PS1-inspired FPGA console starts selling out despite losing Wi-Fi, NFC and 75% of bundled storage

Pre-orders for the SuperStation One Transparent Collection opened on October 7, and two of its five translucent colourways were reported sold out within hours.

The limited-edition version of Retro Remake's PS1-inspired FPGA console costs $249 and is expected to ship in December, with orders limited to one console per customer. Time Extension reported that Smoke and Watermelon had sold out, while Emerald, Frost and Atomic Purple remained available at the time of its check.

The early scarcity is particularly notable because the Transparent Collection makes several hardware compromises compared with the previous SuperStation One configuration.

Same $249 price, but fewer features and less storage

The Transparent Collection drops built-in Wi-Fi/Bluetooth and NFC, meaning some functionality instead requires external accessories. Its bundled microSD card has also fallen from the 64 GB supplied with Batch 5 to just 16 GB.

That represents a 75% reduction in bundled storage capacity while retaining the $249 headline price.

The rest of the package includes the SuperStation One, fan, HDMI cable and USB-C cable, with the transparent models supplied in NTSC-J Launch Edition-style packaging.

The SuperStation One is based around FPGA hardware and is compatible with the MiSTer ecosystem. Rather than relying solely on conventional software emulation, an FPGA can be configured to reproduce the logic of older hardware systems. The console also supports original PlayStation controllers and memory cards as well as PS1 games.

The Transparent Collection follows the earlier SuperStation One release, which began reaching customers after a difficult development period.

Limited shells appear to be winning over the cuts

Retro Remake's Taki Udon also said that the company's remaining Founders Edition motherboards would be distributed randomly among Transparent Collection orders. Buyers cannot select one, and the number available has not been disclosed.

A launch promotion running until October 12 allows buyers to use the code "preorder-bonus" to receive either a Bluetooth receiver or an AV cable at no additional cost. Retro Remake normally lists its SuperStation Bluetooth Receiver at $15. The receiver plugs into a controller port and supports modern wireless controllers, so it is not a like-for-like replacement for the integrated wireless connectivity omitted from the Transparent Collection.

For buyers attracted primarily by the limited translucent shells, the early sell-outs suggest the cosmetic editions may be compelling enough to outweigh those specification reductions. However, anyone comparing the Transparent Collection with earlier SuperStation One batches should be aware that the unchanged $249 headline price no longer buys exactly the same hardware package.