A programmer has undertaken an intriguing challenge by developing an emulator called NES86 that enables the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) to emulate early PC systems. His goal was to recreate the experience of using an Intel 8086 processor on the NES, a console originally designed for 8-bit gaming.
The project has successfully managed to run a stripped-down version of the Linux kernel, showcasing remarkable accuracy. The original IBM PC operated with an x86 CPU at a speed of 4.77 MHz, while the NES ran at only 1.79 MHz. To address this performance disparity, the programmer—known as "decrazyo"—utilized various emulation techniques, allowing the NES to simulate the workings of early PC hardware.
Given the NES’s limited RAM and addressable memory compared to the IBM 5150, decrazyo implemented sophisticated memory mapping techniques to facilitate smoother switching between systems. The choice to use the Embeddable Linux Kernel Subset (ELKS) was strategic, as it provides a Linux-like operating system tailored for 16-bit Intel processors, including the 8086.
However, it’s worth noting that ELKS requires a minimum RAM of 256KB, which surpasses the NES’s capabilities, meaning NES86 is unlikely to run on authentic NES hardware. Additionally, NES86 can be challenging to operate even on modern NES emulators. Compatible emulators include FCEUX, Mesen2, Rustico, and the FPGA-based EverDrive N8 Pro, with Mesen2 recently updated for complete compatibility.
Interestingly, the best experience using NES86 may come from running the original Animal Crossing on a GameCube emulator, which contains a built-in NES emulator. By exploiting this feature, decrazyo managed to run the PC version of Tetris, albeit at a staggering rate of 30 seconds per frame.
With such creative projects pushing the boundaries of retro gaming, enthusiasts may find themselves inspired to dig out their vintage tech and revisit classic titles.
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