Difference between revisions of "Fantasy console"

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A '''fantasy console''' is a console that has no physical implementation; it only exists as a virtual machine. Like programming languages, fantasy hardware is sometimes built for entertainment purposes. The idea has recently gained popularity as the retrocomputing movement has gained steam with the resurgence of 80s nostalgia.
 
A '''fantasy console''' is a console that has no physical implementation; it only exists as a virtual machine. Like programming languages, fantasy hardware is sometimes built for entertainment purposes. The idea has recently gained popularity as the retrocomputing movement has gained steam with the resurgence of 80s nostalgia.
  
−
==CHIP-8==
+
For the list below, '''Memory Mapped''' means that the console ''does'' attempt to map objects to a memory system. This may include memory banks, video RAM, and other memory-based affordances. If the system is not memory mapped, then the physical layout of memory is not a consideration for that console.
−
[[File:Chip8-Korruption.gif|frame|CHIP-8 Pong]]
 
−
'''CHIP-8''' is an interpreted programming language developed by Joseph Weisbecker. It was first described in the December 1978 issue of Byte Magazine as a "hexidecimal interpreted bytecode" that was more compact and memory-efficient than BASIC interpreters of the time. The CHIP-8 bytecode runs in a virtual machine with a display resolution of 64x32 and 1 bit of color (on or off).
 
  
−
One of the first computers in add support for CHIP-8 as the COSMAC VIP, sold by RCA in the late 70s. This computer had a processor also made by RCA with a speed of about 1.77 MHz and 2 kB of RAM. The operating system contained a CHIP-8 interpreter that allowed the system to run games using the CHIP-8 language.
+
To be considered for inclusion into this list, the fantasy console ''must'' have some sample demos, even if a full game is not available.
  
−
The TELMAC also had a second version of CHIP-8 called CHIP-82 that used a 64x64 resolution. Given its limited market, most CHIP-8 programs use only the standard resolution of 64x32.
+
== List of Fantasy Consoles ==
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
!Console Name
 +
!FC Language
 +
!Build Language
 +
!License
 +
!Platform(s)
 +
!Display
 +
!Memory Mapped
 +
|-
 +
|[https://paladin-t.github.io/b8/ BASIC8] by Tony Wang
 +
|[https://paladin-t.github.io/b8/docs/manual BASIC]
 +
|C++
 +
|[https://store.steampowered.com/app/767240/ $14.99]
 +
|Windows, macOS, Linux
 +
|160x128
 +
|?
  
−
===SUPER-CHIP (SCHIP)===
+
|-
−
In the early 1990s, technology had advanced to the point where the HP48 calculator was capable of executing interpreted scripts. Because of the HP48's native LCD resolution, the SUPER-CHIP standard emerged with a 128x64 pixel resolution and some new instructions to ease programming.
+
|[https://davidbyers.itch.io/bitmelo Bitmelo] by David Byers
 +
|[https://bitmelo.com/api/ JavaScript]
 +
|JavaScript
 +
|[https://github.com/byersdz/bitmelo MIT]
 +
|Windows, Browser
 +
|320x180
 +
|No
  
−
==SCRIPT-8==
+
|-
−
A browser-based fantasy console by Gabriel Florit that uses Javascript as its main coding language. It features a live code editor, enhancements for rapid coding, pause/rewind features, and sprite/music/map editors. Its main storage format are "cassettes" which are URL-encoded for simple sharing.
+
|[https://ledoux.itch.io/bitsy Bitsy] by Adam Le Doux
 +
|Instructions
 +
|JavaScript
 +
|[http://ledoux.io/bitsy/editor.html Free]
 +
|Browser
 +
|16x16 1-bit sprites (8x8 per sprite)
 +
|?
  
