The Pimiga project has aimed to recreate the classic Amiga experience on modern Raspberry Pi boards. After successful releases of Pimiga 1 and 2, version 3 provides the ultimate Amiga environment yet for Raspberry Pi 4 and 400 devices.
Pimiga 3 comes packed with improvements and new features to take advantage of the Pi 4’s increased power. The download includes a preconfigured image with over 4000 Amiga games and applications ready to go. There is built-in support for connecting game controllers to play titles just like the original Amiga. The software also now emulates other systems like arcade machines, Mac OS, and DOS games. Audio, graphics and performance have been optimized. With Pimiga 3, Pi owners can finally achieve the authentic Amiga feel many have been nostalgic for. This latest release represents a major milestone for the project.
Downloading and Installing Pimiga 3
Getting Pimiga 3 running on your Pi 4 or 400 takes just a few steps. First, head to the official site to grab the disk image torrent. Once downloaded, use imaging software like Raspberry Pi Imager to write the image to your SD card or external USB drive.
Next, you’ll need to supply the required Kickstart ROM file that contains the Amiga firmware. The readme covers where to obtain this. Drop the renamed kick.rom file into the Kick folder on the boot partition.
With the image flashed and Kickstart ROM added, boot your Pi from the card. You’ll want to expand the disk partition using a tool like GParted to access the full capacity. The instructions warn that without expanding from the default 32GB you may run into storage issues.
That covers the essentials for getting Pimiga installed and booted up. There are additional tweaks covered in the documentation, but following these steps will get you started playing classic Amiga games.
Getting Audio Working
With Pimiga up and running, you may notice the audio isn’t working right away when launching games. Getting sound through the 3.5mm headphone jack on your Pi requires a couple quick settings changes.
First, press F12 to open the configuration menu. Under Audio, change the output from Digital Stereo to Analog Stereo. This switches audio to the analog jack rather than HDMI.
You can test if sound works now by launching a game. If you still don’t hear audio, go back to the audio settings and open the mixer. Toggling the different sliders on and off can help force sound to come through the jack.
It may take some experimentation based on your specific setup, but adjusting the audio output and mixer settings should take care of any missing sound issues. With the analog output configured, you can properly enjoy all the great chiptune soundtracks while reliving Amiga classics.
Setting Up Game Controller
To fully mimic the original Amiga gaming experience, you’ll want to use a gamepad rather than keyboard. Pimiga makes setting up controllers easy.
Connect your gamepad via a wireless dongle to one of the USB ports on the Pi. For example, you can use a wireless Xbox 360 controller.
With the gamepad paired, press F12 to open the configuration menu. Under Input, select Port 1 and set the device to your connected controller such as Xbox 360 wireless.
Now when you launch games, the controller will automatically work rather than needing to use keyboard keys. Your inputs will be smooth and responsive for titles that play best with a gamepad. The setup allows you to conveniently switch between keyboard and controller seamlessly.
With your controller configured, you have the full flexibility to control any game just as you remember. The intuitive gamepad support contributes to making Pimiga feel like your childhood Amiga.
Trying Out Amiga Games
With Pimiga fully set up, it’s time to dive into the massive game library. The system includes over 4000 titles spanning various Amiga models.
Launch iGame to browse and play the massive collection. You’ll see familiar icons for classics like 1943, Agony, Back to the Future, Barbarian, and many more. The library features iconic Commodore hits as well as lesser known gems.
For starters, let’s try out the seminal racer Super Skidmarks. The slick physics and trailing smoke remain impressive. The responsive controls and multiplayer options make this a timeless thrill.
Or revisit the arcade classic Bomb Jack with its crisp retro graphics and catchy soundtrack. Each stage poses an addictive challenge of timing jumps to collect bonuses while avoiding enemies.
No Amiga showcase would be complete without Barbarian, with its dramatic beheading flourishes. The gory fighter exemplifies the system’s arcade-quality visuals for the era.
Part of the joy is exploring the deep library to unearth childhood favorites or discover new retro experiences. Pimiga opens up the definitive Amiga game vault.
Testing Emulation
Beyond reliving Amiga classics, Pimiga 3 introduces new emulation capabilities. The added power of the Pi 4 allows running software from other systems in smooth emulation.
For example, iconic 90s FPS Duke Nukem 3D runs flawlessly out of the box. The WASD keys provide natural directional movement and mouse aiming feels precise.
The included MAME emulator opens up classics like Bomb Jack with authentic arcade gameplay. The smooth animation and sounds recreate the original experience.
The Mac OS emulator is particularly impressive. Mac OS 8 boots up complete with a suite of applications like Calculator, Note Pad, and more. Games like Prince of Persia capture the fluid animations that wowed users back then.
Seeing these different software libraries run seamlessly on the Pi 4 demonstrates the versatility of Pimiga. The Amiga was already ahead of its time, and now it can emulate decades of computer advancement.
Wrapping Up
Pimiga 3 represents a monumental achievement in preserving and enhancing the pioneering Amiga platform. The performance and compatibility seen on the Pi 4 and 400 would have astonished fans back in the day.
Navigating the intuitive menu system feels snappy and responsive. Games load quickly and run smoother than ever thanks to hardware advances. The immersive sound, expansive libraries, and controller integration make Pimiga feel like your own enhanced Amiga.
Beyond gaming, seeing capable emulation of advanced platforms like Mac OS shows what the system can now achieve. The possibilities expand beyond Commodore to open up new retro computing possibilities on Pi.
Credit goes to the developers who have clearly poured passion into this project. Their attention to detail in recreating the authentic Amiga look, feel, and functionality is impressive. For any retro enthusiast, Pimiga 3 is an essential part of your Raspberry Pi setup.
Pimiga Discord for any questions
https://discord.gg/UwNK7dpddV
See the creators channel Chris Edwards Restoration
for installation tutorial and download
https://youtube.com/c/ChrisEdwardsRestoration
Pimiga 3 video https://youtu.be/uw4GXLq2E9Q
My Amiga playlist
“Amiga 600 HD journey”
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMJAjiTgBtFlWUvTDxMEOihTNblhLlnxQ
Useful keys F10 to go back to i game menu
F12 for most other functions
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Amiga A500, A600, A1200, CD32
