emulator: LowRes NX
type: libretro
source: "https://github.com/timoinutilis/lowres-nx"
profiled_date: "2026-03-18"
core_version: "v1.2"
display_name: "LowRes NX"
cores:
  - lowresnx
systems:
  - lowresnx

notes: |
  LowRes NX is a fantasy console simulating an imaginary 8/16-bit handheld.
  It runs programs written in a custom BASIC dialect, loaded as .nx files.

  The libretro port reads game content entirely through the retro_game_info
  data buffer (need_fullpath = false, libretro_main.c:317). The .nx source
  code is copied into memory at retro_load_game() (libretro_main.c:490)
  and compiled by the built-in interpreter.

  The boot intro sequence is compiled from bootIntroSourceCode, a string
  constant embedded in boot_intro.c -- not loaded from any external file.
  The core never calls RETRO_ENVIRONMENT_GET_SYSTEM_DIRECTORY. There is
  no code path that reads any file from the system directory. No BIOS,
  firmware, or boot ROM is required.

  The virtual machine provides a 160x128 screen, 64 colors, 256 8x8
  sprites, 4-channel sound, d-pad + 2 buttons, and a pause button.

files: []

platform_details:
  cartridge_format:
    extensions: "nx"
    source_ref: "libretro_main.c:318"
    notes: |
      .nx files contain LowRes NX BASIC source code as plain text.
      The interpreter compiles the source at load time.

  runtime:
    source_ref: "core/ (compiled into binary)"
    notes: |
      The entire LowRes NX runtime (CPU emulation, video chip, audio chip,
      BASIC compiler/interpreter, boot intro) is compiled into the core
      binary. No external dependencies at runtime. Version 1.2.