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Fans of the Raspberry know that this inconspicuous credit-card sized module is perfect for many applications that seem too complex for a single board minicomputer. Entertainment applications are a perfect example – who would want to run resource-hungry games – 3D shooters, racing games or RPG – on a pocket-sized computer, while top titles from major studios require expensive gaming machines with powerful graphics cards to run smoothly? It turns out, however, that many games have been developed for Raspberry Pi (or adapted from PC versions), which, despite limited graphics quality, can really draw the player in with their storyline, vintage design or elements evoking sentimental associations with titles known from childhood.
Hardware preparation for 3D games on Raspberry Pi
3D games are by far the most popular choice for gamers, for the simple reason that 3D graphics best replicate reality and allow us to create worlds in which the protagonist moves in a way that mirrors our everyday behaviour. It’s no wonder that this category includes so many racing and war applications (both popular ‘shooters’ and strategy games), as well as popular historical games.
Despite limited resources, well-optimised applications can run surprisingly smoothly even on such compact machines as the Raspberry Pi – but it’s worth choosing the latest edition of the cult minicomputer, especially as the latest fourth generation Raspberries already offer up to 8GB of RAM and two HDMI outputs for connecting 4K monitors. A microSD card is also an important part of the set – we recommend branded cards with a speed corresponding to at least class 10, although a UHS 1 or UHS 3 card will have better read (and write) parameters. An excellent way to squeeze the maximum performance out of your Raspberry is to buy a casing with effective cooling – aluminium casing which is a large heatsink (preferably additionally equipped with a small fan) works great in this case.
Our selection of 3D games for Raspberry Pi
Once we have the hardware ready and the operating system installed (e.g. Raspberry Pi OS), we can move on to installing games. Unlike classic rankings, however, we will not be comparing individual titles, for a simple reason – it would be difficult to juxtapose an aggressive, dynamic shooter with a racing game in which the protagonist is a friendly pet. That’s why below we present a selection of what we think are the best 3D games available for the Raspberry Pi.
3D car games for Raspberry Pi
Supertuxkart is one of the most popular go-kart games among open source projects. It allows you to choose from many characters (including wildebeest, elves and penguins, and interestingly enough, some of the additional characters are based on popular programs and operating systems, such as Gimp, NSD or Pidgin), as well as switch between different modes and routes. The game supports multiplayer mode (on the same computer, in a local network or via the Internet).
TORCS (The Open Racing Car Simulator) is an excellent racing game, developed in C++ and distributed under GNU GPL license. It supports conventional (keyboard or mouse) and steering wheel control. Players can choose from dozens of different tracks, including winding alpine paths and oval sports tracks.
Shooting games for Raspberry Pi
QuakeSpasm – a free “clone” of the iconic Quake, available in a version developed specifically for the Raspberry Pi. The game has been heavily optimised for resource consumption and, surprisingly, even on older versions of the Raspberry Pi it was possible to achieve performance of 30 fps at 1080p resolution.
Open Arena – another first-person shooter based on Quake, but available as an open source project. It provides high-quality graphics, a large number of user-created maps and a variety of game modes (Team Deathmatch, Tournament or Capture the Flag).
Other 3D games
Extreme Tux Racer – a nice racing game, in which the user’s task is to control a good, fat penguin riding on his belly down the winding mountain slopes and collecting virtual fish placed all along the route. Perfect entertainment for both children and older players.
0AD – a real-time strategy historical game. The player’s task is to create an economy and build and strengthen an army, which in the final clash with the enemy will fight for victory by destroying all enemies. The game is characterized by an engaging storyline, but also excellent graphics, reproducing the smallest details of the virtual world.
FlightGear Flight Simulator – an advanced flight simulator, supporting numerous hardware controllers and additional screens. A great option is to use a 7″ touchscreen display as a monitor for presenting flight parameters or switches, sliders and knobs needed during the game. The only drawback of the game in the case of Raspberry Pi is the necessity of manual compilation from the sources, however, the effects that can be obtained perfectly compensate for the additional effort put into this operation.
Summary
In our ranking, we present six – in our opinion – the most interesting 3D games that can be run on the Raspberry Pi. Of course, the list is not exhaustive – many interesting, more or less known games can be found in numerous online repositories. One thing is for sure – whether you’re a fan of “bloody” shooters, racing, aerial acrobatics, or the cult Minecraft-style games – you’ll find titles that will allow you to break away from everyday life and immerse yourself in a world of virtual adventures.
