You might ask, Why not just use RetroArch? Here is why the verified PC98 core is a game-changer:
Run the update_all.sh script from the console. As of April 2025, the PC98 core is included in the official distribution. mister pc98 core verified
cd /media/fat/Scripts
./update_all.sh
Update your MiSTER via the update_all script. The PC98 core will now appear under “Computer → PC98 (Verified)”. You might ask, Why not just use RetroArch
For decades, the NEC PC-9800 series (commonly known as the PC-98) represented a unique silo of Japanese computing. While the rest of the world adopted IBM PC compatibles, Japan’s business and gaming markets thrived on these beautiful, proprietary machines. From groundbreaking visual novels like Yu-No to legendary strategy games like Brandish, the PC-98 library is a treasure trove of pixel art and FM synthesis audio. Update your MiSTER via the update_all script
However, emulating the PC-98 has always been a challenge. Software emulators like Neko Project II and Anex86 are functional but suffer from input lag, audio desynchronization, and imperfect cycle accuracy.
Enter the MiSTer FPGA project. The recent announcement that the MiSTer PC98 Core is now verified changes everything. But what does "verified" actually mean? Is it just another beta release, or is this the holy grail for retro Japanese computing?
This article dives deep into the verified status of the PC98 core, what hardware you need, how to set it up, and why FPGA accuracy matters for these iconic games.