Retroflag 64Pi Case GBAtemp review
Hardware
Product Information:
- Official Store: https://retroflag.com/64pi_case.html
Retroflag has historically given us the PiStation, SuperPi Case, MegaPi Case, and the GPi case with startling accuracy and packed with nostalgic attention to detail; so when they announced the 64Pi my interest was more than piqued!
When this landed at my door last week, I was stunned by just how gorgeous the thing looks, with its ice-blue complexion and stunningly refined details. The box is also a homage to the N64's Japanese/European funtastic release back in 1997/1998, and I adore it.
Nostalgia Overload
Taking the unit out of the box, I noted that the size of it is only just larger than an N64 cartridge, but the build quality is incredible. At very-least it is on par with anything that Nintendo would ever produce if they would ever make an N64 classic console. Spoiler alert: they probably won't, so this is perhaps as close as you will ever get to seeing a miniature funtastic console!
The colour of the plastic is spot on, the opacity and transparency of each half of the shell are superb, and the overall form factor is incredibly well observed, though it was probably laser scanned for precision and then 3D printed for production.
The jewel is present on the front (albeit a 64Pi case logo and not the N64 cubic Ns), placebo cartridge flaps on the top, and even the expansion pak bay lid can be taken out, and micro SD cards stored in the void. The words "Memory Expansion" etched into the lid is a gorgeous little detail, along with the minute and functional power and reset buttons.
Incredible Attention to Detail
Beneath the case are the opaque vented slots of the N64's underbelly. It has two smoke-grey plastic feet at the front, and two rubber feet at the rear, again a nod to the original EUR/JPN design as later waves of funtastic consoles had clear feet or body-coloured feet.
The design works so well overall, and it completely draws your eye away from the rectangular Pi5 inside by breaking up the shape into the luscious '90s curves of the 64-bit legend.
On the side of the case is a panel that can be removed to access two additional USB-A sockets, and an ethernet port which is handy if you wish to connect it to your network, or plug in additional devices such as hard drives or controllers.
Assembly of the case is simple, just use the provided screwdriver to disassemble, pop in a Pi5 (it is only compatible with Pi5), add the cooling fan, and screw back together. It takes just a matter of minutes to have it all put back together and ready to rock.
Interestingly the Pi5 has dual micro HDMI type D outputs, and a USB-C power socket, Retroflag didn't choose to modify the HDMI out back to a larger one, neither mini HDMI nor regular common or garden HDMI, probably due to space, which is understandable, but the probability of someone just so having a Micro HDMI cable is slim to none for most people.
TLDR; I had to source one from a friend to be able to fire it up for gaming.
Plentiful Cooling, Minor Aesthetic Gripes
The cooling solution within is neat. A large aluminium heatsink plate dissipates the heat and by circulating a jet of air via the vents on the top of the console, the 64Pi is kept cooler than a cucumber, even through extended hours of play. This is a big step up from just a sticker and a square heatsink with fins.
The 64Pi is a glorious replica of a sensationally nostalgic console, but it isn't without a couple of minor issues.
Firstly, something that doesn't make too much sense is the power button. Sure, it slides on and off just like the authentic console (because the power/restart buttons are connected to the GPIO), but if you power it on with the switch, and off through the software, then the switch is in the ON position when you go to turn it back on again.
I perhaps think a better solution could have been to make it look like a switch, but it's spring-loaded always to return ready to turn on, that way it doesn't matter what state the button is in after being shut down in the OS you're using. The 64Pi is compatible with safe shutdown modes, so be sure to enable those when using this case.
Secondly, the two controller ports trouble me. I would have loved to have seen four. It's the one external detail that looks wrong, I assume because the scale of a USB socket doesn't align with the scale of the device at the front.
Perhaps there could have been a better solution to use four smaller USB-C sockets and provide adaptors to get back to using USB-A, but again this is just a cosmetic gripe and nothing that matters too much.
I used the latest installation of Recalbox OS which detects DualSense and Switch NSO controllers anyway, so it's a moot point if you go down the Bluetooth route anyway.
Highly Recommended Hardware!
Overall the 64Pi case is a triumph in the miniaturisation and re-engineering of an iconic console. The design is exceptional, and barring a couple of minor quibbles, I honestly cannot fault this product for its utility. The core pillars of being easy to install, being kept from overheating, and having accessible ports, are all perfectly checked off on the list of most desirable features.
At just under £34 on Amazon, and housing a Pi capable of running up to PS3 games, the colourful N64 case is definitely the best-looking case I have ever seen for a Raspberry Pi project. It's sleek, stunning, and it's vibrantly funtastic!
Verdict
- An exquisite replica down to the tiny details
- Incredibly well made
- More than adequate cooling
- Easy to assemble
- Expansion Pak Micro SD storage
- £35 is a steal
- Power button gripes
- Two controller ports on the front
