BIG MiSTer FPGA N64 Core Update! One More Update for Christmas

[@bearonguitar]

While the core can not be perfectly accurate due to the present hardware limitations, it's an extremely polished experience at this point. Definitely the best way to experience the N64.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Yes it’s sitting in the number 1 spot

[@SmallSpoonBrigade]

Yes, although from what I understand, these cores can serve as a starting point for new FPGA implementations as FPGA chips with more power eventually make their way into these affordable projects. Perfect accuracy is something that remains a big ask for anything that doesn't have the original chips as emulating every transistor is very hardware intensive for most systems.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Yes once the next board comes out it’ll be this core just improved

[@jiijijjijiijiij]

I don't need perfect accuracy as long as the experience is authentic and all the system's oddities are reproduced. For the longest time in N64 emulation there was no way to get things like 3 point texture filtering, which isn't particularly beneficial for the graphic output, but as a part of the aesthetic you could easily notice that it was not there when switching from real hardware to an emulator, or at the least notice that "something" was not right. It's those kinds of things being there on Mister that makes all the difference. The one oddity I'm happy to live without of course is a low framerate haha. That's why for me the turbo core elevates the experience above that of the OG hardware.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

That’s the best part of the core; the aesthetic comes across 100% intact

[@MarkSpencer-u4i]

Christmas is here ! Thank you for keeping us updated ❤ epic music in body harvest

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Happy to do it as always

[@rancid_]

Ty to the dev, you're amazing and appreciated!

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Robert is good people

[@nathanddrews]

Turbo cores are my favorite part of the Mister. Great games, original graphics, but playable frame rates. I'm a purist, but not THAT much of a purist. LMAO

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Haha yes nobody hates extra frames

[@ElectroCurmudgeon]

had not really gotten into the N64 games yet. still looking through the arcade list. nice to see the hard work being done. merry Christmas.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Will be a fun library to experience when you get to it

[@elvampe13]

@@VideoGameEsoterica Do you know if Gunbird can be played on the Mister? Or rather, is there any up-to-date list of arcade games playable on the Mister?

[@AdamScottPersonnel]

6:20 It’s because… it’s literally THE precursor to Grand Theft Auto 3. DMA Design was renamed Rockstar North not long after.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Exactly

[@gerboog]

r/wooosh

[@PM-xc8oo]

Does Perfect Dark benefit from this core? Even a few frames there would be huge.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Benefits a ton. Vid soon

[@DaveFallows]

There’s a ROM hack which gives 60fps in most unpopulated areas.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

It’s some impressive stuff

[@emmettturner9452]

If that 10-12FPS Turok II footage was an additional 10-12FPS, well… I knew it was slow but not THAT slow!

[@SmallSpoonBrigade]

10-12 was never really acceptable for a console just because of how predictable the hardware was and the limited means to upgrade it. It happened a lot more on PCs where a less than highest performance computer might not perform acceptably on some games, knowing that a year or two later a new computer would come out that could handle it more easily. Crysis was a pretty good example where most computers couldn't handle it properly when it came out, but most recent computers run it with no problem on high settings.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Haha it’s def not a fast game

[@henriklindberg4919]

I was really disappointed when I learned Conker was a no-go. And look at us now.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Oh how times have changed

[@nosynosee3835]

What’s the first game you show in your video? I don’t think I’ve seen that before and really would like to check it out.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Turok 2

[@spidervenom14]

Don't stop believing, hold on to that feeling!

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

🤣

[@renesav]

Does cheats works now, last time i tried,n i could toggle them on but didnt work, (on stable build) for ogre battle 64

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Should work fine

[@dm.3145]

Babe wake-up! new videoo gamee esoooterica video is up!

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Haha your twice daily dose

[@ArcadeCabNBud]

Oh my god my life is completely complete

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Haha sounds like a good life

[@fonsie3029]

I cant see it in unstables or test-builds

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Pins on N64 channel

[@emagid3599]

@@VideoGameEsoterica I feel dumb, I still can't find it. I don't even see an N64 channel.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

You may need to change your server permissions to “I want it all”

[@roasty80]

I wonder how this will compare to analogues core that will be on the 3d

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

I’ll compare them once they arrive

[@roasty80]

So will I. It better blow the mister core out the water or the 3d will end up back in the box with my super nt and mega sg

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

In guessing it’s going to be pretty close to par

[@AxiomofDiscord]

Cyclone V I believe came out in 2011 at least the earliest version. It was said to get 15 years of support going to 2026. I have seen some information saying it will be extended to 2032 due to its extreme ubiquity and success in the market. I was wondering if anyone had any more information and maybe something more concrete than I have about when they will stop making these FPGAs? I hate to buy something close to when something else will be needed to replace it. I may just wait on the next best thing regardless no matter what that might be. I am also willing to pay old Terasic prices for something that will be around a while longer. If any of my above information is incorrect please let me know what is correct and where I might find better information.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

They will stop making them when they stop turning a profit. So no time soon at all

[@AxiomofDiscord]

@@VideoGameEsoterica Likely the reason for the extension. In 2011 they likely could have not predicted all of this.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

It’s a cheap part with tons of versatility in what it can do. It’s just got legs

[@NLSagat]

Of course money means different things to different people, but a complete clone system can be bought for roughly 200 dollars i believe, even in a worst case scenario of new hardware in 2026....you would get a year of amazing retro goodness, and after that year you can still use it (i would be impressed if you could play 10% of the games available on mister in a year :D ), gift it to a friend/family etc. or even sell it to get funds for the successor.

