NOTE: It is highly recommended to order via our Kickstarter as those orders will be delivered first. This Tindie listing includes the display, battery and PCBs necessary to build the altoid version ONLY. Kits for the 3D-printed option described below, as well as 3D-printed parts, will ONLY be available on Kickstarter.

Details Pi Tin is an open source retro gaming device designed around the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W and a 2.8” 320x240 TFT display, the largest readily available size that will fit into an Altoids tin. The Pi Zero 2 W is capable of emulating most SNES, GBA, PS1, Genesis/Megadrive, and even some N64 games.

Pi Tin’s gamepad uses the exact same Alps tactile switches and elastomer membrane design used in the Gameboy Advance SP and DSi to achieve superior button feel over designs using conductive rubber buttons or bare tactile switches. It features a soft power button to turn on or safely shut down the system with a single press, and is designed to be safe to use while charging and compatible with all USB-C cables and chargers. The battery lasts for up to 5 hours of gaming (tested on 3D printed case option - 2000mAh battery).

We are planning to add display brightness control in the next revision of the PCBs we manufacture.

Build Options Pi Tin can either be built with a 3D printed clamshell case (93 x 66 x 26.5mm) or built to fit inside an Altoids tin. Both build variants require 3D printed parts that can be easily printed on consumer-grade printers, though we are offering professionally made SLS (selective laser sintering) nylon parts as part of our Full Kit rewards.

The Altoids tin version is more difficult to build than the 3D printed case option; it requires additional tools and experience using them. It has poor ergonomics due to the constraints of building inside an Altoids tin and the battery capacity is 40% lower than the 3D printed case version. We recommend the 3D printed case option for these reasons.

Notice Please review the project documentation and build instructions at https://jackw01.github.io/pi-tin/ before selecting a kit as a reward. This is an intermediate level DIY electronics project and requires soldering. We will not provide refunds or free replacement parts for damage caused during assembly.

Disclaimer Any trademarked product names found on this site belong to their respective owners; this project is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by these companies. Pi Tin is designed to run RetroPie, which is open source software released under the GPL. In order to comply with RetroPie's license, none of our kits will ship with any software preinstalled. RetroPie must be installed by the end user, which we provide instructions for.