libretro/emulators/cpcemu.yml

emulator: CPCemu
type: standalone
core_classification: other
source: "https://www.cpc-emu.org/"
upstream: "https://www.cpc-emu.org/"
version_source:
  url: "https://www.cpc-emu.org/"
  pattern: 'CPCemu (\d+(?:\.\d+)+) released'
profiled_date: "2026-11-10"
core_version: "3.0.2"
version_basis:
  kind: package
  url: "https://cpc-emu.org/Release/2025-04-24/cpcemu_portable-win32-x86-3.0.2.zip"
  pattern: 'cpcemu_portable-win32-x86-(\d+(?:\.\d+)+)\.zip'
  artifact: "cpcemu_portable-win32-x86-3.0.2.zip"
display_name: "Amstrad - CPC (CPCemu)"
cores:
  - cpcemu
systems:
  - amstrad-cpc
mode: standalone

notes: |
  Amstrad CPC emulator by Marco Vieth and Rainer Loritz, closed-source freeware
  for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS. Machines are the CPC 464, 664 and
  6128. The firmware identifier and the message catalogue also know the 464+,
  the 6128+ and the KC compact.

  Reversed from cpcemu_portable.exe of the 3.0.2 Windows portable package of
  2025-04-24 (zip sha256 fa2cde7da210b0db, exe sha256 3560e3a9c52095f1, Borland
  C++ PE32). Addresses below are virtual addresses in that executable. The 3.0.2
  Linux archives listed on the download page are absent from the server. The
  2.5 Linux x86-64 package of 2022-08-13 ships the same ROM folder without
  XDDOS210.ROM, and its binary has no National ROM selection.

  Configuration comes from a file given on the command line, then the
  cpcemu.cfg path assembled at 0x570a8c (FUN_00481bcc 0x481c96-0x481ca5) when
  it exists, then the built-in name cpcemu0.cfg (pointer 0x570a84) in the
  working directory, chosen at FUN_00481bcc 0x481d7a-0x481da2 and parsed by
  FUN_00466680. ROM_PATH ("./ROM/" in the shipped cpcemu0.cfg) is stored by
  FUN_00441008, which appends a backslash when the value does not end in one.
  Each ROM_BLOCK line (FUN_004665d0: ROM number, file name, 16 KB block number)
  becomes a node of the list at 0x5151a0. #IFCPC blocks are kept only when
  their number equals the CPC type at 0x564590, set by -t or CPC_TYPE. The
  shipped cpcemu0.cfg names CPC464.ROM for types 0 and 3, CPC664.ROM for type
  1, CPC6128.ROM for types 2, 4 and 5 (ROM 255 block 0, ROM 0 block 1),
  CPCADOS.ROM as ROM 7 for every type, and M4.ROM as ROM 6 outside any #IFCPC.

  FUN_004407d0 loads every listed ROM from slot 0 to 255: ROM_PATH + file name,
  an AMSDOS header skipped when its checksum matches (FUN_004721e4), a seek to
  block * 0x4000 and a read of 0x4000 bytes with no length check
  (FUN_0040a59c). A file that cannot be opened prints message 0xb8 "ROM: Cannot
  open file" and counts one error. FUN_0046ac64 returns the count plus 2, and
  FUN_00481bcc shows "CPCemu Error" and ends with that status for any value of
  3 or more, so a single missing file named by a ROM_BLOCK line stops startup
  with status 3, whatever the slot and whatever device it serves.

  The machine is identified from ROM 0 by FUN_00440bfc: byte 0 has to be 0x80
  (else "ROM: No foreground ROM found.") and byte 2 selects 464 (0), 664 (1),
  6128 (2) or 6128+ (4), anything else giving "ROM: Unknown ROM version.". A
  6128 whose lower ROM has 0x21 at offset 0x5a1 is reported as a KC compact.
  Without an identified machine startup ends on "CPC type not configured or
  ROM for CPC type not available. Unable to continue." ROM 7 is accepted as
  AMSDOS when its header is 01 00 05 or 01 00 07 (FUN_00440cc4), otherwise "ROM:
  No AMSDOS ROM found." and disc support stays off. Types 3, 4 and 5 have no
  dedicated ROM files: the shipped configuration loads the 464 and 6128 files
  for them. There is no cartridge support.

