MiSTer
Image: Damien McFerran / Time Extension

The MiSTer is a truly wonderful piece of kit if you're into your retro games. Using Field Programmable Gate Array technology, MiSTer is capable of replicating the performance of a whole host of consoles, computers and handhelds with amazing accuracy, thanks to the fact that it uses hardware rather than software emulation; in short, the MiSTer can configure itself to behave exactly like a classic gaming system.

However, unlike other emulation options, such as the surprisingly user-friendly Polymega and the rather more straightforward FPGA handheld Analogue Pocket, MiSTer isn't strictly a commercial product but one that is driven by the community around it. Therefore, it requires a little more effort to get up and running, and is constantly evolving and changing.

Cores can be installed one by one, so you can pick and choose the ones you want and ignore those you don't. You'll also need to make sure you have the relevant files for each system, as well as the ROMs. Outside of that, there are many other ways you can customise your MiSTer experience, right down to the controllers you use and the way it connects to the internet.

Also, because the MiSTer community is incredibly active and home to some seriously talented developers, new cores are coming out all of the time, while existing ones often get updates and new features. Simply keeping track of what's happening in the exciting world of MiSTer is a challenge in itself – so we've put together this handy guide which shows you at a glance what cores are available and will hopefully get you up to speed when it comes to making sure your MiSTer is always running the latest stuff.

theypsilon's 'Update All' Script

Keeping your MiSTer up to date is quite a complicated process, but thankfully, there's an auto-update tool which does it all for you with the minimum of fuss.

Simply download theypsilon's 'Update All' script from here and extract update_all.sh to the /Scripts folder on your MiSTer's primary SD card. Turn on the MiSTer and go to the Scripts menu. Find the Update All script and run it. The script will go online and check for all new MiSTer-related items, downloading them to the correct folders and so on. You'll want to run this fairly regularly as the MiSTer community moves at a fast pace.

theypsilon's 'Update All' Script
Image: theypsilon

Alternatively, you can use the MiSTer Downloader's PC Launcher to download all MiSTer files on your PC – which is handy if your MiSTer doesn't have the ability to connect to the internet. Using this method, you must use the same downloader.ini file you have in the root of your MiSTer's primary SD card. Pop it back into your MiSTer, and you're good to go.

Remember, you can tinker with Update All's settings to specify which databases you'd like to check when running an update, so if there are cores you're not interested in, you can remove them and prevent them from being downloaded or updated in the future.

Note: Some of the cores listed below are 'work in progress' and may not be included downloaded when you run the 'Update All' script. You will need to download these manually to your MiSTer. Also, some cores are still in beta and may require you to be an active Patreon supporter with the creator (such as jotego).

MiSTer FPGA Home Console Cores

MiSTer
Image: Damien McFerran / Time Extension
System Manufacturer Release Year Developer Download Link
Atari VCS / 2600 / Atari 7800 ProSystem Atari 1977 MiSTer_Devel GitHub
Atari 5200 SuperSystem / Atari 800 Atari 1982 MiSTer_Devel GitHub
Jaguar Atari 1993 MiSTer_Devel GitHub
NES Nintendo 1983 (Japan), 1985 (North America) MiSTer_Devel GitHub
SNES Nintendo 1990 (Japan) MiSTer_Devel GitHub
Master System Sega 1986 MiSTer_Devel GitHub
Mega Drive / Genesis Sega 1988 (Japan) MiSTer_Devel GitHub
Sega CD Sega 1991 MiSTer_Devel GitHub
32X Sega 1994 MiSTer_Devel GitHub
Saturn Sega 1994 MiSTer_Devel GitHub
Neo Geo SNK 1990 MiSTer_Devel GitHub
PC Engine / TG-16 / SuperGrafx NEC 1987 MiSTer_Devel GitHub
PlayStation Sony 1994 MiSTer_Devel GitHub
Fairchild Channel F Fairchild Camera and Instrument 1976 MiSTer_Devel GitHub
ColecoVision / Sega SG-1000 Coleco / Sega 1982 MiSTer_Devel GitHub
Mattel Intellivision Mattel 1979 MiSTer_Devel GitHub
Magnavox Odyssey 2 / Philips Odyssey 2 / Philips Videopac G7000 Magnavox 1978 MiSTer_Devel GitHub
Interton VC4000 / Acetronic MPU-1000 / Occitane OC2000 Interton 1978 MiSTer_Devel GitHub
Vectrex General Consumer Electronics /
Milton Bradley
1982 MiSTer_Devel GitHub
Bally Astrocade Bally Manufacturing 1978 MiSTer_Devel GitHub
Emerson Arcadia 2001 Emerson Radio 1982 MiSTer_Devel GitHub
Entex Adventure Vision Entex Industries 1982 MiSTer_Devel GitHub
"Pong-on-a-chip" MiSTer_Devel GitHub

