What is the Multisystem²?
The Multisystem² is a next-generation, all-in-one consolised retro gaming machine which uses cutting-edge FPGA hardware emulation for the most accurate gaming experience compared with playing on original hardware.
Multisystem² is a hardware platform that runs MiSTer based FPGA cores, software and scripts that form part of the MiSTer community.
Alexey Melnikov is the originator, designer and creator of MiSTer FPGA, based on earlier work of MiST and many other contributors.
If you want to see more dedicated FPGA based retro gaming hardware and cores, please also support Alexey Melnikov over on Patreon
The Multisystem² features a brand new system board design with multiple connectivity built-in, and a plethora of expansion options which can take advantage of current Multisystem add-ons and future expansions not possible until now, thanks to the Multisystem²’s direct access to the FPGA hardware.
All Multisystem² consoles come fully assembled and ready-to-play in a custom-designed, high quality 3D printed case.
On-board Cyclone®V FPGA
FPGA emulation uses a hardware-based approach to accurately replicate the behaviour of classic games consoles, home computers and arcade systems. The FPGA (“Field Programmable Gate Array”) chip itself can be programmed to mimic the original hardware’s circuits at low level.
This allows for real-time recreation of the logic used in the processors, graphics & sound chips, and other components without any software processing – resulting in an often cycle-accurate behaviour with none of the latency associated with software-based emulation – perfect for fast-action arcade games where response times are critical or real light-gun systems using a CRT monitor and original peripherals.
The MiSTer FPGA project is a huge community-driven resource providing high-quality emulation cores for systems such as the NES, SNES, Amiga, Sega Megadrive, and many arcade machines – using reverse-engineering to carefully and accurately reproduce the way these old systems work.
Play like it’s 1985
With it’s built-in analogue connectivity*, you can directly connect the Multisystem² to any classic CRT TV to play games how they were meant to be played – with direct RGB SCART output* for lag-free CRT gaming.
For those that prefer a modern display, the Multisystem² can connect via 15-pin VGA* or HDMI, with separate audio-out available via analogue 3.5mm audio jack* or digital S/PDIF*.
Take Control
The Multisystem² boasts five front-facing and two rear-mounted USB ports to support multiple modern controllers.
With one of the many available Multisystem SNAC adapters* you can expand the system to add direct compatibility for your favourite controllers and other peripherals, including mice and light-guns. SNAC add-ons are available for PlayStation, Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64, PC Engine, and SEGA Saturn, with more support planned for other devices.
Alternatively, expand your connectivity with the CTRLDock, the low-latency controller interface designed to compliment the Multisystem perfectly.
Zaparoo NFC Ready
With the optional Zaparoo NFC reader add-on, individual cores and games can be loaded with a simple tap of a card, with no interaction with any menus needed!
Save your game choice to a compatible NFC sticker and apply to your own physical media – for example, a SNES or Megadrive cartridge, then tap the cart onto the console to instantly load that game.
We also have special “lucky dip” cards to load any random game, or a randomly selected game from specific cores.
Write your own game & core choices or custom routines to your own NFC tags directly from the Multisystem² console.
Comparison of Features
MiSTer Multisystem² Digital
- Fully assembled, ready-to-use console in charcoal black 3D printed enclosure
- Silent operation, No fan cooling required.
- Integrated Power switch and Power/Voltage/Overload protection.
- Altera Cyclone 5 FPGA with heatsink / 128MB SDRAM (Alliance) and 1GB of LPDDR RAM (ISSI) as standard.
- HDMI digital video output (Supports Direct video DAC Output).
- High quality connectors, components and assembly
- Integrated powered 7 port USB 2.0 hub with internal and external USB ports.
- Internal I2C bus headers for expansion
- Support for Zaparoo NFC loading system by adding NFC reader into enclosure cover
- Works with all standard MiSTer cores.
MiSTer Multisystem² Analogue
- Fully assembled, ready-to-use console in charcoal black 3D printed enclosure
- Silent operation, No fan cooling required.
- Integrated Power switch and Power/Voltage/Overload protection.
- Altera Cyclone 5 FPGA with heatsink / 128MB SDRAM (Alliance) and 1GB of LPDDR RAM (ISSI) as standard.
