In his latest video, developer thebadspy explores the ongoing discussion about CPU choices for the Commander X16 and why he’s firmly behind the Commander X16 65816. The video dives into the reasoning for his decision to program CX16OS exclusively for the 65C816 processor, offering a perspective shaped by real hands-on experience.
He explains that the 65816 architecture provides much-needed headroom for larger, more complex operating systems and software. While the X16’s standard 6502 CPU handles many tasks well, the 65816 offers clear advantages, particularly with 16-bit indexing and easier string manipulation. These features, he notes, simplify development and improve performance—especially for text-heavy systems like his own CX16OS.
The Commander X16 65816 setup, he adds, makes common operations faster and more efficient. Memory transfers, for instance, benefit from the MVN instruction, which dramatically cuts cycle counts compared to traditional 6502 loops. He also highlights how the expanded addressing modes remove the need to rely heavily on zero-page tricks, freeing programmers from many of the 8-bit CPU’s limitations.
While some community members worry that the 65816’s features add complexity, the developer argues the opposite. In his view, the chip’s design streamlines programming and opens the door for future software innovation. He believes adopting the 65816 as standard would benefit both new and experienced developers as the platform evolves.
The video closes with an open invitation for discussion within the X16 community and a link to his CX16OS project on GitHub. Whether you agree or not, his case for the Commander X16 65816 provides a fascinating glimpse into how the platform’s next generation might take shape.
