The project behind Make:’s January 8, 2015 headline was not an Atari-only console and did not include a licensed bundle of 800 games. It was a Raspberry Pi running RetroPie, with a user-supplied library covering Atari and several other classic systems. In 2026, the closest straightforward recreation is a Raspberry Pi 4 with a model-appropriate RetroPie installation; a Pi 5 offers more headroom but requires you to verify current software support, power and cooling.
What the original article actually described
Make: presented a Raspberry Pi and RetroPie setup as an “ultimate retro gaming machine” in its January 8, 2015 article, Atari Emulator Uses Raspberry Pi To Play 800 Games (and More). The article credited Gus at Pi My Life Up for the setup instructions and named Amiga, older Apple computers, Atari, Game Boy Advance, Intellivision, Super Nintendo, PlayStation 1 and other systems.
“800 games” described the size of the project’s personal library, not a catalog supplied by Raspberry Pi, RetroPie or Make:. The files had to be obtained and added by the owner. The demonstration and menu shown in 2015 should not be treated as proof that the same image, labels, controls or Raspberry Pi model are current.
How a Raspberry Pi retro system works
RetroPie is an emulation distribution and front end, not an Atari emulator by itself. Its official documentation describes a combination of projects:
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- Operating system: the Linux base on which everything runs.
- Emulator cores: programs that reproduce particular consoles, computers or arcade hardware.
- RetroArch: a common interface used by many cores.
- EmulationStation: the visual system and game menu.
- ROM files: cartridge, disk or other software images supplied by the user.
The practical chain is Raspberry Pi → RetroPie (or another gaming OS) → emulator core → your legally obtained files → EmulationStation menu. The first-installation page currently shows RetroPie version 4.8; image availability and model support can change, especially for Raspberry Pi 5.
What “Atari” can mean here
The headline does not establish a single Atari model or an Atari-only library. A collection might include Atari 2600, 5200, 7800, Atari 8-bit computers such as the 400/800, Atari ST, Lynx or Atari-branded arcade games. Each uses different software, file formats and controls. “800 games” is a quantity, not a reference to the Atari 800 computer, and the original article does not provide an 800-title breakdown.
Computer platforms often need keyboard input, disk images, multiple disks or a machine-specific BIOS. Arcade releases may require different mappings from home-console games. Treat the platform name and the file format as separate configuration decisions.
Hardware for a 2026 build
A usable system needs the following:
- Raspberry Pi board and a compatible power supply.
- microSD card (or another supported boot device) and a separate computer with a card reader.
- Display and the correct HDMI cable.
- USB or Bluetooth controller, plus an optional keyboard.
- Case and, particularly for Pi 5, effective cooling.
- Network connection or USB drive for transferring game files.
Raspberry Pi’s installation documentation lists the board, power, boot media, display, cable and peripherals as the core requirements.
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Which Raspberry Pi should you choose?
| Board | Best use | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Raspberry Pi 4 | The simplest recreation of the 2015 idea: Atari, NES, SNES, Genesis, Game Boy, arcade and many PlayStation 1 titles. | Mature, well-understood RetroPie path; less headroom for demanding systems. |
| Raspberry Pi 5 | More performance headroom and experimentation beyond classic 8-/16-bit systems. | Use stronger cooling and power; do not flash a Pi 4 image assuming universal Pi 5 support. Check current front-end documentation. |
| Raspberry Pi Zero/Zero 2 W | Compact, lighter systems and small Atari-focused projects. | Not a sensible general-purpose choice for a large, demanding multi-system library. Raspberry Pi recommends more RAM for smoother play. |
| Pi 400 or 500-class keyboard computer | Atari 8-bit, Amiga, Apple, Commodore and other keyboard-oriented software. | Less discreet as a living-room console, but the integrated keyboard solves an important control problem. |
Use the supply specified for the exact board: Raspberry Pi lists 5 V/5 A and a 27 W USB-C supply for Pi 5, 5 V/3 A and a 15 W USB-C supply for Pi 4, 5 V/2.5 A for Pi 3, and 5 V/2.5 A for Zero boards. Undervoltage can cause boot failures, USB problems, throttling and instability.
RetroPie, Batocera or Raspberry Pi OS?
| Option | Strengths | Trade-offs | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| RetroPie | Closest match to the original project; extensive emulator and controller configuration. | Model-specific images and a more hands-on setup; Pi 5 support must be checked against current documentation. | Readers recreating the classic Raspberry Pi experience. |
| Batocera | Dedicated, appliance-like interface and broad hardware target list. | Less flexible as a normal Linux desktop; Pi 5 support is listed but documented as beta. Some Raspberry Pi OS or RetroPie scripts do not apply. | Readers who want a console-style system with minimal desktop maintenance. |
| Raspberry Pi OS plus emulators | Maximum control, normal Linux desktop, custom versions and development tools. | Most manual work and no single turnkey console workflow. | Advanced users combining emulation with maker or software projects. |
See Batocera’s download targets, its single-board-computer compatibility notes and its unsupported-emulators guidance before choosing a Pi 5 image.
