VICE for MAC
Free, open-source Commodore emulator for Mac: run C64, C128, VIC20, Plus/4, PET and CBM-II programs with accurate emulation of the old 8-bit machines.
VICE Overview
VICE, the Versatile Commodore Emulator, runs programs written for Commodore's old 8-bit computers on your Mac. It emulates the C64, the C64DTV, the C128, the VIC20, practically all PET models, the Plus/4 and the CBM-II, and it has a separate emulator for a C64 expanded with the CMD SuperCPU. Each machine has its own program, such as x128 for the C128, and the C64 comes as x64sc, an accurate emulator with a cycle-based core.
VICE is made by the volunteers of the VICE Team in their spare time and is free and open source under the GNU General Public License. Version 3.10 adds cartridge support, sound improvements and a quieter log. There are separate downloads for Apple Silicon and Intel Macs, each with a GTK3 or an SDL2 interface; the team recommends GTK3. It needs macOS 12 or later. One limitation is worth knowing: the GTK3 version has no joystick mapping screen yet, so a controller the simple default mapping does not suit needs a mapping file set up by hand.
Key Features
VICE covers the whole family of Commodore 8-bit computers.
- C64: an accurate emulator with a cycle-based core.
- C128: a separate emulator, x128.
- VIC20 and Plus/4: each with its own emulator.
- PET: practically all PET models.
- CBM-II: the C610 and C510 machines.
- SuperCPU: an extra emulator for a C64 with the CMD SuperCPU.
- Cartridges: support for many cartridges, with more added in 3.10.
- Two interfaces: GTK3 or SDL2, for Apple Silicon or Intel.
What’s New in Version 3.10
VICE 3.10 improves sound and adds new hardware support.
- reSID: aliasing noise removed by dithering
- Support for USBSID-Pico
- New option to start with a maximized window
- A much less verbose log by default
- C64 cartridges added: Profi-DOS, Magic Desk 16 and Megabyter
- Device settings renamed (virtualdev is now trapdevice, iecdevice is now busdevice)
VICE FAQ
Is VICE free?
Yes. VICE is free and open source under the GNU General Public License.
Which computers does VICE emulate?
The C64, the C64DTV, the C128, the VIC20, practically all PET models, the Plus/4 and the CBM-II, plus a C64 with the CMD SuperCPU.
Which macOS version does VICE need?
VICE 3.10 needs macOS 12 or later.
Does VICE run on Apple Silicon?
Yes. There are separate downloads for Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.
Should I choose GTK3 or SDL2?
The VICE Team recommends the GTK3 interface over SDL2.
What is x64sc?
It is the accurate C64 emulator in VICE, with a cycle-based core.
Can I use a game controller?
Yes, but the GTK3 version has no joystick mapping screen yet. If the simple default mapping does not suit your controller, you need to set up a mapping file by hand. The SDL2 version can create one.
What is new in VICE 3.10?
Less aliasing noise in reSID, USBSID-Pico support, a maximized window option, a quieter log and new C64 cartridges such as Profi-DOS and Magic Desk 16.
Can I install VICE with Homebrew?
Yes. Run brew install vice.
Where does the VICE download on vice.FULLMAC.app come from?
The download button leads to the official VICE website at https://vice-emu.sourceforge.io/. vice.FULLMAC.app does not change or repackage the app.
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