  The M4 board is set up at every startup by FUN_0044c6c4, called from
  FUN_0046ac64 0x46ae76 without reading M4_ENABLED (0x516cd0). It looks for the
  ROM_BLOCK entry whose file name is exactly "M4.ROM" and checks the ROM's name
  table for "M4 BOARD". It then reads M4_SD_PATH + /NMIROM.BIN, and only when
  that file is absent, ROM_PATH + /HACK.ROM, 0x4000 bytes each. The M4 firmware
  updater (routine at 0x449c1c) downloads cpc/M4FIRM.BIN from spinpoint.org and
  rewrites ROM_PATH + /M4.ROM and /HACK.ROM, 0x4000 bytes each.

  Alongside the ROMs the program reads the message catalogue cpcemu.msg (name
  passed at FUN_00481bcc 0x481c86) and the colour and key tables cpcemu.dat
  (built-in name at 0x570a88, passed to FUN_0045f734 at FUN_00481bcc 0x481dd9). The help file and the
  poke database are named only by the HELP_FILE and POKE_DATABASE lines of
  cpcemu0.cfg, "./cpcemu.hlp" and "./cpcemu.dbf". The disc, tape and snapshot folders and the M4 SD card folder hold
  user content.

files:
  # The 3.0.2 Windows package ships every ROM below in ROM/. The 2.5 Linux
  # package ships all but XDDOS210.ROM.
  # -- Firmware, lower ROM in block 0 and foreground ROM in block 1 --
  - name: CPC6128.ROM
    path: "ROM/CPC6128.ROM"
    system: amstrad-cpc
    required: true
    bundled: true
    min_size: 32768
    validation: [signature]
    md5: b96280dc6c95a48857b4b8eb931533ae
    sha1: 5977adbad3f7c1e0e082cd02fe76a700d9860c30
    source_ref: "cpcemu_portable.exe 3.0.2 FUN_004407d0 0x440848-0x4408b6 (ROM_PATH + ROM_BLOCK file name per slot, ifstream open), 0x4408d1-0x44093f (open failure: message 0xb8, error count), 0x440959-0x440976 (seek block * 0x4000, FUN_0040a59c reads 0x4000, no length check), FUN_0046ac64 0x46ae22-0x46ae2d and FUN_00481bcc 0x481efa-0x481f54 (count + 2 >= 3 ends startup), FUN_00440bfc 0x440c03-0x440c47 (ROM 0 byte 0 = 0x80, byte 2 = machine), cpcemu0.cfg ROM_BLOCK 255 and 0 under #IFCPC 2, 4 and 5, kept by FUN_00466680 0x466871-0x466879"
    note: >-
      CPC 6128 firmware and BASIC, lower ROM in block 0 and foreground ROM in
      block 1, opened once per block. Loaded for the shipped CPC_TYPE 2 and
      for types 4 and 5. Foreground ROM header 80 01 02 00.

  - name: CPC464.ROM
    path: "ROM/CPC464.ROM"
    system: amstrad-cpc
    required: false
    bundled: true
    min_size: 32768
    validation: [signature]
    md5: a993f85b88ac4350cf4d41554e87fe4f
    sha1: 56d39c463da60968d93e58b4ba0e675829412a20
    source_ref: "cpcemu_portable.exe 3.0.2 FUN_004407d0 0x440848-0x4408b6 (ROM_PATH + ROM_BLOCK file name, ifstream open), 0x4408d1-0x44093f (open failure: message 0xb8, error count), 0x440959-0x440976 (seek block * 0x4000, read 0x4000), FUN_00440bfc 0x440c03-0x440c47 (ROM 0 header), cpcemu0.cfg ROM_BLOCK 255 and 0 under #IFCPC 0 and 3, kept by FUN_00466680 0x466871-0x466879 when the CPC type at 0x564590 matches"
    note: >-
      CPC 464 firmware and BASIC, selected by CPC_TYPE 0 or 3 or the -t
      command line. Foreground ROM header 80 01 00 00.

  - name: CPC664.ROM
    path: "ROM/CPC664.ROM"
    system: amstrad-cpc
    required: false
    bundled: true
    min_size: 32768
    validation: [signature]
    md5: 5a384a2310f472c7857888371c00ed66
    sha1: 073a7665527b5bd8a148747a3947dbd3328682c8
    source_ref: "cpcemu_portable.exe 3.0.2 FUN_004407d0 0x440848-0x4408b6 (ROM_PATH + ROM_BLOCK file name, ifstream open), 0x4408d1-0x44093f (open failure: message 0xb8, error count), 0x440959-0x440976 (seek block * 0x4000, read 0x4000), FUN_00440bfc 0x440c03-0x440c47 (ROM 0 header), cpcemu0.cfg ROM_BLOCK 255 and 0 under #IFCPC 1, kept by FUN_00466680 0x466871-0x466879 when the CPC type at 0x564590 matches"
    note: >-
      CPC 664 firmware and BASIC, selected by CPC_TYPE 1 or the -t command
      line. Foreground ROM header 80 01 01 00.

