A CHIP-8 Interpreter for '70s-Style Gaming

CHIP-8 is an interpreted programming language developed by RCA engineer Joseph Weisbecker in the mid-1970s, which allowed video games to be easily programmed on the COSMAC VIP and Telmac 1800 8-bit microcomputers. While you wouldn’t program a modern game with it, it’s straightforward enough that lingib is able to explain in his write-up how to set up a virtual CHIP-8 computer in Processing. This can play the variety of games that are now available for it in the public domain, or you can configure your own.

An included interpreter file is downloaded and run using Processing. It features 35 opcodes; more information on this structure can be found here. Creating a simple program is outlined in lingib's post, along with a game comprised of sprites, sounds, and collision detection. If something doesn’t work quite correctly, there’s also a debugger, with the ability to single-step through the code.

The system looks like a great way to get familiar with some of the fundamentals of programming, and the game in question is reportedly deceptively difficult to master.

Games here can be played on a keyboard, or if you prefer you can instead construct your own Arduino-based keypad based on separate instructions found here. This enables two-person gaming, and means you don't have to be hunched over a keyboard to enjoy!