PICO-8 vs Microsoft MakeCode Arcade

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

PICO-8 is a Gaming Software solution with tags like retro, fantasy, console, lua, tiny-games.

It boasts features such as 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 pros including Easy to learn and use, Active community support, Very affordable, Cross-platform support, Encourages creativity with limitations.

On the other hand, Microsoft MakeCode Arcade is a Games product tagged with coding, block-coding, game-design, retro, arcade.

Its standout features include Block coding interface, Sprite editor, Sound effects, Music, Hundreds of game examples, Remixable games, Multiplayer support, Works on phones, tablets, and desktop browsers, and it shines with pros like Free and open source, Easy to use block coding, Great for beginners, Large library of examples, Active community support.

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.

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


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