−
===Specs===
+
|-
−
* Display: 128x128, 8 color (greyscale), 60 fps
+
|[https://github.com/bity-8/bity-8 BITY-8] by Alan Morgan
−
* Input: Mouse, keyboard, gamepad
+
|Lua
 +
|Rust
 +
|[https://github.com/bity-8/bity-8 GPL v3]
 +
|Cargo (Multiplatform)
 +
|192x144 4-bit rewritable palette
 +
|Yes
  
−
[https://script-8.github.io/ SCRIPT-8 GitHub page]
+
|-
 +
|[https://arkia.itch.io/chroma-60 CHROMA-60] by Arkia
 +
|ASM
 +
|C
 +
|[https://arkia.itch.io/chroma-60 Free]
 +
|Windows, Linux
 +
|240x135
 +
|?
  
−
==PICO-8/Voxatron==
+
|-
−
[[File:P8_jelpi.gif|frame|PICO-8 Jelpi demo]]
+
|[https://github.com/josefnpat/click4 Click4] by Josef Patoprsty
 +
|ASM
 +
|Löve
 +
|[https://github.com/josefnpat/click4/releases Free], [https://github.com/josefnpat/click4 MIT]
 +
|Windows, macOS, Linux
 +
|64x64
 +
|Yes
  
−
'''PICO-8''' is a proprietary virtual console developed by Lexaloffle Games. It comes packaged free with the purchase of '''Voxatron''', a fantasy voxel console, or available for purchase as a standalone program. The software also comes preinstalled on the [[PocketCHIP]] hardware.
+
|-
 +
|[https://github.com/anael-seghezzi/CToy CToy] by Anaël Seghezzi
 +
|C
 +
|C
 +
|[http://anael.maratis3d.com/ctoy/bin/ Free], [https://github.com/anael-seghezzi/CToy zlib]
 +
|Windows, macOS, Linux
 +
|128x128
 +
|?
  
−
The console is notable for its severe restrictions, limiting the programmer to a fixed palette of 16 colors, 32k of memory (Lua tokens), and rudimentary sound.
+
|-
 +
|[https://github.com/drako0812/DRAK-0 DRAK-0] by Drew Wibbenmeyer
 +
|ChaiScript, LuaJIT (coming soon)
 +
|C++
 +
|[https://github.com/drako0812/DRAK-0/releases NYOP], [https://github.com/drako0812/DRAK-0 MIT]
 +
|Windows
 +
|320x240
 +
|?
  
−
===Specs===
+
|-
−
* Display: 128x128, 16 color
+
|[https://betajaen.itch.io/dx8 DX8] by Robin Southern
−
* Memory: 32KB of Lua
+
|ASM
−
* Sound: 4-channel
+
|C/ASM
−
* Input: 6 buttons
+
|[https://betajaen.itch.io/dx8 Free], [https://github.com/betajaen/dx8 MIT]
 +
|Windows
 +
|320x256
 +
|?
 +
99
 +
|-
 +
|[https://mljware.itch.io/ecos ECoS] by MLJWare
 +
|Lua
 +
|Löve
 +
|[https://mljware.itch.io/ecos NYOP]
 +
|Windows, macOS, Linux
 +
|128x128, 1-bit
 +
|Yes
  
−
===Development===
+
|-
−
The language of PICO-8 is Lua. The PICO-8 software itself comes with a sprite and map editor, code editor, and the ability to build "cartridges" for distribution. Cartridge code is encoded into a PNG file in the last 3 bytes of every pixel. The Lexaloffle website runs cartridges in the browser when distributed via their forum.
+
|[https://corax89.github.io/esp8266Game/index.html ESP LGE] by Igor (corax89)
 +
|C-like
 +
|C++
 +
|[https://github.com/corax89/esp8266_game_engine GPL 3.0]
 +
|ESPBoy, Browser
 +
|128x128, 16 color palette switchable to any 16-bit (R5G6B5) value
 +
|Yes
  
−
[https://github.com/picolove/picolove PICOLOVE] is an open-source project emulating the PICO-8 in Love2D, a graphical Lua framework.
+
|-
 +
|[http://www.fancade.com/ Fancade] by Martin Magni
 +
|[http://wiki.fancade.com/ Visual Scripting]
 +
|C
 +
|[http://www.fancade.com/ F2P]
 +
|iOS, Android
 +
|Voxel
 +
|No
  
−
[https://www.lexaloffle.com/pico-8.php Lexaloffle website]
+
|-
 +
|[https://fazic.fazibear.me/ FAZIC] by Michał Kalbarczyk
 +
|[https://fazic.fazibear.me/help BASIC]
 +
|C++
 +
|[https://fazic.fazibear.me/fazic Free]
 +
|Browser
 +
|320x240
 +
|?
  
