M64: ModRetro Announces $199 FPGA-Based N64 Clone for Retro Gaming Enthusiasts

In a significant development for retro gaming hardware, ModRetro has officially announced the M64, an FPGA-based Nintendo 64 clone priced at $199.

The news was confirmed on July 24, 2025, revealing both the system's name and its competitive price point, which positions it as a direct challenger to existing and upcoming FPGA consoles targeting classic game enthusiasts. ModRetro, the company helmed by VR innovator and Anduril Industries founder Palmer Luckey along with CEO Torin Herndon, first made headlines with the launch of the ModRetro Chromatic—a carefully crafted FPGA Game Boy system aimed at delivering an experience faithful to Nintendo's original design.

Since its release in late 2024 at $200, the Chromatic has received positive reviews for both its hardware quality and ongoing software support, including ModRetro’s commitment to producing dedicated titles for its platform. The company’s next project, codenamed M64, is positioned to capture the interest of the large Nintendo 64 fanbase.

Leveraging FPGA technology for precise emulation, the M64 aims to offer a faithful recreation of the classic system’s gameplay and performance.

This places the M64 in direct competition with other FPGA-based N64 clones, such as the Analogue 3D, expected to launch within the same year. On social media, Palmer Luckey teased the new N64 hardware, referencing the iconic film The Matrix and engaging the vintage gaming community with a choice between two logo concepts for the upcoming device.

This interactive approach has generated substantial anticipation, with fans eager for new hardware options that respect the authenticity of legacy platforms like the Nintendo 64. In previous public statements, both Luckey and CEO Torin Herndon reiterated their intention to continue developing FPGA-based consoles, including a future Game Boy Advance model.

Their mission with the Chromatic, as described in editorial reviews, was to offer both dedicated and returning Game Boy fans a modern yet faithful upgrade to the classic handheld—an achievement further cemented by backing the device with exclusive, in-house software. Despite the Chromatic’s commercial success and community enthusiasm, ModRetro’s products have not been without controversy.

Palmer Luckey’s visibility in political debates has, at times, led to polarized opinions and calls for consumers to consider alternative FPGA systems.

Nevertheless, the company’s focus on platform fidelity and ongoing support continues to win over a dedicated segment of retro gaming enthusiasts. With the unveiling of the M64, ModRetro further cements its place in the expanding FPGA console market, providing Nintendo 64 fans with innovative new options that honor the legacy of classic gaming hardware.

The console’s confirmed $199 price point makes it an accessible entry into high-fidelity retro gaming, with more information expected from ModRetro in the coming months regarding release dates and additional features.

Nintendo Nintendo 64 N64 FPGA retro gaming ModRetro M64 Palmer Luckey Torin Herndon Analogue 3D Game Boy Advance Chromatic Anduril Industries