- HDMI digital video output (Supports Direct video DAC Output).
- High quality connectors, components and assembly
- Integrated powered 7 port USB 2.0 hub with internal and external USB ports.
- Internal I2C bus headers for expansion
- Support for Zaparoo NFC loading system by adding NFC reader into enclosure cover
- 24 bit analogue video output as standard (can be set to 18 bit with onboard dip switches).
- 9 pin mini-DIN RGB output, audio & C-Sync for SCART (using Genesis 2/Megadrive 2 SCART Cable).
- VGA 15 way port for analogue video output
- Ethernet port for direct internet connection
- Audio output via 3.5mm jack
- Digital audio output via TOSlink
- Expansion cartridge slot for modular upgrades and enhancements and many dedicated cartridge modules available such as S-video, MT32Pi and original system controller interfaces for SNES, NES, PlayStation, Saturn, N64, PCEngine.
- Works with all standard MiSTer cores
- Future 50 way expansion for dedicated hardware upgrades and interfacing
Multisystem² Gallery
MiSTer Multisystem² has Arrived!
Join Richard and Neil in The Cave as they talk us through the Multisystem² details, options, pricing and more!
Multisystem² Development Update, February 2025
Overview of the development so far, features and specifications of the Multisystem² and some setup, gameplay and user options such as Zaparoo! NFC card/tag/sticker options for game launching.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it do dual RAM?
No.
Dual RAM setup can be useful for FPGA core development as you can move around more bandwidth of data for developing new cores, but it’s a forced bad implementation because of the already poor use of 40 way I/O pins being used as a high speed connection (on the DE10-Nano). You sacrifice dedicated analogue output for a dual RAM configuration and we believe that users wish to have Analogue video as well as HDMI at the same time along with all the other I/O that Multisystem2 delivers.
Very few development cores need Dual RAM and every released core so far has eventually moved to a single RAM configuration for public use.
Does the Multisystem² require an add-on FPGA board like the DE-10 Nano or Mister Pi to work?
No. The Multisystem² uses our own custom-built system board with an integrated Cyclone®V FPGA processor. The console comes ready-to-play with no additional hardware or add-on boards required.
Why would I choose the Multisystem² over software emulation?
FPGA-based emulation is the best way to experience old games as close to the original hardware as possible. It provides low-latency, cycle-accurate performance that software emulation struggles to match.
Multisystem2 can run MiSTer FPGA cores that electronically recreate hardware systems for wide range of retro gaming consoles, classic computers and vintage arcade machines to a very high standard of both accuracy and low latency.
Unlike software emulation, FPGA based hardware synthesis builds the hardware as a recreated model inside the FPGA device. This allows peripherals such as light guns to operate on the analogue CRT video output of Multisystem2, this aspect along with low latency (very fast acting) user input controls is something that cannot be achieved via software emulation, even on a much more powerful computer system.
The experience of using FPGA based systems if often very close or indistinguishable from original hardware.
Many enhancements, such as crisp, clear video output at native resolutions, scaled HDMI digital video output and system enhancements can elevate gaming beyond what was ever possible on vintage systems.
Can I order a custom coloured Multisystem² case?
We are only producing enclosures in Charcoal black, but we may expand the colour options available in the future. Alternatively, you can print your own Multisystem² case at home using our free 3D Print files.
We are considering a midnight blue enclosure next, so if that interests you, then get in contact to let us know.
What games are included with the Multisystem²?
None. For copyright reasons we are unable to supply any games with the system.
Setup of the MiSTerFPGA software and games is always the responsibility of the end user.
Which Multisystem add-ons work with Multisystem²?
All of the current and future Multisystem SNAC cartridge add-ons including the Pi-MMS and the Super Video Custard will work with the Multisystem² Analogue system, as well as the original MiSTer Multisystem.
Other options, such as the CTRLDock, slice tray and ModulARC controllers will work with Multisystem² Analogue, Multisystem² Digital and original MiSTer Multisystem.
* Analogue outputs are a feature of the Multisystem² Analogue system only. SNAC cartridges are compatible with the Multisystem² Analogue only.