recommended over the Pi 4 Model B for software compatibility reasons. The controls, which include a joystick, six primary arcade buttons, and two “shoulder” arcade buttons, are connected to the Pi through a GeeekPi adapter board. That board also supplies amplified speaker output through a pair of 3” speakers. The display is a large 10” 1024x768 LCD screen from Pimoroni that includes a driver board that accepts an HDMI signal from the Pi. This screen is sold for the Pimoroni Picade and has a 4:3 aspect ratio that is perfect for most retro games. Obviously your appreciation of this case is entirely subjective, but Ealapi has provided all of the STL files needed to 3D-print the enclosure if you do want to duplicate this build.