TangCore - FPGA Gaming Distribution for Sipeed Tang

September 13, 2025 · View on GitHub

TangCore is a comprehensive FPGA gaming distribution that brings classic gaming systems to Sipeed Tang FPGA boards. It combines multiple high-quality gaming cores into a single package with an easy-to-use menu system.

Please file an issue if you run into any problems, like game compatibility and display glitches.

🎮 Supported Systems

  • NESTang - Nintendo Entertainment System

    • Cycle-accurate NES emulation
    • Extensive mapper support
    • 720p HDMI output

  • SNESTang - Super Nintendo Entertainment System

    • Support for LoROM, HiROM and ExHiROM
    • DSP-1/2/3/4, S-RTC, OBC-1 extension chips

  • GBATang - Game Boy Advance

    • High compatibility
    • Open source BIOS included
    • Full 32MB gamepak support

  • MDTang - Sega Genesis/Mega Drive

    • Accurate Genesis/Mega Drive emulation

  • SMSTang - Sega Master System

  • 🌟🌟 Try the new 486Tang

💻 Supported Hardware

Board ModelStatusNotes
Tang Console 60K✅ RecommendedBest overall experience
Tang Console 138K✅ ExperimentalSupported since April 2025
Tang Primer 25K✅ ExperimentalNES/SNES only

🚀 Quick Start

For detailed setup instructions, please refer to our Installation Guide. Here's a quick overview:

  1. Download the latest TangCore release
  2. Flash the firmware using Bouffalo Lab Dev Cube
  3. Prepare a USB drive with FPGA cores and your game ROMs
  4. Connect required peripherals (HDMI and controller)
  5. Power on and enjoy!

🛠️ Documentation

TangCore uses a different architecture compared to individual cores (NESTang/SNESTang):

  • Firmware runs on BL616 MCU instead of FPGA
  • Fast core switching via JTAG
  • USB storage support
  • SOM-connector debugging interface

For detailed development information, see an introduction to TangCore archtecture, building from sources, how to develop a new core, and core debugging guide.

My blog post on TangCore,

📝 License

TangCore firmware is licensed under Apache 2.0. Each core maintains its original license - please check individual core directories for details.

🙏 Acknowledgments

  • MiSTer FPGA cores and their developers
  • openFPGALoader by Gwenhael Goavec-Merou

📫 Contact

For updates and announcements, follow @nand2mario on X.

For support, please use the GitHub Issues page.