JavaScript emulation allows you to run retro computers and consoles right in your web browser. I’ve also been customising and expanding an online integrated development environment (IDE) to allow you to program these computers without requiring any complicated software configurations or additional tools.
To make following my tutorials easier, I have been collecting and tweaking great open source retro computer emulators and hosting them on my server for easy access.
Using the CHIPS Emulators
These are a collection of amazing emulators all developed by @Floooh – if the program you want to run doesn’t work on a main emulator then try it on the CHIPS version instead. With Amstrad, the CHIPS version does have sound, whereas the main emulator does not, for example.
Check out the Shadow of the Beast demo on the CPC emulator as a great example!
- In games, use Arrow Keys to control direction, and Space to jump/fire.
- In some browsers, audio output is disabled until the first click, key press or touch.
- Games usually require to press Space or 1 in the intro screen to start the actual game.
To load you own files, start one of the system emulators and drag’n’drop your files into the browser window. The UI versions of the emulators allow you to enable and disable the joystick emulation as needed.
When files are successfully loaded, the border will flash green for a short moment, or red when an error is encountered.
See below for system-specific loading- and starting instructions.
Amstrad CPC
The CHIPS Amstrad CPC emulator supports the following file formats:
- DSK disk image files
- TAP tape image files
- SNA snapshot files
- BIN snapshot files
- TXT files
BIN and SNA files are autostarting. For DSK files first type the CAT command to list the disc content, then start the right program with RUN"filename[Enter]. For TAP files simply type RUN"[Enter].
ZX Spectrum:
In games that require to select a joystick type, select Kempston.
The CHIPS ZX Spectrum emulator supports the following file formats:
- Z80 snapshot files
- TXT files
Acorn Atom:
The CHIPS Acorn Atom emulator supports the following file formats:
- TAP tape image files
- TXT files
After dropping a TAP file on the emulator, simply type *LOAD[Enter] to load and start the program.
Commodore 64:
The CHIPS C64 emulation currently supports PRG and TAP files.
When loading TAP files, after the first short loading phase, when Found [Game Name] is displayed, you can press Space to proceed to the next phase.
PRG files usually need to be started via RUN, this may also be required for TAP files after an initial loading phase.