| Game Title | Status | Notes | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Perfect | FM synth matches original PCB. | | Yu-No | Perfect | No text glitches on right edge. | | Brandish | Perfect | HDD image runs flawlessly. | | Touhou Project (PC-98 era) | Perfect | No slowdown during boss attacks. | | Policenauts | Playable | Requires 486 mode; CD audio works via MiSTer-CD addon. | | Metal Eye | Verified | One of the hardest games to emulate; passes protection. |
If you're ready to experiment, here is a basic guide to setting up the PC-98 core. Please note, this is for advanced users.
Radical Dreamers, Policenauts, and unique tactical RPGs offered distinct pixel art styles that maximized the platform's high-resolution, 16-color palettes. Why "Verified" Status Matters for MiSTer FPGA mister pc98 core verified
The primary challenge in verifying a PC-98 core stems from its development history. Reports indicate that the primary developer of the early PC-98 core ceased development halfway through the project, leaving the codebase without active maintenance.
Run the update_all.sh script from the console. As of April 2025, the PC98 core is included in the official distribution. | Game Title | Status | Notes |
The most significant challenge preventing widespread verification and use is the compatibility of the BIOS. The PC-98 had a long production run, resulting in many BIOS revisions. The Zet CPU core in the MiSTer is designed to be equivalent to an 8086, V30, or 80186. Therefore, it requires a BIOS from that era. Later BIOS versions, like those for the PC-9821 series, include instructions for the 386 (protected mode), which the core cannot process and will not boot from. This is the single biggest limitation of the core's current state.
The PC-9801 and its successor, the PC-9821, were the canvases for some of the most influential titles in gaming and software development. It was the birthplace of the Touhou Project, the home of legendary visual novels, and the platform where companies like Falcom and Konami refined their craft. For years, Western audiences relied on software emulators that often struggled with the system’s complex FM synthesis audio and specific graphical modes. The MiSTer PC-98 core, through the power of Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA), recreates the electrical logic of the original hardware. Verification means that the core has undergone rigorous testing against real hardware, ensuring that nuances in bus timing, interrupt handling, and peripheral communication are faithfully reproduced without the latency inherent in software-based solutions. | | Touhou Project (PC-98 era) | Perfect
This article explores the status of the MiSTer PC-98 core, what defines a core as "verified" or "stable," and how you can currently enjoy PC-98 games on your MiSTer FPGA setup.
Native support for the standard 640x400 display mode.