ModRetro expands its line of FPGA-powered retro consoles with the M64, a new console built from the ground up to play original Nintendo 64 cartridges with a level of precision that software emulators and other FPGA consoles cannot match.
After the success of its Chromatic portable console for Game Boy and Game Boy Color games, the company applies its “hardware-first” philosophy to the M64, and this time partners with AMD for the FPGA.
Announced in a blog post, the M64 uses AMD’s Artix UltraScale+ FPGA at its heart, which is designed to replicate the N64’s logic chip directly in hardware rather than approximating it in software. This could result in precise timings, a response tight input and, potentially, exact cycle counts.
Sumit Shah, head of product management and marketing for AMD’s Adaptive and Embedded Computing group, said:
“AMD Artix UltraScale+ FPGA technology helps redefine what’s possible in retro gaming by allowing developers to recreate the behavior of the original hardware with extraordinary precision. By emulating chip logic directly at the hardware level, ModRetro can preserve the authenticity of classic games while delivering these iconic experiences to a new generation of gamers.”
Preserving the authenticity and fundamentals of the N64 while creating an all-new retro console is a top priority for Torin Herndon, CEO of ModRetro. In terms of performance and practicality, AMD’s UltraScale+ FPGA was the way to go for the M64, thanks to its 16nm process, which supports high clock speeds without the need for fans.
In an article published on AMD Gamingtorin Herndon said:
“The choice of FPGA was by far the most critical decision in the M64 design process. We needed something that would serve as a stable backbone for building the most accurate hardware emulation of the Nintendo 64 for many years to come. The AMD Artix UltraScale+ FPGA was the only option capable of delivering the cost-per-watt optimized performance needed to successfully complete this project.”
ModRetro markets the M64 with a separate M64 Pro controller, with Bluetooth support and interchangeable analog sticks. The M64 will be available from July 28, 2026, with delivery expected the same day. Early backers will receive the M64 for $199, while the console’s retail price is $230 and the Pro Controller costs $90.
Launch titles will include new games such as Extreme-G : Turbo Fusion, Xeno Crisis, Xibalba 64 et Buck Bumble.
