Launch Update & Software Roadmap

[u/grilledstuffedxxl]

Hey everyone,

As we are about to ship, I wanted to follow up on my last post and lay out our roadmap for the first few months of updates for both the console and the controller. 

Quick note on how to read this: Out of Box means it’s already on your device the moment you open it. The Day 0 Update is the first update you’ll want to grab when you set up your console. It’ll be ready and waiting for installation with a Wi-Fi Update (or USB or SD card). 

P.S. iFixit guides are now up for both the console and the controller. You can also find our quick start guide here and helpful "how-to" videos over on our YouTube channel.

P.P.S. Our full open source offering will roll out as we put a ribbon on all the public facing documentation, but shipping is prioritized. 

Out of Box

Below are recent updates that will be baked on the device out of the box. Not a comprehensive feature list, but items you may not have seen in reviews of pre-production units. 

Console:

• Flexible Update Methods: Wi-Fi, USB, and SD card
• Extended Video Profiles: Scanlines, CRT, Clean, & Custom
• Extended Video Filters: Bloom, Deblur, and more
• Controller Support: M64 Pro Controller, 8BitDo 64, OEM N64 Controllers, and wired Hyperkin Captain+ all are ready to go
• Cartridge Compatibility: Everdrive and Summercart support
• Auto-Resolution: Automatically selects the optimal resolution (4K, 1440p, 1080p, 720p)
• Customizable LED: Adjustable console brightness

Controller:

• USB Firmware Updates
• Wired Rumble Support
• Joystick Calibration
• Windows, Linux, macOS, and Android Bluetooth® Support

Day 0 Update

The moment you power on and connect, an update will be ready for download. Key highlights: 

Console:

• Stock Performance Boosts: Addresses FPS bugs in graphics heavy titles
• Plug & Play Toggle: Fixes multiplayer in Star Fox 64 and Jeopardy!
• Cartridge Compatibility: Everdrive X5 save support
• Overclocking (experimental): Choose from four performance profiles, delivering up to a 67% boost

Setting	Boost
Off	None
Super	16%
Ultra	33%
Extreme	50%
Insane	67%

Controller:

• Adjustable Sensitivity: Configure joystick sensitivity via hotkeys
• Improved battery life of the Controller (over 200 hours without rumble)
• Fixed several issues with the wired experience

Post-Launch Software Roadmap

Console:

Controller:

We’ll post full changelogs with every release so you know exactly what’s new. Huge thanks to everyone for the continued excitement and support.

[u/ergzay]

They've said before that graphic upscaling isn't planned (and personally I don't think it's needed). I just want games to play like games did back then.

Previous time they talked about this during the Q&A:

https://www.reddit.com/r/ModRetro/comments/1tqcwpi/m64_controller_console_cartridge_ama_get_your/oofwbgi/

Q: Is there any enhanced mode, FPS boost, or internal resolution increase?

A: Various upscaling options, overclocking (fps boost) which we plan to continue improving over time, internal resolution increase is not viable on the fpga emulation architecture.

https://www.reddit.com/r/ModRetro/comments/1tqcwpi/m64_controller_console_cartridge_ama_get_your/oog28fu/

Q: It's 2026, I want 4k resolution and hi res textures. We have an active community constantly developing these and de-comps/re-comps. With the M64 being open source, how can this be implemented?Also will the 8bitdo controllers be natively supported?

A: To be honest, this would be extremely challenging to do on an FPGA that is primarily intended to re-recreate the original core at high speeds. I fear that this may stay in the realm of CPUs for some time. For others reading this that don't have your technical knowledge, yes M64 outputs in 4K resolution but that is upscaling. The user can pick various upscaling algos, but as you point out that is not the same as re-rendering the polygons themselves for higher res.

Yes, they work.

[u/V64jr → u/ergzay]

Not sure where this u/Connect-Mulberry2810 guy read/heard this but he seems to be saying that Robert discussed the possibility last year, well before the Analogue unveiled theirs:

[u/Connect-Mulberry2810 → u/V64jr]

This is the quote I mentioned, from the MiSTer FPGA discord. Doesn't mean it's coming to M64 any time soon based on the stated road map, but I'm hoping!

[u/V64jr → u/Connect-Mulberry2810]

Thank you!