This modern PS1 FPGA console plays all your favorite retro games


TL;DR
- R²one is a PS1-inspired FPGA device that supports most retro consoles.
- There are ports for original memory cards and controllers, as well as an expansion port for physical games.
- The console will be available later this month for a special price of $149 for friends and founders.
such as FPGA devices Analog pocket It has captured the hearts of retro gamers in recent years with hardware-level emulation that (almost) matches the original perfectly. The new device from Taki Udon builds on the thirty-year-old original PlayStation with a design that scores big nostalgia points.
R²one is compatible with all FPGA MISter cores from ColecoVision to Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis. However, it’s clearly designed with the PS1 in mind, with slots for the original memory cards, controllers and even the PS1 Light Gun. It’s fully equipped with three USB-A ports, a USB-C port, a microSD card slot, an ethernet port and even a headphone jack. There’s support for analog and digital outputs (up to 1440p), plus support for NFC, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi.
Underneath is a hidden expansion port, where an add-on allows the R²one to play PS1 discs. Taki Udon hasn’t revealed what the expansions will look like or how much they’ll cost, but it opens the door for other add-ons for cartridge-based games in the future.
Starting at $149 for founders, this is one of the most affordable FPGA devices you can buy.
The price of the console will start at $149 for friends and founders, that is, people who have previously purchased a device from Taki and pre-orders. You can do it sign up for the newsletter Get notified when the initial batch becomes available later this month. It will be available in at least two colors, white and black, with additional colors such as retro gray or blue also possible.
At this price, it is one of the most affordable FPGA consoles on the market. For reference, Analog 3DThe N64 FPGA console costs $250. Founders and Friends prices won’t last long, and the added cost of a disc reader add-on may push it over the edge.
Both are technically though emulated, there are FPGA devices such as R²one several advantages over software emulation, which found on most retro gaming handhelds. In general, they offer a more accurate experience and less lag. The biggest advantage, of course, is the ability to play your favorite physical games decades after the console went out of production.
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