emudore

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What emudore is

emudore is a free, open-source Commodore 64 emulator for Linux, Windows, macOS, and the web. Written in C++11 with SDL2, it can load PRG files and type BASIC listings. Browser demos include one that starts in CBM BASIC and another that loads a Monopole PRG. Its VIC-II implementation supports four of the five official graphics modes, along with smooth scrolling, sprites, raster interrupts, and badlines; screen refresh is synchronized to approximately 50 Hz for PAL. Debug builds on Linux and macOS can integrate with radare2 to read and modify memory. Special keys are not supported yet. Illegal opcodes are unsupported, and incomplete hardware features and non-pixel-exact emulation may cause advanced games or demos to fail. The project is licensed under Apache 2.0. SID sound and VIC-1541 floppy-drive support are capabilities the author would like to work on.

Who it suits

It suits people seeking a free Commodore 64 emulator on Linux, Windows, macOS, or in a browser, particularly for PRG files and BASIC listings. Those needing advanced game or demo compatibility should note the stated emulation limits.

What it does well

Runs on Linux, Windows, macOS, and in a browser.
Loads PRG files and types BASIC listings.
Supports four official VIC-II graphics modes.
Apache 2.0 licensed.

What to know first

Special keys are not supported yet.
Illegal opcodes are unsupported.
Advanced games or demos may fail.

Limits

The project does not support illegal opcodes, and incomplete hardware support and non-pixel-exact emulation can prevent advanced games or demos from working. Special keys are also unsupported.

Getting started

Open the emudore project website on GitHub.
Choose a Linux, Windows, or macOS build, or use a browser demo.
In the browser, choose the CBM BASIC or Monopole PRG demo.
Load a PRG file or type a BASIC listing.

Verdict

emudore offers Commodore 64 emulation across desktop platforms and the web, with PRG loading and several VIC-II features. Its stated compatibility limits matter for advanced games and demos.

Questions

Is emudore free?

Yes. It is free and open source under the Apache 2.0 license.

Which platforms does emudore support?

It builds and runs on Linux, Windows, macOS, and in a browser. It may also work on SDL2-supported platforms with a C++11 compiler.

What files can emudore load?

It can load PRG files and type BASIC listings. PRG is the listed disk and tape format.

Can it run advanced C64 games and demos?

Some may fail because illegal opcodes are unsupported, hardware features are incomplete, and emulation is not pixel-exact.

Facts from emudore's own pages

Basic programs: The BASIC ROM runs and most simple programs run without issues. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Browser builds: The project links to browser demos that boot into CBM BASIC or load a Monopole PRG, including WebAssembly builds. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Debugger integration: Debug builds on Linux and OSX support radare2 for reading and modifying memory. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Debug integration: Linux and macOS debug builds support radare2, which can read and modify emulator memory. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Emulation limitations: Undocumented MOS 6510 opcodes are not supported, and some advanced games may not work because hardware features are unimplemented. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Graphics: Four of the five official VIC-II graphics modes are supported, along with smooth scrolling, sprites, raster interrupts, and badline emulation. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Intended audience: The maker says the project was written to learn about computer architecture, graphics, and C++ while having fun. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Known limitations: The README says illegal opcodes are unsupported and advanced games or demos may fail because hardware features are incomplete and emulation is not pixel-exact. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
License: The project is licensed under Apache 2.0. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Planned capabilities: The README lists SID sound and VIC-1541 floppy drive support as features the author would like to work on. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Platform support: The project says it builds and runs on Linux, Windows, OSX, and in a browser; it may also work on SDL2-supported platforms with a C++11 compiler. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
PRG and BASIC files: emudore can load PRG files and type BASIC listings, though special keys are not supported for BASIC listings. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Program loading: It can load PRG files and type BASIC listings, though special keys are not supported yet. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Purpose: emudore is a Commodore 64 emulator written from scratch using C++11 and SDL2. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Sound and disk support: The maker lists SID sound and VIC-1541 floppy drive support as features they would like to work on later. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Supported systems: The README says it builds and runs on Linux, Windows with Visual Studio, macOS, and in a browser. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Timing: The emulator synchronizes its screen refresh to approximately 50 Hz (PAL) using vertical refresh synchronization. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Video features: The VIC-II implementation supports four of five official graphics modes, plus smooth scrolling, sprites, raster interrupts, and badlines. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Visual accuracy: The README cautions that emulation is not pixel-exact and some graphics effects, especially in demos, may be emulated poorly. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026

Where emudore stands on Freedom251

Commodore 64 Emulators#8 of 31