True. 26 chips IS a nightmare - but till date I have not had the "opportunity" to go all out for the 128 I/Os and have hence kept my sanity intact. In the current design I have kept the data and control bus on a 20Pin FRC header and add 16 I/O s at a time as per need.

The CPLD is defenitely a good option and am currently getting the grips on it - should be able to get there fast.

Raghu