As technology advances, many of the integrated circuits (ICs) that were once used in classic arcade games are no longer being produced. This can make it difficult for enthusiasts and collectors to maintain and repair these beloved machines, as they may be unable to find replacement parts.
Enter Mister FPGA. Based on the Terasic DE-10 Nano, this field-programmable gate array (FPGA) is designed to replicate the functionality of discontinued ICs. This means that, with the help of MiSTer cores written using Verilog VHDL, it is possible to keep classic arcade games running without having to rely on scarce and often expensive original ICs.
But the importance of MiSTer goes beyond just preserving the classic arcade game experience. FPGAs can also be used to replicate the functionality of ICs that are no longer being produced in a variety of other industries, including aerospace, defense, and medical devices. This allows businesses to continue using and maintaining equipment that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to repair.
In short, MiSTer FPGA is an essential resource for those looking to keep classic arcade games and other equipment running, and for preserving our technological history. Without projects like MiSTer, many of the ICs that were once integral to our daily lives would be lost to time.