−
===Support and Community===
+
|-
−
The development community surrounding PICO-8 is robust despite its proprietary status.
+
|[https://github.com/G-eon/g-eon-wiki/wiki G-eon] by Memorix101
 +
|JavaScript
 +
|C++
 +
|[https://memorix101.itch.io/g-eon NYOP]
 +
|Windows, Linux, Raspberry Pi
 +
|640x480
 +
|No
  
−
==LIKO-12==
+
|-
−
[[File:Liko12_fire.gif|frame|LIKO-12 fire demo]]
+
|[https://poeticandroid.itch.io/homegirl Homegirl] by poeticAndroid
−
The '''LIKO-12''' project started as an open-source version of PICO-8. It features the ability to load PICO-8 cartridges, but features a 192x128 display for LIKO-12 projects.
+
|Lua
 +
|D
 +
|[https://github.com/poeticAndroid/homegirl/ Free], [https://poeticandroid.itch.io/homegirl Pro (NYOP)]
 +
|Windows, Linux, macOS
 +
|16 different screen modes with a configurable aspect ratio, up to 256 colors from a 12-bit palette per screen
 +
|No
  
−
Since its inception, LIKO-12 has evolved to become a full-fledged fantasy computer, complete with a virtual peripherals system with emulated hard disks and peripherals in addition to its terminal console.
+
|-
 +
|[http://pelulamu.net/ibniz/ IBNIZ] by viznut
 +
|C
 +
|[http://pelulamu.net/ibniz/ibniz.txt Instructions]
 +
|[http://pelulamu.net/ibniz/ Free], [https://github.com/viznut/IBNIZ zlib]
 +
|Windows, Linux
 +
|256x256
 +
|?
  
−
===Specs===
+
|-
−
* Display: 192x128, 16 color (PICO-8 palette)
+
|[https://github.com/Torbuntu/Leikr Leikr] by Torbuntu
−
* Storage: Two emulated 50MB hard disks
+
|Groovy, but can use Java, Kotlin, Clojure, or Lua
−
* Sound: 4-channel
+
|Java
−
* Input: Keyboard and mouse
+
|[https://github.com/Torbuntu/Leikr/releases Free], [https://github.com/Torbuntu/Leikr Apache]
 +
|Linux, Raspberry Pi 3B/3B+, 3A+, ClockworkPi GameShell, Windows
 +
|240x160
 +
|No
  
−
[https://github.com/RamiLego4Game/LIKO-12 LIKO-12 GitHub page]
+
|-
 +
|[https://ramilego4game.itch.io/liko12 LIKO-12] by RamiLego4Game
 +
|Lua
 +
|Löve
 +
|[https://ramilego4game.itch.io/liko12 NYOP], [https://github.com/RamiLego4Game/LIKO-12 MIT]
 +
|Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
 +
|192x128
 +
|No
  
−
==Leikr==
+
|-
−
Leikr is built on the mini2Dx Java framework and allows users to write games and applications in Groovy. Hard system specifications seem unlikely, as the author's stated goal is "It is not the intention of the Leikr Game System to compete or replace any current Fantasy Consoles."
+
|[http://lowres.inutilis.com LowRes Coder] by Timo Kloss
 +
|[http://lowres.inutilis.com/app-user-guide/ BASIC]
 +
|?
 +
|[https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/lowres-coder-program-retro/id962117496?mt=8 $4.99 (F2P)]
 +
|iOS
 +
|Up to 128x128
 +
|?
  