MiSTer FPGA Handheld Cores

MiSTer
Image: Damien McFerran / Time Extension
System Manufacturer Release Year Developer Download Link
Game & Watch Nintendo 1980 MiSTer_Devel GitHub
Game Boy / Game Boy Color Nintendo 1989 MiSTer_Devel GitHub
Game Boy Advance Nintendo 2001 MiSTer_Devel GitHub
Pokémon Mini Nintendo 2001 MiSTer_Devel GitHub
Atari Lynx Atari 1989 MiSTer_Devel GitHub
Gamate BitCorp 1990 MiSTer_Devel GitHub
WonderSwan / WonderSwan Color Bandai 1999 MiSTer_Devel GitHub
Tamagotchi Bandai 1996 agg23 GitHub

MiSTer FPGA Home Computer Cores

MiSTer
Image: Damien McFerran / Time Extension
System Manufacturer Release Year Developer Download Link
Atari 800 / 800XL / 65XE / 130XE Atari 1979 GitHub
Atari ST / STe Atari 1985 GitHub
Apple I Apple 1976 GitHub
Apple IIe Apple 1983 GitHub
Macintosh Plus Apple 1986 GitHub
Amstrad PCW Amstrad 1985 GitHub
Amstrad CPC 6128 Amstrad 1985 GitHub
Acorn Archimedes Acorn Computers 1987 GitHub
Acorn Atom Arcon Computers 1980 GitHub
Commodore PET 2001 Commodore 1982 GitHub
Commodore VIC-20 Commodore 1980 GitHub
Commodore C16 / Plus/4 Commodore 1984 GitHub
Commodore 64 / Games System / 128 Commodore 1982 GitHub
Commodore Amiga 500 / 600 / 1200 / 4000 / CD32 Commodore 1987 GitHub
ZX Spectrum Sinclair 1982 GitHub
Sinclair QL Sinclair 1984 GitHub
Sinclair ZX80 / ZX81 Sinclair 1980 GitHub
ZX Spectrum Next Sinclair 2017 GitHub
Tandy Color Computer 2 / Dragon 32 Tandy 1983 GitHub
Tandy Color Computer 3 Tandy 1986 GitHub
Sharp MZ Sharp 1978 GitHub
Sharp X68000 Sharp 1987 GitHub
Tesla PMD 85 Tesla Piešťany / Tesla Bratislava 1985 GitHub
Tesla Ondra SPO-186 Tesla Piešťany / Tesla Bratislava 1985 GitHub
CHIP-8 Joseph Weisbecker 1978 GitHub
Galaksija Voja Antonić 1983 GitHub
MultiComp Grant Searle GitHub
Mattel Aquarius Mattel 1983 GitHub
Matra Alice Matra and Hachette 1983 GitHub
Interact Home Computer Interact Electronics 1978 GitHub
Jupiter Ace Jupiter Cantab 1982 GitHub
Texas Instruments TI-99/4A Texas Instruments 1979 GitHub
Radio Shack / Tandy TRS-80 Micro Computer System / Model I Radio Shack / Tandy 1977 GitHub
Altair 8800 MITS 1974 GitHub
EDSAC Maurice Wilkes / University of Cambridge Mathematical Laboratory 1948 GitHub
486DX33 (No FPU) compatible Intel 1990 GitHub
TSConf (ZX-Evolution Improvement) GitHub
Elektronika BK (BK-0011M CPU) Elektronika 1985 GitHub
Compukit UK101 Compukit 1979 GitHub
Apogee BK-01 / Radio-86RK 1988 GitHub
Microsoft MSX / MSX2 / Plus / MSX3 / TurboR Microsoft 1983 GitHub
BBC Micro B / Master 128K GitHub
Vtech Laser 310 Vtech GitHub
NEC PC8801 MKII SR NEC GitHub
Bandai RX-78 Bandai GitHub
PDP-1 Digital Equipment Corporation 1959 GitHub
Tangerine Oric / Oric-1 GitHub
Sord M5 GitHub
PEL Varaždin Orao / Eagle GitHub
SAM Coupé Miles Gordon Technology GitHub
Spectravideo SV-328 Spectravideo GitHub
Vector-06C GitHub
Tomy Tutor / Pyuta / Pyuta Jr. Tomy GitHub
Camputers Lynx 48, 96 GitHub
Tatung Einstein Tatung GitHub
PCXT GitHub

