8 open source boards using the 6502
Real designs built with the 6502, from public GitHub projects: a quick way to see how others power, decouple and connect it. Each board comes with its KiCad files, full parts list and a render — and you can simulate its firmware on HardLabs.
Microdigital - TK 2000
clemarfolly
236.8 × 169.8 mm195 parts2LNo license17
UMMF
nils-eilers
105 × 100 mm63 parts2LNo license10
C128dcr-DolphinDOS3
ytmytm
97.8 × 84.5 mm31 parts2LNo license7
MetaphoricV2
OldWer
204.5 × 138 mm140 parts2LCC0-1.05
TheFinalChessCart Replica
bwack
148.9 × 58.1 mm38 parts2LNo license5
AVR/ArduinoAPL1
acwright
150 × 100 mm44 parts2LCERN-OHL-P-2.01
AVR/ArduinoRC6502 Apple 1 SBC
tebl
99.1 × 99.7 mm48 parts2LGPL-3.0192
NXPMCL65+
MicroCoreLabs
72.6 × 64.1 mm6 parts2LNo license532
The 6502 in open source designs
The gallery holds 8 open source boards using the 6502 from 8 GitHub repositories; a typical one measures about 127 × 99.8 mm and carries around 46 components.
100% are two-layer designs, the rest use four layers or more, and 38% carry an open source license.
The most starred is MCL65+ by MicroCoreLabs.
Parts used alongside the 6502
Microcontrollers on boards using the 6502
What boards using the 6502 are built for
6502: common questions
Where can I find a 6502 reference design?
Each of the 8 boards on this page is a real design using the 6502. Open one to see how it is wired up, with the full BOM, a render of the layout and links to its KiCad files.
What parts are used alongside the 6502?
The 74LS04, 28C256, 6821, 74LS00 and 74LS08 appear in the most repositories here.
Which microcontrollers do boards using the 6502 use?
Most are built on AVR/Arduino (2) and NXP (1).
How big is a typical board using the 6502?
The median is 127 × 99.8 mm, and 100% are two-layer designs.
What is the most popular open source board using the 6502?
By GitHub stars, MCL65+ by MicroCoreLabs, with 532 stars.
Can I simulate one of these boards using the 6502 before building it?
Yes. HardLabs turns a board's netlist and BOM into a working simulation, so you can boot and test firmware against it with no hardware on your desk.