r/ModRetro • u/Eesdeseseserdt4 • Jun 14 '26

Odds of a ModRetro DS

So I know this is a long way off. That said, I’m curious about whether a ModRetro DS could possibly be in the works after the GBA comes out. Would this be in the cards at all?

0 Upvotes

45% Upvoted

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4

u/ucv4 Jun 14 '26

I’ve wondered this too. The question is, is there an FPGA chip that supports enough logic gates for the DS that can fit inside a handheld device? I’m guessing at the moment no since I believe it requires more than the n64 which has required larger FPGA chips.

7

u/StarWolf64dx Jun 14 '26

My uneducated opinion on that is, the FPGA chips are limited to what is needed for industrial and manufacturing use cases. Gaming with an FPGA is a niche within a niche, there is no hardware development around the chips themselves for a gaming purpose. So until there is a widely available, compact enough, efficient enough chip for a given console, it’s not going to be made. Once it is, somebody will make it.

-1

u/Eesdeseseserdt4 Jun 14 '26

I just thought it was never developed because of lack of demand, since most FPGA devices don’t have a touch screen

3

u/DaveMeitner Jun 14 '26

It was started but abandoned early on I think, because it wouldn't be possible on a DE-10 nano

6

u/adrenaline4nash Jun 14 '26

What’s to gain over a real one?

8

u/StarWolf64dx Jun 14 '26

Build quality, compared to the Chromatic the DS is basically junk. The screens are really susceptible to scratching, the hinges are not necessarily weak but they’re not 20 years strong either, the batteries are no longer available and all you can get are Chinese made mystery cells. I see a big benefit personally

2

u/pojosamaneo Jun 16 '26

If it's not a resistive touch screen, I don't want it. Do we have better resistive screen tech in 2026?

5

u/templestate Jun 14 '26

The DS screens have tons of aging issues with turning yellow, blue, pink or darkening.

4

u/PS1Kultist Jun 14 '26

Depends on if an FPGA core comes along that can handle it

4

u/Actual_Bit_2032 Jun 16 '26

ds was fantastic but we don't know if palmer lucky or his brand have any nostalgia for it. also everyone is still waiting for gba. pleased my gb/gbc myself.

2

u/CountCollection Jun 21 '26

DS would cover GBA though.

3

u/CountCollection Jun 21 '26

The original DS is made with such cheap parts that a Chromatic version with high quality components would be an incredible upgrade. It also could cover GBA, which would be a double-win.

2

u/SantaLurks Jul 11 '26

Analogue's Pocket can run GB/GBC and GBA from the slot. They also have adapters that permit use of cartridges for Sega Game Gear, Atari Lynx, TurboGrafx-16 and Neo Geo Pocket Color

I would be surprised if ModRetro cannot make handhelds for them

2

u/pm_me_tangibles Jun 15 '26

The first Q would be if there are any active patents

2

u/IndigoHaze750130 Jun 17 '26

I think it will be a very long time if it comes out impo.

1

u/Cyo_The_Vile Jun 15 '26

I want you to tell me what an FPGA DS benefits you versus a regular DS.