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A maker-built Raspberry Pi handheld borrows the Nintendo Switch’s big-screen, detachable-controller layout, but it is not a Nintendo Switch and cannot play Switch games. The reported build pairs a 7-inch touchscreen and custom 3D-printed shell with a Raspberry Pi 3B+, Bluetooth controllers, a Waveshare UPS HAT and RetroPie. It is a customizable retro-gaming project—not a ready-made console.
What was built?
The project is a portable Raspberry Pi computer fitted into a Switch-style printed enclosure. Its large display sits between detachable EasySMX Joy-Con-style controllers, which reportedly connect over Bluetooth. RetroPie supplies the emulation-oriented software environment.
The resemblance is about shape and controls, not compatibility: the device is not Nintendo hardware, does not run Switch software, and should not be treated as a Nintendo Switch replacement. The project was publicized by PC Guide on January 16, 2026. That report attributes the design to The_Enginerd on MakerWorld. A Reddit post links to a MakerWorld model called SwitchPi, but the available reporting does not establish that the current downloadable files are a complete, verified build guide for the pictured device.
This is a maker project, not a commercially supported product. An earlier, separate Raspberry Pi handheld called PiSwitch also used a 7-inch touchscreen, custom case, RetroPie and detachable controllers; it is useful precedent, but not proof that the builds are identical. Raspberry Pi Official Magazine’s PiSwitch coverage describes custom controller mapping and Joy-Cons that could sleep and need waking.
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Reported hardware and what remains uncertain
| Part | Reported specification | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Main board | Raspberry Pi 3B+ is the primary board described by PC Guide. | The report also says the design supports Pi 4B and 5B, but that is not confirmation that every case revision, power setup or cooling arrangement fits those boards. |
| Display | 7-inch touchscreen. | Manufacturer, interface, power wiring and display configuration are not identified in the report. |
| Power | Waveshare UPS HAT and two 18650 cells. | Exact HAT model, cell arrangement, capacity, protection status and runtime are not established. |
| Controllers | Third-party EasySMX Joy-Con-style controllers over Bluetooth. | The exact controller model and rail dimensions are not identified. |
| Software | RetroPie. | The report does not specify a RetroPie version, image, emulator configuration or setup procedure. |
| Enclosure | Custom 3D-printed chassis. | Material, print settings, fasteners, cooling provisions and complete assembly documentation are not established. |
These are reported components, not a tested bill of materials. Before printing or ordering parts, check the current model files, revision notes and creator documentation rather than assuming the listing includes verified wiring instructions or all the mounting hardware.
How the handheld works
The basic software path is Raspberry Pi hardware running an operating system, RetroPie providing an emulation-focused front end and tools, an emulator handling a particular game system, and user-supplied game files. The controllers provide Bluetooth input, while the screen displays the Pi’s output.
The high-level assembly described for this style of build is to fit the display into the printed shell, secure the Pi and UPS HAT with suitable standoffs and fasteners, connect the HAT to the Pi’s GPIO header, install the batteries as specified by the HAT, and pair and configure the controllers. RetroPie then needs to be installed or booted from a microSD card and configured for the display and emulators.
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That outline is not a complete build guide. The coverage does not supply a verified wiring diagram, display power instructions, safe-shutdown method, microSD image, cooling plan, exact parts quantities or controller-pairing steps. Do not treat the project as plug-and-play, and do not infer battery wiring from the fact that two cells are shown or reported.
What games can it realistically emulate?
The sensible target is older retro systems. As a practical expectation—not a measured result for this particular build—NES, SNES, Game Boy systems, Mega Drive/Genesis, many arcade titles and many PlayStation-era games are more realistic goals than newer, demanding systems. Results vary with Pi model, emulator, game, resolution, cooling and configuration.
| Expectation | Systems and caveat |
|---|---|
| Generally realistic starting point | NES, SNES, Game Boy family, Mega Drive/Genesis, arcade systems and many PlayStation-era titles; performance still depends on the game and setup. |
| Case by case | Nintendo 64, Dreamcast, PSP and Saturn. Do not assume every title will run well, especially on the reported Pi 3B+. |
| Not an appropriate promise | Nintendo Switch games or consistently playable modern systems. The design is Switch-inspired in form, not Switch-compatible. |
A Tom’s Hardware project roundup describes a broad range of Raspberry Pi handheld emulation projects, but that range should not be read as a performance guarantee for this hardware combination. A general roundup cannot establish that this Pi 3B+ build reliably handles GameCube or any other demanding system.
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How difficult is it to reproduce?
