From Microcode to FPGA: z386 Brings the 80386 Back to Life

z386 proves that vintage CPU architectures can be faithfully reconstructed using recovered microcode and modern FPGA technology, enabling decades-old software to run on contemporary hardware. By leveraging extracted Intel 80386 microcode, the project demonstrates both the technical feasibility and practical value of CPU archaeology. This achievement opens new pathways for preserving computing history while advancing our understanding of classical microarchitecture design.