/r/fpgagaming
A subreddit dedicated to gaming hardware, clone consoles, flashcarts, and other accessories based on field-programmable gate array (FPGA) technology. This subreddit is open once again for discussion.
"What the hell is an FPGA!?"
A field-programmable gate array (FPGA) is an integrated circuit (IC or 'chip') that is designed to be configured after manufacturing. FPGAs, like application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), are typically designed and customized to perform a variety of specific, often complex tasks. However, unlike ASICs, FPGAs are designed to be fully or partially reconfigurable, making FPGAs a kind of digital electronics 'shapeshifter' with the ability to change design and functionality via reconfiguration.
"Ok, but... What do FPGAs have to do with gaming?!"
FPGAs provide incredible flexibility for digital electronics design and engineering, including gaming hardware. They have been used to create one-to-one recreations of a variety classic gaming hardware, often adding new features or modern upgrades. They have been used to create powerful flashcarts for consoles that support memory mappers, enhancement co-processors, or other on-cart logic. They have been used to create low-latency video upscalers or line multipliers that allow old, original hardware to be played on modern high-resolution displays in a way that not only looks great, but feels responsive.
Without a doubt there are other cool, interesting, and useful ways that FPGAs can be used to create fun and original gaming devices in the works and more waiting to be explored! Better yet, the reconfigurable nature of FPGAs means they can switch between different functions or possibly perform multiple functions at one time!
"Sounds great! But, how do you configure FPGAs?"
While FPGAs make development of custom chips much more affordable and accessible than ASICs, it's worth noting that FPGA development can be a somewhat expensive and is undoubtedly an involved process with a lot of requisite knowledge and skills.
Not only do you need an FPGA development board with enough logic elements and IO pins, but you also need a strong understanding of electronics engineering, digital logic, and usually proficiency in a hardware description language (HDL, such as Verilog or VHDL). Strictly speaking, HDLs are not 'programming languages', however it can be convenient to think of them as analogous - programming languages describe software, while HDLs describe hardware. Finally, you need to have a good understanding of the problem domain. For example, if you're trying to re-implement a game console on an FPGA, it goes without saying that you need to have an in-depth understanding of how that particular console works.
In other words, FPGAs make creating custom chips relatively accessible and affordable, but it still isn't cheap or easy! This is a somewhat advanced topic in electronics, so it's recommended that beginners first look into learning the basics of electronics and digital logic first.
"Where can I learn more?"
The MiSTer is an open source and community developed FPGA-based console and arcade board hardware emulation project. The MiSTer is a great way to get into FPGA gaming, whether you're interested in development or just want to play some great community-made cores!
It's older brother, the MiST is a bit less powerful and geared towards 16bit computer and 8bit console cores, but is still very popular and (unlike the MiSTer) based on an entirely open hardware platform.
Classic Gaming Discord Community
The Classic Gaming community on Discord is one of the best places to chat in real time about this whole "FPGA gaming" thing, among other things. There are other fans and developers online pretty much all the time.
Other Reddit Communities:
Note 1: We're currently accepting some submissions of non-FPGA-related content of a similar nature; CPLD, microcontroller, bare-metal (minimal/OS free), custom electronics hardware, etc. Contact the moderators if you have questions about posting non-FPGA content!
Note 2: While many subreddits ban self-promotion, we allow it! If you're working on something cool, interesting, or useful for the benefit of the FPGA gaming scene--whether it's an open project or a commercial product--please feel free to post about it. Not only are anti-promotion rules stupid and easy to circumvent, I don't think they really achieve anything useful. While we don't want daily spam posts advertising the same thing over and over again, we do want to know about the latest developments of whatever you're working on!
/r/fpgagaming
20,805 Subscribers
Snac issue. Multiplayer won't work
I bought a snax (snacv2) off Mr add-ons and I'm using it for NES. Problem is the multiplayer function won't work. Actually only one port off the snax works. It's not the controllers nor the HDMI wire because I tested them all on that one port and work but none on the other port. Anyone have a fix?
17:49 UTC
What was your delivery date for your Taki Udon SuperStation when you ordered?
