“I had some problems with the X-Hat when it arrived, but PIMORONI was quick to get a replacement sent out to me. Had a few problems with setting up sound on first boot, but have been able to configure it to eliminate most of these issues.
I had an older 8" Picade, it was physically much larger, but I like the smaller form factor better. Its just as ergonomic but takes up less space when languishing on the shelf! Plus there are many new, improvements.
I also purchased the Plasma Light kit and installed it during assembly. Highly recommended! I want to try to poke around to make certain pertinent buttons flash at the proper times (like the START button for instance). I'll report back when I have that all working. Thanks!”
Ahoy Charles - very sorry to hear that. Drop us an email at support@pimoroni.com with as much detail as you can about the problems you're having and we'll do our best to help.
“I hadn't read the details about the PICO-8 license, so I just assumed it was only the hardware and then I had to figure it out with retropie or something else on the software side. I was surprised about the tools provided and it will be a great learning experience for my nephew into the world of programming, electronics and everything else around these topics.
Will surely get some other things in the future.”
“The Picade is an absolute gem for anyone diving into Raspberry Pi arcade projects. Having delved into my second unit, I leveraged an existing RP4 and found the assembly process remarkably smooth, thanks to the comprehensive and user-friendly instructions provided on Pimoroni's website. Remarkably, I didn't need to scour YouTube for tutorials.
However, while this kit is fantastic, I'd caution potential buyers about one minor flaw: the Picade X hat's USB-C socket can loosen over time with use. Fear not, though—I ingeniously fixed this with a bit of Araldite glue once the issue surfaced. Since the repair, it's been rock solid, meaning the need to order a replacement Picade hat or to solder it back on is then no longer required.
But let's talk brilliance: those plasma buttons! Enhancing the unit with these buttons was a game-changer. Initially dazzlingly bright, a simple tweak allows for customizable colours, patterns, and brightness, transforming the gaming experience.
And the software? Well, let's just say the possibilities are endless. While I can't delve into specifics here, scouring the web for RetroPie images will unlock a treasure trove of possibilities. I've elevated my Picade to an ultimate retro gaming paradise, thanks to a 1TB image teeming with classics.
Now, onto my ambitious plan: linking two Picade units for epic two-player action. It's possible but will require thoughtful consideration and a specific 'player x module' also avail to buy on the site. Or you can also use 'netplay' features supported by some RetroArch cores which is easier to setup.”
“Very nice project, though the build is rather on the cheap side. Still a lot better than anything I could have built myself. Software-wise you are pretty much on your own but there are enough blogs out there to help out with the OS and getting rom images.
I had the unfortunate surprise of being hit by import tax and DHL fees amounting to about 100€ for a delivery to France. Fair is fair but just be warned that this ends up being a lot more expensive than it first appears.”
“This is a great set that is well designed.
I installed Raspberry Pi 3A+ inside it to run and play retro games on my 8bit computer (NEC PC-8001) emulator.
A "Space Invaders" photo I posted has the gaps between scan lines on that screen, but it is for emulation as old low resolution CRT. PICADE10 10-inch LCD is very good. Yes ofcourse there is no gaps on that display ordinaly.
The only downside is that GPIO26 (Pin 37) is not bypassed by the HAT and cannot be used normally.”
“Easy to setup and configure. It would be useful to include the Picard key mappings with the pi hat installer to avoid having to remap them. Or include the intended mapping of the joystick for retrofit. There are a few forum posts about needing to run a fan with the pi4. It would be useful for the online guide to advise if a fan is needed.”
“Really great product but you need to know how to build and complease the kit to use it. Son is excited to play what he called "old school" video games!”
