📰 New article from RetroRGB
Open Source NES PPU Replacement (RGB)
https://retrorgb.com/open-source-nes-ppu-replacement-rgb.html
Open-Source NES PPU Replacement Hits GitHub — And It’s Not Just Another Clone
Retro hardware hacker andkorzh just dropped PPU-LITE, a fully open-source replacement for the NES’s Picture Processing Unit (PPU)—and this one’s built for accuracy and affordability. Using an inexpensive FPGA and a simple 2-layer PCB, the design reverse-engineers the original PPU at the gate level to deliver pixel-perfect rendering. No need for a working vintage chip—just swap it in like-on-like.
A few quick notes:
- It’s physically shaped like the popular NESRGB board, making installation a breeze (and avoiding confusion with existing mods).
- The palette system currently uses fixed color schemes—developers are asking for community help to add custom, upgradable palettes. Think: your favorite CRT emulation look or retro modded colors.
- Not for sale yet, but the full design files are live on GitHub for the DIY-inclined.
If you’ve ever wanted a plug-and-play PPU that just works—without breaking the bank or needing obscure parts—this could be the holy grail. Stay tuned: installation videos and potential commercial builds may drop soon.