Seeing a lot of conflicting info out there about estimated shipping dates. The website today says Q4 2025 for the $179.99 option. The sold out $149.99 option used to say Q3 2025.
I remember (rather bleary eyed at 2:05AM local time, 5 mins after pre-orders went live) seeing March 2025 for the founder's edition (the one with the special pre-order link sent by email)
What was the date you remember seeing on the order page?
23:03 UTC
SNES/SFC Cartridge use in FPGA Gaming
Hey everyone, I don't have a Super NT and was wondering if there are any rumblings of some new FPGA system in the works that can run SNES/SFC Cartridges? I have an SNES but I almost hate putting wear and tear on it these days, and would kind of rather be able to use something like a SuperNT, but the prices have gotten astronomical and I don't see that changing.
As a side note, I just ordered my SuperStationOne and am excited for that!
03:01 UTC
Anyone order a retro console from Sipeed?
03:25 UTC
Pre-order in đ
Pre-order the SuperStation One đ
Any else that order one?
03:09 UTC
GB Boy Colour - are these worth anything to clone collectors?
I have a blue pretty minty clone console I bought back in 2018 that never got used - I know some people collect these hardware clones but any idea where I could sell mine? And to whom would these be of any value to?
11:02 UTC
TechTalk | Optimizing Power and Performance: LTPI and MIPI for Small-Footprint FPGAs with Lattice
15:06 UTC
Mister Console Question
Question: Can you set up a mister to have themed usb drives to play different consoles? Essentially using separate usb drives as separate "everdrives". Like playing an n64 game with an n64 controller, finishing it and then powering down, putting in a ps1 usb drive and controller, and power back up. Will everything "just work" or can I make a script to make it "just work". Can it be set up that the usbs are just content that can be easily added to? This not for me but someone else who is basically competent in computers.
Backstory: My uncle has a somewhat large retro video game collection. And he doesn't only play retro games, he also has a PS5, XSX, and Steamdeck that lives connected to his oled tv. His sound system is using hdmi arc as well. Because of all that though, he has to disconnect something to play retro games. It's kind of a hassle.
What I want to do is set up a mister that can cover his retro game library, that won't have the Netflix problem of rom lists. Preferably, he could have a n64 usb stick that has one folder labeled "n64_games" that he can easily add or remove games from his laptop. And something similar for snes,ps1,Genesis,etc. I also know he prefers to use original/usb reproduction controllers for the appropriate system. I am pretty sure something like this can be done, I just don't want to drop hundreds of dollars without being sure though.
13:48 UTC
How far are we from being able to have 3D acceleration on computer cores?
Everyone exclusively talks about console and arcade.
I know this won't really be possible until the next generation of FPGA boards. The Cyclone V doesn't have quite the amount of logic elements needed for it. With ~4X the amount of logic elements, could the Agilex board support early Pentium and VoodooFX chips?
18:21 UTC
3DO FPGA WIP
Oh wow! This seems fairly far along already - canât wait for this.
21:21 UTC
Can you arrange the MisterFPGA to be horizontal rather than vertical stack ?
Can you arrange the MisterFPGA to be horizontal rather than vertical stack ? Or is there some kind of extension cable to connect them to sit them next to each other rather than stack the 3 boards on top ?
I ask because I want to see if I can house it in different retro cases rather than those tiny cube cases and the mister seems to be too tall for the cases I think I could otherwise fit it into.
09:50 UTC
MiSTer FPGA Saturn core hits update all!
22:07 UTC
The People Behind FPGA Gaming | MiSTer & Analogue Pocket Edition
22:18 UTC
ModRetro Chromatic: Homebrew FPGA cores possible?
Should someone (like myself) make an alternative FPGA core, is there anything on the way of programming the Chromatic's FPGA with it?
Such as encryption or signatures. The FPGBC has this problem, and it is the reason I have avoided that device.
I am surprised their FAQ does not mention this.
03:05 UTC
[Guide] Playing games from your own cartridges on MiSTer FPGA
16:35 UTC
Zaploader Nt coming soon
4-in-1 Zaparoo NFC reader supporting SNES & GB carts plus Standard & Zaparoo trading cards.
