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[VGEsoterica]

Didn't see that one coming. $50 cheaper than Analogue 3D, an enhanced core from FPGAZumSpass based on the MiSTer FPGA N64 core...and the hardware will be open to port any cores over to it anyone would want. And considering it's going to have a much larger Logic Element footprint than the Cyclone V on the MiSTer FPGA with it's Cyclone V and much better memory functionality...its now just a $200 FPGA console that happens to play N64 carts

That is going to sting Analogue

 

[RoboFu]

I knew FPGA retro consoles where about to blow up when I started seeing FPGA hdmi nes consoles appear on Aliexpress. I will be surprised if we do not start seeing a lot of these in the near future.

 

[diffusionx]

ok now im interested

 

[Dacvak]

Wonder if it's powerful enough to handle a NAOMI core. That would be incredible.

 

[Quasicat]

So for those that follow the fpga hardware, what can this do well? I'm sure it can do up to PlayStation, but what about Saturn or even Dreamcast?

 

[squidilix]

FPGA running 100% accuracy the N64 (same framerate droping etc.. ?)or it's just emulation?

 

[Raven77]

Literally like reading Chinese.

I'm interested but have no clue WTF you just said.

 

[Quasicat]

Literally like reading Chinese.

I'm interested but have no clue WTF you just said.

Exactly. I just want to know what it can do and how to do it.

 

[VGEsoterica]

Literally like reading Chinese.

I'm interested but have no clue WTF you just said.

Ok that's fair

The FPGA chip is designed, as all FPGA chips are, to be programmable. That means. "Cores" (think of them as drivers almost) are loaded into the cores as files. That reconfigures logic gates inside the FPGA chip to basically…become the hardware it's running

FPGA needs to be a PS1? It configures the FPGA for a MIPS CPU and the 3D hardware for a PS1. Plus all the rest of the silicon

Want to play Saturn next? Load the core file and the FPGA configures the logic to be a Hitachu SH2 (dual cpu designs) and VDP 1 and VDP 2 for Saturn

It functions differently than software emulation as it's a parallel processing approach vs software being a step or sequential process

So the cores program the FPGA chip to "be a N64"

 

[crazyriddler]

Literally like reading Chinese.

I'm interested but have no clue WTF you just said.

An FPGA is basically a chip that can be physically configured like other chips, so it can recreate classic consoles at the hardware level. It's like having many classic consoles that are identical to the original hardware.

Logic elements are responsible for recreating the chips, so the more you have, the more advanced hardware you can recreate.

This N64 FPGA has more than the Mister machines (which are the ones that recreate the most consoles), so in short, you can have all the machines available on Mister and who knows, maybe even Dreamcast (the latter is not possible with Cyclone V).

 

[Raven77]

Ok that's fair

The FPGA chip is designed, as all FPGA chips are, to be programmable. That means. "Cores" (think of them as drivers almost) are loaded into the cores as files. That reconfigures logic gates inside the FPGA chip to basically…become the hardware it's running

FPGA needs to be a PS1? It configures the FPGA for a MIPS CPU and the 3D hardware for a PS1. Plus all the rest of the silicon

Want to play Saturn next? Load the core file and the FPGA configures the logic to be a Hitachu SH2 (dual cpu designs) and VDP 1 and VDP 2 for Saturn

It functions differently than software emulation as it's a parallel processing approach vs software being a step or sequential process

So the cores program the FPGA chip to "be a N64"

An FPGA is basically a chip that can be physically configured like other chips, so it can recreate classic consoles at the hardware level. It's like having many classic consoles that are identical to the original hardware.

Logic elements are responsible for recreating the chips, so the more you have, the more advanced hardware you can recreate.

This N64 FPGA has more than the Mister machines (which are the ones that recreate the most consoles), so in short, you can have all the machines available on Mister and who knows, maybe even Dreamcast (the latter is not possible with Cyclone V).

Thank you both! I get it now, mostly.

Definitely seems pretty exciting.

 

[kevboard]

meanwhile Analogue still not really showing their system...

 

[peronmls]

Just get an emulator. It's not an official console. No different than an emulator.

