MiSTer is an open project that aims to recreate various classic computers, game consoles and arcade machines using modern FPGA hardware. We plan to deep-dive on some of the retro computing cores – but first a project introduction and hardware overview.

INTRODUCTION

The base hardware is the Terasic DE10-Nano, which is built as a learning and development platform for FPGA. FPGA stands for Field-Programmable Gate Array – the key concept here is that FPGA circuits are designed to be configured by the developer after manufacturing (hence “Field-Programmable”).

HOW DOES A FPGA WORK?

An FPGA chip contains an array of programmable logic blocks, memory and interconnects that can be “wired together” by the developer. Developers write “Hardware Description Language” (HDL) – instructing the FPGA to create electronic circuits and compose logic gates into fully functional, working hardware.

Most importantly for retro-enthusiats, it’s possible to author HDL to replicate the hardware from old computers and consoles – perhaps even down to the circuit level. It’s possible to recreate an Amiga or Atari STinsidethe FPGA – and then run it for a very authentic retro computing experience. How authentic depends on the accuracy of the HDL implementation vs the original hardware.

WHAT IS MISTER?

Realising the potential of the DE10-Nano for retro computing, a developer known as Sorgelig started the MiSTer project with the specific intent of recreating retro computers, consoles and arcade machines on modern FPGA hardware. “MiSTer” is:

1. The base hardware: the DE10-Nano board
2. Plus retro computer hardware definitions in the form of HDL (aka “cores”)
3. Plus a Linux-based operating system to load and run the cores
4. Plus hardware add-ons – so you can expand your MiSTer with additional memory, IO options, a USB hub or even a case

The whole project is on GitHub and open-sourced so anyone can contribute.