PICO-8
PICO-8 is a fantasy console for creating, sharing and playing tiny games and other computer programs.
What PICO-8 is
PICO-8 is a fantasy console for creating, sharing and playing tiny games and other computer programs. Its built-in tools edit code, music, sound, sprites and maps, using P8 Lua for cartridges. Listed specifications include 256 8×8 sprites, a 128×32 tile map and a 4M VM instructions-per-second CPU. Cartridges can be saved as PNG files, shared through a web cart player, or exported as standalone HTML5, Windows, Mac and Linux apps. The SPLORE browser searches and favourites cartridges in the online collection. PICO-8 runs on Linux, macOS, Windows and the web, with external editing through .p8 and plain-text .lua files. The paid plan costs $14.99 a month. A free browser Education Edition omits exporters and the cartridge browser and requires a keyboard.
Good
- Integrated code, audio, sprite and map tools
- Exports cartridges to several app formats
- Runs on Linux, macOS, Windows and web
- Free browser Education Edition
- Includes future updates with purchase
Watch out
- Paid plan costs $14.99 a month
- Education Edition requires a keyboard
- Education Edition lacks exporters and cartridge browser
- No free trial
Who it suits
It suits people learning or making compact 2D games and programs across supported platforms. Educators can use the browser edition or site-wide educational licensing.
Verdict
PICO-8 combines constrained game-making tools with straightforward cartridge sharing and export options. Its education edition broadens access, while the paid plan adds the full console experience.
Plans and prices
From PICO-8's own pricing page, checked 7 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| PICO-8 Education Edition | Free | Requires a keyboard · No exporters or cartridge browser · Free to use in a web browser; page does not state a billing frequency. |
| PICO-8 | $14.99, paid once | 32k cartridge size · 128×128 display · 16 colours · 4-channel sound · One-time purchase; page does not state billing frequency. |
The facts
Each one read from PICO-8's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Built-in tools
- The console includes tools for editing code, music, sound, sprites and maps.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Cartridge sharing
- Cartridges can be saved as .png files, shared through a web cart player, or exported as standalone HTML5, Windows, Mac and Linux apps.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Community and learning resources
- The maker lists forums, community channels, a user manual, tutorials and a community wiki as resources.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Education Edition limits
- The browser-based Education Edition includes editing tools but omits exporters and the cartridge browser, and it does not require an account.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Education licensing
- Each copy includes a site-wide license for schools, workshops, public libraries and similar educational spaces, covering any number of machines belonging to one educational organisation.checked 7 Oct 2026
- External editors
- The FAQ says users can use an external editor with .p8 text files and include plain-text .lua files in cartridges.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Programming language
- PICO-8 cartridges use P8 Lua.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- PICO-8 is a fantasy console for making, sharing and playing tiny games and other computer programs.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Security and compliance
- The educator page describes the installation files as DRM-free; the maker pages opened provide no security certification or compliance claim.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Specifications
- The listed specifications include 256 8×8 sprites, a 128×32 tile map and a 4M VM instructions-per-second CPU.checked 7 Oct 2026
- SPLORE
- The built-in SPLORE browser lets users search and favourite cartridges in the online collection.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Support and updates
- The purchase page says buyers receive access to all future updates and can email the maker for help.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Take-home licenses
- Registered educators can buy take-home license keys in blocks of 10 or more at $3 per license; each key can be redeemed once and includes DRM-free downloads and updates.checked 7 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 2002checked 28 Sep 2026
- Headquarters
- Tokyo, Japanchecked 28 Sep 2026
- Maker and location
- Lexaloffle says it is the home of computer games and fantasy consoles made by Joseph White and is located at Pico Pico Cafe in Kichijoji, Tokyo.checked 7 Oct 2026
Money
- Free plan
- Yeschecked 21 Sep 2026
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