Getting started

There's many ways to customize your Zaparoo setup, but getting started is easy! You can start with as little as your phone and some NFC stickers, or go all out with awesome custom readers and labels.

If you're new to all of this, What's Ken Making created a very comprehensive overview of the Zaparoo project.

Install the Zaparoo Software

First, make sure you have a platform supported by the core Zaparoo software:

• MiSTer FPGA
• MiSTeX
• Commodore 64 (via TeensyROM)

Follow the linked instructions to install Zaparoo on your platform. More supported platforms are coming soon!

Get Some Zaparoo Tokens

These launch your games! Check out the NFC Tags page for a rundown on what tags work as Zaparoo Tokens and some advice where to get them.

Install the Zaparoo App

The Zaparoo app connects to the Zaparoo software and makes it easy to configure Zaparoo and set up tokens to launch games or perform other actions.

Use Zaparoo as a Reader

If you want to try Zaparoo before buying more hardware, Zaparoo offers a paid upgrade in app to use your phone as a Zaparoo reader. This is totally optional, but is less expensive than a dedicated NFC reader and helps support the Zaparoo developers directly!

Buy a Compatible NFC Reader

Check out the Vendors pages for a list of shops recognized by the Zaparoo project which sell custom Zaparoo Readers. If you're looking for some budget options, the NFC Readers page has an in depth rundown of compatible generic NFC readers plus recommended places to buy them.

If your NFC reader is not working when connected but appears to be powered, make sure to try using different cables. Some USB cables are "power only" and do not have the data lines connected internally, but look identical to a regular USB cable.

Make or Buy Card Labels

Make your Zaparoo Tokens look awesome! Join the Discord to find people who offer services to print high quality Zaparoo labels. Some Vendors also offer generic labels for sale you can write on yourself.

Happy to get crafty? The Zaparoo Designer makes it super easy to design and print your own labels! The Labels pages also has some great advice for supplies to do this as well.