−
[https://torbuntu.github.io/Leikr/ Leikr page]
+
|-
 +
|[https://lowresnx.inutilis.com/ LowRes NX] by Timo Kloss
 +
|[https://lowresnx.inutilis.com/manual.php BASIC]
 +
|?
 +
|[https://lowresnx.inutilis.com/ Free], [https://github.com/timoinutilis/lowres-nx LGPL3]
 +
|Windows, macOS, iOS
 +
|160x128
 +
|?
  
−
==Neko8==
+
|-
−
Neko8 is another fantasy console that was inspired by Pico-8, LIKO-12, and TIC-80. It is a name-your-own-price download (including free), and includes built-in code editor, sprite editor, tile map editor, sfx editor, and music editor.
+
|[https://github.com/Vulcalien/LuaG-Console LuaG Console] by Vulcalien
 +
|Lua
 +
|Java
 +
|[https://github.com/Vulcalien/LuaG-Console/releases Free], [https://github.com/Vulcalien/LuaG-Console Apache]
 +
|Windows, macOS, Linux
 +
|160x160
 +
|No
  
−
===Specs===
+
|-
−
* Display: 192x128, 16 color, 512 8x8 sprites
+
|[https://arcade.makecode.com/ MakeCode Arcade] by Microsoft
−
* Storage: Unspecified
+
|[https://arcade.makecode.com/---docs#doc:reference Blocks], JavaScript, TypeScript
−
* Sound: Unspecified
+
|?
 +
|[https://arcade.makecode.com/ Free], [https://github.com/Microsoft/pxt-arcade MIT]
 +
|Browser, Raspberry Pi 0, [https://arcade.makecode.com/hardware custom handhelds]
 +
|160x120
 +
|No
  
−
[https://egordorichev.itch.io/neko8 Neko8 Itch.io page]
+
|-
 +
|[https://morgan3d.github.io/nano/ nano Jammer] by Casual Effects
 +
|[https://morgan3d.github.io/nano/doc/specification.md.html nano]
 +
|?
 +
|[https://morgan3d.github.io/nano/ Free], [https://github.com/morgan3d/nano/ BSD]
 +
|Browser
 +
|64x64
 +
|?
  
−
==TIC-80==
+
|-
−
Comes with a code, sprite, map, sound effect, and music editor.
+
|[https://egordorichev.itch.io/neko8 NEKO8] by Egor Dorichev
 +
|Lua, BASIC, ASM, MoonScript
 +
|?
 +
|[https://egordorichev.itch.io/neko8 NYOP], [https://github.com/egordorichev/neko8 ?]
 +
|Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
 +
|192x128
 +
|?
  
−
===Specs===
+
|-
−
* Display: 240x136, 16 color compile-time selectable
+
|[https://github.com/nibbleteam/nibble Nibble] by Felipe Tavares
−
* Memory: 64KB of Lua or Moonscript
+
|Lua
−
* Sound: 4 channels (select square, triangle or noise)
+
|?
−
* Input: 2 gamepads with 6 buttons / mouse
+
|Free
−
* Memory: 80k
+
|Windows, macOS, Linux
 +
|400x240, 8 palettes of 16 colors (from 24-bit values)
 +
|Yes
  
−
[https://tic.computer/ Main TIC-80 website]
+
|-
 +
|[http://johnearnest.github.io/Octo/ Octo] by John Earnest
 +
|ASM
 +
|Javascript
 +
|[https://github.com/JohnEarnest/Octo MIT]
 +
|Browser
 +
|64x32, 1-bit ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CHIP-8 CHIP-8 on Wikipedia])
 +
|Yes
  
 +
|-
 +
|[https://mlepage.github.io/phosphor/ Phosphor] by Marc Lepage
 +
|Lua
 +
|?
 +
|[https://mlepage.github.io/phosphor/ Free], [https://github.com/mlepage/phosphor MIT]
 +
|Browser
 +
|192x128
 +
|No
  
