ModRetro M64: AMD Artix UltraScale+ FPGA powers N64 revival

ModRetro is expanding its roster of FPGA-powered retro consoles with the M64, a new system created from scratch to play original Nintendo 64 cartridges with a claimed level of precision that software emulators and other FPGA consoles fail to match.

Following the success of its Chromatic handheld for Game Boy and Game Boy Color games, the company is applying its hardware-first philosophy to the M64 as well, and this time it’s partnering with AMD on the FPGA.

Announced in a blog post, the M64 at its heart uses AMD’s Artix UltraScale+ FPGA, which is designed to replicate the N64’s logic chip directly in hardware rather than approximating it in software. The result could be accurate timings, tight input response, and potentially accurate cycle counts.

Sumit Shah, head of product management and marketing for the Adaptive and Embedded Computing Group at AMD, said:

“AMD Artix UltraScale+ FPGA technology is helping redefine what is possible in retro gaming by enabling developers to re-create original hardware behavior with extraordinary precision. By emulating the chip logic directly at the hardware level, ModRetro can preserve the authenticity of classic play while bringing these iconic experiences forward for a new generation of gamers.”

Preserving the authenticity and fundamentals of the N64 while creating a brand-new retro console is a top priority for ModRetro’s CEO, Torin Herndon. In terms of both performance and practicality, AMD’s UltraScale+ FPGA was the answer for the M64, thanks to its 16nm process, which supports high clock speeds without needing any fans.

In a guest post on AMD Gaming, Torin Herndon stated:

“FPGA selection was by far the most critical decision in the M64 design process. We needed something that would serve as a stable backbone to build the most accurate Nintendo 64 hardware emulation for many years to come. The AMD Artix UltraScale+ FPGA was the only option that could deliver the cost-optimized performance-per-watt muscle needed to tackle this project.”

ModRetro is releasing the M64 along with a separate M64 Pro controller with Bluetooth support and swappable analog sticks. The M64 will be available starting July 28, 2026, with shipping scheduled to begin the same day. Early backers will get the M64 for $199, while the retail price of the console is $230, and the Pro Controller costs $90.

Launch titles will include new games such as Extreme-G: Turbo Fusion, Xeno Crisis, Xibalba 64, and Buck Bumble.