A current installation path
- Identify the board. On an existing Linux installation, run
cat /proc/device-tree/model. The command is documented by RetroPie. - Prepare storage. Use a reliable microSD card, a computer and reader, and Raspberry Pi Imager or another image-writing utility.
- Select the correct image. Download the image for the exact model where an official image exists. Do not assume one RetroPie image behaves identically on every Pi.
- Write and boot. Insert the card, connect display, controller and power, and allow the first boot to finish. A keyboard is useful for computer systems and recovery.
- Configure controls. Map the controller when prompted, then test it in the front end. Wired USB is the simplest diagnostic option; Bluetooth pairing and latency vary by controller and board.
- Transfer files by USB or network. For the USB method in Raspberry Pi’s RetroPie tutorial, create a folder named
retropieon a USB drive, insert it once so the system creates its folders, then place files under/retropie/romson the computer and reinsert the drive. Network transfer is another option after the Pi joins your network. - Use the correct system folder. Atari files go in the appropriate Atari directory; Amiga, SNES, PlayStation and computer files go in their own directories. Extensions alone do not guarantee compatibility.
- Refresh the menu. Restart EmulationStation or reboot. If an entry is missing, check the folder, supported extension, installed core, transfer completion, permissions and any required BIOS.
What to expect from different systems
- Usually an excellent fit: Atari 2600/7800, NES, SNES, Genesis/Mega Drive, Game Boy and many arcade systems.
- Generally practical with configuration: PlayStation 1, Amiga and Atari 8-bit computers.
- More variable: Nintendo 64, Dreamcast, PSP and Saturn, depending on the board, emulator, settings and individual game.
- Do not promise: universal GameCube, Wii or PlayStation 2 performance. A faster Pi does not make every later system reliable.
Controllers also change the experience. Original Atari-style joysticks, paddles, trackballs, light guns and mouse-driven games may need specialized hardware or careful mapping; a modern gamepad is not a perfect substitute for every original input.
What an “800-game” collection really counts
Eight hundred files are not necessarily 800 unique, working games. A library may contain regional editions, duplicate revisions, hacks, translations, demos, homebrew, multiple disk files for one title, or games that boot but need a keyboard or unusual controller. Keep backups before reorganizing, remove duplicates deliberately, and treat the number of menu entries as a rough inventory rather than a performance guarantee.
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ROM legality is separate from emulator legality
RetroPie does not supply a commercial 800-game collection. The emulator software and the game files are separate issues. Downloading copyrighted ROMs from unauthorized sites may infringe copyright, and owning a cartridge or disc does not automatically answer every legal question about copying or downloading its contents. Rules differ by country and circumstance.
Use files you are authorized to possess and use, and check the law where you live. Raspberry Pi’s tutorial warns readers to avoid sources distributing pirated material. Raspberry Pi Official Magazine’s legal-ROM guide discusses public-domain, freely licensed and authorized homebrew examples, including Atari 2600 projects and lawful arcade sources. Do not rely on preloaded “800-game” cards unless the seller can establish licensing for every title.
Troubleshooting the common failures
Black screen or no boot
- Reflash an image intended for the exact Pi model.
- Use the documented power supply and test another microSD card.
- Try another HDMI cable or display and disconnect unnecessary USB devices during first boot.
Controller is not responding
- Run controller configuration again and confirm the controller’s pairing mode.
- Test a wired USB pad to separate pairing problems from emulator mapping problems.
- Remember that some computer games need a keyboard or mouse.
Game appears but will not launch
- Confirm the file belongs in the correct system folder and uses a supported format.
- Check for a required BIOS, correct core, damaged file or multi-disk configuration.
- Test a known-compatible, legally obtained homebrew title.
Stutter, heat or audio glitches
- Correct undervoltage first, then add active cooling where appropriate.
- Disable unnecessary shaders and enhancements, and try a wired controller.
- Test a reliable or new microSD card if storage is suspected.
A huge menu is slow or confusing
- Remove duplicate regional versions and organize multi-disk titles correctly.
- Use artwork and video previews selectively; large media collections consume storage and processing time.
- Keep a backup before changing names or folder structures.
The practical recommendation
For the closest, least surprising version of the 2015 project, choose a Raspberry Pi 4, the correct official power supply, a reputable microSD card, a ventilated case, HDMI cable and a wired USB controller, then install a model-appropriate RetroPie image and add your own authorized files. Choose a Pi 5 when you value extra performance and are willing to verify current front-end support, cooling and power requirements. Choose Batocera for a more appliance-like interface, with its Pi 5 beta qualification in mind. For keyboard-heavy Atari and computer libraries, a Pi 400/500-class machine may be the better controller.
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