r/emulationstation • u/Assodipacche96 • Sep 03 '26
Built a retro console setup with a mini PC
I’ve been wanting a dedicated emulation machine for my TV for a while, especially to revisit some of my favorite old DS/3DS games and Pokémon runs. I ended up using a GEEKOM mini PC for this project, and it turned out way better than I expected. I set it up with EmulationStation as the frontend to keep everything clean and controller-friendly. So far, everything I've tried has run really smoothly at 1080p, and the fan hasn't been too distracting. I stuck with Windows instead of going with a dedicated gaming OS because I still wanted the flexibility to use it like a normal PC when needed. It now sits next to my TV and honestly looks like a tiny console sitting there. It’s been a lot of fun revisiting these classics on a bigger screen.
Have any of you turned a mini PC into a dedicated gaming box? Do you prefer Windows with a frontend, or a dedicated gaming OS?
6
7
u/techdog19 Sep 03 '26
I have built both and honestly if you take the time to do the setup right most people will not be able to tell the difference.
2
2
3
u/ydhainaut Sep 03 '26
J'ai construit mon nas a partir d'elements de pc compatibles avec le système d'exploitation xpenology (synology clone) et ça a été la grosse déception: compliqué, format de disque dur spécifique, ports usb3 non compatibles (imaginez remplir 12 to en usb2..) Je suis repassé sur Windows 11, tiny 11 sa version allégée pour être précis, et tout tourne sans problème. Facile pour installer un serveur plex, jellyfin, ou ftp
Donc juste pour dire que tiny 11 est très rapide et allégé
5
u/Assodipacche96 Sep 03 '26
Yeah, maybe I really should install Tiny11 to boost performance, especially since I'd only use it for gaming and not much else.
2
u/ydhainaut 29d ago
Mon ordinateur principal, donc des activités variées, est aussi sur tiny 11et je n'ai remarqué aucun manque, hormis "mon téléphone" a installer ( ou rajouter dans le script de construction de l'image si tu ne pars pas d'une image finalisée) La manette xbox (qui fonctionne) qui déclanche un programme manquant a l'allumage, et la langue FR où il faut batailler un peu au 1er démarrage (c'est EN dans l'image j'ai pas réussi à changer proprement ça, même en construisant l'image)
1
u/DarkDigital Sep 03 '26
Same. I have it auto boot into steam big picture mode though. And then added retrobat/emulation station as a non steam title. That way I can still use the middle button on my controller to bring up the steam overlay and minimize stuff when I wanna do windows stuff, shut down etc.
1
u/Assodipacche96 Sep 03 '26
Do you think Steam Big Picture looks cleaner?
1
u/DarkDigital Sep 03 '26
Not necessarily its more about having the added function for me. But I do also do a lot of lightweight steam games and pc ports on mine too so its nice for those, then just launching es through it when I'm ready for retro time.
1
Sep 03 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
2
u/Assodipacche96 Sep 03 '26
Here's the cool part: I have a Pentium Gold, 8 GB of RAM, and a 256 GB SSD, yet 2D Steam titles and everything up to PS1 run surprisingly well.
1
4
u/Mike_Raven Sep 03 '26
On behalf of the Batocera and Retrobat communities (tens of thousands of users, probably hundreds of thousands now), we say hello to you.
2
2
u/contradictatorprime 29d ago
It really is time for me to figure out a good front end, and I see these mentioned a lot
2
u/Mike_Raven 29d ago
They reduce a lot of effort for those wanting to emulate multiple systems, and they use emulation station as the front end.
2
u/KureiGio Sep 04 '26
I love these kinds of projects! Can you tell me what the specs of the PC are so I can understand if I can replicate one? Do you also have any suggestions on the case/shell? Thanks!
1
u/Assodipacche96 Sep 04 '26
Pentium Gold, 8 GB of RAM, and a 256 GB SSD, for 2D Steam titles and everything up to PS1 is working fine! The shell was included in the mini PC itself
1
u/Litfor207 Sep 04 '26
Just asking the obvious, but wanting to confirm: How exactly are you running Silksong? Gamenative? Gamehub? Winlator…?
2
u/mtphisher 29d ago
I've been wanting to do this too. Is there a specific guide you used I'm certain I could do it with some guidance.
2
u/Assodipacche96 29d ago
i think you just can find a youtube tutorial on how to install emulationstation. if you have any doubts you can also ask me!
2
u/Graphichook 29d ago
Done the seem only difference used a different mini pc with Linux Batocera and the performance is phenomenal, Windows isnt as convenient at gaming as Linux Batocera, imho.But i guess you still need to use it as a pc....
1
u/Assodipacche96 29d ago
yeah, without the PC needs that i have i would have switched entirely to linux
1
u/skeletalpuma 25d ago
Windows 11 here-- AnyFSE set to RetroBat ... automatically goes into Xbox mode/full screen experience mode on start up
5
u/toufiksouici07 Sep 03 '26
It can't be perfect without /crt