I've recently started tinkering with Raspberry Pi and love it. I got a Raspberry Pi 3b and eventually got a second one. I've got one setup as a retro console with Retropie in a mini Nintendo case. The other, I'm just using as a computer with Raspian while I learn more about Raspberry Pi and how it works. While I've been doing this, I've had one project eating away at me. Something I've always wanted to do...build my own handheld console! Now, I've seen kits on websites that allow you to basically make a copy of the original Gameboy. I've even seen some with the button layouts that could work with Super Nintendo games. However, I'm really hoping to go a little further on the kind of control inputs. This is where I'm hoping members of this forum, with far more knowledge than I, could point me in the right direction.
My hope is to build a handheld with a controller layout that would possibly work with PlayStation 1 games. I've found kits and parts that would work with the classic D-Pad with 4-6 buttons and two shoulder buttons placed on the back. But finding something that had not one, let alone two, thumbsticks is difficult. So far, my best option I've been able to find is a simple setup like the gentleman in this video made:
https://youtu.be/nIOIT-bHJcY
A very simple setup with a Raspberry Pi using a 3.5-inch screen with a case that contains the screen and Raspberry Pi. Then, using a controller with a phone clip to hold the Pi and screen (connecting via Bluetooth). Then, a power bank to power the Pi and screen. For what I'm hoping to accomplish, I may have to go this route it seems. However, I thought I'd ask to see if anyone has any ideas where I could go from here.