[@METR0lD]

N64? More like N-Sixty-More!

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

One game playable by Christmas!

[@METR0lD]

The meme that keeps on giving!...in the season of giving!

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Haha never gets old

[@joshuakelly9390]

So... Like... I don't know how to phrase this. I see a handful of comments here on this video and things are like... "While the core can not be perfectly accurate..." and "Turbo cores are my favorite..." etc.... It makes my mind go to weird places. Like... is this actually just emulation on a different platform? Yeah of course hardware emulation is emulation to some degree but is closer to the physical aspect of the N64 itself.... but at what point do we stop calling these improvements and start calling them just emulation by another name? Don't get me wrong please... what these developers have done with limited hardware and the constraints they work within is absolutely amazing. I mean heck, I'm a very close follower of Kaze Emanuar who explores way deeper into the hardware than any of these FPGA developers... sorry, just being honest.... All I'm trying to say here is that the closer we get to things running perfectly, the farther we get from actual games preservation in the sense that we're optimizing towards things that the original hardware simply never did. Again. I'm not trying to be some artist with a u debbie downer. I think the more ways people have to play games the better. If these advancements make it so little Susie who picked up a Mister suddenly gets to play Mario 64 in a way that makes her enjoy the game, then by all means that's amazing and a great win for retro gaming. I'm just curious what the actual goal of these cores are if they continue to stray from what seems to be like the intended (nintended?) original hardware. TL;DR - Great video as always. Great to see this work. I just don't know where we're headed without acknowledging stronger systems like the Analogue N64, Replay2, or even the ethereal MARS.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Think of it this way; turbo core is like overclocking your N64. It’s no longer “stock” but it’s still a N64. You’ve just overclocked it. The enhancements are being done at the “hardware level” in FPGA code. So it’s like releasing a “N64 pro” except in VHDL / verilog code

[@adventuretaco7140]

Awwww hell yeah!!

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

It’s Bomberman Hero time!

[@KBroly]

I would try out that Saturn core, if my Mister Pi could move past 'cleared customs.' Sigh.

[@SmallSpoonBrigade]

Ouch, well the good thing though is that these are great devices, from what I understand the Mister PI isn't really a downgrade over the Mister FPGA, so the Saturn shouldn't be much of an issue.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Customs runs on its own time sadly

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Not a downgrade at all. Par

[@Beavernator]

Received mine last week (Omaha, NE)... Absolutely loving the Saturn core... Almost done with Panzer Dragoon Saga... I put my Saturn away to keep it safe... This is the best way to play on a modern TV...

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Welcome to the club!

[@DefaultUsername0001]

🎉🎉🎉

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Early Christmas for all

[@draketungsten74]

I just updated my MiSTer yesterday via update all. I noticed N64 cheats were working for me finally.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Nice. I remember you mentioning you were having issues

[@draketungsten74]

@VideoGameEsoterica Yeah dunno what it was but it works now! Guessing I had a mismatched core/MiSTer main or something. I've been messing around with the Saturn core, speaking of Godzilla. 😁

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

You know love me some Godzilla

[@draketungsten74]

@@VideoGameEsoterica Yeah I've been testing out trying to get a bit of the translation stuff working. I made a lot of progress on that bit, but it's not working in game yet.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

It’s a start!

[@Vospi]

Body Harvest is one place where the phrase "bug fixing" just hits differently.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Haha I fixed them bugs real good

[@kristopheralonge2813]

Yay! Hybrid Heaven video coming, let's goooooo!

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Made and uploaded for the future

[@meyou-dz2kl]

WOW ALAHONDORO FIGURED THIS OUT he did this i just know it lol lol sorry too easy

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

🤣

[@NLSagat]

'playing some bomberman here'ha this guys keeps playing the same game! tsss */me goes of yt and fires up the mister and proceeds to fail super hang, expert track on medium/medium difficulty for the 136874311684698 time* Wow its actually been so long that i am not even sure about the difficulty setting. Even easy/easy was tricky......(one is rival bikes difficulty and one is timer strictness...)

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Haha some times things are just more difficult than you remember

[@simmat6419]

Turok 2 is a nice with a keyboard n mouse but lord help those who play it with a N64 controller and no guide

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Haha it’s a mess it’s true

[@dm.3145]

Wait do fps games work with a keyboard and mouse on the mister!? I can't wait to get into this when mister pi comes back in stock😢

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Yes they can

[@KonaKonaKaabisteru]

Get on our level. (Prior OG cartridge owner since childhood)

[@micThurrr]

No bomberman? How dare you.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

Haha doesn’t benefit from turbo really

[@mirabilis]

First.

[@VideoGameEsoterica]

lol bit late

[@mirabilis]

@VideoGameEsoterica Damn. You're right. Coming first isn't always a good thing, anyway. Right?