Choosing the right Raspberry Pi model for your gaming project depends on your specific needs and preferences. One important consideration is the presence of an HDMI port, which allows you to connect your Raspberry Pi to a display. If you require an HDMI port, you should avoid getting a Raspberry Pi Pico as it does not have one. Additionally, you will need sufficient USB ports for connecting controllers. A minimum of two USB ports is recommended. Furthermore, the chosen model should support an SD or microSD card where you can store your emulator and games.

In general, both the Raspberry Pi 3B+ and Pi 4 are suitable for gaming purposes. There are some differences between the two models, and they cater to different needs. For example, the Pi 4 offers significant improvements and comes with more RAM options, making it capable of running more complex games such as those from the Nintendo 64. After selecting your Raspberry Pi model, you can refer to this guide on turning it into a gaming console of your own: how to build your own retro gaming console with a Raspberry Pi.