  # -- Disc ROM, slot 7 --
  - name: CPCADOS.ROM
    path: "ROM/CPCADOS.ROM"
    system: amstrad-cpc
    required: true
    bundled: true
    size: 16384
    validation: [signature]
    md5: aa2fb251814bd971b2b9874ab0971b3f
    sha1: 0e247123b9d3204784eeadb4629b9d35b9dfd984
    source_ref: "cpcemu_portable.exe 3.0.2 FUN_004407d0 0x440848-0x4408b6 (ROM_PATH + ROM_BLOCK file name, ifstream open), 0x4408d1-0x44093f (open failure: message 0xb8, error count), 0x440959-0x440976 (read 0x4000, no length check), FUN_0046ac64 0x46ae22-0x46ae2d and FUN_00481bcc 0x481efa-0x481f54 (count + 2 >= 3 ends startup), FUN_00440f10 0x440fae-0x440fbf and FUN_00440cc4 (ROM 7 header 01 00 05 or 01 00 07, else message 0xbb), cpcemu0.cfg ROM_BLOCK 7 under every #IFCPC"
    note: >-
      AMSDOS disc ROM, the 8 KB image zero-padded to 16 KB. Named for every
      machine by the shipped configuration, so startup ends with status 3
      without it. Dropping the ROM_BLOCK line instead boots with "ROM: No
      AMSDOS ROM found." and no disc support.

  # -- M4 board, ROM slot 6 plus the board's own lower ROM --
  - name: M4.ROM
    path: "ROM/M4.ROM"
    system: amstrad-cpc
    required: true
    bundled: true
    size: 16384
    validation: [signature]
    md5: 28a7e368badca8299ba24a15bb4ebe9b
    sha1: 05f9447d307ab17eae9e2100f91c36b0c9560d4b
    source_ref: "cpcemu_portable.exe 3.0.2 FUN_004407d0 0x440848-0x44093f (ROM_PATH + ROM_BLOCK file name, ifstream open, open failure counted), FUN_0046ac64 0x46ae22-0x46ae2d (count + 2 >= 3 ends startup), FUN_0044c6c4 0x44c6fa-0x44c74c (FUN_00440570 finds the ROM_BLOCK entry named \"M4.ROM\", else \"M4 ROM not found.\"), 0x44c751-0x44c7be (8-byte compare with \"M4 BOARD\" at the name table address in ROM bytes 4-5, else \"M4 ROM not valid.\"), routine at 0x449c1c 0x44a4f4-0x44a548 (updater writes ROM_PATH + /M4.ROM, 0x4000 bytes), cpcemu0.cfg ROM_BLOCK 6 outside any #IFCPC"
    note: >-
      M4 board firmware by Duke. Named by the shipped configuration for every
      machine, so startup ends with status 3 without it, whatever M4_ENABLED
      holds. The board is recognised only by the file name M4.ROM in the
      ROM_BLOCK line. A failed lookup or name table check clears M4_ENABLED and
      emulation goes on without the board.

  - name: NMIROM.BIN
    path: "SDCARD/NMIROM.BIN"
    system: amstrad-cpc
    required: false
    description: "M4 board NMI ROM on the emulated SD card"
    source_ref: "cpcemu_portable.exe 3.0.2 FUN_0044c6c4 0x44c966-0x44c9c4 (FUN_0044c238 builds M4_SD_PATH from 0x516cd8 + /NMIROM.BIN, fopen rb, fread 0x4000), called from FUN_0046ac64 0x46ae76"
    note: >-
      Read at every startup once M4.ROM has passed its check, in place of
      HACK.ROM when present. The shipped cpcemu0.cfg sets M4_SD_PATH to
      ./SDCARD/. Up to 0x4000 bytes are read, the length is not checked.

