2025 is clearly the year of the FPGA console. We’ve got the Analoge 3D dropping into the office in a couple of months, and now Taki Udon has announced his PS1-inspired FPGA console the ‘SS One’. Described by Taki as the world’s first affordable FPGA gaming console, it will be priced at $149 for initial founders, and while it sounds like it should be something that’s manned by Captain Pickard and his crew, it’s very much real and a lot more exciting than the Enterprise.
According to sources on the internet, the SS One isn’t the final retail name for the product, but considering its design is based heavily on the PS One (the smaller version of the PS1), I think it’s quite fitting. The console uses FPGA chips to accurately replicate the inner workings of a PS1 without resorting to using standard emulation methods, which as we know can be problematic sometimes when it comes to glitches and lagging, resulting in a sub-par gaming experience. If you’ve used an Analogue Pocket, then you’ll know how smooth and reliable FPGA consoles are, so I’m looking forward to checking the SS One out in person to see how it performs.
The world's first affordable FPGA gaming console. Inspired by the PS one. Supports PS1 games, memory cards, and controllers. Analog/Digital output. NFC/WiFi/BT. MiSTer FPGA compatible. Disc support not pictured.
— Taki Udon (@TakiUdon_) January 9, 2025
Pricing starts at $149 for founders and friends. pic.twitter.com/mjFMm4Gcc5
Taki has stated on his socials that there will be an optional disc drive that can be put alongside the console which is set to be ‘a slimmer version’ of the main unit. In terms of ports on the SS One, we know that it will have Analog and Digital output thanks to HDMI, VGA, component video, and composite video ports. It has two slots for PS1 controllers, and two memory card slots just like the original PS One, is powered by USB-C, and utilises 3 USB-A ports and a MicroSD card reader slot. Plus, there’s YC for a LightGun too – Taki is pulling out all the stops to provide us with nostalgia here!
The SS One is also set to run the MiSTer framework so that users can play games from other systems on here too, making it a little like the Analogue Pocket with its adapters for playing Game Gear games. When it comes to price, the SS One would certainly be the cheapest on the market too. The Analogue Pocket standard colour consoles cost $220 (when they’re available), and the Analogue 3D launched at $249. Currently, Taki is offering his console at $100 cheaper than the 3D, but with no more information as to what the console will cost the general public, only time will tell how cheap it ends up being. We don’t currently have any release information, but I’ll be sure to update you all as soon as I know!
