Posted 2/14/2024, 12:38:00 PM
ModderPorts Unix-Like Operating System to NES Using Famicom Disk System
- Modder "decrazyo" ported a Unix-like operating system to the NES/Famicom using the Famicom Disk System's extra memory and storage
- The OS meets criteria like kernel separation, file system hierarchy, preemptive multitasking, and a Unix-like shell
- Decrazyo based it on Little Unix, built for the Commodore 64, and handled defining the memory map, writing new initialization code and drivers
- The disk driver was challenging since the FDS reads sequentially, but it treats the disk read-only to boot a shell
- It has flaws like visual glitches and slow performance, but proves the NES can run a Unix-style OS, tested on an emulator and real hardware