# Pico Bootloader Retro Console
## Overview
https://youtu.be/X-7ZBaCIoeQ
Build your own multi-console emulator system with the Fruit Jam and play all of your favorite retro games! [Frank Hoedemakers](https://github.com/fhoedemakers) has created a new multi-emulator launcher called [Pico Bootloader](https://github.com/fhoedemakers/pico-bootLoader) that makes it simple and fast to get going. It uses an innovative system of re-flashing the Fruit Jam with a given emulator stored on the SD card as needed, and it even includes a graphical system selector.
Along with this, Frank has also released new emulators for the **PC Engine/TurboGrafx 16** series of consoles and the **Super Nintendo Entertainment System, ** which are included in Pico Bootloader or can be installed individually from these links: [pico-pcePlus](https://github.com/fhoedemakers/pico-pcePlus) and [pico-snesPlus ](https://github.com/fhoedemakers/pico-snesPlus)
[Pico Bootloader](https://github.com/fhoedemakers/pico-bootLoader) combines these and a few other emulators for Fruit Jam (and other RP2350-based boards) into a drag-and-drop .UF2 file with a launcher for these systems:
- **Super Nintendo `picosnesPlus`**
- **Nintendo NES `piconesPlus`**
- **Sega Genesis / Mega Drive `picogenesisPlus`**
- **NEC PC Engine / PCEngine CD / TurboGrafx 16 `picopcePlus`**
- **Nintendo Game Boy / Game Boy Color `picoPeanutGB`**
- **Sega Master System / Game Gear `picosmsPlus`**
- **Philips Videopac / Magnavox Odyssey² `picoPacPlus`**
- **Doom (native port) `doom_tiny`**
- **Duke Nukem 3D `duke3d_game`**
Additionally, any RP2350 application can be made bootable and added to the menu — see [Creating a bootable build of your own application](https://github.com/fhoedemakers/pico-bootLoader#creating-a-bootable-build-of-your-own-application).
## Parts
Featured
### Adafruit Fruit Jam - Mini RP2350 Computer
[Adafruit Fruit Jam - Mini RP2350 Computer](https://www.adafruit.com/product/6200)
We were catching up on a recent [hackaday hackchat with eben upton](https://hackaday.io/event/202122-raspberry-pi-hack-chat-with-eben-upton) and learned some fun facts: such as the DVI hack for the RP2040 was inspired by
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/6200)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/6200/guides)
Featured
### USB Game Controller with SNES-like Layout
[USB Game Controller with SNES-like Layout](https://www.adafruit.com/product/6285)
This is a generic USB game controller, which plugs into to provide a two-handed gaming experience for retro gaming, or really any game you want to use a handheld rather than keyboard controller! Use it with your Raspberry Pi or desktop computer while playing emulated games, or as a...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/6285)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/6285/guides)
Featured
### SD/MicroSD Memory Card (8 GB SDHC)
[SD/MicroSD Memory Card (8 GB SDHC)](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1294)
Add mega-storage in a jiffy using this 8 GB class 4 micro-SD card. It comes with a SD adapter so you can use it with any of our shields or adapters. Preformatted to FAT so it works out of the box with our projects. Tested and works great with our
Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1294)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1294/guides)
Featured
### Black Woven USB C to USB A Cable - 2 meters long
[Black Woven USB C to USB A Cable - 2 meters long](https://www.adafruit.com/product/6324)
This cable is not only super-fashionable, with a woven pattern in classic Adafruit black, it's also made for USB C for our modernized breakout boards, Feathers, and more.
First, let's talk about the cover and over-molding. We got these in custom colors, and if you...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/6324)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/6324/guides)
Featured
### 5V 2A Switching Power Supply w/ USB-A Connector
[5V 2A Switching Power Supply w/ USB-A Connector](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1994)
Our 5V 2A USB power adapter is the perfect choice for powering single-board computers like Raspberry Pi, BeagleBone, or anything else that's power-hungry!
This adapter was specifically designed to provide 5.25V, not 5V, but we still call it a 5V USB adapter. We did this on purpose to...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1994)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1994/guides)
Featured
### HDMI Cable - 1 meter
[HDMI Cable - 1 meter](https://www.adafruit.com/product/608)
Connect two HDMI devices together with this basic HDMI cable. It has nice molded grips for easy installation, and is 1 meter long (about 3 feet). This is a HDMI 1.3 cable.
We're now stocking a very fancy Official Raspberry Pi cable with overmolding and a Pi logo. Please note...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/608)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/608/guides)
Featured
### Adafruit Wii Nunchuck Breakout Adapter
[Adafruit Wii Nunchuck Breakout Adapter](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4836)
Dig out that old Wii controller and use it as a sleek controller for your next robot if you like. The Adafruit Adafruit Wii Nunchuck Breakout Adapter fits snugly into the Wii connector and performs the level shifting and power regulation needed to use the controller with any microcontroller or...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4836)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4836/guides)
## Wii Classic Controller
Controllers with the Wii nunchuck port can be used along with [this breakout adapter](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4836) and a [STEMMA QT cable](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4210). These are highly responsive controllers option, with less lag than USB controllers.
These were made for use with the Wii in the case of the Wii Classic Controller and the [NES Classic Mini](https://www.nintendo.com/en-za/Misc-/Nintendo-Classic-Mini-Nintendo-Entertainment-System/Nintendo-Classic-Mini-Nintendo-Entertainment-System-1124287.html) and [SNES Classic Mini](https://www.nintendo.com/en-za/Misc-/Nintendo-Classic-Mini-Super-Nintendo-Entertainment-System/Nintendo-Classic-Mini-Super-Nintendo-Entertainment-System-1238330.html) consoles
Featured
### STEMMA QT / Qwiic JST SH 4-Pin Cable - 50mm Long
[STEMMA QT / Qwiic JST SH 4-Pin Cable - 50mm Long](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4399)
This 4-wire cable is 50mm / 1.9" long and fitted with JST SH female 4-pin connectors on both ends. Compared with the chunkier JST PH these are 1mm pitch instead of 2mm, but still have a nice latching feel, while being easy to insert and remove.
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4399)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4399/guides)
# Pico Bootloader Retro Console
## Fruit Jam Setup
To prep for play, hook up the Fruit Jam to power, video, audio, controllers, and micro SD card.
Plug in the following:
- **Fruit Jam USB C Power & Data** port to USB C **power adapter**
- **Fruit Jam DVI-D Video Output** to **monitor/TV HDMI input** via HDMI cable
- **Fruit Jam Stereo Headphone** output to headphones or powered speakers via 3.5mm stereo TRS cable
- **USB gamepad** to **Fruit Jam USB 1** or **USB 2** port (some controllers seem to prefer port 2)
## Classic Controllers
For two player games, you can optionally plug in a Wii/NES/SNES Classic Controller.
With the Fruit Jam powered off, plug in a STEMMA QT cable to the **Fruit Jam STEMMA QT** port. Then plug in the Adafruit Nunchuck Breakout Adapter.
Plug your Nintendo controller into the adapter.
Now, when you select "2 Player" in most games the second player will default to the I2C controller.
## Classic Controller Only Support
When an USB controller is connected, the Wii-classic controller is Player 2. To use the Wii-Classic as Player 1, unplug the USB controller.
# Pico Bootloader Retro Console
## Software Installation
## Download
First, download the latest [Pico Bootloader release here](https://github.com/fhoedemakers/pico-bootLoader/releases).
## Enter RP2350 bootloader mode
Entering the RP2350 bootloader is easy. Complete the following steps.
**Before you start, make sure your Fruit Jam is plugged into USB port to your computer using a data/sync cable.** Charge-only cables will not work!
**Turn on the On/Off switch** - check that you see the ON light on so you know the board is powered.
To enter the bootloader:
1. **Press and hold the BOOT/BUTTON1 button down.** Don't let go of it yet!
2. **Press and release the Reset button.** You should still have the BOOT/BUTTON1 button pressed while you do this.
3. **Continue holding the BOOT/BUTTON1 button until you see the RP2350 drive appear.**
4. You can now release but BOOT/BUTTON1 button.
## Drag UF2
Navigate to the folder where you downloaded the **uf2** file, then drag it onto the RP2350 drive.
The board will automatically reboot and retroJam will launch automatically.
## microSD Card Setup
Format a microSD card to FAT32 or exFAT.
