Recent updates to the Nintendo 64 (N64) core for the MiSTer FPGA platform have marked a significant milestone in hardware emulation accuracy. According to the latest developments, an “unstable” version of the core has achieved a perfect 100% success rate on the N64 system test benchmarking tool, surpassing the 99% accuracy rate of the current stable version.
Collaborative Development and the Mod Retro M64
The advancement of the MiSTer N64 core is closely linked to developer Robert Peip’s work on the Mod Retro M64. Unlike the MiSTer, which is a multi-purpose DIY platform, the M64 is a dedicated home console designed to play original N64 cartridges on modern displays at 4K resolution via an FPGA. We could well be seeing additional cores being added to the M64 after its release.
Because the M64 utilizes a more powerful FPGA chip, it can host the full core without the space constraints sometimes encountered on the MiSTer’s DE10-Nano hardware. Peip has committed to an open-source approach, ensuring that improvements and hardware discoveries made during the development of the M64 console are ported back to the MiSTer platform.
Key Improvements and Compatibility
While the existing stable core already supports the majority of the N64 library, the 100% benchmark success in this latest build provides several technical advantages:
- Precise Hardware Logic: The core now passes every check in the N64 system test, representing a near-perfect recreation of the original hardware’s behavior.
- Edge-Case Compatibility: The update may resolve issues with aftermarket games and complex ROM hacks that utilize specific N64 hardware features previously unaddressed.
- Community Refinement: This milestone builds upon Peip’s foundational work, which famously proved that a functional N64 core was possible on the MiSTer despite initial scepticism from the community.
Availability
As of December 2025, these latest updates are not yet included in the standard MiSTer “update_all” script. Users who wish to test the 100% accurate build must manually download the compiled core from the MiSTer FPGA Discord server (links in the description of embedded video below). It is expected to be integrated into update all once it has undergone further community testing and validation.
Sadly, still exploding Madden players! It’s the final boss of the N64 core!