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|logo          = mister.png
 
|logo          = mister.png
 
|logowidth    =  
 
|logowidth    =  
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|orig-developer = [https://github.com/sorgelig Sorgelig]<br/><small>(aka Alexey Melnikov)</small>  
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|orig-developer = [https://github.com/sorgelig Sorgelig]<br/><small>(aka Alexey Melkinov)</small>  
 
|developer    = MiSTer-devel<br/><small>(MiSTer Team)</small>
 
|developer    = MiSTer-devel<br/><small>(MiSTer Team)</small>
 
|version      = [https://github.com/MiSTer-devel Git]
 
|version      = [https://github.com/MiSTer-devel Git]
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==Setup==
 
==Setup==
 
<!--this is based on a quick skim through the wiki. there may be more that could be needed-->
 
<!--this is based on a quick skim through the wiki. there may be more that could be needed-->
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Follow [https://github.com/MiSTer-devel/Wiki_MiSTer/wiki/How-to-start-with-MiSTer these] [https://github.com/MiSTer-devel/Wiki_MiSTer/wiki/Setup-Guide two] pages to get started (and [https://github.com/MiSTer-devel/Wiki_MiSTer/wiki/SDRAM-Board this one] if you plan on using a core that requires SDRAM).
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Follow [https://github.com/MiSTer-devel/Main_MiSTer/wiki/How-to-start-with-MiSTer these] [https://github.com/MiSTer-devel/Main_MiSTer/wiki/Setup-Guide two] pages to get started (and [https://github.com/MiSTer-devel/Main_MiSTer/wiki/SDRAM-Board this one] if you plan on using a core that requires SDRAM).
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'''Other updater scripts:'''
 
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Besides the default script, there are more powerful third-party updater scripts for automatically downloading the hardware cores and software files that you would want for a MiSTer device:
 
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* [https://github.com/atrac17/MiSTer_MAME_SCRIPTS MiSTer_MAME_SCRIPTS] (A MAME getter for downloading MAME & HBMAME files. This can be done after running the main MiSTer update script.)
 
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* [https://github.com/theypsilon/Update_All_MiSTer Update_All_MiSTer] (Great , comprehensive updater script with customisation.)
 
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* [https://github.com/MiSTer-devel/Downloader_MiSTer MiSTer Downloader] (Similar to the Update All MiSTer script from the same creator, [https://www.patreon.com/theypsilon theypsilon], but with fixes & improvements.)
 
  
 
==Overview==
 
==Overview==
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|SuperStar
 
|SuperStar
 
|-
 
|-
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|[[Atari 8-bit|Atari 800 XL]]
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|[[Super Nintendo emulators|SNES (Super Famicom)]]
 
|Computer
 
|Computer
 
|SuperStar
 
|SuperStar
 
|-
 
|-
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|[[Atari ST Line|Atari ST/STe]]
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|[[Atari 8-bit|Atari 800 XL]]
 
|Computer
 
|Computer
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|WIP
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|SuperStar
 
|-
 
|-
 
|[[Amiga Line|Amiga]]
 
|[[Amiga Line|Amiga]]
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|SuperStar
 
|SuperStar
 
|-
 
|-
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|[[POS_(Pong_Consoles)_CPUs_and_Other_Chips#Intel_CPU.27s|ao486]]
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|[[Intel CPUs|ao486]]
 
|Computer
 
|Computer
 
|SuperStar
 
|SuperStar
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|[[Neo Geo and variants|Neo Geo]]
 
|[[Neo Geo and variants|Neo Geo]]
 
|Console
 
|Console
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|SuperStar
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|WIP
 
|-
 
|-
 
|[[Sharp X68000 emulators|Sharp X68000]]
 
|[[Sharp X68000 emulators|Sharp X68000]]
 
|Computer
 
|Computer
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|WIP
 
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|-
 
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|Sony Playstation
 
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|Console
 
 
|WIP
 
|WIP
 
|}
 
|}
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The project also maintains schematics for add-on boards that users can add onto the DE10-nano. All of them are optional for the basic usage of the FPGA, but some cores may require the SDRAM board.
 
The project also maintains schematics for add-on boards that users can add onto the DE10-nano. All of them are optional for the basic usage of the FPGA, but some cores may require the SDRAM board.
  
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;SDRAM:Allows FPGA cores to use memory that's better suited for reimplementations.  Highly recommended, but even without the additional SDRAM module, many cores will still function when using the 1GB of DDR3 ram that comes on the De-10 Nano board itself.  SDRAM modules generally come in two sizes; 32MB and 128MB. With the 32MB module, you can play 99% of what is available on MiSTer.  The 128MB module currently is only required for a handful of Neo Geo games (about 15% of the library), but this includes notable ones like Metal Slug 3 and Garou.
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;SDRAM:Allows FPGA cores to use memory that's better suited for reimplementations.
 