Download **pico-bootLoader\_sdcard.zip** from the same **Releases** page linked above and unpack it onto the SD card. The archive contains the emulators, the _Doom_ port, the menu artwork, and a sample configuration file.
Alternatively, assemble the layout yourself as described in [SD card layout](https://github.com/fhoedemakers/pico-bootLoader#sd-card-layout).
Then, copy your legally acquired ROMs to their respective folders.
```auto
/boot.txt optional configuration (defaults apply if absent)
/emu/ BASEDIR (default /emu, override in boot.txt)
/emu//*.uf2 applications for this board (e.g. /emu/8/)
/emu/emulators.txt the index / allow-list (name set by INDEX)
/emu/assets/.png|.jpg menu artwork, converted on first use
/emu/assets/screensaver/*.png|.jpg screensaver images (optional)
/emu/.guimode persisted menu mode (created automatically)
```
Yellow: With the SNES-style USB controller, you'll see "Manta NES" listed on the menu screen. You can press the Y button in the Retro Jam menu to switch it to "Manta SNES" which fixes the button mapping so you can use the A and B buttons properly.
# Pico Bootloader Retro Console
## Run the Emulators
https://youtu.be/X-7ZBaCIoeQ
With everything wired up, turn on the Fruit Jam, the TV, and the speakers (or headphones) and play!
## System Selector
Use the D-pad left/right to pick an emulator to lauch. Press A to flash it into Fruit Jam memory.
Then, use the D-pad to pick a game ROM and Press A to launch.
## Special Menus
Play your game using the usual system buttons. If you want to launch the special menus, press **Select** + **Start** at the same time.
You can adjust settings as well as exit back out to the emulator selection screens.
Press **Select ** to toggle text vs. graphical UI mode.
Yellow: With the SNES-style USB controller, you'll see "Manta NES" listed on the menu screen. You can press the Y button in the Retro Jam menu to switch it to "Manta SNES" which fixes the button mapping so you can use the A and B buttons properly.
## Menu Usage
Gamepad buttons:
- **D-pad LEFT** / **RIGHT** : next/previous application (graphical mode)
- **D-pad UP** / **DOWN** : Next/previous item in the menu (text mode)
- **A** (Circle): Launch selected application
- **SELECT: ** toggle text / graphical mode
- **Any button:** wake from screensaver
## Emulator (in game)
Gamepad buttons:
- **SELECT** + **START** : exit to menue
- **SELECT** + **UP** / **SELECT** + **DOWN** : switches screen modes.
- **SELECT** + **A** / **B** : toggle rapid-fire.
- **START** + **A** : Toggle framerate display
- **Fruit Jam Only**
- **Button 1** (on board): Mute audio of built-in speaker. Audio is still output to the audio jack.
- **SELECT** + **UP** : Toggle scanlines.
- **Button 2** (on board) or **SELECT** + **RIGHT** : Toggles the VU meter on or off -- NeoPixel LEDs light up in sync with the music rhythm
Info: The standard NES style layout is used for all controller types. So when using XInput controllers, B and A are swapped.
## USB Game Controller Latency
Using a USB game controller introduces some latency. The classic controllers over I2C have less latency.
## Guide Products
### Adafruit Fruit Jam - Mini RP2350 Computer
[Adafruit Fruit Jam - Mini RP2350 Computer](https://www.adafruit.com/product/6200)
We were catching up on a recent [hackaday hackchat with eben upton](https://hackaday.io/event/202122-raspberry-pi-hack-chat-with-eben-upton) and learned some fun facts: such as the DVI hack for the RP2040 was inspired by
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/6200)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/6200/guides)
### USB Game Controller with SNES-like Layout
[USB Game Controller with SNES-like Layout](https://www.adafruit.com/product/6285)
This is a generic USB game controller, which plugs into to provide a two-handed gaming experience for retro gaming, or really any game you want to use a handheld rather than keyboard controller! Use it with your Raspberry Pi or desktop computer while playing emulated games, or as a...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/6285)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/6285/guides)
### SD/MicroSD Memory Card (8 GB SDHC)
[SD/MicroSD Memory Card (8 GB SDHC)](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1294)
Add mega-storage in a jiffy using this 8 GB class 4 micro-SD card. It comes with a SD adapter so you can use it with any of our shields or adapters. Preformatted to FAT so it works out of the box with our projects. Tested and works great with our
Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1294)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1294/guides)
### Black Woven USB C to USB A Cable - 2 meters long
[Black Woven USB C to USB A Cable - 2 meters long](https://www.adafruit.com/product/6324)
This cable is not only super-fashionable, with a woven pattern in classic Adafruit black, it's also made for USB C for our modernized breakout boards, Feathers, and more.
