How to Install RetroPie on Raspberry Pi OS

RetroPie is a powerful tool that turns your Raspberry Pi into a retro gaming console. If you’re a fan of classic games and want to emulate consoles like the NES, SNES, Sega Genesis, and others, RetroPie is the perfect solution. However, when you install RetroPie on Raspberry Pi OS, you might run into issues like the “Wayland not available” error. In this post, we’ll walk you through the installation process and provide a handy trick to solve this common issue.

What Is RetroPie?

RetroPie is an open-source software platform that runs on the Raspberry Pi. It allows you to emulate retro gaming systems like the PlayStation 1, Atari, and Nintendo. You can also add your favorite ROMs and use your Raspberry Pi as a full-fledged gaming console.

Step-by-Step Guide to Install RetroPie on Raspberry Pi OS

Let’s go over how to install RetroPie on Raspberry Pi OS using SSH:

Step 1: Update Raspberry Pi OS

Before you begin, make sure your Raspberry Pi is up to date. Open a terminal window and enter the following commands:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

This will ensure that your operating system has the latest updates and is ready for the installation.

Step 2: Install RetroPie Setup Script

Now you can install the RetroPie setup script, which automates the entire installation process. Run the following commands:

cd
git clone --depth=1 https://github.com/RetroPie/RetroPie-Setup.git
cd RetroPie-Setup
sudo ./retropie_setup.sh

This command downloads using git the RetroPie setup script and launches the installation menu.

Step 3: Install RetroPie

In the setup menu, select the option to Install RetroPie. This will take some time as it downloads and installs all the necessary files for RetroPie to work.

Once the installation finishes, you can launch RetroPie by typing:

emulationstation

Fixing the “Wayland” Error:

If you try running RetroPie and see an error like this:

Error initializing SDL!
wayland not available
Renderer failed to initialize!
Window failed to initialize!

Don’t worry! This is a common issue, especially on newer Raspberry Pi OS versions that use Wayland as their display server. Here’s how to fix it:

Install Wayland Compatibility for SDL:

If you want to use Wayland, you may need to install Wayland support for SDL. Use the following command to install the necessary packages:

sudo apt install libwayland-dev wayland-protocols

Now that everything is set up, you can start playing your favorite classic games on your Raspberry Pi. RetroPie supports a wide variety of controllers, including Xbox, PlayStation, and many generic USB controllers. Simply plug in your controller, configure it in the RetroPie interface, and you’re good to go!

PS: What is your favorite retro game?