Dead SNES Mini to Awesome EMULATION Console!

After the carnage of the SNES Classic Mini I tried to fix last week ( • Somebody's Been in Thi... ), I wanted to salvage some of the non-fried bits and make me a Raspberry Pi & Batocera powered Emulation Machine!
With no real plan, and a load of donor bits, let's see if I can do it!
WARNING: May contain singing.
Hope you enjoy!
Steve
PS. I'm not an expert in repairs at all. I do this for fun, and it may not be the best or safest way to go about repairing broken stuff. I'm pretty good at melting plastic though. Please don't copy me - I'm an idiot.
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[@celulari]

The RPi has pads on the bottom for hardwire power. The pads are TP1 for 5V and TP12 for GND 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@DaveDoc1984]

Looks very good. What I would suggest though is looking into a “Safe Shutdown / clean shutdown” script to use with that power switch. Just killing the power to the PI can corrupt your SD card.

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks Dave! Yeah, someone else mentioned that and I hadn't thought about it. I have been shutting it down with the controller before powering it off, but it would be great to have a safe shutdown bound to the switch, so I'm gonna look into it!

[@jasongooden917]

I used Batocera on the Nestpi 4 and i have never used the shutdown script. I just go to shutdown and when the screen turns off i press power. over a year and no problems

[@wmoecke]

@@jasongooden917 sure thing, just like with any distro it is possible to safely shutdown or restart the RPi via the UI. What the script does is pretty much perform the same functions that the UI does under the hood to keep the SD card contents safe, but all from the flick (or touch) of the power / reset buttons. It's pretty straightforward, and there are literally a ton of tutorials all over the web, explaining how it is done.

[@Diggnuts]

@@wmoecke It really is more bother than it is worth. I mean, there is nothing on the card that is so bloody special that it needs protection. Secondly it is and SD card. They can break regardless but are cheap. Lastly, if there is anything in the SD that needs to be saved, just use a simple rsync backup script over wireless networking. That is the only way you can be sure data will be retained.

[@wmoecke]

@@Diggnuts well you have your opinion, but in reading yours I'm thinking "rsync over wifi", 🤔 Button + script suddenly not so complicated anymore.

[@TheCod3r]

Great job. Now we can call you SnesStixFix

[@StezStixFix]

🤣 🤣 I like it! Cheers mate 👍

[@mm0077]

Oh no plastic soup! That is what came to mind for a momento! The singing LOL, oh well oh well.. I nearly said stick to your day job (LOL) but on another note I thought why not. It is as always a pleasure to watch. Dead SNES put to good use👏👏👏👍

[@StezStixFix]

🤣 haha, thanks M m! Really pleased with how it turned out and I'm definitely gonna be using it! 👍

[@I_RacooN_I]

I have so much work to do, but I just cannot stop watching your videos...

[@guywilton7471]

Nice job Steve I had hoped the plastic had choked your vocal chords, thus restricting any singing…. Alas my Sunday morning has been filled with the joys of your dulcet tones…..

[@StezStixFix]

😁 sadly the inhaled plastic has had no adverse effects and I'm raring to go for the next one. 👍

[@mick0905]

That's way better than stock. 👌 You might need to look at a safe shutdown script on the switch to avoid corruption of your SD card.

[@StezStixFix]

Oh yeah, didn't think about that. I guess as long as I shut it down with the controller before flicking the switch it should be good. If there's a way to bind it to the switch though, that would be cool!

[@OlivierGrasakaolo]

@@StezStixFix Check out retroflag cases, they have a shut down button with a script to install on the pi, maybe you can find how to adapt it to your case 👍

[@Tidder007]

Amazing and very stock looking. There is a lot to be said about your attention to detail. Also, thanks for showcasing that emulation distro, I've used Lakka and Retro Pie but this looks great. I am super jealous of all the fun things you and Dave do together!

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks Tidder! Batocera is really great, I've tried them all and I always go back to it. It works really well with minimal tweaking. You should definitely give it a try! 👍

[@Mymatevince]

Amazing work Steve 👌

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks Vince, I'm really pleased with how this came out! I'll definitely be using it regularly too! 👍

[@ravenrue]

@@StezStixFix Steve do you have a link to that hot glue gun?

[@sammydingdong4540]

Great I did the same worked nice........Always makes me smile when you call out Jamrags handle as It Meant something else up North............🤠

[@COIFISHGAMING]

I just came here for the song at the end haha. Great rebuild.

