Taki Udon has created a cheaper alternative to other MiSTer FPGA consoles. Does the lower cost come with too many drawbacks?
It is generally accepted among retro gaming fans who are serious about emulation that FPGA is the absolute best method for emulating games.
The FPGA, or Field Programmable Gate Array, allows for precise replication of circuits in retro hardware, ensuring the most accurate recreation of the hardware experience. Provided of course that you have the appropriate firmware “cores.”
The main drawback of FPGA devices is that they tend to be extremely expensive. In the case of Analogue’s products, they are often out of stock.
YouTuber Taki Udon offers a solution to this problem with the reasonably priced MiSTer FPGA console, which he has – somewhat confusingly – titled MiSTER Pi.
Main features
- Motherboard: Altera Cyclone V FPGA (custom)
- RAM: 128 GB SDRAM
- Connectivity: HDMI and VGA, optical audio port
- Wireless: Wi-Fi 5 / Bluetooth 4.2 USB Adapter
- Features: ADV7125 24-bit video DAC, Hi-Fi analog audio DAC, SNAC port (blue USB port), ADC input, mini TOSLINK digital audio, reset, OSD and user buttons, active cooling fan
- Price: $160 (Mega Pack)
Design
From the very beginning, special attention was paid to the small details. The boxes containing the various components of the MiSTER Pi were designed to resemble the packaging of the classic SEGA Master System console. Customers in Europe and Brazil should particularly appreciate this.
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Once everything is unpacked, you have five small boards, as well as assorted standoffs and screws. The sight of all these “raw” electronic components can be intimidating for many. But luckily, Taki Udon has a helpful video guide on his channel that provides full assembly instructions.
It would be nice though if the box had written instructions, or at least a link or QR code to point you in the right direction.
Taki Udon’s instructions are pretty easy to follow. Despite its complex appearance, the board layout is not that difficult to achieve in practice. All you really need is a screwdriver and a little patience (and your own SD card with a minimum capacity of 20 GB).
We received the Mega Pack version for review, but even this one with its “triple-stack” layout is surprisingly easy to pick up.
This suggests that a lot of attention has been paid to the design to create a comfortable user experience.
The top fan isn’t made by a brand I’m familiar with, but it does the job well enough and has the added benefit of being extremely quiet when running.
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The entire build only took about ten minutes and should be just as easy to follow even for those with little knowledge of electronics.
Installing the software is a little more complex, but the video instructions are still pretty easy to follow.
Features
There are plenty of ports on this device. There are a slew of USB-A ports for controllers, as well as a keyboard and mouse. There’s also an HDMI connector for connecting to modern displays and a VGA connector for connecting to vintage displays for a more authentic experience. There is a USB-C port, but it’s for power.
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The Mega Pack version comes with a Wi-Fi dongle. This makes the process of updating software and adding new games much easier. No need to carry a bulky Ethernet cable across the room, or to constantly have to switch SD cards between the PC and MiSTER.
In terms of software, the MiSTER Pi relies on the work of the open source community project MiST. A large number of add-ons, mods, cores and different versions of software are available for those willing to dedicate enough time to it.
For those who just want to follow Taki Udon’s setup recommendations, there are a few nice features in the “default” software. One of these is the favorites menu. People who have used emulator setups like EmulationStation know that you end up with a huge library and it can take a while to scroll down to the game you want. The favorites menu option means you can put your favorite games in a central location for easy access.
Controller recognition was excellent. The Nacon Evol-X Xbox controller was recognized immediately. The Nyxi Warrior required a bit more setup, but the RetroBit Saturn controller was also easily recognized.
Gaming Performance
The SEGA Saturn was a notoriously complicated console. This created headaches for those trying to build emulators. To this day, no software emulator for the Saturn is perfect, making the MiSTER Pi’s Saturn core a great first test.
To give it a real boost, I fired up Panzer Dragoon Saga. I thought this epic RPG would give the MiSTER Pi a chance to spread its wings, but I was immediately impressed. Load times were quick and the output looked great, even on my 1440p display, especially after enabling the “Clean HDMI” option.
I then took a more old school approach and played Streets of Rage. I was trying to spot any skipped frames or input lag. Retro games on modern monitors often suffer from this problem, but with the MiSTER Pi it was virtually unnoticeable.
My final test was Xenogears on the original PlayStation. My usual emulation setup involving a Raspberry Pi often struggles with this issue, especially when loading the elaborate cut scenes. The MiSTER Pi had no such issues. It was as smooth as silk.
Should you buy it?
The Taki Udon FPGA MiSTer isn’t as easy to use as the Evercade Vs-R or Analogue Pocket. What it lacks in usability, it makes up for in versatility and accuracy.
If you want a retro gaming experience that’s as close to the original hardware as possible without breaking the bank, then the MiSTER Pi is the device for you.
Provided you are willing to put in the effort to build and configure.
Verdict – 5/5
This is a device aimed at enthusiasts. For that segment of the market, it is nearly perfect. The packaging and design show amazing attention to detail. The price is much cheaper than any other FPGA option, and once everything is configured, the performance is a dream.
The only real downside is that building and installing it takes time and patience, but the video instructions make it even easier than you might think.
