BMC64
What it is
BMC64 is a free, bare-metal Commodore 64 emulator for Raspberry Pi. Its bundled release also supports C128, VIC-20, Plus/4, and PET emulation, including C64 PAL and NTSC variants. The project uses VICE and offers Plus4Emu for more accurate Plus/4 emulation on Raspberry Pi 3. It times frames to 50/60 Hz displays for smooth scrolling and advertises low input-to-audio/video latency. The project reports a 4.1-second C64 boot over composite and says no shutdown sequence is needed. Wi-Fi and Ethernet can be used for BBS access and C64 OS networking. Supported input includes USB plug-and-play devices and 8BitDo Retro Keyboards over USB or a 2.4 GHz receiver. It runs on Raspberry Pi Zero, Zero 2W, Pi 2, and Pi 3, but not Pi 4 or later. Installation uses a release ZIP or image written to a FAT32 SD card. Users must provide required ROM files from a legal source, including the minimum C64 ROM set needed to start it.
For and against
For
- Supports C64, C128, VIC-20, Plus/4, and PET.
- Offers Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity.
- Supports USB plug-and-play input devices.
- Optional local web UI can be PIN-protected.
Against
- Raspberry Pi 4 and later are unsupported.
- Required ROM files must be supplied separately.
- USB Bluetooth gamepads are not directly supported.
- Some gamepads may not work.
The verdict
BMC64 combines several Commodore machine emulations with networking and a local web interface. It is limited to Raspberry Pi Zero through Pi 3, and startup requires users to supply the minimum C64 ROM set.
Who it suits
BMC64 suits people with a supported Raspberry Pi who want to emulate classic Commodore systems. It may fit users seeking C64 networking or USB keyboard support, provided they can supply the required ROM files.
Plans and prices
BMC64
Raspberry Pi Zero, Zero 2W, Pi 2 and Pi 3; ROM files must be supplied separately
Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- Boot
- The project reports a 4.1-second C64 boot over composite and says no shutdown sequence is required.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Connectivity
- It supports Wi-Fi and Ethernet for uses such as BBS access and C64 OS networking.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Display and latency
- It times frames to vsync for 50/60 Hz smooth scrolling and advertises low input-to-audio/video latency.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Emulation engines
- It uses VICE, with Plus4Emu offered for more accurate Plus/4 emulation on Raspberry Pi 3.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Gamepad limit
- USB Bluetooth gamepads are not supported directly, and the project says not all gamepads work.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Input devices
- It supports USB plug-and-play and 8BitDo Retro Keyboards over USB or a 2.4 GHz receiver.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Installation
- Installation uses a release ZIP or image written to a FAT32 SD card for a supported Raspberry Pi.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Limits
- It supports Pi Zero, Zero 2W, Pi 2 and Pi 3 devices; Raspberry Pi 4 and later are unsupported.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Other machines
- The bundled release also supports C128, VIC-20, Plus/4 and PET emulation.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- BMC64 is a bare-metal Commodore 64 emulator for Raspberry Pi.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- ROM requirement
- Users must supply required ROM files from a legal source, and BMC64 cannot start without the minimum C64 ROM set.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Security setting
- The web server is off by default, and the documentation recommends disabling it when it is not in use.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project points users to its official Discord community for support and discussion.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Web interface
- An optional local-network web UI for C64 and C128 shows status and manages SD-card files, and can be protected with a PIN.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026