UNO Q Runs RetroArch in This DIY Arcade Cabinet
Julian Caro Linares built an arcade cabinet that runs RetroArch on the new Arduino UNO Q single-board computer.
The new Arduino UNO Q is not like previous Arduino products, which were mostly microcontroller development boards. Instead, the UNO Q is a complete single-board computer (SBC) that also integrates a microcontroller with accessible IO pins, with the SBC able to talk to the microcontroller seamlessly. Because it is so unique, the community has a lot of questions about the UNO Q and its capabilities. Julian Caro Linares answered at least one of those questions by building this arcade cabinet based around an Arduino UNO Q running RetroArch.
This is the sort of project that most people would do with a Raspberry Pi. Many of us have been anxious to find out how the UNO Q would handle the job and now we know. According to the guide written by Linares, RetroArch installs on the UNO Q’s default operating system without any issues. Using it from there is just like any other RetroArch installation: configure the cores for the consoles you want to emulate, set up the controller inputs, connect a monitor, and start gaming!
It would be possible to connect the controller inputs (the joysticks and buttons) to the UNO Q’s STM32 microcontroller and feed input events to RetroArch on the SBC side. But Linares chose to use an off-the-shelf USB arcade controller, which is what one would typically do with a “normal” SBC.
Unlike most of those other SBCs, the UNO Q only has a single USB-C port. That handles power delivery, video output, and USB peripheral input. An adapter (available on the Arduino Store and elsewhere) provides those ports. As Linares explains, you’ll need to connect a keyboard during setup. But afterwards, you can remove the keyboard and rely entirely on the arcade controls. The only other necessary hardware is a 24” HDMI monitor and a USB speaker.
Those parts all fit into a bar top arcade cabinet kit from a company called Talentec — though you could certainly build your own cabinet if you prefer. Optionally, you can add LED strips and control them with the UNO Q’s STM32 to get some cool lighting effects. Because the STM32 can talk to the SBC side, it is possible to make those lights react to the arcade controls or even things happening within RetroArch.
This project is cool in its own right, but also demonstrates another use case for the new Arduino UNO Q.