SIDKick Pico is a DIY replacement for the Commodore 64 and 128 SID sound chip, with firmware that can launch PRG games from a custom menu. Hackaday reported a capacity of up to 16 games; that is a maximum reported capacity, not a promise that a unit comes preloaded with games. It is a sound-chip replacement with a launcher feature, not a standalone game console.
What SIDKick Pico replaces—and what its games feature does
SIDKick Pico is designed to replace a MOS 6581 or 8580 SID in supported Commodore computers and compatible Ultimate64/C64 Ultimate boards. The project provides different board formats, including a compact board and an interface-board arrangement that hosts a Raspberry Pi Pico, Pico 2, or compatible clone. The Pico is a component used by some builds; it is not the SIDKick Pico device itself. See the official SIDKick Pico project and setup documentation for supported systems and board details.
The games are PRG files launched by a built-in firmware launcher. Hackaday’s June 11, 2024 coverage says a custom menu can hold and launch up to 16 games (Hackaday’s report). That figure describes reported capacity; it does not establish that games are included with every build or that every firmware and board combination has the same contents.
Choose the board and audio output for your setup
SIDKick Pico builds differ in board layout, firmware target, and audio connections. The project documents PWM audio through the SID socket as well as DAC-equipped options. Hackaday describes an external PCM5102A DAC route and an alternate PCB design with an on-board DAC and TL072 op-amp. These are build-specific choices, not automatically interchangeable parts; check the documentation for the exact board revision and desired output before ordering or assembling hardware. See the Hackaday coverage of the audio options.
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Installation: socket replacement is only the starting point
For single-SID use, the project says operation can work without extra signal wires. Adding a second SID or enabling FM operation requires additional signal connections not available at the SID socket. Ultimate64/C64 Ultimate configurations have their own signal wiring and addressing guidance, so do not assume the standard C64 installation instructions apply unchanged.
- Identify the computer and board revision. Confirm that the particular SIDKick Pico layout and firmware support your C64, C128, or compatible Ultimate board.
- Check the wiring for the intended mode. A basic single-SID installation may need no extra signal wires, while dual-SID and FM setups require additional connections. Follow the project’s instructions for the specific mode.
- Choose the output path. Confirm whether your board uses PWM through the SID socket or a DAC-based route, and obtain only the components specified for that version.
- Orient and install the board correctly. The project warns that correct orientation in the SID socket matters; use its current setup guide rather than relying on a generic socket-swap assumption.
- Match firmware to the hardware. The release page lists multiple firmware variants for different systems, board revisions, audio outputs, and LED setups. Select the asset for your exact build before flashing.
The official SIDKick Pico firmware releases list version 0.224 and multiple variants. The version number alone does not identify the right file: verify the release asset against your board and configuration.
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How it differs from other Commodore projects
Not every Commodore sound or game expansion is a SID socket replacement. These projects serve different roles, so compare them by installation, audio features, and intended platform rather than by a shared mention of games or sound.
| Project | What it is | Games or launcher |
|---|---|---|
| SIDKick Pico | DIY SID replacement for supported C64/C128 and compatible Ultimate systems; board and output options vary. | Firmware includes a PRG launcher; Hackaday reported up to 16 games in a custom menu, without establishing that builds ship preloaded. |
| FPGASID | A separate FPGA-based, pin-compatible replacement project for MOS 6581 and MOS 8580 chips. | The cited project description does not establish a SIDKick-style PRG launcher. See the FPGASID project. |
| Sidekick64 | A software-defined cartridge/expansion for several Commodore computers, with cartridge, memory, and sound-device emulation. | Its repository mentions two games included with the C16/+4 version; that is a different platform-specific feature, not SIDKick Pico’s PRG launcher. See the Sidekick64 repository. |
For a useful comparison, check whether a device replaces the SID in its socket or attaches as an expansion; which 6581/8580 behaviors and stereo options it supports; whether it handles paddles or a mouse; whether dual-SID or FM operation is available; what wiring is required; and whether you want to assemble a DIY board or source an assembled unit. The project descriptions above do not establish a current retail listing or inventory for SIDKick Pico.
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Getting a build
SIDKick Pico is presented as a DIY project. Hackaday reports that bare or pre-assembled boards can be ordered through PCBWay or another manufacturer, but that does not establish current stock or availability. Check the project’s board files and the manufacturing route you choose for the exact revision; do not assume a Raspberry Pi Pico alone is the complete replacement.
Quick Recap
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