  - name: HACK.ROM
    path: "ROM/HACK.ROM"
    system: amstrad-cpc
    required: false
    bundled: true
    size: 7994
    md5: ffcbcbce32223a152753d30766ad6215
    sha1: 582dd1706391f6f0161ad3486ae75a04fb0f7d5b
    source_ref: "cpcemu_portable.exe 3.0.2 FUN_0044c6c4 0x44c966-0x44c9c4 (FUN_0044c238 builds M4_SD_PATH from 0x516cd8 + /NMIROM.BIN, fopen rb, fread 0x4000), 0x44c9c9-0x44ca3f (ROM_PATH from FUN_00440a5c + /HACK.ROM, fopen rb, fread 0x4000 into the buffer at 0x516210), 0x44ca41-0x44ca6a (\"Unable to load HACK.ROM\", returns 0), called from FUN_0046ac64 0x46ae76, routine at 0x449c1c 0x44a5b7-0x44a60b (updater writes ROM_PATH + /HACK.ROM, 0x4000 bytes)"
    note: >-
      M4 hack ROM, the lower ROM behind the Shift+F1 menu. Opened at every
      startup once M4.ROM has passed its check, and only when M4_SD_PATH +
      NMIROM.BIN is absent. Missing prints "Unable to load HACK.ROM" and
      emulation continues. Up to 0x4000 bytes are read, the length is not
      checked.

  # -- National firmware, configured by the 3.0.2 keyboard layout dialog --
  - name: CPC6128.ROM.UK
    path: "ROM/National/CPC6128.ROM.UK"
    system: amstrad-cpc
    required: false
    bundled: true
    min_size: 32768
    validation: [signature]
    md5: b96280dc6c95a48857b4b8eb931533ae
    sha1: 5977adbad3f7c1e0e082cd02fe76a700d9860c30
    source_ref: "cpcemu_portable.exe 3.0.2 FUN_004866e0 0x486881-0x486908 (system ROM picker: file selector FUN_00462fe0 rooted at ROM_PATH, path made relative, FUN_004405f0 sets ROM 255 or 0), FUN_004407d0 0x440848-0x440976 (ROM_PATH + name, open, read 0x4000 per block), no path constant names this file, the English layout of FUN_0048202c keeps CPC6128.ROM"
    note: >-
      English CPC 6128 firmware, the same image as CPC6128.ROM. Loaded only when
      the user names it in a ROM_BLOCK line or picks it in the setup menu.

  - name: CPC6128.ROM.FR
    path: "ROM/National/CPC6128.ROM.FR"
    system: amstrad-cpc
    required: false
    bundled: true
    min_size: 32768
    validation: [signature]
    md5: 5ee871d5600eb9b5a22989c295f902a5
    sha1: 200d59076dfef36db061d6d7d21d80021cab1237
    source_ref: "cpcemu_portable.exe 3.0.2 FUN_0048202c 0x482045-0x48207d (layout dialog, keys 1, 3, 4, 5 give 0, 2, 3, 4), 0x4820c5 (layout 2: \"National/CPC6128.ROM.FR\"), 0x4820d8-0x4820f6 (FUN_004405f0 sets ROM 0 block 1 and ROM 255 block 0, reloaded by FUN_004407d0 through FUN_00440304 0x4403cc), called from FUN_00481bcc 0x481e23-0x481e5a when no keyboard layout is configured"
    note: "French CPC 6128 firmware, configured when the French layout is picked on first start."

  - name: CPC6128.ROM.ES
    path: "ROM/National/CPC6128.ROM.ES"
    system: amstrad-cpc
    required: false
    bundled: true
    min_size: 32768
    validation: [signature]
    md5: 0246740371010333385665dfeb7cd0ec
    sha1: 1acd01c2c03424a78b32c9440f4d890fb1104815
    source_ref: "cpcemu_portable.exe 3.0.2 FUN_0048202c 0x482045-0x48207d (layout dialog), 0x4820cc (layout 3: \"National/CPC6128.ROM.ES\"), 0x4820d8-0x4820f6 (FUN_004405f0 sets ROM 0 block 1 and ROM 255 block 0, reloaded by FUN_004407d0 through FUN_00440304 0x4403cc), called from FUN_00481bcc 0x481e23-0x481e5a when no keyboard layout is configured"
    note: "Spanish CPC 6128 firmware, configured when the Spanish layout is picked on first start."

  - name: CPC6128.ROM.DK
    path: "ROM/National/CPC6128.ROM.DK"
    system: amstrad-cpc
    required: false
    bundled: true
    min_size: 32768
    validation: [signature]
    md5: ca1635fd992e2aa7a776b30da13467e5
    sha1: a9e7ee6355730f319a37c95ca0a714212b88c3b1
    source_ref: "cpcemu_portable.exe 3.0.2 FUN_0048202c 0x482045-0x48207d (layout dialog), 0x4820d3 (layout 4: \"National/CPC6128.ROM.DK\"), 0x4820d8-0x4820f6 (FUN_004405f0 sets ROM 0 block 1 and ROM 255 block 0, reloaded by FUN_004407d0 through FUN_00440304 0x4403cc), called from FUN_00481bcc 0x481e23-0x481e5a when no keyboard layout is configured"
    note: "Danish CPC 6128 firmware, configured when the Danish layout is picked on first start."

