MiSTer Explainer – A Classic Gaming Device to Master Them All

I have earned a reputation for being something of a proselytizer when it comes to the MiSTer project. And although my colleagues no longer respond to their doors when they see me knock, you, my dear reader, voluntarily clicked on this story! And I’m glad you did, so I can share with you this explanation which is definitely not a pamphlet on why MiSTer is so exciting and why I think maybe you will find it exciting too!

What is a MiSTer and do I have to write it that way?

MiSTer is an open source project designed to recreate the functionality of classic PCs, arcade games, and consoles as accurately as possible. To do this, the MiSTers use FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) technology. While most processors have a fixed architecture, FPGAs are designed to be reconfigured to clone whatever older gaming hardware they are programmed for. If you’re familiar with Analogue’s Super NT and Mega SG clone consoles (which are designed to play 16-bit Nintendo and Sega games with precision), then you’ve got the idea.

And you can write it however you want! The concept of capital letters, and the title itself, comes from an old FPGA-based project called MiST that was designed to run retro computers like the Amiga and Atari ST. So that’s aMega and Atari ST.

The MiSTer project picks up on that previous project, but relies on a more powerful and readily available development kit with an FPGA, plus HDMI, USB, microSD, and more, at its core. Because it is built on a commercially available standard foundation, it can be expanded in many interesting and open source ways. This is where much of the confusion and complexity comes from, but also the fun and excitement of the MiSTer project. It’s a retro gaming rig that you can build yourself, but that continues to evolve thanks to a dedicated community of brilliant fans.

Intel / Terasic

Why can’t I use a software emulator to run roms? Why is the MiSTer better?

This is one of the most controversial topics in the retro gaming community. How is an FPGA-based solution different from a software emulator? Is better? You will often see a hesitation in the use of the word “emulator” when talking about FPGA platforms. But just because some software emulators are bad doesn’t mean that all software emulators are bad or that the emulation itself is bad. The MiSTer is an emulation machine, and one that focuses quite specifically, one might even obsessively say, on precision.

But I’ve always found the number of options within software emulators to be … disgusting. The MiSTer is a refreshingly simple machine. It almost feels like an appliance. There is a simple interface, available both in-game and before you load a kernel. Select a kernel, which configures the FPGA to emulate your chosen hardware, and from there load a game to play. There are settings to be sure, but they are easy to ignore unless you want to dig deeper. And you know you’ll get an authentic experience without having to make any adjustments. Finally, you can relive your Prince of Persia glory days on Apple II, or Puzzle Bobble on Neo Geo.

Ok, I’m interested. How do I build one? Can’t I just buy it somewhere?

Oh well, I’m so excited for you. Therefore, the easiest way to start is to buy a pre-assembled unit from a reputable store. In the US, both MiSTer Plugins and Zerohimself are frequently cited (I have bought a handful of components from MiSTer Addons myself). For Europeans, Last MiSTer in Portugal it is frequently cited. The official MiSTer forums have a list of stores and you can get an idea of ​​its quality from the threads. A pre-built drive will get you the SDRAM upgrade, an I / O board, a USB hub, and maybe a case, with prices starting around $ 370 and up depending on options. That $ 370 will give you access to everything the MiSTer can run today, with extra money going towards a case (like this passively cooled aluminum case) or other updates, such as a power switch or Wi-Fi dongle or controllers.

But if you want to go the DIY route, you’ll need a DE10-Nano first, which you can get for around $ 170. You can get one from one of the stores above or directly from places like Digikey and Mouser. While many of the plugins are optional, to get the widest compatibility (read: Neo Geo, for example) you’ll want to start with the 128MB SDRAM, which you can get for around $ 60. Then all you need is an SD card loaded with the MiSTer software; I recommend using the Mr. Fusion installation method – adding the Script Update_All_MiSTer to your SD card, connecting the DE10-Nano to an ethernet port and running that script. You now have a fully updated MiSTer.

Do I need the IO board? What about the USB hub? What about Wi-Fi? I just want to play some games!