−
==PixelVision8==
+
|-
−
'''PixelVision 8''' is a fantasy console designer system. The core system runs its own OS, and developers can "build" a system from various components, such as cartridge, sound, and graphics. Scripting for all virtual machines is done in Lua.
+
|[https://www.lexaloffle.com/pico-8.php PICO-8] by Lexaloffle
 +
|Lua
 +
|?
 +
|[https://www.lexaloffle.com/pico-8.php $14.99]
 +
|Windows, macOS, Linux, Raspbery Pi
 +
|128x128
 +
|Yes
  
−
The Pro version is planned for $14.99, and comes with ReaperBoy PV8 (demo game using Game Boy-like hardware). The Pro version allows developers to mount a local folder as a workstation folder in PV8, and comes with more advanced editing tools.
+
|-
 +
|[https://zappedcow.itch.io/pix64 Pix64] by ZappedCow
 +
|PNG
 +
|C# (Monogame)
 +
|[https://zappedcow.itch.io/pix64 NYOP]
 +
|Windows, Linux
 +
|64x64
 +
|?
  
−
[https://pixelvision8.itch.io/game-creator PixelVision 8 website]
+
|-
 +
|[https://www.pixelvision8.com/ Pixel Vision 8] by Jesse Freeman
 +
|Lua
 +
|C#
 +
|[https://github.com/PixelVision8/PixelVision8 MS-PL] (similar to MIT)
 +
|Windows, macOS, Linux
 +
|256x240 base, customizable
 +
|Yes
  
−
==PX8==
+
|-
−
'''PX8''' is a fantasy console built in Rust. The cartridges contain graphics, code, and music, and the entire platform can be included as a Rust library. It is compatible with PICO-8 and can load PICO-8 cartridges. Unlike PICO-8, PX8 has no token or sprite limitation. The default resolution can be adjusted up to 256x256.
+
|[https://grapefruitopia.itch.io/prism-384 Prism-384] by Grapefruitopia Industries
 +
|JavaScript
 +
|?
 +
|[https://grapefruitopia.itch.io/prism-384 $5]
 +
|Windows, macOS, Linux, Raspberry Pi
 +
|384x216
 +
|Yes
  
−
Development seems to have stopped on PX8 in 2017, with the original GitHub repo now pointing to a generic drawing engine called "Unicorn Console". The link below points to the last known fork of PX8.
+
|-
 +
|[https://www.puzzlescript.net/ PuzzleScript], [http://dungeonscript.farbs.org/ DungeonScript] by Stephen Lavelle
 +
|[https://www.puzzlescript.net/Documentation/documentation.html Instructions]
 +
|?
 +
|[https://www.puzzlescript.net/ Free], [https://github.com/increpare/PuzzleScript MIT]
 +
|Browser
 +
|Configurable, Voxel (DungeonScript)
 +
|No
  
−
[https://github.com/trentspi/PX8 PX8 GitHub]
+
|-
 +
|[https://hallucino.itch.io/px8 PX8] by hallucino
 +
|Lua, Python
 +
|?
 +
|[https://hallucino.itch.io/px8 NYOP], [https://github.com/Gigoteur/PX8 MIT]
 +
|Windows, macOS, Linux
 +
|Configurable
 +
|No
  
−
==Retro-40==
+
|-
−
Retro-40 is a fantasy machine that uses Forth as its system language.
+
|[https://github.com/kitao/pyxel Pyxel] by Takashi Kitao
 +
|Python
 +
|Python
 +
|[https://github.com/kitao/pyxel/releases Free], [https://github.com/kitao/pyxel MIT]
 +
|Windows, macOS, Linux
 +
|256x256, fixed 16-color palette
 +
|No
  
