In 2025, a new wave is shaping how we loop back to classic games: an Open Source Console built on FPGA tech that aims to redefine accessibility for Retro Gaming and Old School Gaming. The Superstation One is marketed as the world’s first affordable Open Source FPGA console that faithfully reproduces the classic console experience of the PlayStation era, while embracing a modern feature set. It leverages the MiSTer-style FPGA approach to hardware-accurate emulation, but packages everything for easier entry. For players who want Affordable Gaming without sacrificing authenticity, this device positions itself as a tangible turning point in the Gaming Revolution. The project arrives with a thoughtful mix of retro aesthetics, flexible outputs, and open tooling that invites community input and ongoing improvement. As fans debate price-to-performance, the Superstation One invites a broader audience to rediscover the PS1-era catalog with less friction and more potential for tinkering.
Image credit: Taki Udon
Superstation One: A Milestone for Open Source FPGA Retro Gaming
The Superstation One is designed to mimic the PlayStation 1 hardware with FPGA-based accuracy, while embracing modern conveniences. It centers on open-source cores and MiSTer-style core support, letting hardware enthusiasts and casual players alike explore the PS1 era and beyond through an Open Source Console approach. This device doesn’t hide its ambition: it aims to be a versatile hub for Retro Video Games across multiple cores, including potential Next-Gen FPGA capabilities that extend beyond the original era.
- Open source cores and community-driven development for ongoing refinement
- Hardware parity with original PS1 hardware through FPGA logic
- Display versatility with HDMI, USB-C power, and traditional CRT-friendly outputs
- Three colorways to evoke nostalgia: black, original grey, and midnight blue
- Front-facing memory card and controller ports that mirror the classic layout
The device is pitched as a Retro Gaming solution that keeps price accessible while offering a platform that can grow with the community. Taki Udon has demonstrated that the hardware can host more than PS1—early previews show Sega Saturn and N64 explorations, underscoring a future path for a broader Retro Video Games catalog. Expect a balance between authenticity and modern conveniences, underscored by a Next-Gen FPGA foundation that underpins a flexible and evolving ecosystem.
Image credit: Taki Udon
Pricing, Availability, and How It Shapes Affordable Retro Gaming
Pricing for pre-orders places the Superstation One squarely in the Affordable Gaming space, with early commitments priced competitively against boutique emulation hardware. The initial pre-order sits at $199, a figure that invites curious players and retro enthusiasts to jump into Retro Gaming with modern hardware. A limited “Founder’s Edition” wave previously sold at $149, which quickly sold out, signaling strong demand for a Classic Console that doesn’t force a revolution in your wallet. The hardware supports flexible video outputs (HDMI, component, VGA), built-in wireless (Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth), and USB-C for power, while keeping the optical drive optional via the SuperDock accessory. This design choice makes the price accessible while preserving the option to expand storage and compatibility through add-ons.
- Pre-order price: $199, with Founder’s Edition previously priced at $149 (sold out)
- Three colorways: black, original grey, midnight blue
- Open source tooling and {…} MiSTer FPGA cores for cross-system compatibility
- Disc-based games via SuperDock; backups via USB
- Outputs include HDMI, component, VGA; Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C power
In 2025, the conversation around Open Source Console platforms has shifted toward affordability and accessibility. The Superstation One’s pricing strategy aims to lower the barrier to entry for Retro Video Games fans who want authentic hardware behavior without the premium premium attached to boutique FPGA machines. The combination of Open Source design, Next-Gen FPGA capabilities, and flexible connectivity could widen the audience for classic titles, while encouraging ongoing community-driven improvements and expansion into other shelves of the retro catalog.
Image credit: Taki Udon
What the Future Holds for Retro Video Games on a Next-Gen FPGA Open Source Platform
The Superstation One is built to be more than a PS1-inspired machine; it’s positioned as a flexible platform for broadening the scope of Retro Gaming on an Open Source Console with Next-Gen FPGA foundations. The aim is to deliver hardware-accurate experiences while inviting developers to contribute cores for additional systems, including Sega Saturn and N64 demonstrations. For players, this means more authentic cartridges-and-memory-card nostalgia with the option to back up and load games from USB and an eventual expansion through add-ons like the SuperDock for optical discs. The result is a gaming ecosystem that stays faithful to the past while inviting a living, evolving future powered by community-driven Open Source collaboration.
- Core support for PlayStation-era hardware with potential expansion to Saturn and N64
- Hardware-driven accuracy reduces dependence on software emulation
- Disc-based games via optional SuperDock; backups via USB
- Comprehensive output options for CRT and modern displays
- Active open-source community driving ongoing improvements
In 2025, the market continues to celebrate hardware authenticity in Retro Video Games while balancing consumer expectations around price and ease of use. The Superstation One embodies that balance, offering a tangible path toward Affordable Gaming with real hardware parity and an ecosystem designed to grow with its fans. As the platform matures, it could redefine how people experience classic titles—making Old School Gaming more accessible than ever and turning FPGA-powered nostalgia into a thriving, collaborative Gaming Revolution.
Image credit: Taki Udon
FAQ
What is the Superstation One? A Open Source Console built on FPGA technology designed to deliver authentic Retro Video Games experiences with flexible modern features and community-driven development.
What systems does it support? It focuses on PlayStation 1 hardware parity but has demonstrated cores and potential for Sega Saturn and N64, all through a Next-Gen FPGA architecture.
How do I access games? Games can be played from original discs via the optional SuperDock or loaded from USB backups, with HDMI and legacy outputs for compatibility with CRTs and modern displays.
Is it truly affordable? The initial pre-order price is positioned to attract a broad audience, with a history of an affordable Founder’s Edition and ongoing family-friendly pricing through add-ons and a capable core platform.