RetroVGA is a compact, DIY retro-computing station designed by Peter “Bobricius” Misenko around a Raspberry Pi Pico and Jean-Marc Harvengt’s MCUME emulator project. Its sandwich-style dual-PCB design brings together VGA video, a built-in 37-switch keyboard, a DB9 joystick port and optional microSD storage—but it is a build project, not a ready-made plug-and-play console.
What RetroVGA is—and what it is not
RetroVGA packages controls and video connections for running selected retro-computer and console emulators on a small microcontroller board. It belongs to a broader line of Misenko’s Pico retro-computing projects, including PicoZX designs. The software foundation is MCUME, short for “Multi CompUter Machine Emulator,” which is developed for several microcontroller platforms.
The hardware is organized as two PCBs assembled in a compact, layered form. That makes RetroVGA a distinctive small-footprint emulation station, but it also means prospective builders need to consider the board, components, assembly and firmware—not just buy a finished console and connect it to a display.
What hardware the build uses
The reported minimum parts list includes a Raspberry Pi Pico, VGA connector, nine-pin joystick connector, 37 tactile switches for the keyboard and nine surface-mount resistors. The switches provide a built-in QWERTY keyboard rather than requiring a separate keyboard for ordinary input.
#1 Best Overall
- The Raspberry Pi Pico is a beginner-friendly microcontroller board that uses MicroPython to give you a taste of the Internet of Things and microcontrollers. The RP2040 is a well-designed microprocessor that can be utilized in almost any Internet of Things project. It has enough power to complete the task quickly.
- 【Raspberry Pi RP2040 Microcontroller】Raspberry Pi Pico features Dual-core ARM Cortex M0+ processor, flexible clock running up to 133 MHz. With 264KB of SRAM, and 2MB of on-board Flash memory.Supports up to 16 MB of off chip flash memory via a dedicated QSPI bus
- 【Multiple Software Support】Pico has rich and complete software support, it comes with a complete Rasberry Pi official C/C++ SDK, Micropython SDK.The programming and burning of Pico need to be carried out on the computer. Supported operating systems and computers include:Raspberry Pie with Raspberry Pi OS,Other platforms equipped with Debian based Linux system Computer with MacOS, Computers with Windows, etc.
- 【Rich Hardware Interface】Raspberry Pi Pico has 30 GPIO pins, 4 pins for analog signal input and 26 × multi-function GPIO pins, 2 × SPI, 2 × I2C, 2 × UART, 3 × 12-bit ADC, 16 × controllable PWM channels.USB 1.1 supported by host and device, The installation mode can be flexibly selected by users to facilitate welding with other development boards.
- 【Build Project in Tiny Size】Only 2.1cm*5.1cm ( as small as your thumb). Pico has been designed to use either soldered 0.1" pin-headers or can be used as a surface-mountable 'module'.
Additional features described for the design include a microSD slot, a side-mounted power switch and a piezoelectric buzzer. The MagPi’s description also notes a 3.5 mm audio output and USB input support on emulators that support it. These features should not be treated as guaranteed in every board, kit or assembled listing: check which components are actually included and which firmware is supplied with the specific option you are considering.
- Display: VGA output, so plan on a compatible VGA display or an appropriate conversion solution.
- Controls: a built-in keyboard and DB9 joystick connection; the joystick itself is not established as included in the reported minimum parts list.
- Storage: microSD is an optional design feature, not a requirement to assume for every build.
- Sound: the design description includes audio-related hardware, but sound support depends on the individual emulator and firmware.
Build and purchase options
RetroVGA is a parts-and-assembly project. A bare PCB is not equivalent to a component kit, and neither should be assumed to include the labor, Pico, peripherals or firmware configuration associated with an assembled device.
Rank #2
- Raspberry Pi Pico: A tiny, fast, and versatile board built using dual-core Arm Cortex-M0+ processor (Comes with pinout card and stickers)
- Detailed Tutorial: Provides step-by-step guide with MicroPython, C and Processing (Java) Code (The download link can be found on the product box) (No paper tutorial)
- Example Projects: Each project has schematics, wiring diagrams, complete code and detailed explanations (Need extra items)
- Easy to Use: Just connect the board to your computer (installed IDE) with the USB cable to program it
- Get Support: Our technical support team is always ready to answer your questions
| Path | What it means | Price evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Bare PCB | The board itself; components and assembly should not be assumed included. | Hackster historically reported $4.99 for a bare PCB, based on the project’s Tindie listing as described in its article. This is not a current price guarantee. |
| Component kit | A kit may reduce the need to source parts individually, but the available evidence does not establish a standard kit’s contents. | A component-kit price was not stated in Hackster’s report. |
| Fully assembled unit | The least hands-on route, but verify exactly which PCBs, components, Pico board and firmware are included. | Hackster historically reported up to $88 for a fully assembled unit with both PCBs and components. This is not a current price guarantee. |
Those figures are historical prices reported by Hackster, not confirmation of present stock or terms. Check the seller’s current listing for availability, shipping, included parts and firmware before choosing a route.