[@kimberlybates1187]

Great wraps to use that looked absolutely fantastic 😊

[@pedromimoso8804]

Beautiful! You've now become a master, Steve! Nothing can stop your mojo, man! Great, great work, Master Captain Bodge! 😀😀😀

[@StezStixFix]

Master Bodge! 😁 Thanks Pedro! 👍

[@erinbuck129]

“Let’s attack it with a Dremel.” Ah yes, the mantra of every modder 😂

[@csiga79]

Your outros bring deep meaning to my existence.

[@chris-pike]

Good to see you put that Snes mini into good use there Steve by adding in the Raspberry Pi & other parts you had and running it on Batocera wich is a great emulation platform for the old arcade games . great job mate - Nice 1 👍

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks Chris, i'm really pleased with it, it works great!

[@wmoecke]

Really well done, congratulations. Fantastic job all over. The cherry on top would be adding a safe shutdown / reset script. You can find tutorials all over the web that teach you how it's done. Pretty straightforward, give it a go.

[@zeroxception]

I gutted a long dead actual full size SNES to build mine couple of years go. Original power and reset button setup to work as a reset and master power to the PI, cooling fan fitted with temperature control. 2 usb at front and power and hdmi at rear. Currently using with a Flirc in one of the ports so i can remotely control it for using as a vide player on my tv too.

[@CTCTraining1]

Awesome project Steve - excellent dremmeling and singing as well! I think it probably deserves a new decal to reflect the enhancement ... perhaps Super-duper Nintendo?

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks Chris, that's a great idea! 👍

[@Adroit1911]

SDNES 😂 brilliant!

[@ToxoRetro]

Tidy job Stez! I love the way it is subtle cosmetically to the Pi-ness. A great little project for the irreparably SNES Mini.

[@imaginitivity7853]

Nice job, your superior someone skills make wiring power to the board a reasonable option. I'd probably just have to make do with a captive USB cable, plugged into the RPi and trailing out of the case. Like power cables used to do!

[@imaginitivity7853]

Also, Sugru, mouldable setting plastic could be useful in this project for gap filling

[@wizerd5150]

ty Steve for not say Mario cart was a stupid game . its my all time favorite : )~

[@deBaer]

You can power a Pi via the GPIO pins, by the way. No need to solder tiny USB-C leads…

[@wupme]

You should not power a Pi through the GPIO pins. It is not intended and will lead to issues. If you read the power information from the kernel you might also get warnings if your power supply is not super stable (hint: Most are not, even the expensive brand ones) The Power is either through the USB port or the pads TP1 and TP12. Because this input is actually going through the voltage regulator.

[@masterrksv]

Great videos Steve. Deffo look like Rumpole of The Bailey lad.

[@shawnwade302]

You can hook any momentary on-off switch to the gpio pins on the raspberry pi 4 and then run a script to have the buttons turn it on or off

[@pikricky]

What make is your glue pen it looks brilliant

[@simonlunt353]

Nice job there Steve well done 👏👏👍

[@djscottfrenzy]

Absolutely brilliant Steve 😁 great video 👍

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks Scott, appreciate that! 👍

[@jamesp2719]

What a brilliant build, very jealous, but I know nothing about that kind of thing well done sir

[@kevinmcgrath2077]

Great fun! Personally I would just buy a Retroflag case and slot the pi4 in there but I’m not as skilful as you. 😃

[@TheScottyvdubs]

Really loving your videos, feels like you have really found your Groove recently 💪. (apologies for using the word Groove 🤷‍♂️)

[@StezStixFix]

🤣 nothing wrong with a bit of groove! Thanks Ben, really appreciate that 👍

[@thomasvasquez7015]

You figured out its transformation so well. Wonderful work !

[@SixtyDoesStuff]

I'm planning a similar mod to an old NES housing I have for my mother, who just wants to play the first Final Fantasy again. With the power (and reset) switch and Batocera. I'm also planning some NES to USB workaround so she can use an official NES controller, too. Probably going to sneak some other old-school RPGs on there for her. Just have to buy parts to go in the shell. Glad the singing's back! =D

[@StezStixFix]

😁 Thanks Sixty! That sounds like a great project! I looked into the USB conversion for the OG controllers, and I think it's definitely doable. Will you be making a video on it? I'd love to see that! 👍

[@SixtyDoesStuff]

@@StezStixFix Definitely considering making a video! Either here or TikTok

[@smikeee]

Nice video! My Sega Saturn is fully dead/rusty/broken, hope Raspberry Pi 5 can play its games and comes with a lovely price, to do as you did in this video.

[@jumb0play3r35]

Thats so cool. Now I want that too. Nice work btw. Keep up the work.

