Gamers love compact retro consoles, but you don’t need to spend big on a Raspberry Pi or handheld device.
With just a USB flash drive, a gamepad, and free software, you can build a fully portable gaming console that works on almost any PC. Here’s how to do it.
To set up your portable console, you’ll need:
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A USB flash drive (at least 128GB recommended; 512GB is ideal).
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A small wireless keyboard for navigation.
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A USB-C gamepad like the 8BitDo Pro 2.
This minimal setup ensures a compact kit that costs less than $100.
Install Batocera os on your USB drive
Batocera is a free, open-source operating system designed for retro gaming emulation. Here’s the process:
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Download Batocera (Windows x64 version) from the official website.
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Use BalenaEtcher to flash Batocera onto your USB drive.
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Once flashing is complete, ignore pop-up windows.
Boot into your flash drive
To run Batocera, you’ll need to boot your PC from the USB drive.
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Method 1 (Windows):
Go to Recovery Options → Advanced Startup → Restart Now → Use a Device → choose UEFI: Removable Device. -
Method 2 (BIOS):
Restart your PC, press F12 (or your system’s boot key), and select UEFI: USB.
Load and play retro games
Batocera supports emulators for consoles like PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Nintendo 3DS, and more.
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Press F1 in Batocera to open file manager.
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Copy your ROMs into the correct ROMs folder.
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Add artwork by scraping game info (requires internet).
Many free, legal ROMs come preloaded, but you can add your own for a full retro experience.
Tips for best performance
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Any mid-range PC can deliver 60fps in most games.
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Customize video and resolution settings per emulator for smoother visuals.
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Consider watching tutorials on Batocera Nation (YouTube) for advanced tweaks.
With just a flash drive and Batocera OS, you can carry a portable retro gaming library in your pocket. It’s budget-friendly, customizable, and perfect for gamers who want a simple, travel-ready solution.