MiSTer FPGA Arcade Cores

MiSTer
Image: Damien McFerran / Time Extension
TitleYearPublisherDeveloperFPGA Core AuthorFPGA Core Download
TitleYearPublisherDeveloperFPGA Core AuthorFPGA Core Download
1941: Counter Attack1990CapcomCapcomJOTEGOgithub.com
1941: Counter Attack1990CapcomCapcomJOTEGOgithub.com
19421984CapcomCapcomJOTEGOgithub.com
19421984CapcomCapcomJOTEGOgithub.com
1943 Kai: Midway Kaisen1987CapcomCapcomJOTEGOpatreon.com
1943 Kai: Midway Kaisen1987CapcomCapcomJOTEGOpatreon.com
1943: The Battle of Midway1987CapcomCapcomJOTEGOpatreon.com
1943: The Battle of Midway1987CapcomCapcomJOTEGOpatreon.com
1944: The Loop Master2000CapcomRaizingJOTEGOgithub.com
1944: The Loop Master2000CapcomRaizingJOTEGOgithub.com
19XX: The War Against Destiny1995CapcomCapcomJOTEGOgithub.com
19XX: The War Against Destiny1995CapcomCapcomJOTEGOgithub.com
4-D Warriors1985SEGACorelandMiSTer-develgithub.com
4-D Warriors1985SEGACorelandMiSTer-develgithub.com
Ace Attacker1988SEGASEGAJotegopatreon.com
Ace Attacker1988SEGASEGAJotegopatreon.com
Action Fighter1986SEGASEGAJOTEGOgithub.com
Action Fighter1986SEGASEGAJOTEGOgithub.com
Adventure Quiz: Capcom World 21992CapcomCapcomJOTEGOgithub.com
Adventure Quiz: Capcom World 21992CapcomCapcomJOTEGOgithub.com
Air Assault1993IremIremMartin Donlongithub.com
Air Assault1993IremIremMartin Donlongithub.com
Air Duel1990IremIremMartin Donlongithub.com
Air Duel1990IremIremMartin Donlongithub.com
Alex Kidd: The Lost Stars1986SEGASEGAJOTEGOgithub.com
Alex Kidd: The Lost Stars1986SEGASEGAJOTEGOgithub.com
Ali Baba and 40 Thieves1982SEGASEGAJOTEGOpatreon.com
Ali Baba and 40 Thieves1982SEGASEGAJOTEGOpatreon.com
Alien Arena1985Duncan Brown SoftwareDuncan Brown Softwareobsidian-dot-devgithub.com
Alien Arena1985Duncan Brown SoftwareDuncan Brown Softwareobsidian-dot-devgithub.com
Alien Storm1990SEGASega-AM1jotegopatreon.com
Alien Storm1990SEGASega-AM1jotegopatreon.com
Alien Syndrome1987SEGASEGAJOTEGOgithub.com
Alien Syndrome1987SEGASEGAJOTEGOgithub.com
Alien vs. Predator1994CapcomCapcomJOTEGOgithub.com
Alien vs. Predator1994CapcomCapcomJOTEGOgithub.com
Aliens1990KonamiKonamiJOTEGOgithub.com
Aliens1990KonamiKonamiJOTEGOgithub.com
Alpine Ski1982TaitoTaitoAnton Galegithub.com
Alpine Ski1982TaitoTaitoAnton Galegithub.com
Altered Beast1988SEGASEGAJOTEGOgithub.com
Altered Beast1988SEGASEGAJOTEGOgithub.com
Amidar1981KonamiKonamiMiSTer-develgithub.com
Amidar1981KonamiKonamiMiSTer-develgithub.com