  - name: CPC6128.ROM.SE
    path: "ROM/National/CPC6128.ROM.SE"
    system: amstrad-cpc
    required: false
    bundled: true
    min_size: 32768
    validation: [signature]
    md5: 8ca256a832e83c875f5432b3dee8a36f
    sha1: 6765a91a42fed68a807325bf62a728e5ac5d622f
    source_ref: "cpcemu_portable.exe 3.0.2 FUN_004866e0 0x486881-0x486908 (system ROM picker: file selector FUN_00462fe0 rooted at ROM_PATH, path made relative, FUN_004405f0 sets ROM 255 or 0), FUN_004407d0 0x440848-0x440976 (ROM_PATH + name, open, read 0x4000 per block), no path constant names this file, FUN_0048202c 0x4820b3-0x4820d3 maps layouts 2, 3, 4 only"
    note: >-
      Swedish CPC 6128 firmware. Loaded only when the user names it in a
      ROM_BLOCK line or picks it in the setup menu, the layout dialog offering
      no Swedish ROM.

  # -- Expansion ROMs mapped through a user ROM_BLOCK line --
  - name: XDDOS210.ROM
    path: "ROM/XDDOS210.ROM"
    system: amstrad-cpc
    required: false
    bundled: true
    size: 16384
    md5: 1d91a9ef315b302d335cd7e04e8d8d86
    sha1: 2f1bd4d6e2d2e62818b01e6e7a26488362a7a8ee
    source_ref: "cpcemu_portable.exe 3.0.2 FUN_00486fc4 0x487026-0x487113 (expansion ROM picker: file selector FUN_00462fe0 rooted at ROM_PATH, FUN_004405f0 sets the slot), FUN_004665d0 (ROM_BLOCK line parser), FUN_004407d0 0x440848-0x440976 (ROM_PATH + name, open, read 0x4000), cpcemu0.cfg commented ROM_BLOCK 7, no path constant names this file"
    note: >-
      X-DDOS 2.10 by Dobbertin, the disc operating system of the HD20 hard disk
      that DOBBERTIN_HD_ENABLED emulates. Loaded once the user maps it to a ROM
      slot. Its header 01 02 01 is not taken as AMSDOS by FUN_00440cc4, so the
      AMSDOS speedup stays off with it in slot 7. Added in 3.0, not shipped
      with 2.5.

  - name: COPYMATE.ROM
    path: "ROM/COPYMATE.ROM"
    system: amstrad-cpc
    required: false
    bundled: true
    size: 16512
    md5: e9c4288eab8885a1e6ae7504a4736115
    sha1: 15d52de01320d9b954e03b4c2e71ec75fd301bbb
    source_ref: "cpcemu_portable.exe 3.0.2 FUN_004665d0 (ROM_BLOCK line parser), FUN_004407d0 0x440848-0x440976 (ROM_PATH + name, open, read 0x4000), FUN_004721e4 0x4721ef-0x472246 and 0x4722f8-0x472300 (128-byte AMSDOS header recognised by its checksum over bytes 0-0x42, data read from offset 0x80), cpcemu0.cfg commented ROM_BLOCK 4, FUN_00486fc4 0x487026-0x487113 (expansion ROM picker)"
    note: >-
      Copy utility ROM, carrying a 128-byte AMSDOS file header ahead of the
      16 KB image, which the loader skips. Shipped as the example expansion ROM
      of the configuration file and loaded once the line is uncommented.

  - name: multface.rom
    path: "ROM/multface.rom"
    system: amstrad-cpc
    required: false
    bundled: true
    size: 8192
    md5: 4c9f014e91d407cc6509fad0095ab909
    sha1: 1431ec628d38f000715545dd2186b684c5fe5a6f
    source_ref: "cpcemu_portable.exe 3.0.2 FUN_00486fc4 0x487026-0x487113 (expansion ROM picker: file selector FUN_00462fe0 rooted at ROM_PATH, FUN_004405f0 sets the slot), FUN_004665d0 (ROM_BLOCK line parser), FUN_004407d0 0x440848-0x440976 (ROM_PATH + name, open, read up to 0x4000), no path constant names this file"
    note: >-
      Romantic Robot Multiface Two ROM. Ships in the ROM folder and enters only
      as an ordinary ROM slot named by the user, no code path naming it.