DIY retro console projects have exploded in popularity lately, with makers everywhere building their own emulation boxes to recapture that cartridge-era gaming magic. Most of these projects either rely on expensive new components like Raspberry Pi alternatives or create exact replicas of classic consoles. The Stock Pot’s “3D Print Your Own Game Console” project takes a refreshingly different approach.
Instead of starting with fresh hardware, this clever build repurposes surplus corporate mini PCs that are flooding the second-hand market as businesses move away from Windows 10. These compact machines, like the HP ProDesk 600 G4 Mini used in the project, pack serious performance into tiny footprints while costing a fraction of their original price.
Designer: Dillon Stock (The Stock Pot)
The sustainability angle makes this project genuinely compelling. Rather than letting perfectly good i5 processors and solid-state drives become e-waste, you’re transforming them into living room centerpieces. For around $180 USD, you get hardware that can handle everything from classic arcade games to modern PC streaming through services like Moonlight.
Where this project really shines is in its approach to design. Instead of copying the PlayStation or Nintendo aesthetic that dominates most retro builds, The Stock Pot created something that feels nostalgic without being derivative. The custom 3D-printed enclosure draws inspiration from classic hi-fi equipment and vintage console design language, but the result looks distinctly modern.
The case design is split into easy-to-print modules that work on standard 3D printers using PETG or PLA filament. The front features a recess for decorative inserts, letting you customize the look with materials like laser-cut wood, acrylic, or whatever matches your living room aesthetic. The creator used Tasmanian blackwood for a warm, natural accent that elevates the whole build.
Software setup stays flexible with options for both Windows users running Retrobat and those who prefer the full Batocera Linux experience. The system handles classic emulation beautifully while doubling as a compact media PC or even a small home server. Paired with wireless controllers from companies like 8BitDo, the finished console looks and feels like something you’d actually want on your entertainment center.
The open-source nature of the project means all the resources you need are freely available through GitHub and community platforms. Assembly instructions, compatibility guides, and even hardware kits for sourcing fasteners make the build accessible, whether you’re a seasoned maker or a complete beginner. The accompanying YouTube tutorial walks through the entire process step by step.
What sets this project apart from other DIY retro consoles is how it balances sustainability, customization, and original design thinking. Rather than just recreating the past, The Stock Pot has created something that honors retro gaming culture while addressing modern concerns about e-waste and personal expression.
For anyone tired of generic plastic emulation boxes or expensive vintage hardware, this project offers a third path that’s practical, personal, and visually distinctive. It proves that sometimes the best way to celebrate gaming’s past is by building something entirely new for the future.
The post Revive Old Mini PCs as Retro-Inspired DIY Gaming Consoles first appeared on Yanko Design.