01:32 UTC
This is rolling me BACK like a cassette tape!
Amazing Spider-Man on Game Boy.
22:01 UTC
All the potential arcade cores the SH2 cpu code could benefit
16:43 UTC
how would one get the songs off a bootleg handheld console?
first post here, hoping i'm writing where i should. i was cleaning out a drawer and came across a couple old bootleg amazon game systems, the ones that load those 90000-in-1 carts. how would i get the files off them? not the roms or any games loaded on the carts, i'm looking for the sprites and the music :)
20:32 UTC
Do I need a memory pak for N64 if I'm using SNAC?
As the title, just want to make sure before I pull the trigger on the Forever Pak. If I'm going to use SNAC, do I need to get a memory pak for the controller or is there some wizardry I haven't seen in MISTer to save for me?
Thank you Reddit, hope you're all having a good holiday!
15:43 UTC
Mister Pi Controller opinion
Afternoon everyone, question for you all, also sorry for the dumb questions I've been having.
Christmas is now in the past which means back to saving my hard earned money. I have a SN30 Pro bluetooth (original, looks like the SNES controller just with PlayStation sticks).
Will it be a good controller for my Mister Pi, also should I leave it plugged into my Mpi via usb or will the BT work just as good.
Again thanks for any feedback.
20:42 UTC
Can FPGA run modded games at smooth frame rates?
Correct me if Iâm misinformed here. If the hardware of a console, say n64, is being emulated by a powerful enough device, then it stands to reason that games could be played at much higher frame rates if the game is modified to do so. Is that accurate?
15:00 UTC
Will this 2.4 M30 work with Mister?
Hi, I am tired of Bluetooth being unreliable, will this work with the MiSTer?
8Bitdo M30 2.4G Wireless Gamepad for Sega Genesis Mini and Mega Drive Mini and Switch with 6-Button Layout (Black) https://a.co/d/geyvIb9
I think my other option is the 2.4g that has legit Sega Genesis ports and make an Arduino adapter, but I'm not sure I want to do that project. I don't want SNAC here because I want to use them for Saturn as well.
I'd also take links to USA shipped Daemonbite style adapters if there's any stores doing it!
04:47 UTC
Looking for the right QMTech dev board for my project
I want to buy several QMTech dev boards in bulk in the future because I'm working on a project where I'll be building several handheld FPGA gaming devices. I just want to find the right balance of cost vs quality and I'm seeing varying prices on Aliexpress. I'm more familiar with Terasic's DE10 Nano and I want to make sure it meets all the minimum requirements first like having SDRAM etc. It needs to have a slim form factor and be able to fit into a small handheld shell, but yet still be powerful to play most consoles from most eras. It will need IO/HDMI ports for external connections.
Is there anything I should look out for? Because when I try and search it, it's vague listings that don't say much. Is there a specific serial number on the CPU that would help nail it down?
I keep seeing these boards being listed for low prices but I don't think they have everything I need: https://imgur.com/a/fBHI0zA
13:08 UTC
SuperSEGA gone wild!
22:07 UTC
Thoughts on recent coupons for Mister Pi's.
Before I even received my package for the Mister Pi, apparently there were some coupons being offered that cut the price in half. I've reached out to their sales team on steps to return it but haven't heard anything back. On principle, I'd never keep a purchase where there is a 50% discount before I can even get my hands on the product. I just think it's bad business. The return policy is pretty strict, so time is of the essence.
Anyone have any positive or negative feedback when interacting with this outside of the initial purchase?
04:12 UTC
Mister Pi
My Mister Pi came in the mail yesterday, I'm about to start assembling it now. Are there any instructions in how to assemble it in the blue acrylic case? Thanks so much for the help.
22:18 UTC
MiSTer Image
Found a 1TB MiSTer image in ArcadePunks from 2023.
It took days to download as itâs split into 1GB chunks, then days to unarchive, and a day to burn to microSD, and it looks fully formed with lots of scripts to run.
Leaves about 160GB of space on a 1TB.
21:33 UTC