Pico-8: a quick introduction

     Lexaloffle Games refer to their program Pico-8 as a "fantasy console;" that is, it represents an old 8-bit game console that never existed. Instead, it's a set of specifications (number of colors, available sprites, etc.) that give game developers creative restrictions to work around.  The program is a full-blown game design environment with sprite editor and music workstation. These applications are laid out in 8-bit fashion as well and only have a slight-to-moderate learning curve mostly due to how lightweight they are. 

     Pico-8 also connects to Lexaloffle's database to make a sort of simple and free online store that allows users to share their work. Everything is done in a very simple and elegant way. The community is active and numerous and seems to be having a lot of fun. Of course, these are amateur productions and finding a polished game takes a little footwork, but it's worth a moment to browse the virtual bargain bin.

      The hit games of Pico-8 seem to land somewhere between Colecovision and the Sega Master System in terms of how they feel and what to expect. Of course, modern game design conceits like procedurally-generated levels can separate Pico-8 games from the "true" old school, and the best of these games really do feel like new old games as a result. 

     Everything about Pico-8 feels professional and complete. It carved out a limited space for itself so it can excel at everything it does.  It supports two controllers and will run on aging hardware, making "collecting" it as a console very inexpensive.

     Standing tall among all the retro gaming cash grabs from Atari, Intellivision, SNK, Sega, and many others, Pico-8 is a legitimate piece of videogame history.