diemheych / primechip8

CHIP-8 emulator for the HP Prime in Python

PrimeCHIP8

CHIP-8 was originally developed in the 1970s by Joseph Weisbecker for creating computer games on early microcomputers.

This CHIP-8 emulator is for the HP Prime in Python. As the HP Prime does not support sound, CHIP-8 sound operations are ignored.

See a demonstration at: https://youtu.be/NkxoqSPar-c

Installation

Use the HP Connectivity Kit to transfer CHIP8.hpprgm to a virtual or physical HP Prime calculator.

Note: the HP Prime must be running firmware that supports Python (actually MicroPython).

Keyboard Mapping

The original COSMAC VIP used a 4x4 kex keypad. The mapping of the keypad to the HP Prime keyboard, along with additional keys, is shown below.

Example ROMs

Name	Description
test_opcode.ch8	Simple CHIP-8 opcode test
bc_test.ch8	CHIP-8 opcode test that provides diagnostics if issues are found or "BON" if all tests are successful.
IBM.ch8	IBM Logo
Spaceinvaders.ch8	The classic arcade game, Space Invaders
BLINKY.ch8	The classic arcade game, Pac-Man
BRIX.ch8	Blockout type game

Screenshots

Source

CHIP8.py includes the source code and the PPL wrapper for execution on the HP Prime. The source can be loaded into the HP Connectivity Kit, modified if required, and dragged onto a virtual or physical HP Prime calculator.

References

PrimeCHIP8 is based on: https://github.com/AlpacaMax/Python-CHIP8-Emulator