The retro gaming community continues to see exciting innovation as prominent developer Mike Chi, creator of the acclaimed RetroTINK devices, officially joins the MARS FPGA (Multi Arcade and Retro System) project.
This collaboration promises to bring advanced video features to the growing FPGA gaming platform, further bridging the gap between vintage hardware and modern displays. Since the launch of his first product, the RetroTINK-2X, in 2018, Mike Chi has transformed how enthusiasts connect classic gaming consoles to today’s high-definition televisions.
Building on this legacy, the RetroTINK-5X and the recent RetroTINK-4K have set a new standard for feature-rich and widely supported video scalers, garnering praise across the retro gaming scene.
According to a statement from the official MARS FPGA Twitter account, Chi’s innovations have delivered “the most feature-rich, widely supported, highly acclaimed retro gaming products on the market.” The addition of Chi to the MARS FPGA team signals a strong commitment to video quality and usability.
The project plans to integrate several hallmark RetroTINK-4K features, such as auto-scaling, shadow mask effects, and advanced scan-line filters, directly into the MARS platform.
This enhancement aims to deliver an unparalleled digital display experience for users playing classic games on modern equipment. Reflecting on his involvement, Chi shared his appreciation for the team’s efforts, stating, “It’s truly an honor to contribute to such an impressive initiative.” He humbly noted that the MARS FPGA developers are achieving remarkable advancements, and expressed his enthusiasm for assisting with the platform’s video performance. The MARS FPGA project, officially announced in August 2023, is constructed around the Titanium Ti180 FPGA chip—a significant step up from the MiSTer community’s Cyclone V DE10-Nano developed a decade earlier.
This move presents notable performance enhancements, aligning MARS FPGA with current hardware expectations while retaining robust support for retro emulation and classic arcade systems. Other notable contributors to the MARS FPGA project include recognized community figures such as Wizzomafizzo (developer behind MiSTer Extensions), Flxel (noted for 3DO and Dreamcast emulation), and ToddsNerdCave (responsible for industrial design of cases for OSSC, MiSTer, and RetroTINK 5X).
Their combined expertise reinforces the project’s goal of providing a comprehensive and high-performance solution for retro gaming enthusiasts. As the MARS FPGA project moves forward with the support of leading developers and hardware designers, the retro gaming world can anticipate new levels of accessibility and display accuracy for classic titles.
Whether played on legacy systems or the latest platforms like the Nintendo Switch via the eShop, these advancements strengthen the enduring appeal and preservation of video game history.
This collaboration promises to bring advanced video features to the growing FPGA gaming platform, further bridging the gap between vintage hardware and modern displays. Since the launch of his first product, the RetroTINK-2X, in 2018, Mike Chi has transformed how enthusiasts connect classic gaming consoles to today’s high-definition televisions.
Building on this legacy, the RetroTINK-5X and the recent RetroTINK-4K have set a new standard for feature-rich and widely supported video scalers, garnering praise across the retro gaming scene.
According to a statement from the official MARS FPGA Twitter account, Chi’s innovations have delivered “the most feature-rich, widely supported, highly acclaimed retro gaming products on the market.” The addition of Chi to the MARS FPGA team signals a strong commitment to video quality and usability.
The project plans to integrate several hallmark RetroTINK-4K features, such as auto-scaling, shadow mask effects, and advanced scan-line filters, directly into the MARS platform.
This enhancement aims to deliver an unparalleled digital display experience for users playing classic games on modern equipment. Reflecting on his involvement, Chi shared his appreciation for the team’s efforts, stating, “It’s truly an honor to contribute to such an impressive initiative.” He humbly noted that the MARS FPGA developers are achieving remarkable advancements, and expressed his enthusiasm for assisting with the platform’s video performance. The MARS FPGA project, officially announced in August 2023, is constructed around the Titanium Ti180 FPGA chip—a significant step up from the MiSTer community’s Cyclone V DE10-Nano developed a decade earlier.
This move presents notable performance enhancements, aligning MARS FPGA with current hardware expectations while retaining robust support for retro emulation and classic arcade systems. Other notable contributors to the MARS FPGA project include recognized community figures such as Wizzomafizzo (developer behind MiSTer Extensions), Flxel (noted for 3DO and Dreamcast emulation), and ToddsNerdCave (responsible for industrial design of cases for OSSC, MiSTer, and RetroTINK 5X).
Their combined expertise reinforces the project’s goal of providing a comprehensive and high-performance solution for retro gaming enthusiasts. As the MARS FPGA project moves forward with the support of leading developers and hardware designers, the retro gaming world can anticipate new levels of accessibility and display accuracy for classic titles.
Whether played on legacy systems or the latest platforms like the Nintendo Switch via the eShop, these advancements strengthen the enduring appeal and preservation of video game history.