−
===Specs===
+
|-
−
Display: 256x192, 16-color
+
|[https://morgan3d.github.io/quadplay/ quadplay] by Casual Effects
−
Storage: TBD
+
|[https://morgan3d.github.io/quadplay/doc/manual.md.html PyxlScript]
 +
|JavaScript
 +
|[https://morgan3d.github.io/quadplay/ Free], [https://github.com/morgan3d/quadplay/ LGPL3]
 +
|Windows, macOS, Linux
 +
|384x224
 +
|No
  
−
[https://github.com/raydeejay/retro-40 Retro40 GitHub]
+
|-
 +
|[https://github.com/Lyatus/raccoon Raccoon] by Lutopia & Linheha
 +
|JavaScript
 +
|?
 +
|[https://raccoon.lucien.cat/ Free], [https://github.com/Lyatus/raccoon Unlicense]
 +
|Browser
 +
|128x128
 +
|?
  
−
==Homegirl==
+
|-
−
'''Homegirl''' is a faux-attempt at an Amiga-like workstation. It has a "Workbench" and "applications" but is pretty much a reimplimentation of an OCS Amiga.
+
|[https://github.com/kesiev/rewtro Rewtro] by Kesiev
 +
|JSON
 +
|JavaScript
 +
|Free, [https://github.com/kesiev/rewtro MIT]
 +
|Browser
 +
|160x144, 256x192, 320x200; 16 colors
 +
|No
  
−
* See ''[https://github.com/poeticAndroid/homegirl/blob/master/README.md Homegirl GitHub]
+
|-
 +
|[https://github.com/incinirate/riko4 Riko4] by Bryan
 +
|Lua
 +
|?
 +
|[https://github.com/incinirate/Riko4/releases Free], [https://github.com/incinirate/riko4 MIT]
 +
|Windows, macOS, Linux
 +
|280x160
 +
|?
  
−
==0x10c==
+
|-
−
While not a "fantasy console" per se, the '''0x10c''' specification was fleshed out initially by Markus "Notch" Persson of Minecraft fame. When he dropped development of the project bearing the same name, fans took over the project and implemented the microcomputer described in his design documents.
+
|[https://script-8.github.io/ SCRIPT-8] by Gabriel Florit
 +
|JavaScript
 +
|?
 +
|[https://script-8.github.io/ Free], [https://github.com/script-8/script-8.github.io MIT]
 +
|Browser
 +
|128x128
 +
|?
  
−
===Specs===
+
|-
−
* Display: LEM1802 - 128x96, SPED-3 3D vector display
+
|[https://github.com/pistacchio/tako80 Tako 80] by pistacchio
−
* Peripherals: M35FD floppy drive, SPC2000 deep sleep chamber, real-time clock
+
|JavaScript
−
* Input: Keyboard
+
|?
 +
|Free, [https://github.com/pistacchio/tako80 MIT]
 +
|Browser
 +
|160x144
 +
|?
  
−
[http://www.dcpu-ide.com/ DCPU-16 IDE website]
+
|-
−
[https://github.com/lucaspiller/dcpu-specifications DCPU-16 specifications mirror]
+
|[https://tic.computer TIC-80] by Vadim Grigoruk
 +
|Lua, MoonScript, JavaScript
 +
|C++
 +
|[https://tic.computer/create Free, $5 (Pro)], [https://github.com/nesbox/TIC-80 MIT]
 +
|Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
 +
|240x136
 +
|Yes
 +
 
 +
|-
 +
|[https://melloland.itch.io/vectorboy VectorBoy] by David Jalbert
 +
|Lua
 +
|?
 +
|[https://melloland.itch.io/vectorboy NYOP]
 +
|Windows
 +
|Vector
 +
|No
 +
 
 +
|-
 +
|[https://www.lexaloffle.com/voxatron.php Voxatron] by Lexaloffle
 +
|[https://www.lexaloffle.com/voxatron.php?page=resources micro-scripting]
 +
|?
 +
|[https://www.lexaloffle.com/voxatron.php $19.99]
 +
|Windows, macOS, Linux
 +
|Voxel
 +
|Yes
 +
 
