Picocomputer 6502¶
Pure 6502. No governor. No speed limits.
The Picocomputer 6502 is an open source, modern-retro gaming computer built around a real WDC 65C02. The design philosophy is simple: keep the soul of programming a 6502 and 6522, then rethink everything else.
Community¶
Most of the action is on Discord, where you can also grab ROMs. Subscribe to the YouTube channel and share the project around while you’re at it.
Specs¶
Core — WDC 65C02 CPU and 65C22 VIA, variable from 0.1 to 8.0 MHz
RAM — 64 KB system plus 64 KB extended
ROM — 1 MB of onboard flash for installing and auto-booting ROMs
Video — VGA and HD output, 16-bit color with alpha
Sound — PSG (8 voices) or OPL2 FM (9 voices)
Clock — real-time clock with automatic Daylight Saving Time
TRNG — true random number generator
Quality of Life¶
Open by design — fully open source hardware and software, friendly to DIY builds
Console manifold — reach the console over telnet, serial, or direct attach
Storage — fast USB flash drive access, over 512 KB/sec read and write
Keyboards — international keyboard layout support
Fonts — built-in code pages for international character sets
Connectivity¶
Wi-Fi — NTP time sync, telnet server, and Hayes modem emulation
Bluetooth LE — keyboards, mice, and gamepads
USB host — keyboards, mice, gamepads, hubs, UART serial, MIDI, NFC, floppy and flash drives
USB device — serial console access with no driver needed (CDC ACM)
Programming¶
Protected OS — 32-bit operating system that uses no 6502 RAM
FAT filesystem — read and write files on any USB flash or floppy drive
POSIX-like API — a familiar C library for portable code
cc65 — VS Code integration for cc65
llvm-mos — VS Code integration for llvm-mos
AI assistance — the latest models via VS Code extensions or GitHub Copilot
Build It¶
100% through-hole construction, no IC programmer required. Hundreds of people have built one, typically for under $100 USD. Prefer not to solder? You can have a unit manufactured in China instead. Every part is currently in production, and the Raspberry Pi Pico 2 is guaranteed through at least January 2040.
Hardware: Schematic and manufacturing information.
Documentation¶
The Picocomputer 6502 is a reference design for RP6502 modular hardware. The only required module is the RP6502-RIA.
RP6502-RIA: the interface adapter for the 6502, in the spirit of the classic CIA, VIA, and ACIA chips.
RP6502-RIA-W: the wireless features unlocked by the Pico 2 W.
RP6502-VGA: the optional video adapter.
RP6502-TERM: the console and its terminal escape sequences.
RP6502-OS: the operating system and its application programming interface.
