Namco System 21 - MiSTer - Beta 1

Supported Games

XNSYSTEM21 — C67 DSP Hardware

• Starblade (1991) — World ST2 / Japan ST1

• Solvalou (1991)

• Air Combat (1992) — US AC2 / Japan AC1

• Cyber Sled (1993) — CY2 / CY1

XNWINRUN — Winning Run Hardware

• Winning Run (1988)

• Winning Run Suzuka Grand Prix (1989)

• Winning Run '91 (1991)

7 Games • 10 Versions • 2 FPGA Cores

I'm pleased to announce the first beta release of Namco System 21 for MiSTer FPGA!

Introduced in 1988 and nicknamed the Polygonizer, Namco System 21 was amongst the pioneers of real-time 3D arcade graphics, producing flat-shaded polygons years before Sega's Virtua Racing.

This release brings seven playable games across two FPGA cores to MiSTer hardware. It's been quite an engineering challenge, but the results have made it worthwhile!

Features

• 480p by Default — Progressive video output for modern displays.

• Optional 480i for CRT Users — Support for 15 kHz interlaced video format, with HDMI Weave/Bob options.

• CRT Adjust — Horizontal Size, Position and Vertical Shift, supported in both 480p and 480i.

• Direct Video — Consistent scanline timing for improved CRT stability.

• Pause & Supporter Credits — Mappable Pause button with scrolling Patreon supporter credits.

• DB9 / DB15 Controllers — Support via Antonio Villena user-port splitter.

• Persistent NVRAM — Saves high scores, settings and calibration data.

• USB Light Guns — Starblade partially supports Sinden-compatible light guns, mouse, trackball and analogue aiming.

• Analogue Controls — Flight sticks, throttles, dual-stick controls and USB racing wheels/pedals.

• OSD Configuration — Game-specific controls, DIP switches and display options.

480p is the default for every game. May change default to 480i in the next release based on user feedback. CRT users can enable 480i through the OSD when using compatible display hardware.

Behind the Scenes

System 21's complexity lies largely in its C67 DSP cluster, responsible for transforming, lighting and clipping polygons.

Recreating this required implementing the Texas Instruments TMS320C25 architecture in FPGA logic.

The DSP successfully completed 1.4 million instructions in side-by-side simulation against MAME, with bit-for-bit matching of the exchanged data.

The implementation also includes the dual 68000 processors, sprite hardware, polygon renderer, DDR3 framebuffer and original sound architecture.

Several particularly stubborn timing, memory and rendering issues were resolved along the way, including problems affecting Winning Run '91, Solvalou and Starblade.

Not exactly a weekend project!

Beta Notes

This is the first beta, so further refinement is expected.

A few known limitations:

• Driver's Eyes is not supported.

• Cabinet lamps, motors and motion systems are not emulated.

• Cyber Sled controls need refinement and uses conventional stereo rather than the original front/rear arrangement.

• The C67 core uses 100% of the available FPGA block RAM, although all implemented clocks meet timing requirements.

Legal Disclaimer

Independent Project: This is an unofficial FPGA hardware recreation project intended for preservation, education, research and compatibility. It is not affiliated with, authorised, sponsored or endorsed by Bandai Namco, Namco, MiSTer, MAME or any other referenced rights holder.

Intellectual Property: All trademarks, game titles, artwork, software and related intellectual property remain the property of their respective owners. No third-party intellectual-property rights are granted.

ROMs: No commercial game ROMs, proprietary firmware or copyrighted game software are distributed. Users are responsible for obtaining and using all required files lawfully. Copyright infringement and unauthorised distribution are not endorsed.

Open-Source Licensing: The cores and third-party components are subject to their respective licences, including applicable GNU GPL terms. Nothing in this disclaimer restricts rights granted under those licences, including redistribution rights. Corresponding source code and required notices are provided with the release.

Patreon: Contributions support independent development and do not purchase commercial game software, proprietary rights or guaranteed future support. Supporter access does not override open-source licensing rights.

Warranty and Liability: THIS EXPERIMENTAL BETA SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. THE DEVELOPER AND CONTRIBUTORS ACCEPT NO LIABILITY FOR SOFTWARE ERRORS, DATA LOSS, EQUIPMENT DAMAGE OR OTHER DAMAGES ARISING FROM ITS USE, EXCEPT WHERE SUCH LIABILITY CANNOT LAWFULLY BE EXCLUDED. Users are responsible for ensuring hardware, controller and display compatibility, particularly when using CRT and custom video configurations. Applicable open-source licence provisions remain controlling.

Support: Future updates, fixes and improvements are not guaranteed.

Final Thoughts

There's still work to be done, but it's rather satisfying to see these pioneering 3D classics running and preserved on FPGA hardware.

Thank you, as always, for your support and feedback.

Enjoy Namco System 21 Beta 1 — Cheers!

-XelaNotPu

Source Code: GitHub