emulator: FAKE-08
type: libretro
core_classification: game_engine
source: "https://github.com/jtothebell/fake-08"
upstream: "https://github.com/jtothebell/fake-08"
profiled_date: "2026-03-23"
core_version: "v0.0.2.19"
display_name: "PICO-8 (FAKE-08)"
cores:
  - fake08
systems:
  - pico8

notes: |
  FAKE-08 is an open-source PICO-8 compatible runtime for running .p8 and
  .p8.png cartridges on platforms where the official PICO-8 binary is not
  available (3DS, Vita, Switch, Wii U, various handhelds).

  The core retrieves RETRO_ENVIRONMENT_GET_SYSTEM_DIRECTORY in
  retro_set_environment() (libretro.cpp:162-163) but never uses the value.
  No file is loaded from the system directory. The PICO-8 boot sequence,
  global Lua functions, and default cart menu are compiled directly into the
  binary as string constants (p8GlobalLuaFunctions.h, DefaultCart.h).

  When no ROM is passed (supports_no_game = true), the core queues its
  built-in BIOS cart "__FAKE08-BIOS.p8" (libretro.cpp:751). This is not
  an external file -- it is generated internally by the VM.

  The core accepts .p8 (text) and .png (cartridge-as-image) formats
  (libretro.cpp:258). Content is loaded either via the libretro data buffer
  or full path depending on the _NEED_FULL_PATH_ compile flag.

exclusion_note: "all engine resources compiled into binary via include_bytes!"
files: []

platform_details:
  cartridge_format:
    extensions: "p8, png"
    source_ref: "platform/libretro/libretro.cpp:258"
    notes: |
      .p8 is the PICO-8 text cartridge format containing Lua code, gfx,
      gff, map, sfx, and music sections. .png is the cartridge-as-image
      format where cart data is steganographically encoded in the image.

  runtime:
    source_ref: "source/vm.h, source/p8GlobalLuaFunctions.h"
    notes: |
      The FAKE-08 VM reimplements the PICO-8 API (128x128 screen, 16 colors,
      4-channel audio, Lua scripting) entirely in C++. The built-in BIOS
      provides a cart browser and error display. Audio runs at 22050 Hz
      with save state support via custom serialization (libretro.cpp:517-736).