This is an ongoing list of channels that bring information and entertainment for the retro gaming niche known as FPGA gaming. If you with you to recommend a channel to be considered for this this list, please get in touch via the comments.
Lu’s Retro Source
Lu’s channel is a no-nonsense, straight-to-the-point, factual channel. As far as production value goes, everything on this channel is top-notch, and Lu also does excellent step-by-step tutorials. This is a quality over quantity channel. Lu usually does a weekly MiSTer news video, which is something I look forward to each and every week. You may get the occasional non-MiSTer video which are also a fun and informative watch, but the focus of this channel is definitely MiSTer.
Video Game Esoterica
Here is a channel that covers pretty much any and all things related to retro gaming, and a whole lot more. The amount of videos this channel publishes, usually a minimum of two a day, seven days a week, would lead you to think there is a whole team behind it, but it’s just one guy. Among the things VGE covers is the MiSTer FPGA, as well as all other FPGA gaming devices. The channel also does a monthly MiSTer news video, which airs on the last Thursday of every month, providing a good overview of the major things that have happened within the MiSTer scene.
Pixel Cherry Ninja
My channel is primarily known for FPGA gaming news, with the MiSTer and the Analogue Pocket being the most popular devices I cover. However, I’m not limited to just these, I also cover things like the Tang Console, Replay 2, Game Bub, and other FPGA devices that may enter the scene.
I also conduct interviews with various people within the retro gaming community, and not just those limited to FPGA gaming. I cover some content outside of FPGA gaming, and I do a weekly news video that covers all things FPGA gaming, as well as random & retro gaming.
Finally, I do a lot of live streams, both by myself and with guests. These are often used to test things in real-time with viewer participation.
Metal Game Solid
The website’s own channel has just launched and, at the time of writing this article, has one video published. Currently, we are doing a weekly roundup of everything that happened on the site over the last seven days. It’s a great way to catch up with what happened in the world of retro and FPGA gaming.
More content is planned, including plenty of MiSTer and Analogue Pocket stuff, especially tutorials. So stay tuned.
What’s Ken Making
This is a channel that really deep-dives into the tech, whether it’s FPGA-based or not. Ken is very talented and is great at stripping down the most complicated of devices, examining each component, and then putting the whole thing back together again. Ken has also designed and created his own handheld MiSTer, which in and of itself is a major achievement. The videos are nowhere near as frequent as the three channels above, but when there is one, you know it’s the best possible video you can get on whatever subject Ken is covering.
RetroRGB
This is a channel that covers many aspects of retro gaming, from testing niche hardware in videos and streams to conducting interviews with prominent figures in the space and producing guides for setting up different hardware. A lot is covered under the RetroRGB umbrella, including a round-up of Lu’s weekly MiSTer FPGA News video. When deep-diving into hardware, different MiSTer FPGA setups, along with other FPGAs, get tested by Bob, who is the face of RetroRGB.
Pezz82
This channel is one of my favourites; think of it as an FPGA comedy satire channel. Pezz has a unique sense of humour and makes really funny videos regarding FPGA gaming and other stuff.
Although his videos are not always comedy, Pezz also does live streams, sometimes with guests and other times with just himself, playing a game or a particular MiSTer core. I recommend watching his take on Zaparoo and the Tang Console video; they are hilarious. I have notifications turned on for this guy, and his satire take videos are an instant watch, from start to finish.
funkycochise
This channel often shows new MiSTer cores, as well as comparisons with original hardware. It is especially good if you want to watch raw footage without any commentary.
Nico Klem
Nico Klem’s channel is an FPGA gaming news channel that primarily focuses on the MiSTer FPGA. This is a native French-speaking channel, so if any of you speak the language, this should definitely be on your list. It’s a great way of keeping you up to date with all the latest developments. Nico has not been as active recently, but hopefully, he will get back to providing regular updates soon.
The Retro Collective
This is an excellent channel that deep dives into many things retro: from the restoration of newly discovered lost gaming heirlooms to fully exploring the historical timeline of devices.
This channel is part of the Heber family, the company that most recently brought us the cheaper DE10 Nano board that powers their MiSTer Multisystem 2. They don’t do as many FPGA gaming videos as some of the dedicated channels out there, but whenever they do, it’s a quality and very knowledgeable watch.
Taki Udon and Taki II
So, here are two channels from Taki Udon. The main one is known for reviewing handheld emulation devices, but it’s not strictly limited to these, as I’ve seen videos where tiny handheld PCs similar to the Steam Deck have been featured. On this channel, you’ll get videos of the main FPGA gaming releases from a company called Retro Remake (which Taki is part of) once they happen or are about to happen.
The second channel, appropriately called Taki II, shows off a lot more. On this channel, you’ll get a lot of development updates as well as hardware set-up tutorials for devices related to Retro Remake. It is definitely one to keep an eye on if you want to stay up to date with devices like the SuperStationOne.
Gentlemen’s Pixel Club
I like this channel as it is very good at showing me very niche games that I may have otherwise never heard of, like some really weird game on the ZX Spectrum running on the MiSTer FPGA core. As well as that, the channel posts videos of hardware and software set-up tutorials. Oh yeah, some of the intros are pretty epic too.
Francisco Javier
This is the channel of FPGA core developer Francisco Javier, also known as RndMnkIII. Not only has he developed cores for the MiSTer and the Analogue Pocket, but he’s also the creator of the excellent Analogizer ,a device that allows you to connect your Analogue Pocket to a CRT and use original controllers. On his channel, he showcases his latest projects and developments.