Super Nintendo (SNES) PAL Raspberry Pi 3 Case by ElBartoME

Last crawled date: 3 years, 1 month ago

I see that my design and even pictures have been stolen and put up in a shop I don't want to mention because I don't want to give them any traffic. I urge you to NOT buy it from any seller. These shops are not to be trusted.
Update 16.9.18: Added case variant for a Raspberry Pi 3 with a Pi2Scart. You find the models that are different from the normal case in the Pi2Scart.zip
Still a work in progress!
I was tired of waiting for the SNES Mini so I decided to make my own! This is a case for the Raspberry Pi 3.
It also features a fully functioning controller port for a SNES controller! The case is designed for this port: http://www.ebay.com/itm/SNES-Controller-female-connector-Socket-Vertical-Mount/152485369594?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649
If there is enough intereset I can write a guide how to hook up the port to the RPi.
This design also features a PowerBlock from petrockblock and can be found here: https://blog.petrockblock.com/powerblock/
It is used for the soft power switch as well as the LED. Very handy!
UPDATE 13.09.17:
New files has been uploaded. There is now a lip on the top for the cover to fit in nicely. There is also a mount for a small slide switch for turning on the pi. I also added some pictures to show how everything should go together!
For the slide switch I used something like this:
https://www.digikey.de/product-detail/de/e-switch/EG1201/EG1901-ND/101720
For the microswitch you need one with a height of 9.5mm like the ones here:http://katalog.we-online.de/en/em/TATV_6X6_THT_4301x6xxx7x6

Here is a quick schematic on how to hook up the controller port to the Pi. Connect them according to the diagram. I didn't draw the 5V and GND line, but you need to connect them to a 5V and GND pin on the Raspberry Pi!
After you connected the pins according to the diagram you need to install the gamecon_gpio_rpi driver through the Retropie package installer.
Then you need to add the following line to your /opt/retropie/configs/all/autostart.sh:
sudo modprobe gamecon_gpio_rpi map=0,0,0,1,0,0
After that you need to configure the SNES controller like any other controller in Retropie!
09.10.2017:
Planning to do a major revamp on the design. Stay tuned!
03.11.2017:
Finally uploaded the updated files! The following things have changed:
Fully working cartridge slot! The cartridge cover is not for show anymore. Also the cartridge eject button is working. For this to work I had to make the case 4mm taller and move the RPi3 down. Still working on a NFC circuit that will read the carts, as I put NFC tags inside them.
Redesigned the power button. Now it is way easier to assemble and print.
Found more or less the best matching SNES colors. If you are in Germany you can buy the following filaments
-- Main Body & Cartridges: http://3dk.berlin/de/pla/92-pla-filament-platingrau.html
-- Cover: http://shop.3d-filament.de/de/3d-druck-filament-1-75mm/pla/oem/175-pla-grau.html
-- Switches and Cartridge Cover: http://3dk.berlin/de/pla/74-pla-filament-dunkelgrau.html
TODO list:
Add stl files for the cartridge. I didn't design the cartridge, I only modified them. I have to talk to the creator to get the permission to upload the files here.
Done! Added the files!
Add a version of the case to use without the PowerBlock. You will of course lose the power button functionality.
Done! Added the files!
Try to make a front cover for the second type of SNES controller port that floats around on ebay. It has a much bigger rim so I'm not sure if I'm able to do that without modifying the port itself. Probably the top and bottom rim has to be removed.
You need to modify this type of controller port. It will fit inside the faceplate afterwards! Will try to incorporate that into the manual as well.
Add a multi-material version
Make a detailed step-by-step instruction. Especially the cartridge mechanics need some explanation. I will print the whole case again and make pictures for every step while assembling it. Almost done! You can find parts of it on the bottom of the page!
NFC circuitry with custom made emulationstation software. I'm already working on my custom build of emulationstation that is able to read and write the NFC tags.
Done! Hardware and software are working! I can now read the tags inside the cartridges to start the game and also write to them trough EmulationStation. Putting the NFC reader into the housing is very hard though. I will try to add that to the manual as well! Sourcecode can be found here: https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/14390/nfc-enabled-emulationstation