TIC-80 vs PICO-8

Struggling to choose between TIC-80 and PICO-8? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

TIC-80 is a Gaming Software solution with tags like retro, fantasy-console, game-development, emulator.

It boasts features such as Pixel art editor for sprites and tiles, Map editor for world/level design, Code editor for writing Lua scripts, Sound editor for composing SFX and music, Cartridge format for sharing games, Emulated fantasy computer environment and pros including Free and open source, Easy to use interface, Active community support, Cross-platform (Windows, Mac, Linux, HTML5).

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.

TIC-80

TIC-80

TIC-80 is a free and open-source fantasy computer and game development environment that allows users to create, share, and play retro styled games. It has built-in tools for development like code, sprites, maps, sound editors and runs games in an emulated environment.

Categories:
retro fantasy-console game-development emulator

TIC-80 Features

  1. Pixel art editor for sprites and tiles
  2. Map editor for world/level design
  3. Code editor for writing Lua scripts
  4. Sound editor for composing SFX and music
  5. Cartridge format for sharing games
  6. Emulated fantasy computer environment

Pricing

  • Free
  • Open Source

Pros

Free and open source

Easy to use interface

Active community support

Cross-platform (Windows, Mac, Linux, HTML5)

Cons

Limited to simulated retro hardware

Steep learning curve for coding

No native networking support


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