For someone comfortable with 3D printing, Linux setup and hardware troubleshooting, the mechanical concept is approachable. The complete project is better suited to an intermediate maker than a first-time builder because the printed shell is only one part of the work.
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- Mechanical assembly: Mounting the display, Pi, HAT and controller hardware requires suitable fasteners and accurate fit.
- Software and input: RetroPie, screen output, Bluetooth pairing and controller mappings may require troubleshooting.
- Power integration: Lithium-ion cells and a UPS HAT make this the most safety-sensitive part of the build.
- Board upgrades: A Pi 4B or Pi 5B substitution calls for separate checks of case clearance, HAT output, cooling and software support.
Battery safety deserves special attention
Two 18650 cells inside a custom enclosure are not a detail to improvise. Waveshare’s Game HAT documentation warns that lithium-ion and lithium-polymer batteries can cause fire, injury or property damage if mishandled. Its product and documentation pages are useful battery-safety references, but they do not establish the exact UPS HAT model or cell arrangement used in this build: Waveshare Game HAT and Waveshare Game HAT documentation.
- Use matched, reputable cells and confirm the UPS HAT’s required cell type, dimensions, polarity and series-or-parallel arrangement from its own documentation.
- Do not mix cells of different ages, brands, capacities or charge levels, and do not use damaged, swollen, hot or leaking cells.
- Use the specified charging input and protection circuitry. Make sure the enclosure cannot crush or puncture the cells.
- Do not leave the device charging unattended. Do not estimate runtime without measurements of the actual screen, board, cells and power system.
What can go wrong after assembly?
Controllers will not pair or respond
A controller may be asleep, in the wrong Bluetooth mode, competing with another input device, or paired but not mapped in RetroPie. Wake the controllers, remove stale pairings, pair one at a time, confirm that each appears as an input device, then rerun controller configuration and test both the front end and an emulator. Save the mapping. The earlier PiSwitch project also reported that its Joy-Cons could sleep and need waking, though its controllers were not necessarily the same models as these.
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The screen stays dark
Possible causes include a loose display cable, incorrect HDMI connection, separate display power that has not been connected, insufficient output from the power system, or a display setting that does not match the panel. The exact screen is not identified in the report, so there is no reliable build-specific configuration command to give.
The handheld shuts down or the microSD card is corrupted
Battery voltage sag, an overloaded HAT, inadequate input power, overheating or a hard power cut can all interrupt operation. Test charging and discharging before closing the enclosure, confirm the HAT supports the selected Pi and display load, and keep a backup image of the card. A safe-shutdown mechanism is preferable to cutting power while the system is writing.
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A Pi 4 or Pi 5 runs hot
These boards are not automatic drop-in upgrades. More demanding hardware may require a heatsink, fan or better airflow; a confined printed case can make that difficult. Check the physical clearances and cooling path in the exact case revision. For a Pi 5 in particular, verify that the HAT can meet its power needs and that the chosen software stack supports the board before building around it.
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Should you build it or choose an easier handheld?
This project makes the most sense if you value customization, already have a compatible Pi, can print or obtain the enclosure, and specifically want a large screen with detachable controls. Its appeal is the ability to choose and modify the hardware and software rather than buy a sealed device.
It is a poor fit if you want a lightweight, polished handheld that works out of the box, guaranteed battery life, dependable higher-end emulation or a Nintendo Switch alternative. A custom build’s total cost includes more than the board: screen, power hardware, cells, controllers, storage, printed parts, fasteners and any replacement parts or test prints all count. The available coverage does not provide a complete current bill of materials or establish that the build costs less than a ready-made handheld.
For a smaller, more integrated Raspberry Pi handheld, Waveshare’s Game HAT is an alternative, not a like-for-like version of this build. Its product page lists a 3.5-inch, 480×320 IPS display, charging circuitry and compatibility with Raspberry Pi A+/B+/2B/3B/3B+/4B; one 18650 battery is not included, and the listed compatibility does not include Pi 5. The product page price was $44.99 when seen in search results on August 16, 2026; that is the HAT price, not the cost of a complete handheld. It has a much smaller screen and built-in controls rather than a 7-inch display with detachable Joy-Con-style controllers.
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Bottom line: a maker project, not a Switch substitute
The design is compelling for a maker who wants a customizable, large-screen Raspberry Pi retro handheld and is prepared to solve fit, software and power details. Before copying it, verify the current chassis files, exact screen, UPS HAT specifications, cell arrangement, cooling and safe-shutdown plan. If the goal is simply to play retro games with minimal setup, a ready-made handheld is likely a more practical choice.
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