The RP Engine

A couple of weeks ago I was searching for some information about something, I can’t remember what, I went to PCEWorks website. If you don’t know PCEWorks they re-release Japanese software, mostly NEC stuff (hence the name). This mostly results in CD versions of PC Engine HuCard games.

Connected to this they had added a page for a project of theirs called the Mega Engine. This looked like a cool device which put a PC Engine and CD Drive into one svelt box (it looks a little like a Mac-mini in fact). Upon doing further research I found out it was just a Raspberry Pi running RetroArch which has recentlyish added limited CD support.

So I thought, well – could I just make a version of it that was open-source? It was mostly a glorified Pi case anyway, it would need space for the Pi, a laptop CD drive and some way to connect a joypad.

Construction information here: https://re-enthused.com/the-rp-engine/

Print Settings

Printer:

FLSun QQS-Pro

Rafts:

Doesn't Matter

Supports:

Yes

Infill:

20%

Notes:

You might find that the clip for the USB socket is too weak at 20% infill, so you may have to print the body higher.

Post-Printing

Components list and build page

Here's the components I used:

USB Hub, Amazon: £24.99 https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0002AFZVM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

External CD/DVD Drive, Amazon: £21.99 https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07JGWBLVH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Power Jack, Amazon: £7.99 https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08QHZP2SX/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Sliding switch, Amazon: £7.99 https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07Z4RW9X6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Nuts and Bolts, Amazon: £16.38 https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09DT2H7Z6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Panel mounted USB port, RS Components: £7.24 https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/usb-connectors/2188307

PCE Controller Adapter: £30.00 https://www.raphnet-tech.com/products/pc_engine_to_usb_adapter/index.php

HuCard Reader Aliexpress: £38.69 https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006173610508.html

HuCard Reader Amazon Japan: 7,980 yen https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/GAMEBANK-web-com-Damper-Separately-Engine-Suction/

Further build information is available here: https://re-enthused.com/the-rp-engine/

Category: Video Games