Want to build with PI. What do I need?

Question

So, I have just bought my first PI (PI zero). I am interested in making cool stuff out of it but if I google "How to get started with PI" I just see videos on how to install an OS onto it which I am capable of doing myself. I am very new to electronics (0 experience) and I don't have any equipment. I don't know what equipment to get and where to get it. Right now, the only things I can think about getting is a breadboard, wires, and buttons... So I would like a little help on what I to get and where to get it to begin to experiment with the PI. I also live in the UK so I want to avoid any shops abroad because of extra shipping charges.

I bought the PI zero essentials kit from the PI hut and I have a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse which worked perfectly. I have installed an OS and got it working but that is about it.

I hope you can help me. Thanks so much for reading.

ps - My end goal is to make some kind of game boy emulator thing.

ninjatrent · Answer

Hi Coby,

The Raspberry Pi website is the best place to get started with Raspberry Pi.

https://www.raspberrypi.org/resources

https://www.raspberrypi.org/forums/

The Adafruit Website is another great resource.

https://learn.adafruit.com/category/raspberry-pi

With these links can be found many tutorials and projects for Raspberry Pi.

There are also many helpful resources here in the Element 14 Community.

Cheers,

Trent

ninjatrent · Answer

Emulators can be found in the linux repository for individual download.

The RetroPie website is the best place to get started with retro video game emulation on the Pi Zero.

https://retropie.org.uk/

Here you can download the RetroPie image for the Pi Zero. It comes with the emulators pre-installed. All that is needed are the game roms which can be found at a website like freeroms.com . Some emulators such as Game Boy Advanced will also require the Bios file for the specific emulator in order to properly work. Make sure to only use the RetroPie image 0/1. The 2/3 image is only for the Pi 2 & 3 and is not compatable with the Pi Zero.

Adafruit makes a kit called the Pi GRRL Zero that contains the parts needed to build a Game Boy-like Pi Zero Handheld Console.

https://www.adafruit.com/product/3160

https://www.adafruit.com/product/3161

This kit requires a 3D printed case that is not included but can be purchased seperatly from a 3D Print service.

14rhb · Answer

Saw a great Retropie build where the guy encased his Pi in concrete

I've seen a great Retropie project where the builder encased his whole Pi in concrete - Cement Thwomp Retro Game Console.

Coby - I don't suggest you go that far initially as you'll likely have many other uses for your Pi. (Or if you do, just mould a recess in the rear of the concrete Thwomp to mount the Pi into).

R

beacon_dave · Answer

You may find the MagPi Essentials book on using the GPIO a useful resource to get started with. It covers your breadboard, wires, and buttons aspects.

https://www.raspberrypi.org/magpi-issues/Essentials_GPIOZero_v1.pdf

The Raspberry Pi Foundation run a free course on Futurelearn which is pretty much in line with this book.

https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/physical-computing-raspberry-pi-python

The MagPi project books are full of ideas as well:

https://www.raspberrypi.org/magpi-issues/Projects_Book_v1.pdf

https://www.raspberrypi.org/magpi-issues/Projects_Book_v2.pdf

dougw · Answer

On the hardware side:

You could start exploring what type of display you would like and how to connect it to your Pi....

Some other topics to explore include battery and power supply, user interface buttons, packaging options.

There are commercial solutions to these topics or you can roll your own...

cobysack1 · Answer

Thanks for the responses I am so excited to get into electronics.