RetroPie is a gaming emulator that allows you to play vintage games on your Raspberry Pi, ODroid C1/C2, or PC. After installing RetroPie on your Raspberry Pi or PC, you have to choose the controller to play the classic video games. If you like using a keyboard for gaming, you might be wondering whether you can use it to play games on RetroPie.
So, can you use a keyboard with RetroPie? You can use a keyboard to play games on RetroPie. If you are used to playing video games with a keyboard, you can configure your keyboard to play classic games on RetroPie. You can also change the keyboard layout on RetroPie to suit your gaming style.
When mapping your Keyboard on RetroPie, ensure that you select the most common keys that can be used on numerous games for the same input. Mapping your keyboard will ensure that you do not have to reconfigure your keyboard every time you launch a different game on RetroPie. You can use both a wired or wireless connection to connect your keyboard to RetroPie.
RetroPie is a great video game emulator that lets you play classic arcade, console, and PC games using a minimum setup. When it comes to gaming, you have to select the right controller or have a bad gaming experience.
If you are a big fan of playing classic video games, RetroPie is a great emulator that can turn your Raspberry Pi into an amazing gaming system. After installing RetroPie on your PC, you have to select a good controller that you can use to play games without any issues. If you are used to gaming on your PC with a keyboard, you might be wondering if you can use it with RetroPie.
You can use a keyboard as a controller on RetroPie because it supports keyboard and console controllers. When choosing a keyboard, you have to configure it and map controls by selecting the keys you would like to use in a game. Mapping makes gaming easier using a keyboard because you can choose the keys you prefer in gaming.
You can use either a wireless or wired keyboard to play games on RetroPie. Not all keyboards are perfect for gaming; hence, there are certain things you have to consider before choosing a gaming keyboard for your RetroPie, such as size, comfort, and type of connection, among others.
When choosing a keyboard for gaming on RetroPie, you need to consider the keyboard’s size. Raspberry Pi is a small single-board computer that is designed to save space. If you bought it to save space on your desk, there is no need to buy a big keyboard to play games on RetroPie. A full-size keyboard has close to 104 keys, and you do not need all of them to play a game.
A small keyboard can work perfectly on RetroPie without sacrificing a good gaming experience. If you are looking for a small keyboard, choose the one without a number pad. If the number pad is crucial for the games you are looking to play on RetroPie, go for a keyboard with a number pad.
Another thing to consider is the type of connection you will use to connect the keyboard to your Raspberry Pi or PC. You have the option of using a wired or wireless keyboard to play video games on RetroPie.
A wired keyboard uses a standard USB cable to connect to the Raspberry Pi or PC. Using a wired keyboard reduces latency but restricts your movement. A wireless keyboard will connect to your Raspberry Pi or PC using Bluetooth, but you might experience high latency and have to interrupt gaming to charge its battery.
The best connection to use on RetroPie is a wired connection because it has low latency, no need to charge, and no need to use other devices to connect it to your gaming pc, such as the Bluetooth adapter.
Comfort is also an important aspect when choosing a keyboard for gaming on RetroPie. You need to choose a controller that does not put a lot of strain on your fingers and wrists. You also need to choose a keyboard with well-spaced keys to avoid pressing the wrong keys while gaming. Avoid using a keyboard with unnecessary keys that might interrupt your gaming.
For example, do not get a keyboard with the “Windows” key next to the “Control” Key; if you accidentally press the “Windows” key while playing a game, it will disrupt your game. You can purchase a gaming keyboard that has wrist stands that help reduce cramping on your wrists.
How To Use RetroPie With a Keyboard
Some gamers prefer to use keyboards as a controller while playing video games on their gaming PCs. If you want to play classic games on RetroPie, you have the option of using a console controller or a keyboard and mouse. If you are new to PC gaming, you might be wondering how you can use RetroPie with a keyboard.
To use RetroPie with a keyboard, you first need to set up the keyboard as the controller. Launch RetroPie, and a message will pop up on your screen with a message prompting you to press any button on your device to configure it.
Before you press any button, ensure that the keyboard is connected to your Raspberry Pi or PC. Press any key on your keyboard, and the word “Keyboard” will appear at the bottom of the pop-up window.
After pressing any key on your keyboard, the screen will change to a configuration page. Choose the keys you will use while gaming and press “ok” to confirm your selections on the configuration page. You can now use your keyboard to navigate the menu, change settings and play video games with keyboard support.
Unlike other gaming controllers, you have to map your keyboard the first time you connect it to your Raspberry Pi or PC. Mappings enable you to select the keys you need to play the video games and navigate the menu.
