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TRS-80 Color Computer

Color Computer icon Color Computer logo

Overview

The TRS-80 Color Computer (CoCo) family is an 8-bit home computer line released by Tandy/Radio Shack beginning in 1980. It offers a BASIC-driven environment, a Motorola 6809E CPU and an expanded palette compared to Commodore counterparts. REG-Linux uses the coco system group so metadata and artwork align with the platform.

Technical specifications

  • CPU: Motorola 6809E/1 at 0.895–1.79 MHz
  • Memory: 4 KB (Model I) up to 64 KB (Model III/4) plus ROM expansions
  • Graphics: MC6847 VDG supporting 256×192 with limited colors
  • Sound: Simple tone generator via MC6847

Supported ROM extensions

wav, cas, ccc, rom, zip, 7z

Quick reference

  • Emulator: MAME
  • ROM folder: /userdata/roms/coco
  • Accepted formats: .wav, .cas, .ccc, .rom, .zip, .7z

BIOS

MAME requires the coco.zip (or .7z) archive, which contains the Color Computer ROM images. Place it in /userdata/roms/coco/ or in the global bios/ directory; the filename and checksum must remain unchanged so REG-Linux can detect it.

ROMs

Store cassette, disk and cartridge images under /userdata/roms/coco. MAME’s autoload behavior handles .cas, .dsk, .wav and .rom files automatically, but you can override defaults via system/configs/mame/autoload/coco_{cass,flop}_autoload.csv using the syntax <romBasename>;<autoload command> (the CSV files contain detailed examples).

Emulators

MAME

MAME includes the TRS-80 Color Computer driver. Open the in-game menu ([HOTKEY] + south button or Tab) to remap inputs, attach media or adjust video/audio options. Standardized REG-Linux features for CoCo include coco.videomode, coco.decoration and coco.padtokeyboard.

ES setting name REG-Linux.conf_key Description => ES option key_value
Settings that apply to all versions of this emulator
VIDEO MODE coco.video Choose BGFX for shaders or Accel/OpenGL for direct rendering. => BGFX bgfx, Accel accel, OpenGL opengl.
BGFX GRAPHICS API coco.bgfxbackend Specify the backend when BGFX is active. => MAME Detect automatic, OpenGL opengl, OpenGL ES gles, Vulkan vulkan.
BGFX VIDEO FILTER coco.bgfxshaders Apply CRT/smoothing filters. => Off None, Bilinear default, CRT Geom crt-geom, CRT Geom Deluxe crt-geom-deluxe, Super Eagle eagle, HLSL hlsl, HQ2X hq2x, HQ3X hq3x, HQ4X hq4x.
ALT DPAD MODE coco.altdpad Adjust D-pad orientation when controllers behave oddly. => Off 0, DS3 1, X360 2.
SPECIAL CONTROL LAYOUTS coco.altlayout Alternate layouts for modern pads. => Default 0, SNES 1, Genesis 4, etc.
MEDIA TYPE coco.altromtype Specify media (cassette vs cartridge) if MAME misdetects. => Cassette cass, Cartridge cart.
UI KEYS coco.enableui Toggle MAME’s UI key bindings at startup. => Off 0, On 1.

Controls

The TRS-80 Color Computer has a variety of input methods. The default mapping appears on a REG-Linux Retropad overlay (../images/controller-overlays/coco.png). Use RETROARCH/MAME menus to remap joystick/keyboard combos or supply custom keypad actions.

TRS-80 Color Computer controller overlay

Troubleshooting

  • Confirm the coco.zip BIOS archive exists in the ROM or BIOS folder and matches the expected checksum.
  • If a media file misbehaves, specify the correct coco.altromtype (cassette vs cartridge) or override autoload commands via the CSV files noted above.
  • Consult the MAME troubleshooting section for system-specific issues.