How I turned my mini PC into a gaming console

We recently reviewed the Ayaneo Retro Mini PC AM02 here at XDA. It looks similar to the NES, so I thought it could be made into an NES. In fact, I found it so easy to do that that I turned it into a game console that could be used for everything up to the Nintendo Wii U. This includes virtually everything, including the NES, PlayStation 2, Game Boy Advance, and more. Other consoles until then.

If you are wondering how to do this, it is very very easy. The least you need is a spare USB for booting. For this, I used Batocera, a custom Linux distribution that includes a large number of pre-packaged emulators that are ready to work. You’ll need a mouse and keyboard to set it up conveniently, but you can then pair the controller and use it like any other console. I’m using a Nintendo Switch Pro controller, but any decent controller will work.

This works on any PC, but is most useful on a mini PC. It’s easier to carry, uses less power (usually), and honestly looks better on TV. The Ayaneo AM02 is great because it looks like a console and was simple and easy to set up. Not all hardware is compatible, so your best bet is to boot his Batocera from USB first to see if it works. For long-term use like this, you can install it on the internal drive after making sure everything works.

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How to install Batocera on Mini PC

It’s a very easy process

To install Batocera on your mini PC, you will need to obtain and attach a USB or other drive. It has a disk image that can be mirrored to any bootable device you want, and can be mirrored using software like Balena Etcher or Raspberry Pi Imager. I used Balena Etcher, but the official instructions recommend doing it using the Raspberry Pi Imager application. This is a very simple process and will have you up and running in no time.

By the way, you can use any PC for this, so even if you have an old PC on hand, it will suffice for this. It may not be the most powerful depending on its specs, but at least you can easily play older titles from NES, Game Boy, etc. The minimum requirements are incredibly forgiving, and you don’t need anything like the best graphics card to emulate these consoles.

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How to use Batsera

Launch and set up

Source: Batsela

Setting up Batocera is very easy, just turn it on. The image you flash is a fully installed, preconfigured Linux distribution, ready to use. You’ll need to be connected to the internet, and to do this, just go to your network settings and scan for Wi-Fi networks. Once connected, you’ll see a small Wi-Fi signal at the top.

Optionally, at this point you can connect your controller by going to your Bluetooth settings and pairing, or by simply plugging your controller into the controller’s USB port. It works with either and has pre-mapped configurations for the most common controllers. Technically, you could connect a controller and set it up that way if you wanted, but it’s a pain, so I found it much easier to use a mouse and keyboard.

My Nintendo Switch Pro controller worked right out of the box. Presumably, if you have an official controller from the manufacturer, those will work too.

copy file

There are two ways to copy files to your Batocera instance. You can copy the files manually or, more conveniently, over the network. When connected to your home Internet, Batocera shares its SMB server with your entire local network, allowing you to copy files remotely. This is a great and easy way to manage your files. There was no authentication or extra steps required, his Mac found it when he tried to connect to a local server, and he didn’t have to fiddle with local IP addresses. .

If you want to connect to the Internet but want to take your files with you wherever you don’t want anyone to share them, you can disable this automatic sharing. However, you must remember to turn it back on when you use it. House. This is a very convenient way to transfer files, especially on consoles since you don’t need to have a mouse or keyboard connected. I’ve only done this once, and it involved accepting CEMU warnings that could cause compatibility issues when launching Wii U game files.

play games in batsera

Why it was installed in the first place

I’m launching Batsera because I want to play games! We have already reached the stage where it is possible. All you need to do is copy the game files to the correct directory and also the necessary BIOS files. Batocera will warn you if the game might require him to copy the BIOS, so pay attention to the warning if necessary.

All consoles supported by Batocera have their own set of features for each emulator, and depending on the capabilities of the mini PC you’re using for this project, you can experiment a little here. Most games can be upscaled significantly, and PlayStation 2, Wii, and Wii U are easily upscaled with the AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS that my machine has. There are other features you can try, like cheats, if you’re interested, but the only thing I’ve changed is upscaling.

It’s really plug and play at this point. In less than an hour, I was able to set up and play his Batocera on Ayaneo AM02. animal crossing From GameCube in even less time. Other titles include: Mario Kart Wii and Super mario bros NES features also work, and it’s an amazing way to get extra utility from your mini PC or old computer that’s sitting unused. Let me know in the comments what you ended up playing!