;I/O:Adds a VGA connector, a 3.5mm audio jack, optical audio, three buttons, three LEDs, a secondary SD card slot, a USB 3.0-like expansion connector, and a fan that cools the FPGA. The DE10-nano only includes an HDMI connector, so this board is needed if one wants VGA support. The I/O board already features zero-latency analog video output if a RGB, component or other cables is used.
 
;I/O:Adds a VGA connector, a 3.5mm audio jack, optical audio, three buttons, three LEDs, a secondary SD card slot, a USB 3.0-like expansion connector, and a fan that cools the FPGA. The DE10-nano only includes an HDMI connector, so this board is needed if one wants VGA support. The I/O board already features zero-latency analog video output if a RGB, component or other cables is used.
 
;RTC:Provides a real-time clock for enthusiasts. The clock can be automatically configured if the FPGA is connected to the internet via the DE10's Ethernet port, and only two cores make use of it anyway.
 
;RTC:Provides a real-time clock for enthusiasts. The clock can be automatically configured if the FPGA is connected to the internet via the DE10's Ethernet port, and only two cores make use of it anyway.
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;USB hub:Adds seven USB ports under the main board. MiSTer supports 1000hz polling for USB devices and can achieve input latency under 1ms depending on the controller used.
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;USB hub:Adds seven USB ports under the main board.
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;SNAC:The Serial Native Accessory Converter(SNAC) board allows original controllers and peripherals to connect directly to the FPGA with latency matching original consoles.  This is especially useful for light guns, but also works with a wide variety of other accessories like multi-taps, mice and 3D glasses.
 
  
 
====Controllers====
 
====Controllers====
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;Bliss-Box BlisSTer: [https://bliss-box.net/support] Alternative to the USB hub.  This product from Bliss-Box makes similar utilization of the ultra-low-latency API found in the MiSTer range for adapting native controllers. The Bliss-Box LLAPI (Low Level API) is a protocol written for the Bliss-Box Bridge not yet released but was adopted in the Mister cores available here [https://github.com/Kitrinx/LLAPI]. The BlisSTer enables original console controllers that inter-operate with Bliss-Box's universal adapter chips to connect to a MiSTer hardware (Read their Support page for more details). If you already have the Bliss-Box adapters [https://bliss-box.net/ 4-Play or Gamer-Pro] then you can use a level shifter that plugs on to the serial I/O port on the input board. Level shifters can be made (simple design) or bought from Bliss-Box. The Bliss-Box also works with consoles like original Xbox and Nintendo Switch<ref>[http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=52566 Bliss-Box now goes live to a console near you.] (Racketboy thread. Thu Jan 10, 2019.)</ref>. The BlisSter [https://paradisearcadeshop.com/home/electrical/pcbs-lighting/pcbs-for-controllers/2595_blisster-rev2-usb-hub-by-bliss-box?ipa=0&ins=/ BlisSTer],[https://misterfpga.co.uk/product/blisster-v2/ or HERE] input board for the MiSTer has USB and HDMI ports. Adapter cables can be ordered along with the BlisSTer for original controllers to be used with those HDMI ports in low-latency mode. Support for the BlisSTer at this time is not in the main fork but you can use these cores [https://github.com/MiSTer-LLAPI]
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;LL Cool Joy:Ultra-Low-Latency Controller Board<ref name="LL Cool Joy">[https://www.retrorgb.com/mister-ll-cool-joy-ultra-low-latency-controller-board-update.html 'LL Cool Joy' naming update] (October 20, 2018)</ref>. This is a controller add-on board that links to the I/O board and is made by ElectronAsh & rattboi. ElectronAsh officially named it the "LL Cool Joy". It is designed to support native controllers of original retro consoles and third party controllers with those native ports. <ref>[https://www.retrorgb.com/mister-ultra-low-latency-controller-add-on-board.html Controller board news] on RetroRGB. The ports are "DB15 (Neo Geo MVS/AES/CD, and Arcade), DB9 (Genesis, Atari, etc), & RJ45 (MC Cthulhu standard) inputs. RJ45 dongles could be made for any controller under the sun as long as code is added to support them. This would bypass the need to use USB controller adapters (which all add some lag) to plug in native controllers." (October 12, 2018)</ref> It also has USB ports for extra convenience.
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;Bliss-Box BlisSTer: [https://bliss-box.net/support] Alternative to LL Cool Joy.  This product from Bliss-Box makes similar utilization of the ultra-low-latency API found in the MiSTer range for adapting native controllers. The Bliss-Box LLAPI (Low Level API) is a protocol written for the Bliss-Box Bridge not yet released but was adopted in the Mister cores available here [https://github.com/Kitrinx/LLAPI]. The BlisSTer enables original console controllers that inter-operate with Bliss-Box's universal adapter chips to connect to a MiSTer hardware (Read their Support page for more details). If you already have the Bliss-Box adapters [https://bliss-box.net/ 4-Play or Gamer-Pro] then you can use a level shifter that plugs on to the serial I/O port on the input board. Level shifters can be made (simple design) or bought from Bliss-Box. The Bliss-Box also works with consoles like original Xbox and Nintendo Switch<ref>[http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=52566 Bliss-Box now goes live to a console near you.] (Racketboy thread. Thu Jan 10, 2019.)</ref>. The BlisSter [http://misteraddons.com/product/blisster/ BlisSTer] input board for the MiSTer has USB and HDMI ports. Adapter cables can be ordered along with the BlisSTer for original controllers to be used with those HDMI ports in low-latency mode. Support for the BlisSTer at this time is not in the main fork but you can use these cores [https://github.com/MiSTer-LLAPI]
  
