Tang Retro Console

Product Overview

• Release Date: Late-April 2025
• Pre-order Link: Click Here (Pre-order has ended, retail version coming soon)
• Development Board Documentation: Click Here
• Tang Core Developer Documentation: Click Here

Board Features

Product Appearance

Block Diagram

Click for Details

Here we take 60k SOM as an example, and the same is true for 138k

Hardware Specifications

Getting Started

Using the Tang Retro Console as an example, here’s how to play games with the Tang Console:

Preparation

Items needed:

• Tang Console, either 138k or 60k version
• USB 2.0 drive, or SD card + card reader (Recommended format: FAT32/exFAT, ≤32GB)
• USB-C OTG adapter with power pass-through (Recommended: USB-C card reader included in the bundle)
• Available GBA BIOS (gba_bios.bin)
• Latest TangCore Release Package
• Game ROMs you want to play (Demo games are preloaded on the uSD card included in the Tang Retro Console Premium bundle)

Installing MCU Firmware

• For users who purchased any Tang Console bundles, this step is not necessary, as it has been pre-installed at the factory.

• If firmware updates are needed in the future, please refer to the guide here: Click Here

  📁 /                
  ├── 📁 cores/        # `cores` directory from release
  │    ├── 📁 console60k/
  │    └── 📁 console138k/
  ├── 📁 nes/          # .nes rom files
  ├── 📁 snes/         # .smc/.sfc files
  ├── 📁 gba/
  │    └── 🗎 gba_bios.bin  # GBA BIOS
  ├── 📁 genesis/      # .bin/.md files
  └── 📁 sms/          # .sms files

⚠ Console will filter the suffix of the game ROM, please be sure to change the game ROM to the corresponding suffix ⚠

Storage Media Content

The contents of the storage media are not differentiated between the 138k console and the 60k console. However, the gba_bios.bin must be downloaded by the user and added manually.

Place the game ROMs you wish to play into their corresponding directories.

Hardware Assembly

❗Note: Please assemble all accessories before connecting the power!

1. Early Bird Ver. Recommended Method (All accessories for this method are included in the Tang Console Retro Premium package):

   

   Left: USB-OTG card reader + USB-C power supply | Bottom: USB controller P1 | Top: HDMI output

   • Pros: Simple to setup.

   • Cons: USB controller connection may be unstable in this configuration.

   • If the USB controller is not recognized (especially after switching emulator cores), users may need to repeatedly reconnect the USB controller several times.

   • *Retail Ver. of Tang Console does not need to use OTG card reader, just insert the uSD card into the built-in card slot. Because the built-in card slot of Retail Ver. is connected to BL616 through a MUX.*

   
   

2. Recommended Method for Retail Version

   Click to View Details

   
   

   Bottom Left: USB-OTG | Top Left: USB-C Power Supply | Bottom: USB Controller P1 | Top Right: HDMI Output

   • Pros: MOST Simple setup.

   • Cons: USB controller connection may be unstable in this configuration.

   • If the USB controller is not recognized (especially after switching emulator cores), users may need to repeatedly reconnect the USB controller several times.

   • The controller can be connected directly to the Console's USB port or via USB-OTG to the BL616.

   • USB OTG is not necessary to assemble, depends on your use.

   
   

3. The nand2mario Method

   Click to View Details

   
   

   Left: OTG USB drive + USB-C power supply | Right: DS2 PMOD + DS2 controller | Top: HDMI output

   • Pros: Stable configuration.

   • Cons: Bulky setup.

   • For a more compact connection, try using a wireless DS2 controller and replacing the USB drive with a smaller one.

   
   
   
   

4. USB OTG HUB Method {#USB_OTG_HUB}

   Click to View Details

   
   

   Left: USB-C OTG HUB + USB drive + USB-C power supply + USB controller P1 | Top: HDMI output

   • Pros: Stable connection.

   • Cons: Bulky setup & potential USB HUB compatibility issues.

   • Tested USB HUB compatibility list: Click Here

   
   
   
   

Powering On & playing

1. Assemble the hardware as described in the previous step, then connect the power supply.

2. Wait a moment for the main menu to appear.

   Click to View Details

   
   
   
   

3. Use the game controller to navigate the menu:

   • Move the cursor up and down.
   • Use left and right for page navigation.
   • Press B or 3 to confirm.
   • Press A or 2 to go back.
   • Navigate cursor to on .., press B to return to the previous menu.
   Click to View Details

   
   
   
   

4. Select an emulator title, such as SNES, press B to access the submenu, select the game ROM you wish to play, and press B again to launch the game.

   Click to View Details

   
   
   
   

5. The HDMI output will briefly disappear. After a short moment, the ROM loading screen will appear, and the title at the bottom of the screen will switch to the corresponding emulator's name (e.g., SnesTang in this example).

   Click to View Details

   
   
   
   

6. Wait for the ROM to finish loading, then press the start button to begin the game.

   Click to View Details

   
   
   
   

7. During gameplay, press → + select to return to the main menu.

8. Some game ROMs may not be fully compatible with the emulator. If issues arise, power cycle the console to reset it.

Additional Resources

• Original Installation Documentation: Click Here
• Special Thanks: nand2mario

Contact & Support

For technical support and business inquiries, please contact us via email: support@sipeed.com

• Reddit : reddit.com/r/GowinFPGA/
• Telegram : t.me/sipeed
• Discussion forum: maixhub.com/discussion
• Discord: https://discord.gg/V4sAZ9XWpN
• QQ discussion group: 834585530
• Leave a message directly below this page
• Goto GitHub project page and submit issues
• Business email : support@sipeed.com

Important Notes

FAQ

USB Controller Not Responding

UI Disappears After Pressing the MODE Key

"Waiting for USB drive..." Message After Powering On

GBATang Error: Cannot find /gba_bios.bin...

For More Questions

Refer to the Troubleshooting page in the Tang Core documentation for additional solutions.

If you encounter a new issue, please feel free to provide feedback.

Feedback methods can be found here.