Configure recalbox for a Bartop or Arcade Cab (EN)

If you want to use a RPI with recalbox to create a Bartop or an Arcade Cab, you can easily configure recalbox to fit your needs.

A - GPIO

You can configure the recalbox GPIO driver in the recalbox.conf. That driver create two joysticks on the system directly controlled by Raspberry Pi GPIO (the pins).
That way you will not need any third party usb controller, you just have to connect your controls on the GPIO.
See GPIO controllers Mini How-to

B - Video configuration

Many bartops are made with old LCD screens or CRT TVs.

• VGA Screen
  You will need a HDMI to VGA convertor (it's an active convertor). The ~10$ are OK. You might want to change the video mode to default for all your games in recalbox.conf (global.videomode=default) if your are on a 4/3 screen.

• DVI Screen
  You will need a HDMI to DVI adaptor (it's a passive convertor). You will want to change the default hdmi drive in config.txt. See Connect your recalbox to a DVI screen

• CRT Screen
  You will need a jack to RCA with video cable. You must change the video mode to default for all your games in recalbox.conf (global.videomode=default). You must also change your config.txt according to Connect your recalbox to a CRT screen

C - Audio configuration

You can select the output audio peripheral in recalbox.conf. Use audio.device=jack if you want to force the jack audio output or audio.device=hdmi to force hdmi audio.

D - Menu Configuration

You might want to disable kodi in recalbox.conf (kodi.enabled=0) in order to remove the kody shortcut on X button. That will also remove the Kodi entry in the menu.
You might also want to change the menu settings, still in recalbox.conf :

• For ES :
• By setting the system.es.menu to bartop, you will only have access to few options when you press Start to go to the EmulationStation menu.
• By setting the system.es.menu to none, only the game selection menu (SELECT) will be available.
• For emulators :
• By setting the system.emulators.specialkey to nomenu you will disable the access to emulators menus
• By setting the system.emulators.specialkey to none you will disable all specials keys in games except the exit combination.