 

[awwr999999]

Modretro's actually a clever way of pressuring Nintendo into reopening their legacy platforms on a modern console with actual Nintendo HW.
They need to double down - add network connectivity with an online game shop and open the platforms to game studios.
They could do that with an add-on device like a WiFi enabled N64 cart with a microSD card slot for storing purchased ROMs.
From that point all they need to do is get a few big exclusive new games.
If it 'works' Nintendo will realize that they could do the exact same thing for far less money and bring AAA studios onboard with launch day exclusives.
If it doesn't 'work' Modretro will effectively own Nintendo's best platforms (minus the Nintendo branding).

 

[DreamcastSkies]

pressuring Nintendo into reopening their legacy platforms on a modern console with actual Nintendo HW.

I've wondered if Nintendo would ever do something like this. Make a retro console. Print physical copies of classic games that people can order from their store. I feel like there's got to be a market for that.

 

[ZehDon]

Just get an emulator. It's not an official console. No different than an emulator.

For something as complex and notoriously difficult to replicate as an N64, I'd be inclined to agree. I know FPGA chips can get close to cycle accurate with 16 bit systems, but I'd have to see some evidence to convince me they've gotten there for the N64.

 

[NeoIkaruGAF]

UI and compatibility with original physical games is going to be the next battlefield in the FPGA market until hardware comes out that can clearly surpass what we have now. Otherwise, you're just basically getting a choice of casing for a Mister, which has been available for a long time ( VGEsoterica , please correct me if this is too simplistic of a take on the current market). As user-friendly as the Mister is right now, it's still a geek's thing with a geek's interface.

Analog bet too much on the retro fetishist and collector's side of things, and it's now coming back to bite them in the ass. The Pocket is currently the only unique proposition they have that's really worth it above any alternative, but if Taki Udon really delivers on his promised handheld FPGA, even the Pocket may soon belong to history.

Just get an emulator. It's not an official console. No different than an emulator.

Yes and no. Many of these devices can output to an analog display with a bare minimum of tinkering with menus, which can't be said for emulators running on PC or most emulation devices. And speaking from direct experience, unless you're emulating on PC, setting up an emulation device, especially an Android-based one, requires a lot more time and information than I needed to assemble and get my Mister Pi running.

Sure, with emulators you get many more options.
As for accuracy, it'd be interesting to have side-by-side comparisons between original hardware, FPGA, and emulators. As much as I like VGEsoterica 's "one hundred percent as you remember it" shtick, an actual A-to-B showdown is long overdue. I remember watching a video briefly showing the same game running on FPGA and emulation and the emulator going out of sync in a matter of seconds, but that's too little.

 

[cyberheater]

What actual benefit is there to this rather than running something like a raspberry pi?

 

[bighugeguns]

What actual benefit is there to this rather than running something like a raspberry pi?

It replicates the feeling perfectly rather than emulating an approximation.

Outside of using real original hardware it is authentic.

There's nothing wrong with free emulation, but if perfect accuracy makes you happy then these things will blow you away. $200 for something this capable is peanuts.

 

[calistan]

What actual benefit is there to this rather than running something like a raspberry pi?

I guess it plays original cartridges, but otherwise the only thing you don't get from 'normal' emulation systems is enhanced geek cred. FPGA is just a fancy emulator, with all the pros and cons that entails.

 

[VGEsoterica]

I guess it plays original cartridges, but otherwise the only thing you don't get from 'normal' emulation systems is enhanced geek cred. FPGA is just a fancy emulator, with all the pros and cons that entails.

It really isn't; it's achieving a result via diff means. This isn't "Honda Accord or Porsche 911" where both are cars...but one is "more special"

It's more like "water colors vs oils" where both paint a picture but the method is wholly diff to get the result

 

[calistan]

It really isn't; it's achieving a result via diff means. This isn't "Honda Accord or Porsche 911" where both are cars...but one is "more special"

It's more like "water colors vs oils" where both paint a picture but the method is wholly diff to get the result

Ehh, I'm sure this debate goes around endlessly, but a core is still an emulator. It doesn't magically transform an FPGA chip into the original hardware any more than running SNES9X turns your PC into a SNES.

Also, when you're outputting the results to a 65" LCD TV with fake scanline filters I don't think either method can claim to be authentic. FPGA devices are cool (I do have one) but I think a significant part of their appeal is that they enable their advocates to distance themselves from common emulator plebs.