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: keep the soul of programming a 6502 and 6522, then rethink everything else.

Picocomputer Photo

Community

Specs

  • Core — WDC 65C02 CPU and WDC 65C22 VIA; variable 0.1-8.0 MHz

  • RAM — 64 KB system + 64 KB extended

  • ROM — 1 MB of onboard flash for installing and auto-booting ROMs

  • Video — VGA and HD output; 3 planes, scanline programmable

  • Sound — PSG (8 voices) and OPL2 FM (9 voices)

  • Clock — Real-Time Clock with Daylight Savings Time

  • TRNG — True random number generator

Quality of Life

  • Open by Design — DIY-friendly with fully open source hardware and software

  • Storage — Blazing fast 512 KB/sec USB flash drive reads and writes

  • Keyboard — International keyboard layout support

  • Fonts — Built-in code pages for international character sets

Connectivity

  • WiFi — NTP time sync, Hayes modem emulation for dialing into BBSs

  • Bluetooth LE — keyboard, mouse, and gamepads

  • USB Host — keyboard, mouse, gamepads, hubs, UART serial, NFC, floppy drives, and flash drives

  • USB Device — driverless CDC ACM; console access (can operate headless)

Programming

  • Protected OS — 32-bit operating system; uses no 6502 RAM

  • FAT filesystem — read and write files on any USB flash or floppy drive

  • API — POSIX-like C library for familiar, portable programming

  • 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 needed. Hundreds of people have built one, typically for under $100 USD. You can also have a unit manufactured in China — no soldering required. All parts are currently in production; the Raspberry Pi Pico 2 is guaranteed until 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: Interface adapter for the 6502, akin to CIA, VIA, and ACIA devices.

  • RP6502-RIA-W: Wireless features available when using the “Pico 2 W”.

  • RP6502-VGA: Optional video adapter.

  • RP6502-OS: The operating system and application programming interface.

Please contribute to this documentation.