Fantasy system emulators

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TODO: Add these consoles and computers.

For software that emulates other systems on these computers/consoles, see Emulators on Fantasy Computer.
Main wiki: Fantasy Console Wiki

Fantasy consoles or fantasy computers are fictitious systems that aim to recreate the experience of retro gaming without the need to emulate real hardware, allowing specifications of their emulated hardware surpassing the real hardware specifications of the systems they are molded after.


Consoles

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Fantasy consoles are intended to replicate the experience of older video game consoles.

Beep-8

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Name Platform(s) Latest version License Active Recommended
Beep-8 Web Website git MIT (Permissive) ✓ ✓

BrainFuckConsole74

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Name Platform(s) Latest version License Active Recommended
BrainFuckConsole74 Web Website Proprietary ✓ ✓

cel7

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cel7 is a fantasy console/framework based around the fe programming language, both created by rxi.

Name Platform(s) Latest version License Active Recommended
cel7 Windows Linux itch.io Proprietary ✓ ✓
cel7ce Windows Linux git GPLv3 (Copyleft) ? ?

DRAK-0

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'DRAK-0 is a fantasy console created by Drew Wibbenmeyer.

Name Platform(s) Latest version License Active Recommended
DRAK-0 Windows git Proprietary ✓ ✓

DreamBox

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DreamBox is a fantasy console created by Hazel Stagner, it recreates the look of 3D on 2000's consoles.

Name Platform(s) Latest version License Active Recommended
DreamBox Windows Linux Itch.io Proprietary ~ ✓

ESP LGE

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ESP LGE is a fantasy console created by Igor (A.K.A corax89) for the ESPboy.

Name Platform(s) Latest version License Active Recommended
ESP LGE Web ESPboy Itch.io ? ✗ ✓

Kate

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Kate is a fantasy console created by Niini.

Name Platform(s) Latest version License Active Recommended
Kate Web Windows Linux Website
Itch.io 		MPL 2.0 (Copyleft) ✓ ✓

Leikr

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Leikr is a fantasy console created by Torbuntu.

Name Platform(s) Latest version License Active Recommended
Leikr Java git Apache 2.0 (Permissive) ✓ ✓

LowRes NX

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LowRes NX is a fantasy console created by Timo Kloss.

Name Platform(s) Latest version License Active Recommended
LowRes NX Windows Linux macOS 1.2
libretro core 		zlib License (Permissive) ✗ ✓

MegaZeux

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MegaZeux is a fantasy console created by Alexis Janson.

Name Platform(s) Latest version License Active Recommended
MegaZeux Windows Linux macOS Linux ARM Android Web FreeBSD
Nintendo 3DS Nintendo DS Switch PlayStation Portable PlayStation Vita Dreamcast MS-DOS GP2X Pandora 		2.70-2.93b GPLv2 (Copyleft) ✓ ✓

MicroW8

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MicroW8 is a fantasy console created by exoticorn.

Name Platform(s) Latest version License Active Recommended
MicroW8 Web Website
libretro core 		Unlicense (Public domain equivalent) ✓ ✓

PICO-8

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PICO-8
Developer Lexaloffle Games
Type Fantasy console
Emulated ✓

PICO-8 is a fantasy console created by Lexaloffle Games. It recreates the limited graphics (color and resolution) and audio capabilities of the 1980s/8-bit machines it is modeled after.

The popular game Celeste was originally created in PICO-8 during a game jam before later being recreated for releases on computers and consoles, with the PICO-8 version being retroactively titled 'Celeste Classic'.

