Specifiction
For vendors
AdvertiseTop spots, featured rows, home sponsor Get listedAdd a product we don't cover yet Claim a listingFree: verify the domain, then correct your page Vendor dashboardNumbers, orders and placements
List your tool
Vendor dashboard
Tech riderRev. 21 Sept 2026

C64 by ChronoCoders

Ch 126.7of 30 Commodore 64 Emulators
  1. 1Runs onLinux, Windows
  2. 2CostsNot stated by the maker
  3. 3Supported platformsLinux x86-64; Windows x86-64 (MSYS2 MinGW64)
  4. 4Disk and tape formatsD64 disk images
  5. 5Emulated C64 variantsCommodore 64
  6. 6Bundled software libraryNo
5 lines stated Written from the maker's own pages: github.com
Visit site Alternatives
The C64 by ChronoCoders homepage

Overview

C64 by ChronoCoders is ranked #12 of 30 in Commodore 64 emulators on Specifiction. It runs on Linux, Windows.

Compared on Commodore 64 emulators

Free plan
Yesgithub.com
Supported platforms
Linux x86-64; Windows x86-64 (MSYS2 MinGW64)github.com
Disk and tape formats
D64 disk imagesgithub.com
Emulated C64 variants
Commodore 64github.com
Bundled software library
Nogithub.com

Facts

Purpose
C64 is a cycle-accurate Commodore 64 and 1541 disk-drive emulator written from scratch in C11.github.com · 7 Oct 2026
Hardware emulation
It models the C64 and 1541 as separate machines with independent clock domains and a real IEC serial bus.github.com · 7 Oct 2026
Software compatibility
The project says it runs commercial software, including real games verified beyond unit tests.github.com · 7 Oct 2026
Audio and graphics
Its documented features include VIC-II graphics modes and sprites, plus SID 6581 sound resampled to 44.1 kHz.github.com · 7 Oct 2026
Disk support
The 1541 model supports LOAD, SAVE, and NEW, and writes disk changes back to the .d64 file on clean exit.github.com · 7 Oct 2026
Controls
Keyboard, joystick, and SDL-recognized game controllers are supported, with configurable joystick port and keyboard layout.github.com · 7 Oct 2026
Build requirements
The GUI binary requires a C11 compiler and SDL2; the project documents Linux x86-64 and Windows x86-64 using MSYS2 MinGW64 as verified platforms.github.com · 7 Oct 2026
ROM requirement
Copyrighted C64 ROM images are not included, so users must provide their own legally obtained copies to run the emulator.github.com · 7 Oct 2026
License
The repository source code is available under the MIT License, which grants use without charge and disclaims warranties.github.com · 7 Oct 2026
License limits
The MIT license covers repository source only; it does not cover ROM images, disk images, cartridges, or other software used with the emulator.github.com · 7 Oct 2026
Save states
Snapshots are limited to the same platform, build, endianness, and compiler ABI.github.com · 7 Oct 2026
Maker
The repository copyright notice names Altug Tatlisu.github.com · 7 Oct 2026
CPU and bus
The C64 and 1541 run in separate clock domains and communicate over a modelled IEC serial bus.github.com · 7 Oct 2026
Graphics
The VIC-II implementation covers five graphics modes, sprites, collisions, badlines, raster interrupts, and border effects.github.com · 7 Oct 2026
Sound
The SID 6581 model includes oscillators, four waveforms, sync, ring modulation, ADSR, a multimode filter, and 44.1 kHz resampling.github.com · 7 Oct 2026
Disk drive
The 1541 drive supports LOAD, SAVE, and NEW, with disk changes written back to the .d64 file on clean exit.github.com · 7 Oct 2026
Input
Input options include keyboard mapping modes, joystick port switching, cursor-key joystick controls, and SDL-recognized game controllers.github.com · 7 Oct 2026
Headless mode
The emulator supports a --headless mode and can run without an audio device, pacing to realtime from a wall-clock frame timer.github.com · 7 Oct 2026
Requirements
Building requires a C11 compiler and SDL2 for the GUI binary; the project documents Linux x86-64 and Windows x86-64 using MSYS2 MinGW64 as verified platforms.github.com · 7 Oct 2026
Accuracy limits
The design notes say digital components are modelled to the cycle while the SID filter and mixing use labelled fixed-point approximations.github.com · 7 Oct 2026
Snapshots
Save-state snapshots are limited to the same platform, build, compiler layout, and byte order.github.com · 7 Oct 2026
Audience
The design notes describe the documentation as intended for people extending or porting the code and people seeking to understand or trust its behaviour.github.com · 7 Oct 2026

Best C64 by ChronoCoders alternatives

See all 20
All accessCh 01 VICE Free planAndroidLinux Free to start7.5 All accessCh 02 Breadbin466 Free planLinuxMac Free to start7.2 All accessCh 03 Buddi Free planLinuxMac Free to start7.1 All accessCh 04 C64 Forever Free planWindows Free to start7.1 All accessCh 05 Frodo Free planLinuxMac Free to start7.1 All accessCh 06 simple-emu-c64 LinuxMac 7.1

Where it ranks on Specifiction

Is C64 by ChronoCoders yours?

Claim it for free: prove the domain, then correct facts, plans and screenshots. An editor reviews every change.

Claim it free Promote C64 by ChronoCoders

Sources