If you are considering getting a Raspberry Pi for emulation than I don’t think there is a better option than the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B. It stands out as the top choice due to its superior hardware capabilities that are more than enough for emulation of your favorite content.
What Makes Raspberry Pi 4 Model B Best for Emulation
The Raspberry Pi 4 features a Broadcom BCM2711 quad-core Cortex-A72 (ARM v8) processor running at 1.8 GHz. The specs have a much better performance compared to earlier models, making it capable of handling more demanding emulators.
It comes with options for 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, or 8GB of LPDDR4-3200 SDRAM. For emulation, particularly with more demanding systems like PlayStation or Nintendo 64, having at least 4GB is recommended for smoother performance.
The Raspberry Pi 4 supports dual monitor setups with 4K video output via HDMI, which is beneficial for emulators that support higher resolutions.
It includes a VideoCore VI graphics processor, which improves graphical performance in emulation scenarios, especially for 2D and 3D games.
The Raspberry Pi 4 has two USB 3.0 ports and two USB 2.0 ports, allowing for faster data transfer rates when connecting external drives or controllers.
The Raspberry Pi 4 supports a wide range of retro gaming platforms.
Compatibility Is Unmatched
The Raspberry Pi 4 is fully compatible with popular emulation software like RetroPie, which supports a wide range of consoles, including NES, SNES, Sega Genesis, PlayStation, and more.
During my testing the Raspberry Pi 4 had smooth performance with demanding titles that previously struggled on older models like the Raspberry Pi 3.
| Category | Platform | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Arcade Systems | MAME (Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator) | Can handle many arcade games, with 4GB model running more demanding titles smoothly |
| Console Systems | NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) | Runs flawlessly with no slowdown |
| SNES (Super Nintendo Entertainment System) | Runs without any issues | |
| Genesis/Mega Drive | Runs at full speed | |
| Nintendo 64 | Many previously unplayable games now run well (e.g., Super Mario 64, Conker’s Bad Fur Day) | |
| PlayStation | Can emulate many PS1 games, though more demanding titles may struggle | |
| PSP | Capable of running many previously unplayable games (e.g., Tekken 6, Fate Extra) | |
| Handheld Systems | Game Boy/Game Boy Color | Runs without issues |
| Game Boy Advance | Runs smoothly | |
| Computer Systems | Amiga | Can emulate many games and demos |
| Commodore 64 | Can run most games and demos |
Things To Keep In Mind
Raspberry Pi 4, while an awesome device, does have heating issues but nothing serious. You can use a case with built-in cooling fans or heat sinks that would easily solve the heating problem.
You can pick up Raspberry Pi 4 from Amazon, Ebay, and most other tech stores.