You don’t need the IO board if you don’t plan to use the analog output for a CRT display. There is a digital I / O board, which includes the fan, a digital audio output, but it cannot be sent to a CRT simultaneously. If you only want CRT output, you can use the HDMI port of the DE10-Nano and an inexpensive adapter to output 240p video to a CRT with minimal lag. Just a note: make sure you get an adapter with a compatible chipset!

As for the USB hub, any USB hub will work, although a powered hub is required to use a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth adapter. A USB hub designed for the MiSTer will fit well under the DE10-Nano and give you seven ports to work with. the owner of MiSTer Addons made a comprehensive spreadsheet with latency measurements for literally hundreds of controllers. You can even use classic controllers with a low latency USB adapter like the open source Daemonbite adapters.

If you don’t have an Ethernet cable nearby, you’ll want a Wi-Fi adapter. It’s simply the easiest way to keep your MiSTer up to date (and with Samba file sharing, it is also very easy to place files individually on the SD card). There are a list of compatible adapters here, although it does not include the model i have been using during the last 18 months.

Speaking of games, what consoles and / or computers does MiSTer currently support?

There are … many consoles that the MiSTer can handle. For consoles, it is really well represented until the fourth generation (or the so-called 16-bit era), although the cores for the Now saturn and Sony PlayStation are currently under development. You can get an idea of ​​the full list of arcade cores here, and the rest of the cores are listed on the right rail.

You’ll also have access to dozens of arcade cores, including the full Capcom CPS1 and CPS2 libraries. There are dozens of classic computing platforms, including many that I have never heard of, and many well-known such as 486, Atari ST, Apple II +, Sharp X68000, ZX Spectrum, and more.

And the games? Since there is no port for cartridges, ummm …

This is where things get a little dangerous. Unlike analog consoles, which include cartridge ports for a fully plug-and-play experience, MiSTer requires you to bring your own ROMs. Maybe you’ve already broken your carts or your disc-based games, or you could acquire something like the Retrode 2 to dump their carts now.

You may find it ethically acceptable to download ROMs for games that you own in other formats. Personally, I don’t have any Neo Geo cartridges, but I do have a large collection of games bought from GoG.com, and the MiSTer core can conveniently use the files it contains. the GoG and Humble releases of some Neo Geo games.

How you acquire the ROMs to play in MiSTer is up to you and your relative comfort, but there are legal ways to enter your collection in MiSTer if you are not comfortable downloading what Google shows you.

Where should I stay informed about the MiSTer project?

One of the cool things about the MiSTer project is seeing what the community presents each week. As an older person, it reminds me of the early days of MAME, when new arcade games were constantly being added. This list is by no means exhaustive, but this is where I mostly find out what’s going on.

• RetroRGB: A mainstay of the retro gaming scene and a great place to learn about new developments in the MiSTer community.
• The official MiSTer forums son, well, it’s a forum on MiSTer. This is a great place to look for answers or to ask questions that have not yet been answered.
• SmokeMonster: Distributes the analog console jailbreaks (which allow you to run roms and other software), and is generally a trusted voice within the community. He also did the video series which finally convinced me to get a MiSTer.
• There are many Patreons for MiSTer developers. One of the most prolific core developers of MiSTer is Jose Tejada (aka Jotego), which publishes your work for free after an initial beta period. You will need to run the Update_All_MiSTer script to get its work as it is not pulled from the main repository.
• Alexey Melnikiv (also known as Sorgelig) is the creator of the MiSTer project.
• Sergey Dvodnenko (aka srg320) is working on the Sega Saturn core.
• Robert Peip (aka FPGAzumSpass) is working on the Sony PlayStation core, but it has also produced some of the most notable work on the platform, including items like savestates, fast forward, and split screen support in the Game Boy core.

There’s a lot more to discuss, but I’ve already held you back and I don’t want to be a bother. But if you have more questions, or just want to talk about Golden Ax, what Jotego just released its sponsors on Friday – I’ll be in the comment section below.