17 Games • 40 Versions • 2 FPGA Cores

Beta 2 is here, bringing a significant update to the Namco System 22 and Super System 22 FPGA cores for MiSTer!

Our first supporter release in September supported just five games. This latest release expands that to 17 playable titles across 40 regional and alternative versions, alongside substantial improvements to performance, rendering accuracy, video output, input handling, and persistent game saves.

Both cores now feature CRT Adjust support, improved Direct Video compatibility, and numerous graphical fixes that bring the experience closer to the original arcade hardware.

Supported Games

Namco System 22 (1993–1995)

Core: XNSYSTEM22

• Ridge Racer

• Ridge Racer 2

• Rave Racer

• Ace Driver: Racing Evolution

• Ace Driver: Victory Lap

• Cyber Commando

Namco Super System 22 (1994–1997)

Core: XNSUPER22

• Prop Cycle

• Time Crisis

• Tokyo Wars

• Air Combat 22

• Alpine Racer

• Alpine Racer 2

• Alpine Surfer

• Aqua Jet

• Armadillo Racing

• Cyber Cycles

• Dirt Dash

What's New in Beta 2?

Persistent Game Saves

Game settings, high scores, and calibration data can now survive between sessions.

• Per-game NVRAM storage in config/nvram/

• Automatic restoration when loading a game

• Saves triggered by opening the OSD after the game updates its NVRAM

• Manual Save NVRAM option for immediate saving

Performance Improvements

Significant rendering optimisations have improved performance across both cores.

• Dirt Dash: Approximately 14.5 → 19.5 FPS at 640×480

• Dirt Dash: Reaches its 30 FPS cap at 320×240

• Ridge Racer / Rave Racer: Approximately 7% faster

• Unwanted rendering speckles have been eliminated

Performance still varies by title, and some games remain below their original arcade frame rates.

CRT Adjust & Direct Video Improvements

Both cores now include CRT Adjust support, incorporating fixes identified during testing with real CRT hardware.

Improvements include:

• Correct positioning of the visible display area

• Fixed left-edge cropping

• Restored top scanline

• Proper preservation of 480i interlaced output

• Consistent pixel timing across every scanline in Direct Video mode, helping prevent distorted vertical lines

DB9 / DB15 Controller Support

Controller handling has been improved to better reflect each game's original button configuration.

• Game-specific button mapping

• Mode button inserts a coin

• Start + C opens the OSD

Note: DB9 support is intentionally disabled for Time Crisis because it uses light-gun controls.

Rendering & Visual Fidelity

Numerous fixes improve the presentation of these classic arcade titles.

• System 22: Global screen fading now works correctly, replacing abrupt transitions during attract sequences.

• Time Crisis: Restored red damage flash and improved shading on character faces and arms.

• Super System 22: Dithered polygon translucency restores effects such as Air Combat 22's translucent aircraft and emblem, along with Time Crisis crosshair fades.

Polygon transparency currently uses an experimental dither pattern to approximate the original blending effect rather than true alpha blending.

Supporter Credits

The pause screen now displays supporter credits in a cleaner, two-column layout.

Known Limitations

This remains a beta release, and several limitations are worth highlighting.

• Ridge Racer Full Scale and the three-monitor Ridge Racer configuration are not included.

• Cabinet-specific accessories, including lamps, motors, force feedback, and motion seats, are not supported.

• Polygon translucency uses a dithered approximation rather than true blending. The pattern can be visible at close range.

• Some games currently operate below their original arcade frame rates.

Development and compatibility improvements are ongoing.

Community Testing & Feedback

Additional testing on a wider range of MiSTer configurations would be extremely helpful.

I'm particularly interested in feedback regarding:

• CRT Adjust and Direct Video on real CRT displays

• DB9 / DB15 controllers and button mappings

• Racing wheel compatibility

• NVRAM persistence across restarts and power cycles

• Game-specific graphical issues, performance problems, and unexpected behaviour

When reporting an issue, please include the game title, regional version, display configuration, input device, and a brief description of the problem. Screenshots or video are always appreciated.

Your testing and feedback help identify issues that may not appear on my own hardware.

Disclaimer

This is an independent, unofficial, fan-developed FPGA project. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or authorised by Bandai Namco Entertainment, Bandai Namco Holdings, or the original hardware manufacturers.

All game titles, trademarks, logos, and related intellectual property remain the property of their respective owners.

This software is provided as-is, without warranty of any kind, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or compatibility with specific hardware configurations, to the extent permitted by applicable law. Use is at your own risk. The developer accepts no liability for data loss, hardware damage, or other issues arising from its use, except where such liability cannot legally be excluded.

Users are responsible for ensuring they have the necessary rights to any game ROMs or other copyrighted materials they independently obtain or use.

Thank You for Your Support!

Going from five supported games in September to seventeen in Beta 2 represents a substantial step forward for both cores.

There's still plenty of work ahead, particularly around performance, graphical accuracy, and peripheral support, but I'm very pleased with the progress so far.

Thank you to everyone supporting the development, testing these releases, and helping preserve these classic Namco arcade platforms on MiSTer FPGA.

Enjoy Beta 2, and please keep the feedback coming!

-XelaNotPu

Source Code: GitHub