Skip to content

Commodore 128

Commodore 128 icon Commodore 128 logo

Overview

The Commodore 128 is the most advanced 8-bit computer Commodore produced. Launched in 1985 at roughly $499, it ships with a MOS 8502 CPU, a Zilog Z80 for CP/M compatibility and 128 KB of RAM. The machine can boot into native C128 mode, an 80-column VDC text mode, a VIC-II C64-compatible mode or CP/M, making it a flexible bridge between modern software and the enormous C64 library.

In REG-Linux the platform lives in the c64 system group so themes can treat it like its popular sibling while still offering the c128 artwork set.

Technical specifications

  • CPU: MOS Technology 8502 at 2 MHz with a second WDC 65C02 and Zilog Z80 for CP/M
  • Memory: 128 KB RAM (+ 32 KB ROM, 16 KB video RAM)
  • Graphics: VIC-II for C64 compatibility and VDC for 80-column/text output
  • Sound: SID 6581/8580 sound chip shared with the C64

Supported ROM extensions

d64, d81, prg, lnx, m3u, zip, 7z

Quick reference

  • Emulator: VICE
  • Core: VICE: x128
  • ROM folder: /userdata/roms/c128
  • Accepted formats: .d64, .d81, .prg, .lnx, .m3u, .zip, .7z
  • System group: c64

BIOS

No additional BIOS files are required; VICE ships with the necessary ROMs.

ROMs

Place every Commodore 128 image in /userdata/roms/c128. VICE can launch disk (.d64, .d81), program (.prg) and raw CP/M (.lnx) files as well as .m3u playlists or zipped collections.

Emulators

VICE

VICE drives C128 emulation within REG-Linux. Open the in-game VICE menu ([HOTKEY] + south button or [Tab] while a core runs) to change machine settings, attach disks or configure controllers.

Standardized features for VICE expose keys such as c128.videomode, c128.ratio, c128.padtokeyboard and c128.decoration.

ES setting name REG-Linux.conf_key Description => ES option key_value
Settings that apply to all cores of this emulator
ZOOM (HIDE BORDERS) c128.noborder Show or hide the scanline borders that classic games sometimes use for extra HUD info. => NO (default) 0, YES 1.

Controls

The default Commodore 128 inputs map to a REG-Linux Retropad. The overlay highlights the joystick buttons, keyboard shortcuts and hotkeys used by the system.

c128 controller overlay

Custom mappings can be configured via RetroArch menus or VICE’s own input settings.

Troubleshooting

  • If a title fails to launch, double-check it resides under /userdata/roms/c128 and uses one of the supported extensions.
  • Use VICE’s machine mode menu to switch between C128, C64, 80-column or CP/M modes as needed.