NES Native Setup

Install tools directly on your system

Skip Docker and install the cc65 toolchain natively. You'll manage updates yourself, but get a simpler workflow for quick builds.

/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

brew install cc65

This includes ca65 (assembler), ld65 (linker), and cc65 (C compiler).

brew install --cask fceux

ca65 --version && ld65 --version

Download the Windows snapshot from cc65.github.io.

Extract to a folder like C:\cc65 and add C:\cc65\bin to your PATH.

Download FCEUX from fceux.com.

ca65 --version

sudo apt install cc65

Or build from source for the latest version: github.com/cc65/cc65

sudo apt install fceux

ca65 --version && ld65 --version

Building Your Code

NES builds typically use a two-step process - assemble then link:

ca65 game.asm -o game.o

ld65 -C nes.cfg game.o -o game.nes

Then run in FCEUX:

fceux game.nes

You'll need a linker config file (nes.cfg) - this is covered in the curriculum.