Which systems can it emulate?
MCUME’s official project documentation lists Raspberry Pi Pico and Pico 2 as supported platforms and includes emulator entries for the systems below. That establishes platform support for MCUME; it does not mean every emulator runs on every RetroVGA firmware build or that compatibility is complete.
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Rank #3
- Latest Version: Higher core clock speed, double memory, more powerful Arm cores, optional RISC-V cores (compared to the 1 series) (This W version has onboard wireless LAN and Bluetooth)
- Switchable Cores: Allows users to choose between dual industry-standard Arm Cortex-M33 cores and dual open-hardware Hazard3 cores
- Compatibility: Delivers a significant performance boost, while retaining software- and hardware-compatible with the 1 series
- Detailed Tutorial: Provides step-by-step guide with MicroPython, C and Processing (Java) Code (The download link can be found on the product box) (No paper tutorial)
- Example Projects: Each project has schematics, wiring diagrams, complete code and detailed explanations (Need extra items)
| System | What the documented status indicates |
|---|---|
| ZX81 | Listed as an emulator entry; a more specific compatibility limit was not stated in the available project status notes. |
| ZX Spectrum | The Pico status focuses on 48K games. |
| Atari 800 | Listed as an emulator entry; a more specific compatibility limit was not stated in the available project status notes. |
| Commodore 64 | Compatibility is incomplete. |
| Atari 2600 | The listed status notes limited cartridge-size support and no sound. |
| Odyssey/Videopac | The listed status notes no sound. |
| ColecoVision | Listed as an emulator entry; a more specific compatibility limit was not stated in the available project status notes. |
| Atari 5200 | Listed as an emulator entry; a more specific compatibility limit was not stated in the available project status notes. |
These caveats describe emulator status, not a universal guarantee about every game or release. In particular, “C64 support” should not be read as full compatibility, and the listed sound limitations mean that video output alone does not tell you whether a given system will produce audio.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Does a Pico 2 work, and is RetroVGA ready to use?
MCUME’s documentation names both Raspberry Pi Pico and Pico 2 as supported platforms. RetroVGA’s reported hardware list, however, identifies a Raspberry Pi Pico; the available project information does not establish that every RetroVGA PCB revision or prebuilt firmware image supports Pico 2. If you plan to use a Pico 2, confirm the PCB and firmware combination with the particular seller or project build instructions rather than relying on MCUME’s platform list alone.
Rank #4
- This breakout board is specially made for Raspberry Pi Pico, with additional pin headers, which are fully compatible with the board
- The product needs to be soldered by itself, and the pico can be inserted after successful welding
- The breakout board is gold-plated on both sides and holes are plated, and the material of the PCB board is excellent
- The breakout board is equipped with Raspberry Pi pico, which is convenient for users to develop and integrate flexibly
- Note: The package does not include Raspberry Pi pico. This product needs to be soldered and assembled by yourself
For a builder, the practical questions are whether the chosen hardware option includes the parts and assembly you need, whether its firmware provides the desired emulator, and whether the emulator’s limitations fit the games and controls you intend to use. The keyboard, joystick connection, VGA output and storage are useful integration points, but they do not remove the work of assembling or configuring a microcontroller project.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- RPi Pico 2 W Microcontroller Board (pre-soldered header (color-coded)), Based on Official RP2350 Chip, Dual-core & Dual-architecture Design. Upgraded hardware from Pico 2 with wireless communication, onboard antenna, features 2.4GHz 802.11n WIFI and Bluetooth 5.2.
- Adopts unique dual-core and dual-architecture design: dual-core Arm Cortex-M33 processor and dual-core Hazard3 RISC-V processor, flexible clock running up to 150 MHz.
- Onboard Infineon CYW43439 wireless chip, supports WIFI 4 wireless and Bluetooth 5.2.
- 520KB of SRAM, and 4MB of on-board Flash memory.
- Castellated module allows soldering direct to carrier boards. USB 1.1 with device and host support. Low-power sleep and dormant modes. Drag-and-drop programming using mass storage over USB.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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