Building the future of fantasy retro gaming.
Semikit is an open-source organization dedicated to developing the Cicada-16 fantasy console ecosystem. We create both the specification for a virtual 16-bit game console and the tools needed to bring retro-inspired games to life.
The Cicada-16 is a complete fantasy console specification that recreates the magic of 16-bit game development from the 90s and early 2000s. It's a virtual machine specification built from scratch, featuring:
- Custom 16-bit CISC CPU with a carefully designed instruction set
- Memory banking for expanding beyond the 16-bit address space
- Dedicated graphics hardware (Picture Processing Unit - PPU)
- Audio processing capabilities (Audio Processing Unit - APU)
- Complete toolchain including the official
casmassembler
The Cicada-16 specification provides a stable, focused platform that encourages creativity through thoughtful hardware constraints, making it perfect for both nostalgic developers and newcomers learning game development fundamentals.
View the Cicada-16 specification →
Semikit is the official emulator for the Cicada-16 platform. It accurately simulates the Cicada-16's custom hardware, allowing you to run, test, and play games developed for the console. Semikit brings the Cicada-16 specification to life, providing a complete development and gaming experience.
A fantasy console is a virtual game console with deliberately chosen limitations that simulate the experience of developing for retro hardware. Unlike emulators that replicate real machines, fantasy consoles like Cicada-16 are designed from scratch with modern tools and sensibilities while maintaining the creative constraints and charm of classic game development.
Whether you're interested in:
- Developing games for the Cicada-16
- Contributing to the specification
- Improving the emulator or toolchain
- Creating documentation and tutorials
- Building a retro gaming community
We welcome your contributions! Check out our individual project repositories for more information on how to get started.
Crafting the tools for the next generation of retro game developers.