[@captaincronos7632]

Absolutely love these vids steve. Please don't stop. A relatable, likeable fella, chipping away and being awesome.

[@DeathMetalDerf]

That's a pretty nifty little mod you've done here. I might take a crack at it myself if I can get the pieces I'd need. I got the RaspberryPi already

[@falloutguy8878]

Grand job sir sorry about spelling to many beers on a lazy Sunday afternoon 😂

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks DR! 👍

[@Jerome-C]

ok, that's freaking awesome !! this is a really good job !

[@jaylo912]

This is special. Awesome work.

[@antonyjones2281]

Steve. As the main man from North ridge fix would say. "Better than factory" Spot on job that mate, as always great to watch

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks Antony! Much appreciated 👍

[@antonyjones2281]

@@StezStixFix I know I'm constantly asking for advice on your kit. But I'm looking at the Hakko fx-951 and micro soldering handpiece. Just wondering if there are a certain few tips you find you use the most ?

[@StezStixFix]

@@antonyjones2281 no problem! The micro soldering iron tip i use the most is the J tip (can't remember the model number but should be easy to find). For the regular iron I tend to use the standard tip, but do occasionally use a chisel tip (mainly for removing solder with wick). That's what seems to work best for me, but I guess trial and error might be required to find the best ones that work for you. (You can always pick up some budget tips from Ali express to test them out!) 👍

[@jasongooden917]

I did this with the GS5 case which looks like a mini PS5. I soldered usb cables to the front usb ports and plugged the other end into the pi. i super glued, and hot glued nylon standoffs to the inside to mount the pi. now i have a PS5 Mini.

[@djmulder]

no way to make a board for the compute 4 module? seems perfect for the minis

[@fraggle200]

pretty sure there's a SNES Mini theme for Retropie out there somewhere if you wanted it even closer to stock.

[@CamboRamboTV]

Love it. Nice mod to the SNES mini. Great job Steve

[@rorykelly8275]

yet another awesome fix/mod

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks Rory! 😍

[@Popeyes66]

Bloomin Heck Steve ! Have you given up your day job ? You're in the wrong game mate. Looking forward to seeing it on the shelves at Currys.

[@StezStixFix]

😁 Cheers Daveyboy! Not given up the day job just yet 😂

[@ohaya1]

What a fantastic project and masterfully executed!

[@Trading_sos]

Wow amazing build Steve. Keep it up!

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks Jay! 👍

[@samwilliamson4715]

Nice video Steve! 👍 will maybe do this as opposed to building a mame cabinet that I originally was planning.. meaning I can make use of our existing system rather than use a separate screen etc.. awesome job, great content :)

[@555geoneo555]

Great work Steve 👏 always enjoy your streams. Keep them coming 👍

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks Geoneo, much appreciated! 👍

[@g13unisol]

Great video. Can you tell me what glue gun you are using and microscope ?

[@murphyjay9084]

new fan lovely job steve!

[@patterisepi]

This is very nice, congrats!

[@ahndeux]

That karaoke singing at the end kills me!

[@Momanic]

The end results looks amazing! That's also a cool DIY hack to do with the SNES Classic's corpse (Rest In Peace... You will be missed). How satisfied were you with this? Was it worth it?

[@zhammmy]

This is what I called ART.

[@TheFuture1919]

That was an awesome project! Thanks for sharing the amazing content!

[@theowinters6314]

It's probably been suggested already, but I would wire the reset switch to some GPIO pins, then you can make use of it in game.

[@madzen112]

Awesome build 👌

[@gerrymichaud3851]

I'm working on my 8 gig Raspberry Pi 4b into a retro console. I'm having fun

[@rickydub6950]

Ingenious idea well executed 😁

[@artisalva]

this was amazing man, i wanna build one to give away to my brother

[@kennethbarker852]

1st class video to watch thank you take care kind regards from me kenneth😵‍💫💕💕💕👍

[@lordsoth6846]

Well done ol’ chap! 👍🏽

[@carolinerogers1057]

Nice job please.what is that gold.stuff u use looks.like ribbon want to get some.for my husband

[@123simion1989]

Great video 👍

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks Simion! 👍

[@tsbeech]

Looks great! Well done!

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks Travis! 👍

[@tsbeech]

I look forward to your videos Steve. Please keep it up. I really appreciate you.

