Writing an emulator in JavaScript?
summary
Builds a CHIP-8 emulator in JavaScript/TypeScript that actually runs an open‑source breakout ROM, using a 64x32 monochrome canvas for pixels and the Web Audio API beep for sound. Implements an 8‑bit CPU with 4096 memory locations and 16 registers, decodes 16‑bit opcodes with bitwise operators and hex (nibble) math, steps instructions at 60Hz, and uses a large switch to handle every opcode — it works, but imperfectly.
AI-written summary · about
chapters (12)
- 0:00Introduction
- 1:30Emulation legality
- 3:40Hardware vs software emulation
- 5:03JavaScript challenges
- 6:09Core emulator components
- 7:32Screen emulation with canvas
- 11:26Sound with Web Audio API
- 13:158-bit CPU architecture
- 15:45ROM instructions and hex
- 19:18Decoding and executing instructions
- 21:51Bitwise operations
- 25:26Live demo
related talks
32mMaking an Emulator in JavaScript?
29mEmulating With JavaScript
10mState of Retro Gaming in Emacs
18mEmulating the Nintendo Game Boy CPU with Elm
45mEmulating a 6502 System in JavaScript
46mEmulating the NES/Famicom/Dendy with Web Technologies
30mHacking your Nintendo with JavaScript.
24mVirtualization Games in JavaScript, or How I Rewrote an Emulator
