Retro Remake, the hardware company led by Taki Udon, has unveiled the SS One, an FPGA console inspired by the PS One.

The PS One was Sony’s first rerelease of their home console, the PS1. It abandoned the blocky edges and relatively large build for a smaller footprint with rounded corners. Sony would follow the same “slimmed down model” release pattern with the PS2, PS3, PS4, and most recently, the PS5.

Even their handhelds, the PSP and PS Vita saw slim variations released with other scattered changes throughout.

Taki Udon and Retro Remake

SUPER5 OLED Touch – image source @TakiUdon on Twitter

Over the last few years, Taki has stepped away from reviewing and covering retro handhelds and ventured into his new company, Retro Remake.

The company has been releasing products steadily throughout the past year (with delays here and there) like the SUPER5 OLED kit for the Switch Lite and the low-cost De10 Nano alternative, the MiSTer Pi.

Outside of this, Taki has announced via Twitter that he intends to release new screens, shells, batteries, and other internal enhancements for the iPod Classic, Mini and Nano.

I have settled on doing a custom shell replacement to fit iPod classic 1G-5.5G motherboards. Shell will come with an OLED or IPS screen, dedicated BT with a pairing button, TF/CF adapters, and a battery. Internal adapter frames can hold Mini 1/2, Nano 1-3, and Classic 6/7 mobos. https://t.co/ZGnq6CT7AY

— Taki Udon (@TakiUdon_) December 5, 2024

Within all of these announcements and hopeful product launches, Taki had been dropping hints about his desire to create an FPGA console that was heavily inspired by — and meant for — playing PS1 titles.

SS One Is a PS One, but Better

Retro Remake is honing its focus on an FPGA based reimagination of the PS one. It doesn’t simply stop at trying to mimic the PS one, however. It will add Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, digital output (HDMI), and NFC. All while supporting original PS1 peripherals like memory cards, controllers, and discs.

Taki has also shared that multiple different color variations will be available and not just the black one shown in the initial announcement.

With the announcement itself broadcasting a target price range of $150, and some choice wording in saying that disc support is not shown, it could be assumed that there will be a base model that may lack disc support and a higher tier may support discs, but details have yet to be shared on that front.

Taki did share that the base IO on the device will be plentiful, featuring all of the expected ports found on the standard MiSTer Pi and De10 Nano boards, and then some.

Base IO (the unit you see in this picture):

2 PSX controller ports, 2 PSX memory card ports, 1 YC for lightgun, Micro SD, 3 USB Type A, 1 Type C for power, HDMI, DIN10, VGA, Component, Composite, Ethernet, 3.5mm analog audio, and TOSLINK digital audio.

Expansion slot on bottom.

— Taki Udon (@TakiUdon_) January 9, 2025

In the replies to his initial tweet, Taki clarified that the SS one will ultimately be compatible with the entire MiSTer FPGA project, giving access to multiple consoles already available through user-created cores. Obviously, the shell of the console itself and its main use case are found in the PS one inspiration.

Cost Efficiency and the Future

Retro Remake and Taki have a history of launching cost efficient alternatives to expensive or otherwise unheard of electronics. The MiSTer Pi was their answer to the ever increasing price of Terrasic’s De10 Nano board — the base board for the MiSTer FPGA project, and until taki decided to tackle th project, an OLED screen mod for the Switch Lite was not widely available. They managed to price the MiSTer Pi at $99, giving gamers interested in the MiSTer FPGA project a starting point that didn’t cost hundreds of dollars.

It’s an exciting time for retro gaming enthusiasts. From the MiSTer Pi project seeing multiple batch releases, Mike Chi’s various RetroTink upscalers, and the plethora of retro handhelds being released seemingly every week, there’s no shortage of options for those looking for a way to play retro games anywhere they may be, on whichever screen or device they deem best.

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