 
<u>Note:</u> Check the Racketboy retrospective in Resources list below as it particularly covers these solutions to using old controllers well.
 
<u>Note:</u> Check the Racketboy retrospective in Resources list below as it particularly covers these solutions to using old controllers well.
  
 
==Comparison to alternatives==
 
==Comparison to alternatives==
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MiSTer FPGA has reached the point where it has surpassed the commercial offerings from Analogue, as well as other open source FPGA developments like MiST, SiDi, etc.
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If you are interested in buying an FPGA board/unit(s) to accurately recreate retro consoles, that at the same time plays well on modern visual screens (TVs, computer monitors, etc), it might be better to get one of the sophisticated [[FPGA|FPGA clones]] from Analogue covering one console and parts for this MiSTer board covering a wide array of console cores:
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:- '''Analogue Super NT''': This clone recreates the normal SNES/Famicom console almost perfectly. It doesn't support all the special chips embedded inside select game carts. However, you may buy the SD2SNES cart from Ukrainian developer Krikkz from one of the many online stores. It supports the vast array of special chips found in those special carts, including the SuperFX and SA-1 (Both added in firmware updates in 2018). Though it has a large added impost of $200 US on top of the clone. MiSTer on the other hand has gradually been adding support for several special chip game types, though not everything yet.
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:- '''Analogue MegaSG''': Another clone from Analogue, this one recreates the regular Sega Megadrive/Genesis console line perfectly. It doesn't support the Sega Genesis 32X or SegaCD add-ons. However, TerraOnion, another firm that probably made the world's first ever FPGA-driven flash cart for any retro console with a cart for the Neo Geo console in the late 1990's (Needs citation/research), has started releasing a new FPGA-based SegaCD drive simulator cart called the MegaSD for the Megadrive hardware and MegaSG clone. While inserted into original Megadrive, the MegaSD is compatible with the 32X add-on and SegaCD add-on; but is NOT able to support the 32X hardware while inserted into the MegaSG probably due to the complications arising from signalling routines that were shared between the original Megadrive and 32X hardware. It does support the SegaCD hardware perfectly with the MegaSG. A curious tidbit: The MegaSD cart couldn't support the only game cart embedded with a special chip called the "SVP" for the game ''Virtua Racing'' (One of many ports of a Sega Model 1 arcade original). The MiSTer officially supported that SVP game in [http://www.atari-forum.com/viewtopic.php?f=117&t=31926&start=400#p375795 mid-2019]!
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:- '''MiSTer''': Your mileage may vary as to which one of the Analogue-made clones that you want along with a MiSTer setup. The cores currently found in the MiSTer range for top 16-bit consoles like the SNES and/or Megadrive are not necessarily as fully compatible nor perfect with all games (Both normal carts and those with many special chips) as an Analogue unit and recommended flash cart can achieve.
  