Anteater1982Tago ElectronicsChris OberthMiSTer-develgithub.com
Anteater1982Tago ElectronicsChris OberthMiSTer-develgithub.com
Arkanoid1986TaitoTaitoAce9921github.com
Arkanoid1986TaitoTaitoAce9921github.com
Arkanoid: Revenge of Doh1987TaitoTaitoJOTEGOgithub.com
Arkanoid: Revenge of Doh1987TaitoTaitoJOTEGOgithub.com
Armed Police Batrider1998EightingRaizingPramod Somashekargithub.com
Armed Police Batrider1998EightingRaizingPramod Somashekargithub.com
Armored Car1981Stern ElectronicsStern ElectronicsMiSTer-develgithub.com
Armored Car1981Stern ElectronicsStern ElectronicsMiSTer-develgithub.com
Armored Warriors1994CapcomCapcomJOTEGOgithub.com
Armored Warriors1994CapcomCapcomJOTEGOgithub.com
Asteroids1979AtariAtariMiSTer-develgithub.com
Asteroids1979AtariAtariMiSTer-develgithub.com
Astro Flash1985SEGASEGAMiSTer-develgithub.com
Astro Flash1985SEGASEGAMiSTer-develgithub.com
Athena1986SNKSNKMiSTer-develgithub.com
Athena1986SNKSNKMiSTer-develgithub.com
Attack Force1979Electronic Games SystemsElectronic Games SystemsMiSTer-develgithub.com
Attack Force1979Electronic Games SystemsElectronic Games SystemsMiSTer-develgithub.com
Aurail1990SEGAWestoneJOTEGOgithub.com
Aurail1990SEGAWestoneJOTEGOgithub.com
Azurian Attack1982Rait ElectronicsRait ElectronicsMiSTer-develgithub.com
Azurian Attack1982Rait ElectronicsRait ElectronicsMiSTer-develgithub.com
Bad Dudes Vs. DragonNinja1988Data EastData EastJOTEGOpatreon.com
Bad Dudes Vs. DragonNinja1988Data EastData EastJOTEGOpatreon.com
Bagman1982Valadon AutomationValadon AutomationMiSTer-develgithub.com
Bagman1982Valadon AutomationValadon AutomationMiSTer-develgithub.com
Bakutotsu Kijuutei: Baraduke II1988NamcoNamcoJOTEGOgithub.com
Bakutotsu Kijuutei: Baraduke II1988NamcoNamcoJOTEGOgithub.com
Balloon Bomber1980TaitoTaitoMiSTer-develgithub.com
Balloon Bomber1980TaitoTaitoMiSTer-develgithub.com
Bank Panic1984SEGASEGAMiSTer-develgithub.com
Bank Panic1984SEGASEGAMiSTer-develgithub.com
Battle Bakraid1999EightingRaizingPramod Somashekargithub.com
Battle Bakraid1999EightingRaizingPramod Somashekargithub.com
Battle Circuit1997CapcomCapcomJOTEGOgithub.com
Battle Circuit1997CapcomCapcomJOTEGOgithub.com
Battle For Atlantis1981Game World ManufacturingComsoftMiSTer-develgithub.com
Battle For Atlantis1981Game World ManufacturingComsoftMiSTer-develgithub.com
Battle Garegga1996EightingRaizingPramod Somashekargithub.com
Battle Garegga1996EightingRaizingPramod Somashekargithub.com
Battle Zone1980AtariAtariMiSTer-develgithub.com
