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.
retro
fantasy
console
lua
tiny-games
PICO-8: A Fantasy Console for Tiny Games
A fantasy console for making, sharing and playing tiny games and other computer programs, available on Windows, Mac, Linux, and browsers.
What is PICO-8?
PICO-8 is a fantasy video game console developed by Lexaloffle Games. It is designed to mimic the look, feel and limitations of consoles from the 1980s like the Nintendo Entertainment System, within the framework of a modern digital audio workstation.
Some key features of PICO-8 include:
- A 128x128 pixel display with a fixed 16 color palette
- Lua scripting language for creating games and applications
- Sprite and map editors for visually designing games
- Sound effects and music trackers for audio
- Cartridge sharing system to distribute PICO-8 games online
- Built-in control pad, mouse and keyboard input
- Fantasy styled console and documentation presentation
PICO-8 runs natively on Windows, Mac OS and Linux. It can also run inside web browsers via WebGL. Games and cartridges created with PICO-8 can be easily shared online or exported to stand-alone HTML5 web apps.
The limited resolution, color palette and features of PICO-8 are designed to encourage creative coding within defined constraints. As a fantasy console, it aims to celebrate and explore classic hardware limitations in a modern context.
PICO-8 Features
Features
- 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
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
Official Links
The Best PICO-8 Alternatives
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