The MagPi - February 2020

I

f you’re serious about retro gaming and

would like to be able to play all the games in

all the places, the RetroFlag GPi case might

just be your new best friend. More than a simple

enclosure for the Raspberry PI Zero, this rather

familiar-looking unit is a full-blown battery-

powered gaming console that (just about) fits in

the palm of your hand.

Game on

The clever design of the GPi replicates that of

eighties handheld consoles, including a cartridge-

like unit that slides out of the rear and is quickly

disassembled to reveal space for a Raspberry Pi

Zero. A very neat ‘pogo’ mounting system means

no header or soldering is required: a Raspberry

Pi Zero just slots in and pressure maintains the

contacts. The reassembled unit then slots into the

main body and you’re ready to go. You can even

access the microSD card without removing the

‘cartridge’. Power is supplied by three AA batteries

or a supplied USB cable.

Full and clear instructions are provided to

install support for the gamepad buttons and also

the on/off switch that provides easy and safe

shutdown. We found the unit easy to assemble and

had RetroPie running in no time at all. We were

particularly impressed by the screen, which uses

IPS rather than TFT to give a razor-sharp display

from any angle without any of the common side-

lighting issues. A small audio speaker is built-in,

with the option of headphones. The case itself is

injection-moulded, solid, and beautifully made.

PJ Evans takes retro gaming on the go with this

eighties-handheld-inspired case with screen

The Pi Hut magpi.cc/gpicase £60 / $79

RetroFlag GPi Case

10

Verdict

This is one of the

best gaming cases

we’ve seen. A

great design, easy

assembly and,

most of all, great

fun to use. An

essential

purchase for any

retro gamer.

/

DIMENSIONS:

138×81×32 mm

WEIGHT:

138 g

DISPLAY:

2.8-inch IPS

POWER:

3 × AA batteries

or USB

COMPATIBILITY:

Raspberry Pi Zero

or Zero W (not

Zero WH)

SPECS

10

Although bulky like classic

1980s handhelds, it feels

comfortable in hand and

the controls are well-placed

76 magpi.cc

REVIEW

RetroFlag GPi Case