CHIP-8 Emulator - NeonCore

A high-performance CHIP-8 emulator built with C++ backend compiled to WebAssembly (WASM) and a modern React frontend with a retro-themed UI.

chip8-emu-three.vercel.app

CHIP-8 is an interpreted programming language from the mid-1970s. It's a simple 8-bit virtual machine that became popular for retro gaming and is still used today as a great introduction to emulation.

• 16 (8-bit) General Purpose Registers (V0-VF, each 8-bit)
• 4KB Memory (0x200 - 0xFFF for programs)
• 64x32 Pixel Display (monochrome)
• 16-Key Hexadecimal Keypad (0x0-0xF)
• 16-Level Stack (for subroutine calls)
• 8-bit Timers (Delay and Sound timers)
• 16-bit Program Counter
• 35 Instructions (all 2 bytes)

The emulator comes pre-loaded with 23 classic games including:

• PONG - The iconic arcade game
• TETRIS - Block stacking puzzle game
• INVADERS - Space shooter
• BREAKOUT - Brick breaker game
• MAZE - Maze navigation
• And many more!

git clone https://github.com/oyetanishq/chip8_emu.git
cd chip8_emu

cd website
yarn install

yarn run dev

The emulator will be available at http://localhost:5173 (or the port shown in your terminal).

yarn run build

If you want to rebuild the C++ core:

• Install Emscripten
• Ensure CMake is installed

cd chip8_core
mkdir -p build/wasm
cd build/wasm

emcmake cmake ../..
make

# The compiled WASM module will be generated in `build/wasm/chip8_wasm.js`.

If you want to rebuild the C++ core:

• Ensure SDL2 is installed

cd chip8_core
mkdir -p build/core
cd build/core

cmake ../..
make

./chip8_core ../../roms/TANK

chip8_emu/
├── chip8_core/                 # C++ emulator core
│   ├── src/
│   │   ├── chip8.cpp           # Main emulator implementation
│   │   ├── instructions.cpp    # Instruction set
│   │   ├── wasm_bindings.cpp   # WebAssembly bindings
│   │   └── main.cpp            # CLI entry point
│   ├── include/
│   │   └── chip8.hpp           # Public interface
│   ├── roms/                   # ROM files
│   └── CMakeLists.txt          # Build configuration
│
├── website/                    # React frontend
│   ├── src/
│   │   ├── pages/
│   │   │   └── home.tsx        # Main emulator interface
│   │   ├── lib/
│   │   │   └── chip8_wasm.js   # Compiled WASM module
│   │   └── global.css          # Theme and styles
│   ├── public/
│   │   └── roms/               # Game ROMs
│   └── package.json
│
└── docs/                       # Documentation
    └── image.png               # Project screenshot

1. Open the emulator in your browser
2. Select a ROM from the ROM Library on the left panel
3. Click the Run button to start emulation
4. Use your keyboard or the on-screen keypad to play

The CHIP-8 hexadecimal keypad maps to your keyboard:

1 2 3 4  →  1 2 3 C
Q W E R  →  4 5 6 D
A S D F  →  7 8 9 E
Z X C V  →  A 0 B F

Use the Speed slider in the controls bar to adjust emulation speed:

• Lower values = slower emulation (easier for slower games)
• Higher values = faster emulation (up to 1800Hz)

1. Modify the C++ source in chip8_core/src/
2. Rebuild the WASM module using the steps above
3. Copy the generated .js files to website/src/lib/
4. Run yarn build to create the production bundle

1. Place ROM files in website/public/roms/
2. Add the ROM name to the AVAILABLE_ROMS array in website/src/pages/home.tsx
3. The emulator will automatically detect and list the ROM

Enjoy the nostalgia! 🎮✨