Guide All MiSTer FPGA Cores And Where To Download Them

Update: Tamagotchi core added

by Damien McFerran Thu 4th Jul 2024

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.

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

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

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

System	Manufacturer	Release Year	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

Title	Year	Publisher	Developer	FPGA Core Author	FPGA Core Download
1941: Counter Attack	1990	Capcom	Capcom	JOTEGO	github.com
1942	1984	Capcom	Capcom	JOTEGO	github.com
1943 Kai: Midway Kaisen	1987	Capcom	Capcom	JOTEGO	patreon.com
1943: The Battle of Midway	1987	Capcom	Capcom	JOTEGO	patreon.com
1944: The Loop Master	2000	Capcom	Raizing	JOTEGO	github.com
19XX: The War Against Destiny	1995	Capcom	Capcom	JOTEGO	github.com
4-D Warriors	1985	SEGA	Coreland	MiSTer-devel	github.com
Ace Attacker	1988	SEGA	SEGA	Jotego	patreon.com
Action Fighter	1986	SEGA	SEGA	JOTEGO	github.com
Adventure Quiz: Capcom World 2	1992	Capcom	Capcom	JOTEGO	github.com
Air Assault	1993	Irem	Irem	Martin Donlon	github.com
Air Duel	1990	Irem	Irem	Martin Donlon	github.com
Alex Kidd: The Lost Stars	1986	SEGA	SEGA	JOTEGO	github.com
Ali Baba and 40 Thieves	1982	SEGA	SEGA	JOTEGO	patreon.com
Alien Arena	1985	Duncan Brown Software	Duncan Brown Software	obsidian-dot-dev	github.com
Alien Storm	1990	SEGA	Sega-AM1	jotego	patreon.com
Alien Syndrome	1987	SEGA	SEGA	JOTEGO	github.com
Alien vs. Predator	1994	Capcom	Capcom	JOTEGO	github.com
Aliens	1990	Konami	Konami	JOTEGO	github.com
Alpine Ski	1982	Taito	Taito	Anton Gale	github.com
Altered Beast	1988	SEGA	SEGA	JOTEGO	github.com
Amidar	1981	Konami	Konami	MiSTer-devel	github.com
Anteater	1982	Tago Electronics	Chris Oberth	MiSTer-devel	github.com
Arkanoid	1986	Taito	Taito	Ace9921	github.com
Arkanoid: Revenge of Doh	1987	Taito	Taito	JOTEGO	github.com
Armed Police Batrider	1998	Eighting	Raizing	Pramod Somashekar	github.com

Armored Car	1981	Stern Electronics	Stern Electronics	MiSTer-devel	github.com
Armored Warriors	1994	Capcom	Capcom	JOTEGO	github.com
Asteroids	1979	Atari	Atari	MiSTer-devel	github.com
Astro Flash	1985	SEGA	SEGA	MiSTer-devel	github.com
Athena	1986	SNK	SNK	MiSTer-devel	github.com
Attack Force	1979	Electronic Games Systems	Electronic Games Systems	MiSTer-devel	github.com
Aurail	1990	SEGA	Westone	JOTEGO	github.com
Azurian Attack	1982	Rait Electronics	Rait Electronics	MiSTer-devel	github.com
Bad Dudes Vs. DragonNinja	1988	Data East	Data East	JOTEGO	patreon.com
Bagman	1982	Valadon Automation	Valadon Automation	MiSTer-devel	github.com
Bakutotsu Kijuutei: Baraduke II	1988	Namco	Namco	JOTEGO	github.com
Balloon Bomber	1980	Taito	Taito	MiSTer-devel	github.com
Bank Panic	1984	SEGA	SEGA	MiSTer-devel	github.com
Battle Bakraid	1999	Eighting	Raizing	Pramod Somashekar	github.com
Battle Circuit	1997	Capcom	Capcom	JOTEGO	github.com
Battle For Atlantis	1981	Game World Manufacturing	Comsoft	MiSTer-devel	github.com
Battle Garegga	1996	Eighting	Raizing	Pramod Somashekar	github.com
Battle Zone	1980	Atari	Atari	MiSTer-devel	github.com
Bay Route	1989	SEGA	Sunsoft	JOTEGO	github.com
Beastie Feastie	1984	Cardinal Amusement Products	Cardinal Amusement Products	MiSTer-devel	github.com
Berzerk	1980	Stern Electronics	Stern Electronics	MiSTer-devel	github.com
Billiard		Ekstrema-Ukraina	Ekstrema-Ukraina	MiSTer-devel	github.com
Bio Attack	1983	Taito	Taito	MiSTer-devel	github.com
Bionic Commando	1987	Capcom	Capcom	JOTEGO	github.com
Black Tiger	1987	Capcom	Capcom	JOTEGO	github.com
Cadillacs And Dinosaurs	1993	Capcom	Capcom	JOTEGO	github.com
Captain Commando	1991	Capcom	Capcom	JOTEGO	github.com
Cyberbots: Full Metal Madness	1995	Capcom	Capcom	JOTEGO	github.com
Datsun 280 ZZZAP	1977	Midway	Dave Nutting Associates	MiSTer-devel	github.com
Final Fight	1989	Capcom	Capcom	JOTEGO	github.com
Formation Armed F	1988	Nichibutsu	Nichibutsu	va7deo	github.com
Michael Jackson's Moonwalker	1990	SEGA	SEGA	Jotego	patreon.com
Sunset Riders	1991	Konami	Konami	Jotego	patreon.com
The Amazing Maze Game	1976	Midway	Midway	MiSTer-devel	github.com
The Battle-Road	1984	Irem	Irem	MiSTer-devel	github.com

Twin Cobra	1987	Taito	Toaplan	Coin-Op Collection	patreon.com