Platform: Apple II

Apple II

Note that keyboard layouts don't match modern 101-key keyboards so games like Bolo that need a specific layout for keys need remapping. The Apple2 has a different layout than the IIe and IIc and II+

Running software:

• most software/games should autoboot / bootloader if it is "placed in the disk drive" and the emulator boots.
• CATALOG or CAT command lists disk contents
• BRUN <name_of_program> will run compiled programs from the > prompt
• RUN <name_of_program> will run a BASIC program from the > prompt
• Asterisk prompt: ... I forget what this is, usually it happens in the middle of an error in a binary program

Transferring / extracting files to/from disk images:

• [AppleCommander](transferring / extracting files to/from disk images) I have not tried this, but it is Java so it should be cross-platform

TODO: view/edit files TODO: where to get a blank disk TODO: where to get system disks

File formats: 5.25" floppy formats: .dsk .do .woz .nib 3.5" floppy formats: ?2mg? ?po? hard drive formats: hdv, po, chm

Disk swapping is a particular annoyance, there's lots of dual-sided and multidisk games on AppleII.

Emulator: LinApple aka LinAppleII

• supported formats: nib, dsk, (others not yet tested)
• Installed from: I had to build this...
  • git clone https://github.com/linappleii/linapple.git
  • I followed the INSTALL.md instructions and it worked
• BIOS: not needed I think
• CLI examples:
  • dsk file: <path_to_linapple_binary> --autoboot --d1 <path_to_dsk_file>

Emulator: MAME-standalone

• supported formats:
  • 5.25 floppies: dsk, do, woz, nib (not tested)
  • 3.5 floppies: not sure, maybe 2mg / po?
  • Hard Drive: chm (not tested), hdv, po
  • run this for current info: <path_to_MAME> apple2e -listmedia
• Installed from: as part of MAME flatpak install and setup, see MAME platform notes
• BIOS: I needed a complete MAME romset, around 0.265
• CLI examples:
  • dsk file: <path_to_MAME> apple2e -rp <path_to_MAME_roms_dir> -flop1 <path_to_dsk_file>
  • hdv file: <path_to_MAME> apple2ee -rp <path_to_MAME_roms_dir> -ramsize 8M -sl7 scsi -noautosave -hard1 <path_to_hdv_file>
  • hdv iigs: <path_to_MAME> apple2gs -rp <path_to_MAME_roms_dir> -ramsize 8M -sl7 scsi -noautosave -hard1 <path_to_hdv_file>
• Running commands:
  • make sure to toggle SCROLL_LOCK on your keyboard to change "focus"
• Disk Swap:
  • disk swap using Tab when you don't have SCROLL_LOCK "focus". Sometimes you need to toggle the focus once or twice before TAB brings up the menu
  • disk swap UI can be a bit messed up sometimes, but often it is better than retroarch-mame
  • note that zips act as "virtual directories"

Emulator: MAME-retroarch

• supported formats:
  • 5.25 floppies: dsk, do, woz, nib
  • 3.5 floppies: not sure, maybe 2mg / po?
  • Hard Drive: chm (not tested), hdv, po
  • run this for current info:
    • <path_to_retroarch> -L <path_to_retroarch_MAME_core> 'apple2e -listmedia'
• Installed from: as part of Retroarch install and setup, see Retroarch platform notes
• BIOS: I needed a complete MAME romset, around 0.265
• CLI examples:
  • dsk file: <path_to_retroarch> -L <path_to_retroarch_MAME_core> 'apple2e -rp <path_to_MAME_roms_dir> -flop1 <path_to_dsk_file> '
  • hdv file: <path_to_retroarch> -L <path_to_retroarch_MAME_core.so> 'apple2ee -rp <path_to_MAME_roms_dir> -ramsize 8M -sl7 scsi -noautosave -hard1 <path_to_hdv_file> '
  • hdv iigs: <path_to_retroarch> -L <path_to_retroarch_MAME_core.so> 'apple2gs -rp <path_to_MAME_roms_dir> -ramsize 8M -sl7 scsi -noautosave -hard1 <path_to_hdv_file> '
• Running commands:
  • make sure to toggle SCROLL_LOCK on your keyboard to change "focus"
• Disk Swap:
  • disk swap using Tab when you don't have SCROLL_LOCK "focus". Sometimes you need to toggle the focus once or twice before TAB brings up the menu
  • disk swap UI can be a bit messed up sometimes
  • note that zips act as "virtual directories"

There currently is NOT a retroarch core for the AppleII or GS.

Emulators "TODO": special forks of linapple, IIGS emulators like Kegs, WinAppleII via WINE, more