PICO-8 emulators

Name Platform(s) Latest version License Active Recommended
PC/x86
PICO-8 Windows Linux macOS 0.2.7 Proprietary ✓ ✓
Retro8 Windows Linux macOS libretro core GPLv3 (Copyleft) ✓ !
tac08 Windows Linux macOS git MIT (Permissive) ✗ !
femto8 Windows Linux macOS git MIT (Permissive) ✓ !
PICO-Z Windows Linux macOS git MIT (Permissive) ✓ !
Open8 Windows Linux macOS FreeBSD Haiku MS-DOS RiscOS git MIT (Permissive) ✓ !
Mobile/ARM
PICO-8 Linux ARM 0.2.7 Proprietary ✓ ✓
PicPic iOS iPadOS macOS 2.0 Proprietary ✓ ✓
fake-08 (libretro core) Android git MIT (Permissive) ✓ !
P8GO Android Website
Google Play (0.2.6) 		Proprietary ✗ !
Retro8 Android libretro core GPLv3 (Copyleft) ✓ !
Open8 iOS git MIT (Permissive) ✓ !
Web
PICO-8 Web Website
Education Edition 		Proprietary ✓ ✓
Open8 Web git MIT (Permissive) ✓ !
PICO-Z Web Web Player MIT (Permissive) ✓ !
PICO-R Web Web Player MIT (Permissive) ✓ !
Console
fake-08 Wii U PlayStation Vita
Nintendo 3DS Switch Bitt-Boy 		git MIT (Permissive) ✓ !
PS4-P8 PlayStation 4 git MIT (Permissive) ✗ !
PICO-8 Emulator Saturn 2.0 Proprietary ✗ !
Retro8 Nintendo GameCube Wii Nintendo 3DS
Wii U Switch PlayStation 2
PlayStation Portable PlayStation Vita
Dingoo GCWZero 		libretro core GPLv3 (Copyleft) ✓ !
zepto8 Dingoo GCWZero git WTFPL 2.0 (Public domain equivalent) ✗ !
Open8 PlayStation 2 PlayStation Portable Dreamcast PlayStation Vita Nintendo 3DS git MIT (Permissive) ✓ !
Other
PICOLOVE LÖVE git zlib License (Permissive) ✓ !
zuco8 Zune git MIT (Permissive) ✓ !

Sharpie

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Name Platform(s) Latest version License Active Recommended
Sharpie Web Windows Windows on ARM Linux macOS Website
0.3 		LGPLv2.1 (Copyleft) ✓ TBD

Vircon32

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Vircon32
Developer(s) Carra (Vircon32)
Latest version v1.2 (BIOS)
v25.3.17 (emulator)
Active Yes
Platform(s) Windows
Linux
macOS
Android
iOS
Raspberry Pi
Switch
Emulates Vircon32
Website Website
Download(s) Official emulator
Programmed in C and Assembly (BIOS)
C++ (emulator)
Source code Console software
Computer software

Vircon32 (stylized as Vircon32) is a fantasy console created by Carra (A.K.A Vircon32), inspired by the 16-bit and 32-bit generations of video game consoles. The name is a combination of sections the words 32-bit virtual console.

Vircon32 has the specifications of a 15 MHz CPU, 16 MBs of RAM, 16-channel stereo sound, with support for 1 MB save games, and 4 controllers.[1]

The developer has stated that Vircon32 doesn't have 3D support to keep the project's simplicity[1]

Name Platform(s) Latest version License Active Recommended
Vircon32 Windows Linux macOS Android iOS Linux ARM Switch Website
git
libretro core 		BSD-3-Clause (Permissive) ✓ ✓
External Links

Computers

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Fantasy computers are intended to replicate the experience of old home computers.

3BC

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3BC is a free and open-source (GPLv3 licensed)[2] fantasy computer created by Rodrigo Dornelles. It recreates 1960s computers.

Name Platform(s) Latest version License Active Recommended
3BC Windows Linux macOS FreeBSD git GPLv3 (Copyleft) ~ ✓

atto

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atto is a open-source (MIT licensed) fantasy computer created by DeviceFuture. It recreates elements of 1980s and modern computers.

Name Platform(s) Latest version License Active Recommended
atto Web Website
git 		MIT (Permissive) ~ ✓

BASIC8

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BASIC8 is a fantasy computer created by Tony Wang. It recreates elements of 1980s and modern computers.

Name Platform(s) Latest version License Active Recommended
BASIC8 Windows Linux macOS Web Steam Proprietary ✓ ✓

Continuum 93

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Continuum 93 is an open source fantasy retro computer developed by EnthusiastGuy, designed to emulate the experience of classic consoles while introducing modern enhancements. Its assembly language architecture draws inspiration from iconic systems like the ZX Spectrum, Amiga, NES, and other retro consoles, blending nostalgia with innovative features.

