Microsoft MakeCode Arcade vs PICO-8

Struggling to choose between Microsoft MakeCode Arcade and PICO-8? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

Microsoft MakeCode Arcade is a Games solution with tags like coding, block-coding, game-design, retro, arcade.

It boasts features such as Block coding interface, Sprite editor, Sound effects, Music, Hundreds of game examples, Remixable games, Multiplayer support, Works on phones, tablets, and desktop browsers and pros including Free and open source, Easy to use block coding, Great for beginners, Large library of examples, Active community support.

On the other hand, PICO-8 is a Gaming Software product tagged with retro, fantasy, console, lua, tiny-games.

Its standout features include Retro 8-bit aesthetic, Built-in code editor, sprite editor and sound effects editor, 128x128 pixel screen resolution, Lua programming language support, Cartridge sharing format (.p8) to easily share games, Mouse, keyboard and gamepad controller support, Export games to stand-alone executables, and it shines with pros like Easy to learn and use, Active community support, Very affordable, Cross-platform support, Encourages creativity with limitations.

To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison of these two products, delving into their features, pros, cons, pricing, and more. Get ready to explore the nuances that set them apart and determine which one is the perfect fit for your requirements.

Microsoft MakeCode Arcade

Microsoft MakeCode Arcade

Microsoft MakeCode Arcade is a free, open-source web-based platform that allows users to create retro arcade games using block coding. It features Sprite Editor, sound effects, music, overlays and hundreds of game examples to remix.

Categories:
coding block-coding game-design retro arcade

Microsoft MakeCode Arcade Features

  1. Block coding interface
  2. Sprite editor
  3. Sound effects
  4. Music
  5. Hundreds of game examples
  6. Remixable games
  7. Multiplayer support
  8. Works on phones, tablets, and desktop browsers

Pricing

  • Free
  • Open Source

Pros

Free and open source

Easy to use block coding

Great for beginners

Large library of examples

Active community support

Cons

Limited functionality compared to advanced game engines

Games can only be played in browser

Limited customization options

No monetization options


PICO-8

PICO-8

PICO-8 is a fantasy console for making, sharing and playing tiny games and other computer programs. It feels like a regular console, but runs on Windows, Mac, Linux and inside browsers. Programs are written in Lua and share cartridges in .p8 format.

Categories:
retro fantasy console lua tiny-games

PICO-8 Features

  1. Retro 8-bit aesthetic
  2. Built-in code editor, sprite editor and sound effects editor
  3. 128x128 pixel screen resolution
  4. Lua programming language support
  5. Cartridge sharing format (.p8) to easily share games
  6. Mouse, keyboard and gamepad controller support
  7. Export games to stand-alone executables

Pricing

  • One-time Purchase

Pros

Easy to learn and use

Active community support

Very affordable

Cross-platform support

Encourages creativity with limitations

Cons

Limited resolution and color palette

No 3D support

Limited distribution options

Steep learning curve for total beginners