[@StezStixFix]

@@tsbeech thank you! That means a lot. I'll keep making them as long as people enjoy them! 😬

[@markianclark9645]

That's one I haven't assembled up till now..Batocera in a SNES mini case.. I've put one in an NES mini classic clone case years ago with Retropie and more recently another in a Sony mini PSX classic clone case with Retropie too..another is an OrangePi with Batocera..another Opi lite with Retrorangepi..another Batocera in a thin client mini PC..and I'm not finished yet..nice dremelling..the plastic dust gets all over you and in the lungs..I should've taken better precautions too..I haven't tried a NesPi case so far..it's on my bucket list though..Rpi4 is almost impossible to find here..unless you pay scalper price..even AliExpress is near double list price..out of the question.. it'll have to be another 3b or plus SBC instead..great work..excellent video..

[@kikihobbyrepair]

Really nicely done Steve! I love it 😀

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks Kiki! 😊

[@Cluffo11]

“Let’s attack it with a Dremel” New T-shirt slogan?

[@StezStixFix]

Yeah, I feel like it should be. I still need to make the "I love Sellotape" one.

[@jarodsimmons2542]

You need the cutoff wheel attachment for that dremel

[@jonathanlittle8393]

Top job looks great 👍

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks Jonathan, really pleased with it! 😍

[@jontait1095]

Great job looks amazing

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks Jon! 👍

[@kimberlybates1187]

Speech to text leaves a lot to be desired I meant to say you did a great job Steve that looks absolutely fantastic

[@StezStixFix]

Thank you! 👍 I'm really pleased with how it turned out! 😊

[@kimberlybates1187]

@@StezStixFix You should be it look like that pie was designed to fit in there and you using the other adapters and running wires and saw during all really cool I mean it's how I would have tried to do it

[@ianfindlay3450]

When the USB-C's follow the Raspberry Pi, it's because they think Micro USB's will be thrown into the sea.

[@StezStixFix]

👑Eric USB-Cantona

[@jamesw2855]

Sweet fix

[@Glitchy24]

You could've soldered to the PoE on the board just set PoE (power over Ethernet) in OT Settings in addition to the method you chose to drive power to the pie just so you know all your options in case that wasn't known before

[@qwertzasdf352]

I didn’t know John Virgo was into taking stuff apart and fixing them.

[@corty1980]

With that on/off switch you could have used the GPIO pins on the Raspberry Pi also

[@MellowVR24762]

Coder sent me subbed for the great content 😁🌟

[@randomretroplays3123]

Brilliant job 👍💯

[@rtarroyo]

Beautiful job

[@randy7894]

Very nice even.

[@MicroMageRepair]

Nice solution !

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks Micro! 👍

[@stmrepairsnpl9287]

how to add atll the games ?? does it comes pre installed or have to be downloaded seperately for botocera??

[@roadsiderebels3039]

NICE! Excellent! Flawless Victory!

[@MrFixiit]

Turned out very nice indeed 10/10

[@StezStixFix]

Thank you! 👍

[@Stonecold724]

NGL, that looks pretty great!

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks Stonecold! 👍

[@masterrudi]

One of the best mod I have ever seen…

[@ShiggitayMediaProductions]

Hiya Steve! Super cool idea and video! I have a question for ya. The question is: do you do/take commissions? If I was to send you a broken SNES Mini with one of my RPi4s would you be able to assemble it for me like you did in this video? I asked basically the same question on your FaceBook page, but I decided to ask here as well depending on where you're the most active. Thanks for the answer and I hope you're well over there in the UK. :)

[@ZonicMirage]

Ayy. Feel like I contributed a little. Very nice work.

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks Zonic! Definitely contributed, appreciate the suggestion, it came out nice! 👍

[@ZonicMirage]

@@StezStixFix Yeah, it really did.

[@RBKing80]

Great video.

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks RB!

[@vision2x278]

have you done 8 Bit Mini Retro FC

[@xDrywall]

So clean 👏😲

[@beawarenow8287]

Nice job

[@christianhalstead6063]

Where are you from Steve? I can't place your accent which usually means you're local. It's just doing my head in . Oh yeah great videos as well 👌

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks Christian! I'm from Manchester, but have moved to the outskirts so I think I've lost part of my Mancunian-ness!

[@christianhalstead6063]

Would you be interested in fixing an old Snes? Happy to pay postage both ways and for your time obvs . 😉

[@bryngerard4334]

Did you ever do the shutdown script?

[@larajones730]

Great stuff. Always enjoy watching your videos! Hope you got the plastic out your lungs 😉

[@StezStixFix]

😁 thanks Lara! Yeah, I'm plastic free now I think! 😁

[@Tonyplat98]

So you took a pi 4 and crammed it into a case without a fan or any cooling in there... Brilliant...