How to Watch C64 Demos Today
Three routes to experiencing the demo scene in 2024: run them locally on VICE, play them in your browser, or catch the live streams from demoparties.
Run Demos with VICE
VICE (Versatile Commodore Emulator) gives you the closest experience to running demos on real C64 hardware. It handles the timing, SID chip, and VIC-II graphics chip with high accuracy.
Step 1: Download VICE
Get the latest VICE release from vice-emu.sourceforge.io. Windows users should grab the prebuilt binary. Mac users can install via Homebrew: brew install vice. Linux users can check their package manager or build from source.
Step 2: Get a demo file
Most demos on CSDb are available as .d64 disk images or .prg files. Download from CSDb or Demozoo. The .d64 format is a raw disk image; the .prg format is a single executable program.
Step 3: Load a .d64 disk image
In VICE (x64sc), go to File menu and choose "Attach disk image" (drive 8). Select your .d64 file. At the BASIC prompt, type LOAD "*",8,1 and press Return. When loading finishes, type RUN. Some demos auto-start; others need a specific file loaded.
Step 4: Load a .prg file
Go to File and choose "Autostart disk/tape image". Select the .prg file. VICE loads and runs it automatically. Alternatively, drag and drop a .prg onto the VICE window.
Recommended settings for demo playback
- Model: C64C (PAL) for demos made in Europe. Most scene classics use PAL timing.
- SID model: MOS 6581 for demos before 1990, MOS 8580 for post-1990. Many demos are tuned to one chip; try both if SID sounds wrong.
- Video: Enable "CRT emulation" under Display settings for authentic scanlines and phosphor glow.
- Speed: Set to 100% (not "maximum") so the demo runs at correct PAL speed (50Hz refresh).
Run in Your Browser
Several browser-based C64 emulators let you load and run demos without installing anything. Quality varies; for demos that rely on precise SID timing, VICE gives better results.
c64online.com
A C64 running in the browser via WebAssembly. Upload a .d64 or .prg file and it runs in the emulator. Covers basic LOAD/RUN usage and works for most straightforward demos. No account required.
DeepSID
Focused specifically on SID music playback from the High Voltage SID Collection. While not a full demo emulator, it lets you listen to the SID soundtracks from thousands of C64 demos and games directly in the browser, with subtune support and chip model switching.
Demoparty Streams
Demoparties are weekend events where sceners show new productions on a big screen. Most major parties stream the competitions live. The C64 compos typically run one evening during the party weekend.
Revision
The largest demoparty in Europe, held in Saarbrucken, Germany over Easter weekend each year. Revision runs a C64 and oldskool compo alongside modern PC and console categories. Past parties streamed on Twitch; current stream links appear at revision-party.net before each event.
Datastorm
Held in Gothenburg, Sweden, with a strong focus on C64 and Amiga productions. Datastorm has hosted some of the most technically accomplished C64 compo entries in recent years. Check demoparty.net for the current event schedule and stream information.
X
A Netherlands-based party historically focused on C64 and Amiga, with an invitation structure that keeps it smaller and more curated. X party entries have won international recognition. Watch for announcements on CSDb and demoparty.net.
Watching past compos
Most demoparty recordings end up on YouTube within days of the event. Search YouTube for the party name and year, or check the party's Demozoo page for direct links to each compo entry's recording. The Videos page on this site includes recordings of key C64 productions.