MiSTer Explainer: A Classic Gaming Device to Rule Them All

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

What is a MiSTer and should I enter it this way?

MiSTer is an open source project designed to recreate the functionality of classic PCs, arcade games and consoles as precisely as possible. To do this, the MiSTs use FPGA (field-programmable gate array) technology. While most processors have a fixed architecture, FPGAs are designed to be reconfigured to clone whatever old gaming hardware they are programmed to. If you are familiar with the Analog Super NT and Mega SG clone consoles (designed to accurately play 16-bit Nintendo and Sega games), then you’ve got the idea.

And you can type it as you like! The vanity of the cap, 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. It is therefore aMidga and Atari ST.

The MiSTer project builds on this previous project, but is built around a more powerful and readily available development kit with an FPGA – plus HDMI, USB, microSD, etc. – in his heart. Because it is built on a standard, commercially available basis, it is extensible in many interesting ways and open source. This is where much of the confusion and complexity, but also the fun and excitement, of the MiSTer project comes from. It’s a retro gaming rig that you put together yourself, but continues to evolve thanks to a dedicated community of brilliant amateurs.

Stock photo of the DE10-Nano development board, the heart of any MiSTer version.
Intel / Terasic

Why can’t I just 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 it better? You will often see a reluctance to use the word “emulator” when talking about FPGA platforms. But just because some software emulators are bad doesn’t mean all software emulators are bad or the emulation itself is bad. The MiSTer is an emulation machine, and one that focuses quite specifically – you might even say obsessively – on accuracy.

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

This is the simple yet powerful MiSTer main menu. (Wallpaper via the MiSTerWallpapers Script)
Chris Grant / Polygon

Okay, I’m interested. How to build one? Can’t I buy it somewhere?

Oh well, I’m so excited for you. So the easiest way to get started is to buy a pre-assembled unit from a reputable store. In the United States, both MiSTer add-ons and Zerohimself are frequently cited (I bought a handful of components myself from MiSTer Addons). For Europeans, Ultimate master in Portugal is frequently cited. MiSTer’s official forums have a list of shops and you can get an idea of ​​their quality from the threads. A pre-built unit will get you the SDRAM upgrade, an I / O card, a USB hub, and maybe an enclosure, with prices starting at around $ 370 and up, depending on options. That $ 370 will give you access to everything MiSTer can run today, with extra cash for a case (like this passively cooled aluminum housing) or other upgrades, like 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 at any of the stores above, or direct from places like Digital key and Mouser. Although most add-ons 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 MiSTer software – I recommend using the Mr. Fusion installation method – added Script Update_All_MiSTer to your SD card, by connecting the DE10-Nano to an Ethernet port and running this script. You now have a fully updated MiSTer.

A pre-assembled MiSTer unit, with IO board (top), DE10-Nano (middle) and USB hub (bottom)
MiSTeraddons.com

Do I need the IO card? What about the USB hub? What about Wi-Fi? I just wanna play some games!

You don’t need the IO card 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, digital audio output, but cannot output to a CRT simultaneously. If you only want CRT output, you can use the HDMI port of the DE10-Nano and a cheap adapter to get 240p video output to a CRT with minimal lag. Just a note: make sure you have 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 nicely under the DE10-Nano and give you seven ports to work with. The owner of MiSTer Addons has produced a comprehensive spreadsheet (and more readable database version) with latency measurements for literally hundreds of controllers. You can even use regular controllers with a low latency USB adapter like the open source Daemonbite adapters.

If you don’t have an Ethernet cable nearby, you’ll need a Wi-Fi adapter. It’s just the easiest way to keep your MiSTer up to date (and with Samba file sharingit is also very easy to drop individual files onto the SD card). There are a list of compatible adapters here, although it does not include the model I use in the past 18 months.

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

There are… a lot of consoles the MiSTer can handle. For consoles, you are really well represented until the fourth generation (or the so-called 16-bit era), although cores for the Sega Saturn and Sony PlayStation are currently in 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, many of which I’ve never heard of, and plenty of familiar platforms like 486, Atari ST, Apple II +, Sharp X68000, ZX Spectrum, and more.

What about the games? Since there is no cartridge port, uh …

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

Maybe you find it ethically acceptable to download ROMs for games you own in other formats. I personally don’t own any Neo Geo cartridges, but I have a large collection of games purchased from GoG.com and conveniently the MiSTer kernel can use the files inside GoG and Humble versions of some Neo Geo games.

Metal Slug X running on MiSTer’s Neo Geo kernel
Chris Grant / Polygon

How you buy the ROMs to play on the MiSTer is up to you and your relative comfort, but there are legal ways to integrate your collection into the MiSTer if you are not comfortable downloading everything. Google offers you.

Where should I stay informed about the MiSTer project?

One of the exciting things about Project MiSTer is seeing what the community has to offer each week. As a senior, 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 mainly find out what’s going on.

  • The MiSTer Official GitHub where is not everything but a lot magic happens. In addition to the many code repositories stored here, there are the official wiki which serves as an excellent reference for many subtleties of the platform. Being a wiki on a fast moving project means you may find some stuff out of date … but it’s a wiki, get in there and make it work.
  • RetroRGB: A mainstay of the retro gaming scene and a great place to learn more about new developments in the MiSTer community.
  • The official MiSTer Forums are, well, this is a forum on MiSTer. It’s a great place to look for answers or to ask unanswered questions.
  • For a more real-time experience, consider joining the MiSTer FPGA Official Discord Server.
  • SmokeMonster: It distributes analog console jailbreaks (which allow you to run roms and other software), and is generally a trusted voice within the community. He also made the video series which ultimately convinced me to get a MiSTer.
  • There are many Patreons for MiSTer developers. One of the main developers of MiSTer is Jose tejada (aka Jotego), who publishes his work for free after an initial beta period. You will need to run the Update_All_MiSTer script to get its job done, as it is not checked out from the main repository.
  • Alexey Melnikov (aka Sorgelig) is the creator of the MiSTer project.
  • Sergei Dvodnenko (aka srg320) is working on the Sega Saturn kernel.
  • Robert peip (aka FPGAzumSpass) is working on the Sony PlayStation kernel, but it has also produced some of the most notable work on the platform, including saves, fast forwarding, and support for split screen in the Game kernel. Boy.

There’s so much more to discuss, but I’ve babysat you already and don’t want to bother. But if you have any other questions, or just want to talk about Golden Ax – let Jotego just made public to his supporters on Friday – I’ll be in the comments section below.

The author’s MiSTer, alongside original controllers and adapters for that extra-authentic experience.
Chris Grant / Polygon



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