When configuring your keyboard on RetroPie, the “configuring” page displays the console controller buttons on the left and keyboard keys on the right. Before configuring, the right side will be empty, and all slots will be designated as “NOT DEFINED”. To map your keyboard, press the key that you want to perform the task of the console controller button.
For example, on “D-PAD UP,” press the “Arrow-up” key on your keyboard. You do not have to fill every key on your keyboard, just select the keys you think are necessary for gaming and navigating the menu and leave the rest empty.
Gaming using a keyboard is not easy, especially if you have never used it to play a video game before. If you are used to playing video games with a console controller, gaming with ease might take some time when you switch to a keyboard.
There are certain things you can do to get better at gaming using a keyboard. One of them is to memorize the keys that you commonly use to play a video game. After some time, your body will develop muscle memory, and you will not have to look down to your keyboard every time you need to press a certain key.
If it is your first-time gaming with a keyboard on RetroPie and you want to get better at it, you should start with a slower-paced game. Do not launch a game that requires you to press numerous keys within a short period.
A slow-paced game lets you memorize which keys are important on your keyboard without affecting your gaming experience. For example, start with racing games that mostly rely on the “Arrow” keys. After some time, try playing fast-paced games to see if your gaming skills on a keyboard have improved.
Another thing you should do to improve your gaming skills on a keyboard is to keep your keys consistent in every game. RetroPie allows you to configure your keyboard at any time; hence, gamers are free to change the keys if the ones set before are not working. However, changing the keys every time will not help in improving your gaming skills.
Using the same keys on multiple games will help improve your accuracy, and once you get better, you can not change the settings to suit a certain game. Other things you can do to improve your gaming skills on a keyboard include practicing, aiming with your elbow, and using a gaming keyboard.
How Do I Add a Trackball To RetroPie?
A trackball is a pointing device that PC users or gamers can use to position a pointer on a screen. It is a common device that gamers use to play certain arcade and home console video games. If you want to play a retro game on a RetroPie that needs a trackball, you might be wondering how you will add it to the emulator.
To add a trackball to RetroPie, go to your desktop and type the IP address of your RetroPie, and a window will open with four folders named “bios”, “configs”, “roms” and “splash screens”.
Open the “configs” folder, open the “all” folder and look for the file named retroarch-core-options.cfg and open it using the Notepad program. Add the line, mame2003-mame_current_mouse_enable = “enabled” and save the changes. You can either use the MAME 2003 core or MAME 2010 core on RetroPie.
Plug in the trackball using a USB cable and launch RetroPie, open the RetroPie configs, and turn on “Mouse enabled.” Launch any game on RetroPie that uses a trackball and check if it is working. You should also note that the trackball only works in-game; you cannot use it to navigate the menu on RetroPie.
Some of the best arcade video games had a trackball as part of the controls. As gamers shifted focus to home consoles, game developers did not deem it necessary to include the trackball in the console controller. However, you can still find trackballs to play classic arcade video games on RetroPie.
One of the advantages of using a trackball on RetroPie is better control. You can use recent console controllers and keyboards to play retro arcade video games, but the control might not be accurate. Since some of the arcade games were meant to be played with a trackball, you might have a better gaming experience if you connect to your Raspberry Pi or gaming PC.
Another advantage of using a trackball on RetroPie is the trackball does not require a lot of desk space, a clean surface, or a mousepad to function. You do not need to pick it up and move it every time you make movements on the screen.
The trackball has a ball on top which can move the pointer with the slightest of touch. You can place your trackball anywhere and still use it as long as it is in a stable position. Other advantages of using a trackball on RetroPie include less strain on your wrist, reduced accidental movements, and low latency if you use a wired connection.
There are many trackballs you can use on RetroPie. Before deciding which one you should buy, check if the trackball has high accuracy, a wired connection, programmable buttons, and an ergonomic design. The best trackball you can use on RetroPie is the Kensington Orbit Trackball Mouse with Scroll Ring.
The scroll ring at the top of the Kensington mouse is fast and accurate. You can use it to play games on RetroPie and navigate your Raspberry’s menu and other programs. This trackball is also small; hence, will not take up a lot of space on your desk. You can purchase the Kensington Trackball on Amazon for 32 US dollars.
Wrap Up
A keyboard can be a perfect controller on RetroPie if you set it up and configure it correctly. It is easy to configure the keys, and you can make changes to the controls any time you want. However, if you are new to gaming using a keyboard, it is best to stick to the same keys to ensure you get better at using the keyboard.
A trackball is perfect for gaming, especially if the game has trackball support. The process of adding it to RetroPie might be a little complicated, and if you think you cannot add it, you can ask another gamer who is using it to help you. If you like gaming with a mouse, you can purchase a two-in-one device that contains the trackball and mouse. You can alternate between the trackball and mouse depending on the game you want to play on RetroPie.