 +
|-
 +
|[https://github.com/gardrek/VVpet VVpet] by Gardrek
 +
|Lua
 +
|Löve
 +
|Free, [https://github.com/gardrek/VVpet ?]
 +
|Windows, macOS, Linux
 +
|64x64x2, 128x128x4, Configurable
 +
|No
 +
 
 +
|-
 +
|[https://takezoff.github.io/x8support/#!index.md x8studio] by takezoff
 +
|Lua
 +
|?
 +
|In development
 +
|Android?, iOS?
 +
|128x128, fixed 16-color palette
 +
|?
 +
 
 +
|-
 +
|[https://github.com/nrkn/yuki-js yuki-js] by Nik Coughlin
 +
|JavaScript subset
 +
|?
 +
|Free, [https://github.com/nrkn/yuki-js MIT]
 +
|Browser
 +
|Configurable
 +
|Not by default
 +
 
 +
|-
 +
|[https://zany80.github.io Zany80] by Noam Preil
 +
|[https://zany80.github.io/documentation/programming/ Z80 ASM, C89]
 +
|?
 +
|[https://zany80.github.io/downloads.html Free], [https://github.com/zany80 Apache]
 +
|Windows, Linux, [https://zany80.github.io/native/emscripten/ Browser]
 +
|Serial I/O
 +
|?
 +
 
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
== Links ==
 +
* [https://fantasyconsoles.org/wiki Fantasy Consoles Wiki]

Latest revision as of 12:06, 10 March 2023

A fantasy console is a console that has no physical implementation; it only exists as a virtual machine. Like programming languages, fantasy hardware is sometimes built for entertainment purposes. The idea has recently gained popularity as the retrocomputing movement has gained steam with the resurgence of 80s nostalgia.

For the list below, Memory Mapped means that the console does attempt to map objects to a memory system. This may include memory banks, video RAM, and other memory-based affordances. If the system is not memory mapped, then the physical layout of memory is not a consideration for that console.

To be considered for inclusion into this list, the fantasy console must have some sample demos, even if a full game is not available.

List of Fantasy Consoles

Console Name FC Language Build Language License Platform(s) Display Memory Mapped
BASIC8 by Tony Wang BASIC C++ $14.99 Windows, macOS, Linux 160x128 ?
Bitmelo by David Byers JavaScript JavaScript MIT Windows, Browser 320x180 No
Bitsy by Adam Le Doux Instructions JavaScript Free Browser 16x16 1-bit sprites (8x8 per sprite) ?
BITY-8 by Alan Morgan Lua Rust GPL v3 Cargo (Multiplatform) 192x144 4-bit rewritable palette Yes
CHROMA-60 by Arkia ASM C Free Windows, Linux 240x135 ?
Click4 by Josef Patoprsty ASM Löve Free, MIT Windows, macOS, Linux 64x64 Yes
CToy by Anaël Seghezzi C C Free, zlib Windows, macOS, Linux 128x128 ?
DRAK-0 by Drew Wibbenmeyer ChaiScript, LuaJIT (coming soon) C++ NYOP, MIT Windows 320x240 ?
DX8 by Robin Southern ASM C/ASM Free, MIT Windows 320x256 ?

