Rust64 - A C64 Emulator in Rust
Rust64 is an emulator of the Commodore 64 (C64) written in the Rust programming language. This project aims to provide a clear and fun way to understand the workings of the Commodore 64 by presenting its internal operations in an unobfuscated manner. The emulation is cycle-based and currently offers a fairly accurate representation of the C64's behavior.
Features
Visual Debugger
One of Rust64's standout features is its built-in visual debugger, which provides detailed insights into various memory pages and registers. This debugger allows users to view:
- Contents of each memory page in RAM
- Color RAM
- VIC (Video Interface Chip) registers
- CIA (Complex Interface Adapter) registers
- SID (Sound Interface Device) registers
The VIC window functions as an ICU64-style raster debugger, where each pixel signifies one VIC cycle, displaying any events occurring at that time.
Dependencies
Rust64 relies on several key dependencies to function:
- minifb: A simple framebuffer crate that works out of the box.
- sdl2: Requires additional setup steps, which are detailed in the rust-sdl2 repository.
Rust Version Requirement
To compile and run Rust64, you need Rust 1.58.0 or higher.
Demonstrations and Screenshots
Rust64 has been showcased in various demonstrations:
Screenshot
Key Mappings
Rust64 includes specific key mappings for C64 and special keys to enhance the emulation experience:
- ESC - Run/Stop
- END - Restore
- TAB - Control
- LCTRL - C=
- ` - <-
- - - +
- INS - &
- HOME - CLR/Home
- BSPACE - INST/DEL
- [ - @
- ] - *
- DEL - ^
- ; - :
- ' - ;
- **** - =
- F11 - Start ASM output to console
- F12 - Reset C64
- RCTRL - Joystick fire button
- NUMLOCK - Toggle between joystick ports 1 and 2 (default: port 2)
Debugger Window Keys
- PGUP/PGDWN - Flip currently displayed memory page
- HOME/END - Switch between RAM, Color RAM, VIC, CIA, and SID
Development and Future Enhancements
The Rust64 project is a work-in-progress (WIP), with planned enhancements and known issues:
- TODO:
- Implement serial bus/disk drives (d64, t64, tap)
- Add remaining undocumented operations
- Switch audio support from SDL2 to cpal (once it supports OSX)
- Improve SID emulation
- Known Issues:
- Missing serial bus can cause some programs to perform incorrectly or enter infinite loops.
- Programs requiring precise timing may not run correctly yet.
Resources and Inspirations
The development of Rust64 was supported by various documents and websites, including: