RISC8Emulator

RISC8Emulator is a software recreation of the CHIP-8 system, a simple computer from the mid-1970s primarily used for playing video games. Written in Zig, a modern programming language, this emulator replicates the architecture and functionality of the original CHIP-8, offering a unique experience for retro gaming and computer history enthusiasts.

Features

Memory: Emulates the CHIP-8's 4 KB RAM.
Display: Simulates the 64x32 pixel monochrome display.
Program Counter (PC): Manages the flow of the program.
Index Register (I): A 16-bit register for pointing to memory locations.
Stack: Utilized for storing 16-bit addresses for function calls and returns.
Delay Timer: An 8-bit timer decrementing at a rate of 60 Hz.
Sound Timer: Similar to the delay timer but emits a beep when not zero.
Registers: Comprises 16 8-bit general-purpose registers (V0-VF).

File Structure

main.zig: Entry point of the application, initializing the emulator.
display.zig: Handles the CHIP-8's monochrome display.
device.zig: Integrates components like memory and display.
cpu.zig: Responsible for the CPU functionality and instruction execution.
c.zig File: This file is used to import the SDL2 library from C, facilitating graphical output and input handling.
bitmap.zig: Manages bitmap operations for graphics.

Prerequisites

Zig programming language version 0.11 installed on your system.
ROM Requirement: To run a game, a CHIP-8 ROM file must be added. This emulator does not come with any preloaded games, so you need to provide your own ROM.

Installation

Clone the repository:

git clone https://github.com/alvarorichard/RISC8Emulator.git

Navigate to the project directory:

cd RISC8Emulator

Running the Emulator

Execute the main.zig file with the Zig compiler to run the emulator:

zig run main.zig

or just run :

zig build

Contributing

Contributions to improve or enhance the emulator are always welcome. Please adhere to the standard pull request process for contributions.

README