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SPECIFICTION
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minimal64

github.com

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Spec score 7.1 #18 of 31 in Commodore 64 Emulators

Spec sheet

Purpose
minimal64 is a small Commodore 64 emulator for programs that do not use the Kernal, BASIC or Character ROMs.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Audience
The README says that if a PRG or CRT runs on minimal64, it should also run on real C64 hardware or C64 emulators.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
API
The README points to example/m64-wrappers.js for an API.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
License
The repository is published under the GPL-2.0 license.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Browser example
The repository describes a simple web page with file controls for loading PRG and CRT files.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Color
It uses RGB values for the C64's 16 colors and provides functions to set them; PAL/NTSC color encoding and CRT effects are not emulated.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Compatibility caveat
Programs that rely on minimal64's custom Kernal will not run on real C64 hardware.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Custom Kernal
minimal64 includes a 252-byte custom Kernal and does not include BASIC or Character ROM data.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Cycle accuracy
Cycle accuracy is listed as an aim of the project.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Emulation limits
Datasette, disk drives, analog color encoding, CRT effects, the user port and parallel port are not emulated.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
File formats
It supports PRG files and standard 8 KB/16 KB, Ocean Type 1, C64GS and Magic Desk cartridge formats.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Hardware limits
Datasette, disk drives, the user port and parallel port are not emulated, and cartridge support is limited to listed formats.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Implementation
The emulator is written in plain C and has a custom 252-byte Kernal.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Intended use
The project is intended to run new software rather than the C64 software back catalog.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
License and author
The repository identifies nopsta as the author and lists a GPL-2.0 license.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Program formats
The emulator supports PRG files and selected CRT cartridge formats, including standard 8KB and 16KB cartridges, Ocean Type 1, C64GS and Magic Desk.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
ROMs
The emulator can load user-supplied Kernal, BASIC and Character ROMs; the included BASIC and Character ROM banks contain no data.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Size aim
The project aims to compile to 90 KB of JavaScript, or 36 KB gzipped.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Timing
Cycle accuracy is one of the project's stated aims.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
User-supplied ROMs
The project provides functions to load user-supplied Kernal, BASIC and Character ROMs.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Web build
The build includes JavaScript and WebAssembly files that can be used in an HTML document.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com

Where Specifiction places it

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