Instruction

CHIP-8 was originally designed for computers that used a 16-key keypad for input, which is quite different from modern keyboards or controllers, unfortunately. This means you may need to experiment with the keys shown on the Modern Keyboard grid below to figure out which ones correspond to the original controls, as the layout doesn’t directly match today’s devices. However, most games conveniently map to the classic W, A, S, D keys for controls. Additionally, we’ve included a Game Reset key, bound to Enter, allowing you to easily reset your current game.

Still, I have a feeling that you are probably busy and might not have the time to experiment with different keys to see what works, which could lead to the assumption that what we’ve built here is broken. To make things more convenient, I’ve spent a considerable amount of time playing and testing the controls and have compiled a list of the proper controls for each game below.

Context

CHIP-8 is a simple virtual computer system from the 1970s, created to help people build small games like Pong or Space Invaders on basic machines. It acted as a straightforward "language" for old computers, making game programming easier. Its capabilities were limited to black-and-white visuals and a single-tone sound.

Super-CHIP, introduced in 1991, improved upon CHIP-8 by allowing smoother and more detailed visuals, making games less blocky and more polished, while remaining naturally compatible with CHIP-8 games.

Our project is an emulator of Super-CHIP, meaning it can run both CHIP-8 and Super-CHIP games, just as the original Super-CHIP was designed to do. (Note: Titles shown with SCH tag are Super-CHIP games)