First, let's talk about the cover and over-molding. We got these in custom colors, and if you...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/6324)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/6324/guides)
### 5V 2A Switching Power Supply w/ USB-A Connector
[5V 2A Switching Power Supply w/ USB-A Connector](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1994)
Our 5V 2A USB power adapter is the perfect choice for powering single-board computers like Raspberry Pi, BeagleBone, or anything else that's power-hungry!
This adapter was specifically designed to provide 5.25V, not 5V, but we still call it a 5V USB adapter. We did this on purpose to...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1994)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1994/guides)
### HDMI Cable - 1 meter
[HDMI Cable - 1 meter](https://www.adafruit.com/product/608)
Connect two HDMI devices together with this basic HDMI cable. It has nice molded grips for easy installation, and is 1 meter long (about 3 feet). This is a HDMI 1.3 cable.
We're now stocking a very fancy Official Raspberry Pi cable with overmolding and a Pi logo. Please note...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/608)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/608/guides)
### Adafruit Wii Nunchuck Breakout Adapter
[Adafruit Wii Nunchuck Breakout Adapter](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4836)
Dig out that old Wii controller and use it as a sleek controller for your next robot if you like. The Adafruit Adafruit Wii Nunchuck Breakout Adapter fits snugly into the Wii connector and performs the level shifting and power regulation needed to use the controller with any microcontroller or...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4836)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4836/guides)
### STEMMA QT / Qwiic JST SH 4-Pin Cable - 50mm Long
[STEMMA QT / Qwiic JST SH 4-Pin Cable - 50mm Long](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4399)
This 4-wire cable is 50mm / 1.9" long and fitted with JST SH female 4-pin connectors on both ends. Compared with the chunkier JST PH these are 1mm pitch instead of 2mm, but still have a nice latching feel, while being easy to insert and remove.
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4399)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4399/guides)
## Related Guides
- [Adafruit Wii Nunchuck Breakout Adapter](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-wii-nunchuck-breakout-adapter.md)
- [USB Game Controller with SNES-like Layout](https://learn.adafruit.com/usb-game-controller-with-snes-like-layout.md)
- [Adafruit Fruit Jam](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-fruit-jam.md)
- [Fruit Jam Mac Emulator](https://learn.adafruit.com/fruit-jam-mac-emulator.md)
- [IoT Air Quality Sensor with Adafruit IO](https://learn.adafruit.com/diy-air-quality-monitor.md)
- [NeoPixel Rotary Fidget](https://learn.adafruit.com/neopixel-rotary-fidget.md)
- [Flappy Nyan Cat Game on Fruit Jam and Metro RP2350](https://learn.adafruit.com/flappy-nyan-cat-game-on-metro-rp2350.md)
- [Adafruit ESP32-C6 Feather](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-esp32-c6-feather.md)
- [CircuitPython Animated Holiday Wreath Lights](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuitpython-animated-holiday-wreath-lights.md)
- [Air Quality Monitor and Case](https://learn.adafruit.com/aqi-case.md)
- [How to Make Games in MakeCode Arcade](https://learn.adafruit.com/how-to-make-games-on-makecode-arcade.md)
- [Using a Raspberry Pi as a Router](https://learn.adafruit.com/using-a-raspberry-pi-as-a-router.md)
- [Adafruit QT Py ESP32 Pico](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-qt-py-esp32-pico.md)
- [Adafruit KB2040](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-kb2040.md)
- [Adafruit Metro ESP32-S3](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-metro-esp32-s3.md)
- [Raspberry Pi Video Synth with Blinka and Processing](https://learn.adafruit.com/raspberry-pi-video-synth-with-blinka-and-processing.md)
- [Stepper Motor Turntable](https://learn.adafruit.com/stepper-motor-turntable.md)
- [Adafruit RP2040 CAN Bus Feather](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-rp2040-can-bus-feather.md)