99

ECoS by MLJWare Lua Löve NYOP Windows, macOS, Linux 128x128, 1-bit Yes
ESP LGE by Igor (corax89) C-like C++ GPL 3.0 ESPBoy, Browser 128x128, 16 color palette switchable to any 16-bit (R5G6B5) value Yes
Fancade by Martin Magni Visual Scripting C F2P iOS, Android Voxel No
FAZIC by Michał Kalbarczyk BASIC C++ Free Browser 320x240 ?
G-eon by Memorix101 JavaScript C++ NYOP Windows, Linux, Raspberry Pi 640x480 No
Homegirl by poeticAndroid Lua D Free, Pro (NYOP) Windows, Linux, macOS 16 different screen modes with a configurable aspect ratio, up to 256 colors from a 12-bit palette per screen No
IBNIZ by viznut C Instructions Free, zlib Windows, Linux 256x256 ?
Leikr by Torbuntu Groovy, but can use Java, Kotlin, Clojure, or Lua Java Free, Apache Linux, Raspberry Pi 3B/3B+, 3A+, ClockworkPi GameShell, Windows 240x160 No
LIKO-12 by RamiLego4Game Lua Löve NYOP, MIT Windows, macOS, Linux, Android 192x128 No
LowRes Coder by Timo Kloss BASIC ? $4.99 (F2P) iOS Up to 128x128 ?
LowRes NX by Timo Kloss BASIC ? Free, LGPL3 Windows, macOS, iOS 160x128 ?
LuaG Console by Vulcalien Lua Java Free, Apache Windows, macOS, Linux 160x160 No
MakeCode Arcade by Microsoft Blocks, JavaScript, TypeScript ? Free, MIT Browser, Raspberry Pi 0, custom handhelds 160x120 No
nano Jammer by Casual Effects nano ? Free, BSD Browser 64x64 ?
NEKO8 by Egor Dorichev Lua, BASIC, ASM, MoonScript ? NYOP, ? Windows, macOS, Linux, Android 192x128 ?
Nibble by Felipe Tavares Lua ? Free Windows, macOS, Linux 400x240, 8 palettes of 16 colors (from 24-bit values) Yes
Octo by John Earnest ASM Javascript MIT Browser 64x32, 1-bit (CHIP-8 on Wikipedia) Yes
Phosphor by Marc Lepage Lua ? Free, MIT Browser 192x128 No
PICO-8 by Lexaloffle Lua ? $14.99 Windows, macOS, Linux, Raspbery Pi 128x128 Yes
Pix64 by ZappedCow PNG C# (Monogame) NYOP Windows, Linux 64x64 ?
Pixel Vision 8 by Jesse Freeman Lua C# MS-PL (similar to MIT) Windows, macOS, Linux 256x240 base, customizable Yes
Prism-384 by Grapefruitopia Industries JavaScript ? $5 Windows, macOS, Linux, Raspberry Pi 384x216 Yes
PuzzleScript, DungeonScript by Stephen Lavelle Instructions ? Free, MIT Browser Configurable, Voxel (DungeonScript) No
PX8 by hallucino Lua, Python ? NYOP, MIT Windows, macOS, Linux Configurable No
Pyxel by Takashi Kitao Python Python Free, MIT Windows, macOS, Linux 256x256, fixed 16-color palette No
quadplay by Casual Effects PyxlScript JavaScript Free, LGPL3 Windows, macOS, Linux 384x224 No
Raccoon by Lutopia & Linheha JavaScript ? Free, Unlicense Browser 128x128 ?
Rewtro by Kesiev JSON JavaScript Free, MIT Browser 160x144, 256x192, 320x200; 16 colors No
Riko4 by Bryan Lua ? Free, MIT Windows, macOS, Linux 280x160 ?
SCRIPT-8 by Gabriel Florit JavaScript ? Free, MIT Browser 128x128 ?
Tako 80 by pistacchio JavaScript ? Free, MIT Browser 160x144 ?
TIC-80 by Vadim Grigoruk Lua, MoonScript, JavaScript C++ Free, $5 (Pro), MIT Windows, macOS, Linux, Android 240x136 Yes
VectorBoy by David Jalbert Lua ? NYOP Windows Vector No
Voxatron by Lexaloffle micro-scripting ? $19.99 Windows, macOS, Linux Voxel Yes
VVpet by Gardrek Lua Löve Free, ? Windows, macOS, Linux 64x64x2, 128x128x4, Configurable No
x8studio by takezoff Lua ? In development Android?, iOS? 128x128, fixed 16-color palette ?
yuki-js by Nik Coughlin JavaScript subset ? Free, MIT Browser Configurable Not by default
Zany80 by Noam Preil Z80 ASM, C89 ? Free, Apache Windows, Linux, Browser Serial I/O ?

Links

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