C64 {Hardware} Simulator Isn’t (Simply) For Enjoying Round

If you need to play previous Commodore video games, there are C-64 emulators accessible for nearly any platform– however most of them are so excessive degree, they’re actually meant for simply that: enjoying video games. [antirez] has a unique purpose along with his c64-hw-sim project— it’s a lower-level emulation that simulates each chip and each connection on an ASSY 250407 motherboard, and all of the chips on it, too. Ever questioned what occurs when a particular chip is lacking, or a random pin is shorted to floor or pressured excessive? You can do all that in software program, with no threat of harming vintage {hardware}.

While that is likely to be a enjoyable little bit of faffing about for a sure kind electronics sadist, the true utility is to be taught in regards to the {hardware}, each within the summary and that can assist you troubleshoot a board you may need. It’s doubtless that many given failure modes reproduce the identical results– plenty of issues can knock out the show output, for instance–however no less than when you’ve reproduced a flaw in software program you possibly can strive testing the {hardware} to see if that’s the reason for your downside. Assuming the simulation covers your {hardware} challenge, anyway.

There’s cycle-accurate chip emulation for the processor, CIAs, SID and VIC-II by way of code by [Andre Weissflog], a.ok.a. [flooh]. Meanwhile analog circuitry within the video, audio and energy sections usually are not simulated so not every thing fault will likely be replicable right here. Still, it is likely to be a neat device– simply don’t try to run any video games on it, as a result of even on high-end fashionable {hardware} it solely runs at about one-third pace. That’s quick sufficient for diagnostics, however not a lot for Maniac Mansion, by no means thoughts Elite. 

Speaking of Elite, do you know the supply– each of the port and the unique– is available with comments? If you need an emulator you possibly can play, you will get it on every thing from microcontrollers like Teensy to your private laptop.

Thanks to [Salvatore] for the tip!