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==Cores currently in development==
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Otherwise, if you really can only afford one FPGA unit to do it all, then the MiSTer hardware with add-on boards & a 3D-printed case is really the one to pick; it however requires some reading and learning to set up.
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Current cores being developed include numerous arcade cores, as well as [https://www.patreon.com/jotego NeoGeo Pocket], [https://github.com/srg320/Saturn_MiSTer Sega Saturn], and [https://www.patreon.com/FPGAzumSpass Nintendo64] (amongst many others)  As far as the limit of what is possible on the platform currently, Saturn is at the edge of what is considered to be remotely feasible from the DE-10 Nano board that MiSTer uses. The Nintendo 64 was expected to require a more powerful FPGA and memory configuration to work correctly, but Robert Peip ([https://twitter.com/AzumFpg @AzumFpg on Twitter]) recently showed the first game running, and hopes to eventually release the full core. However, more advanced consoles will likely not be possible on the platform. Follow [https://www.youtube.com/c/LusRetroSource Lu's retro source] to keep up to date on cores that are in development or when they are released.
 
  
 
==Resources==
 
==Resources==
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* [http://www.racketboy.com/retro/mister-fpga-the-future-of-retro-game-emulation-and-preservation Racketboy's retrospective] (February 20th, 2019. MUST-READ for everybody interested in learning about origins of FPGA used for simulating retro game systems and getting started with the MiSTer! There is also a big topic on controllers & their solutions.)
 
* [http://www.racketboy.com/retro/mister-fpga-the-future-of-retro-game-emulation-and-preservation Racketboy's retrospective] (February 20th, 2019. MUST-READ for everybody interested in learning about origins of FPGA used for simulating retro game systems and getting started with the MiSTer! There is also a big topic on controllers & their solutions.)
 
* [https://forums.overclockers.com.au/threads/mister-fpga-computer-console-arcade-hardware-simulation.1253887/ MiSTer FPGA (computer/console/arcade hardware simulation)] (forums.overclockers.com.au thread. Started on Oct 14, 2018 and running across many pages. It has nice coverage of many basic summaries, embedded video links especially for new & updated system cores, feedback and advice.)
 
* [https://forums.overclockers.com.au/threads/mister-fpga-computer-console-arcade-hardware-simulation.1253887/ MiSTer FPGA (computer/console/arcade hardware simulation)] (forums.overclockers.com.au thread. Started on Oct 14, 2018 and running across many pages. It has nice coverage of many basic summaries, embedded video links especially for new & updated system cores, feedback and advice.)
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* [https://misterfpga.org Official MiSTer forum] (Mainly for discussions on development of cores, packaged kits, info of changelog updates, sale page links and etc.)
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* [http://www.atari-forum.com/viewforum.php?f=117&sid=e1a3c9bbe02eb1d3d12ffbcd1766b8cb Atari-Forums MiSTer subforum] (Mainly for discussions on development of cores, packaged kits, info of changelog updates, sale page links and etc.)
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* [https://discord.com/invite/4xKVg4XVYn Official Discord channel] for MiSTer FPGA (Good community. You can sometimes find some FPGA devs there.)
 
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* [https://archive.org/download/mi-ster-console-bios-pack/MiSTer_Console_BIOS_PACK.zip MiSTer Console BIOS Pack] (Necessary BIOS files for various console cores on the MiSTer)
 
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* [https://github.com/theypsilon/Update_All_MiSTer theypsilon's update_all script] (Very helpful improved updater script that includes a lot of files to get you up and running easily)
 
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* [https://www.youtube.com/c/LusRetroSource Lu's retro source] (Stay up to date on the latest MiSTer developments, core releases, and hardware peripherals.)
 
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
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* [http://www.atari-forum.com/viewtopic.php?t=33650 Core availability on the MiSTer] (Atari-Forum thread. Tue May 08, 2018. Early comparisons between the original MiST hardware and this new MiSTer fork regarding supported system cores. Original developer of both hardware, Sorgelig, also discussed in this conversation.)
 
* [http://www.atari-forum.com/viewtopic.php?t=33650 Core availability on the MiSTer] (Atari-Forum thread. Tue May 08, 2018. Early comparisons between the original MiST hardware and this new MiSTer fork regarding supported system cores. Original developer of both hardware, Sorgelig, also discussed in this conversation.)
 
* [https://gamebroscentral.com/fpga-technology-how-does-it-preserve-retro-gaming/ FPGA Technology: How Does It Preserve Retro Gaming?] at Game Bros Central (August 12, 2019. By Lord Gamesly. An article with several topics including a summary; Limitations of Emulation; Use of FPGA in clone consoles, flash carts & resolution enhancements; and Final Thoughts.)
 
* [https://gamebroscentral.com/fpga-technology-how-does-it-preserve-retro-gaming/ FPGA Technology: How Does It Preserve Retro Gaming?] at Game Bros Central (August 12, 2019. By Lord Gamesly. An article with several topics including a summary; Limitations of Emulation; Use of FPGA in clone consoles, flash carts & resolution enhancements; and Final Thoughts.)
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[[Category:Forks]]
 

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