Resources
Resources & Links
Emulators, game archives, game databases, technical documentation, and the communities that keep the Commodore PET alive. All URLs verified June 2026.
Emulation
VICE — VersatIle Commodore Emulator
The definitive Commodore 8-bit emulator. Supports all PET models with cycle-accurate 6502 emulation, both 40-column and 80-column display modes, tape images (.tap), disk images (.d64), and program files (.prg). Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Actively maintained.
vice-emu.sourceforge.io →Game Archives
Archive.org — Commodore PET Computer Game Base v3 (~900 games)
The largest single PET game collection. Nearly all notable titles in .prg and tape formats. Free, no registration.
archive.org/details/pet-game-base-v-3-1 →Archive.org — Software Library: Commodore PET
Archive.org’s curated PET library with in-browser emulation for many titles via Emularity. No installation required for supported games.
archive.org/details/softwarelibrary_pet →Zimmers.net — PET Software Archive
Caspar Haupt’s long-running Commodore software archive. The PET section is a comprehensive library organised by title with VICE-compatible formats. One of the oldest and most trusted sources.
zimmers.net/anonftp/pub/cbm/pet/ →Silicon PET Archive (Port Commodore)
Large game collection with an associated PET FAQ covering every model variant, hardware revision, and common software compatibility issue.
portcommodore.com/files/petfiles.htm →Game Databases
commodoregames.net — Commodore PET section
Community database of PET game entries with screenshots, controls, descriptions, and download links. Documents many titles not covered elsewhere. Includes entries for Temple of Apshai, CBM Draw Poker, Millipede, and Super Glooper.
commodoregames.net →MobyGames — Commodore PET platform
MobyGames documents 800+ PET titles with credits, screenshots, and metadata. The definitive database for game bibliographies. Note: MobyGames blocks automated access; browse directly in a browser.
mobygames.com PET platform →Technical Reference
Port Commodore — PET Model FAQ
Comprehensive technical reference for every PET model variant: RAM sizes, BASIC versions, keyboard types, display modes, and hardware revisions. Essential for emulator configuration.
portcommodore.com — PET Model FAQ →6502.org — PET Version Index
Technical index of PET versions with ROM checksums, hardware variations, and compatibility notes. For developers and hardware restorers.
6502.org — PET version index →masswerk.at — PETSCII Revealed
The definitive guide to the PETSCII character set: encoding, graphics block layout, and historical context. Essential reading for anyone creating PET software or art.
masswerk.at — PETSCII Revealed →masswerk.at — Guide to PETs
masswerk.at’s detailed guide to the PET hardware family, including display phosphor types, keyboard variations, and model identification.
masswerk.at — Guide to PETs →Wikipedia Articles
Commodore PET — Wikipedia
Primary reference for hardware history, model evolution, and market context. Extensively sourced.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_PET →PETSCII — Wikipedia
Technical and historical account of the PETSCII character set, its encoding, and its evolution across the Commodore line.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PETSCII →Microchess — Wikipedia
History of Microchess from KIM-1 (1976) through the PET version (1978) and beyond. Documents the commercial milestones.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microchess →Temple of Apshai — Wikipedia
Sales figures, award history, and development background for Temple of Apshai (1979).
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_of_Apshai →Demo Scene & Community
Demozoo — PET Platform
Complete index of PET demo scene productions with release dates, demoparty results, and download links. Tracks the ongoing creative output of the PET community.
demozoo.org/platforms/90/ →Peter Jennings — Microchess History (primary source)
Peter Jennings’s own account of creating Microchess, founding Micro-Ware, and the events leading to VisiCalc. The most detailed primary account available of early PET software development.
benlo.com/microchess/ →Games That Weren’t — Cosmic Jailbreak C64
Documents the unreleased Commodore 64 port of Cosmic Jailbreak and includes detailed background on the Hipkin royalty dispute.
gamesthatwerent.com — Cosmic Jailbreak →The Digital Antiquarian — Temple of Apshai
Jimmy Maher’s detailed history of Temple of Apshai’s development, commercial trajectory, and cultural significance.
filfre.net — Temple of Apshai →