Battle Zone1980AtariAtariMiSTer-develgithub.com
Bay Route1989SEGASunsoftJOTEGOgithub.com
Bay Route1989SEGASunsoftJOTEGOgithub.com
Beastie Feastie1984Cardinal Amusement ProductsCardinal Amusement ProductsMiSTer-develgithub.com
Beastie Feastie1984Cardinal Amusement ProductsCardinal Amusement ProductsMiSTer-develgithub.com
Berzerk1980Stern ElectronicsStern ElectronicsMiSTer-develgithub.com
Berzerk1980Stern ElectronicsStern ElectronicsMiSTer-develgithub.com
BilliardEkstrema-UkrainaEkstrema-UkrainaMiSTer-develgithub.com
BilliardEkstrema-UkrainaEkstrema-UkrainaMiSTer-develgithub.com
Bio Attack1983TaitoTaitoMiSTer-develgithub.com
Bio Attack1983TaitoTaitoMiSTer-develgithub.com
Bionic Commando1987CapcomCapcomJOTEGOgithub.com
Bionic Commando1987CapcomCapcomJOTEGOgithub.com
Black Tiger1987CapcomCapcomJOTEGOgithub.com
Black Tiger1987CapcomCapcomJOTEGOgithub.com
Cadillacs And Dinosaurs1993CapcomCapcomJOTEGOgithub.com
Cadillacs And Dinosaurs1993CapcomCapcomJOTEGOgithub.com
Captain Commando1991CapcomCapcomJOTEGOgithub.com
Captain Commando1991CapcomCapcomJOTEGOgithub.com
Cyberbots: Full Metal Madness1995CapcomCapcomJOTEGOgithub.com
Cyberbots: Full Metal Madness1995CapcomCapcomJOTEGOgithub.com
Datsun 280 ZZZAP1977MidwayDave Nutting AssociatesMiSTer-develgithub.com
Datsun 280 ZZZAP1977MidwayDave Nutting AssociatesMiSTer-develgithub.com
Final Fight1989CapcomCapcomJOTEGOgithub.com
Final Fight1989CapcomCapcomJOTEGOgithub.com
Formation Armed F1988NichibutsuNichibutsuva7deogithub.com
Formation Armed F1988NichibutsuNichibutsuva7deogithub.com
Michael Jackson's Moonwalker1990SEGASEGAJotegopatreon.com
Michael Jackson's Moonwalker1990SEGASEGAJotegopatreon.com
Sunset Riders1991KonamiKonamiJotegopatreon.com
Sunset Riders1991KonamiKonamiJotegopatreon.com
The Amazing Maze Game1976MidwayMidwayMiSTer-develgithub.com
The Amazing Maze Game1976MidwayMidwayMiSTer-develgithub.com
The Battle-Road1984IremIremMiSTer-develgithub.com
The Battle-Road1984IremIremMiSTer-develgithub.com

Alpha Denshi

Atari

Bally / Midway

Final Fight
Image: Capcom

Capcom

Cave (Cave 68000 hardware)

Bad Dudes
Image: Data East

Data East

Falcon

Irem

Jaleco

Konami

Namco

Nichibutsu

Nintendo

Raizing

Golden Axe
Image: Sega

Sega

SNK

Stern Electronics

  • Armored Car

Taito

Technos Japan

Tecmo

Truxton
Image: Toaplan

Toaplan

Universal

Williams

Other

Other MiSTer FPGA Cores


This guide is a work in progress; if you spot an error or omission, please leave a comment below.