MiSTer FPGA Project Receives New Cores and Major Updates for PlayStation, DS, Mac LC, and More

Recent developments within the MiSTer FPGA community have brought a wave of new cores, updates, and compatibility enhancements to the platform. Among the most notable releases is a hybrid Nintendo DS core. To achieve full-speed execution for 3D graphics, the core utilizes a hybrid architecture where 2D portions run on the FPGA while 3D processing is handled by the ARM chip.

System emulation has also expanded with a new Mac LC core supporting macOS versions 6.0.8 through 7.5.5, based on the TG68K processor. This core includes support for a 68020 processor, floppy drive reading for MFM and GCR disks, BlueSCSI toolkit integration for file transfers and CD swapping, and display capabilities reaching up to 256 colors at 640×480 resolution or 16-bit color at 512×384.

The PlayStation core received significant updates targeting CD, SPU, and SNAC components. These adjustments fix audio playback, frame rate, and timing issues across a wide variety of titles, including Metal Gear Solid, Driver 2, Parappa the Rapper JP, and Vigilante 8: 2nd Offense. In addition, an alternate AO486 core was introduced with NE2000 network card support, enabling operating systems to utilize standard network drivers via the ethernet port rather than serial/PPP connections.

Arcade and system developers have also contributed several new titles. Jotego released cores for Rainbow Islands and Thunder Cross 2. Other new releases include an arcade core for the side-scrolling action game Godzilla, a run-and-gun action core for SD Gundam: Sangokushi Rainbow Tairiku Senki, and a core for the 1995 Banpresto beat-em-up Guardians / Denjin Makai II, which was developed using AI based on the MAME driver.

Utility and peripheral updates include Zaparoo Core v2.16.1, bringing faster media updates and reliability fixes. MiSTer Hi-Fi v1.5.0 has also been released with full keyboard and media key support, browser position counters, external cover priority caching, and improved online radio reliability. Additionally, the August release for MiSTer Organize added support for No-Intro Public/Private listings, English translations, RetroAchievements hacks, SNES speed hacks, and the Lost Level Archive.