Technical Specifications:

  • Processor: Continuum 93’s CPU frequency is unlocked, adapting dynamically to the host system's performance—from 3-4MHz on low-end devices up to 600MHz or more on high-end systems.
  • Memory: 16MB of RAM, with up to 1MB of DMA RAM shared with the video card.
  • Graphics: Supports up to 8 layered video pages, each with 255 colors from a 16-million color palette.
  • Audio: Generates complex soundscapes through parameters like frequency, envelope, vibrato, arpeggiation, duty cycle, retrigger, flanger, and low/high-pass filters.

Features:

  • Advanced interrupt handling for:
 * 2D acceleration
 * Keyboard, mouse, and gamepad input
 * Clock and filesystem operations
 * PNG sprites and font management
  • Runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux, Raspberry Pi (64-bit), and Steam Deck.

Development Tools:

  • Extensive documentation and example code.
  • Separate debugger, disassembler, and video inspector application that connects locally to the emulator.

Availability: Fully open source.

Discord: For any news and feedback the author maintains this discord channel.


Name Platform(s) Latest version License Active Recommended
Continuum 93 Windows Linux macOS Itch.io Open source ✓ ✓

C-Toy

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C-Toy is a open-source fantasy computer created by Anaël Seghezzi based on TCC (TinyC Compiler) with live-editing and being cross-platform as the focus.

Name Platform(s) Latest version License Active Recommended
C-Toy Windows Linux macOS git zlib License (Permissive) ✗ ✓

HomeComp

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A range of home microcomputers released from an imaginary UK based company. The goal is to chart a hardware progression form the late-70's hobbiest days through the mass-market 8- and 16- bit era waves. An alternate history view and a new target development platform. Early machines are MOS 6502 based.

Name Platform(s) Latest version License Active Recommended
HC-77B Windows Linux macOS [1] Closed Source Giftware ✓ ✗
HC-77B Bundle Windows Linux macOS [2] Closed Source Giftware ✓ ✓

imeight

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imeight emulator
Developer(s) tchibo
Latest version N/A
Active Yes
Platform(s) Web
Emulates imeight
Download(s) SourceForge
Programmed in JavaScript
Source code SourceForge

An HTML5 emulator of a machine that never existed. The emulator brings back memories from the 1980s, offers graphical features like sprites, character generator, 16-color palette.

One goal is to create a framework for making games with 8-bit look and feel, including the process of programming.

The programming tutorial helps beginners enter the world of programming in a gamified way.

Name Platform(s) Latest version License Active Recommended
imeight Web Try-it Page ? ✓ ✓

LIKO-12

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LIKO-12 is a fantasy computer created by RamiLego4Game.

Name Platform(s) Latest version License Active Recommended
LIKO-12 Windows Linux macOS homepage MIT (Permissive) ✗ ✓

Micro16

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Micro16 is a fantasy computer created by bitblitter inspired by PICO-8

Name Platform(s) Latest version License Active Recommended
Micro16 Windows Itch.io Proprietary ✗ ✓

Picotron

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THERE ARE CURRENTLY NO EMULATORS FOR THIS DEVICE OR PLATFORM. ANY CLAIMS TO OFFER THEM ARE SCAMS!

TIC-80

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TIC-80
Developer(s) Vadim Grigoruk (Nesbox)
Latest version N/A
Platform(s) Windows
Linux
macOS
Android
Raspberry Pi
Browser
3DS
Libretro
Pocket CHIP
iOS
Apple TV
Emulates TIC-80
Website tic80.com

TIC-80 is a free and open-source (MIT Licensed)[3] fantasy computer created by Vadim Grigoruk (Nesbox). It recreates the limited graphics (color and resolution) and audio capabilities of the 1980s/8-bit machines it is modeled after.

Due to TIC-80 being open source, it supports developing programs in the following languages:

  • Lua, MoonScript, JavaScript, Wren, Fennel, Squirrel, Ruby, Janet, Scheme and Python.
Name Platform(s) Latest version License Active Recommended
TIC-80 Windows Linux macOS FreeBSD Linux ARM Nintendo 3DS
Web Android iOS AppleTV 		git
iOS/Apple TV
Website 		MIT (Permissive) ✓[4] ✓

See also

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References

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  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://www.vircon32.com/index.html
  2. ↑ 3BC LICENSE.txt
  3. ↑ "TIC-80 / LICENSE" - GitHub
  4. ↑ Except for the iOS/Apple TV version.
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