BitMagic The Complete Development Environment for the Commander X16.

The Emulator

Build

BitMagic emulates the Commander X16 for general use. The same core also drives the debugger.

Download

The best way to get the emulator is the latest build: Windows or Linux. There is no automatic update, so check back for newer builds.

Alternatively, clone the repository and build the emulator project.

Prerequisites

Before you can run the emulator, you’ll need a copy of the ROM.

Emulator state

The emulator is under active development. The CPU, VERA (including PSG, PCM and FX), the YM2151, the VIA, the SMC, the RTC, the SD card and the WiFi card (the serial modem, via ZiModem) are all emulated. It aims to match the official X16 emulator; it is close but not exact. Open gaps and differences are tracked on the issue tracker.

Known limitations:

  • Tile rendering and its access to VRAM is not yet cycle accurate, which can lead to slight differences from hardware.
  • The SMC module doesn’t support writing config to the PS/2, reading its state, or the echo functionality.
  • Frame syncing is based on the host monitor’s refresh and isn’t exact.
  • Mouse movement is generated by the host and can overwhelm the X16; a buffer is needed.

Command line

Argument Description
-p
--prg		 .prg file to load.
-r
--rom		 ROM file to load. Falls back to rom.bin in the current folder, then the BITMAGIC_ROM environment variable.
-a
--address		 Start address, default 0x810. Only used when a .prg or --code file is loaded; otherwise the ROM boots from its own reset vector.
-c
--code		 Code file to compile. The result is loaded at 0x801.
-w
--write		 Write the result of the compilation. Requires --code.
--warp Run as fast as possible.
--scale Window scale, e.g. 2 for double size. Default 1.
-s
--sdcard		 SD card to attach. Can be a .zip or .gz, in the form name.xxx.zip where xxx is BIN or VHD.
--sdcard-size SD card size in MB, if the emulator is creating the card.
-d
--sdcard-folder		 Home folder for the SD card.
--sdcard-synctox16 Sync changes in the home directory to the SD card. Root directory only.
--sdcard-syncfromx16 Sync changes on the SD card to the home directory. Root directory only.
-y
--sdcard-sync		 Both of the above.
-f
--sdcard-file		 File to add to the SD card root. Repeatable; wildcards accepted.
--sdcard-write SD card file to write at the end of emulation. .zip / .gz, name.xxx.zip, xxx is BIN or VHD.
--sdcard-overwrite Allow --sdcard-write to overwrite an existing file.
-u
--sdcard-update		 Sets --sdcard-write to the --sdcard value and enables overwrite. Requires --sdcard.
--cart Cartridge file to load as a plain binary. .zip / .gz, in the form name.cart.zip.
--wifi Enable the WiFi card at $9fe0.
--dump Start from the state in a dump file.
--dump-folder Folder to write dump files to (Menu + Left Ctrl + S).
--help Display the help screen.
--version Display version information.

See SD Card for how the card options fit together.