NES Native Setup
Install tools directly on your system
Skip Docker and install the cc65 toolchain natively. You'll manage updates yourself, but get a simpler workflow for quick builds.
1. Install Homebrew (if needed)
/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)" 2. Install cc65 Toolchain
brew install cc65 This includes ca65 (assembler), ld65 (linker), and cc65 (C compiler).
3. Install FCEUX Emulator
brew install --cask fceux 4. Verify Installation
ca65 --version && ld65 --version 1. Download cc65
Download the Windows snapshot from cc65.github.io.
Extract to a folder like C:\cc65 and add C:\cc65\bin to your PATH.
2. Download FCEUX
Download FCEUX from fceux.com.
3. Verify Installation
ca65 --version 1. Install cc65 (Debian/Ubuntu)
sudo apt install cc65 Or build from source for the latest version: github.com/cc65/cc65
2. Install FCEUX
sudo apt install fceux 3. Verify Installation
ca65 --version && ld65 --version Building Your Code
NES builds typically use a two-step process - assemble then link:
ca65 game.asm -o game.o ld65 -C nes.cfg game.o -o game.nes Then run in FCEUX:
fceux game.nes You'll need a linker config file (nes.cfg) - this is covered in the curriculum.