How much does a retro game console cost?

A retro game console setup built on a Raspberry Pi 4 typically runs $60–$180 total, depending on whether you already own the Pi and which preloaded SD card tier you choose — ranging from around $25 for a 64GB card up to $60–$80 for a 512GB Greatest Hits build.

The SD card itself is usually the most variable cost in a Raspberry Pi retro console build. A bare Raspberry Pi 4 board costs $35–$55, and you'll also need a power supply ($8–$12), a case ($5–$15), and an HDMI cable if you don't have one. Preloaded cards like Sonicon's handle the configuration work, so that cost replaces the 20–30 hours a DIY RetroPie setup typically demands.

• Preloaded retro gaming SD cards range from roughly $25 (64GB) to $80 (512GB Greatest Hits, 22,000+ games).
• A Raspberry Pi 4 board costs $35–$55 depending on RAM tier (1GB, 2GB, 4GB, or 8GB models).
• Full Raspberry Pi 4 retro console build, including card, Pi, case, and power supply: approximately $100–$160.
• Dedicated plug-and-play retro consoles (non-Pi, e.g., SNES Classic, Sega Genesis Mini) retail for $40–$80 with locked, smaller libraries.
• Arcade cabinet builds using a Raspberry Pi 4 and preloaded card start around $150 and scale up with cabinet hardware costs.