PICO-8

A fantasy console for making tiny retro games with strict limits.

  • Paid
  • Good for beginners
  • Jam-friendly

What it does

PICO-8 is a pretend game console with a 128×128 screen and 16 colours. Code, sprites, maps and music all live in one tool, and the limits make it easier to finish small games. It is a paid, one-time purchase.

Highlights

  • Code, sprite, map, sound and music editors in one
  • Tiny limits help you finish
  • Share games as cartridge images
  • Huge library of community games to learn from

Is it right for me?

Skill level
Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Useful for
Game jams, Indie developers, Students, Hobby projects
Game jams
A good fit — quick to pick up and use under time pressure.

Pairs well with

Godot Engine

Game engines

A free, open-source engine for 2D and 3D games.

  • Free
  • Open source
  • Good for beginners

Bitsy

Game engines

Make tiny pixel-art exploration and story games in your browser.

  • Free
  • Open source
  • Good for beginners

Construct 3

Game engines

Make 2D games in your browser without writing code.

  • Free + paid plans
  • Good for beginners

GameMaker

Game engines

A 2D engine with drag-and-drop and its own easy scripting language.

  • Free + paid plans
  • Good for beginners