ModRetro has officially opened sales of its M64, putting its modernized take on Nintendo 64 hardware in the hands of buyers at $229 through the company’s own storefront. Shipping on first orders began today, July 28, 2026, the same day the unit went on sale.
Alongside that direct launch, the company is rolling out a “Smoke” colorway positioned as a GameStop exclusive, giving collectors a second route into the M64 ecosystem — one aimed at shoppers who still browse physical retail aisles.
Why the M64 Matters to the FPGA Crowd
The M64 joins a growing category of FPGA-driven retro hardware — machines designed to recreate the behavior of classic silicon rather than lean on software emulation. ModRetro built its reputation in this space with the Chromatic, a Game Boy-compatible handheld that earned a following for accuracy, build quality, and a developer-friendly approach that encouraged homebrew tinkering. Extending that philosophy into the N64 generation is a logical step and a long-requested one from the company’s existing fanbase.
The original Nintendo 64 console launched in 1996 in Japan as a 64-bit challenger in a generation defined by cartridge media and four-player couch play. Its software library — spanning Super Mario 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, GoldenEye 007, and Mario Kart 64 — remains a touchstone for retro enthusiasts. Hardware that honors that era, particularly units that sidestep the quirks of aging original consoles, has become a small but vocal corner of the collecting hobby.
A Two-Channel Launch Strategy
Pairing a direct-to-consumer launch with a retail-exclusive variant is a familiar playbook for enthusiast hardware makers, and it carries clear signals. Selling through the official site gives ModRetro tight control over margins and direct customer relationships; routing the Smoke edition through GameStop taps into impulse buyers and the segment of fans still loyal to in-store counters. For collectors, the practical takeaway is straightforward: the standard-color M64 ships from ModRetro today, while the Smoke version gives shoppers a reason to track local GameStop inventory.
What to Watch Next
Boutique FPGA hardware has a track record of moving quickly once word spreads, and ModRetro has not shared firm timelines for Smoke edition stock beyond the GameStop exclusive arrangement. Retro fans tracking this corner of the hobby should keep an eye on the RetroArcade news section for follow-up coverage as both colorways reach buyers and third-party accessory makers begin announcing M64-compatible carts and controllers.
Source: Retro Dodo