Reviving Retro Computing With Modern Microcontrollers

16 Dec, 2025

A Deep Dive Into the RP2040/RP2350 286 PC Emulator and the MURMULATOR Dev Board

In the world of retro computing, few projects embody the blend of nostalgia, clever engineering, and modern embedded design quite like the RP2040/RP2350 286 PC emulator running on the MURMULATOR dev board. Built on the open source principles that fuel many hobbyist and maker communities, this emulator brings the essence of early PC hardware — including Intel CPU families up to the 286 — to life on a tiny Raspberry Pi microcontroller platform. For enthusiasts of vintage computing, embedded systems hobbyists, and makers looking to push the limits of what a microcontroller can do, this project is both fascinating and inspiring.

🎯 Origins and Purpose: Why Emulate a 286 on an RP2040/RP2350?

At its core, the pico-286 project is a software emulator that reproduces the functionality of classic IBM PC-compatible hardware — from the venerable 8086 to the more capable 286 processor — on modern microcontrollers like the RP2040 and its successor, the RP2350 (used in Raspberry Pi Pico 2 variants and similar boards). This effort stems from a desire to not just run old software, but to experience the hardware quirks, video modes, sound capabilities, and system behavior of early PCs in a highly portable, efficient form.

By emulating CPUs from the Intel 8086 family up through the 286, the project enables users to boot real DOS environments, run classic software, and interact with iconic sound and video hardware — all from a microcontroller that costs a fraction of the price of the original machines. It’s a mix of software craftsmanship and hardware hacking that’s become extremely popular among retro tech aficionados.

🛠️ MURMULATOR: The Embedded Platform That Makes It Practical

The MURMULATOR platform — an open hardware ecosystem based around the RP2040/RP2350 microcontrollers — serves as the reference development board for the pico-286 emulator. According to the project’s description and broader sources, Murmulator boards are RP2040-powered systems designed to emulate a variety of retro devices with minimal additional components, accessible expansion options, and video/audio outputs suitable for real displays.

Originally rooted in retro console emulation like ZX Spectrum and other vintage systems, the Murmulator project has expanded to support smaller computer systems and now includes platforms like the 286 emulator. The hardware typically includes:

Raspberry Pi Pico / Pico 2 (RP2040 / RP2350).
PSRAM modules for extended memory.
SD card support for storage.
Various display outputs (e.g., VGA, HDMI, composite).
Peripheral interfaces such as PS/2 keyboard/mouse inputs

The Murmulator ecosystem is notable because it’s not just a single board — it’s a family of hardware designs, firmware projects, and community contributions that explore retro computing in a lightweight and affordable modern package.

🧠 Emulator Capabilities: More Than Just a CPU

What sets the pico-286 project apart from simpler emulators is not just its CPU support, but the breadth of hardware peripherals it mimics:

✅ CPU & Core Emulation

Intel 8086/8088 — the original IBM PC family.
Intel 80186 — an intermediary with extra integrated functions.
Intel 286 — the VLB-era CPU that defined PC/AT class machines.

These CPU cores give the emulator enough capability to run real DOS, early games, and productivity software exactly as they would have behaved on period hardware.

🖥️ Graphics Emulation

A major highlight lies in its support for classic graphics modes:

Text Modes (80×25, 40×25) — Just like the original PC.
CGA & EGA — Early color graphics with artifact color techniques.
Hercules — High-res monochrome.
TGA & VGA — Enhanced Tandy and VGA standards, including 320×200 256-color modes and 640×480 graphics.

This spectrum of graphics emulation makes the platform suitable for running everything from basic command-line applications to graphical DOS games.

🔊 Sound Support

The emulator doesn’t stop at graphics — it includes sound card emulation:

PC Speaker — Classic beep and tone generation.
Sound Blaster & AdLib / OPL2 FM synthesis — Authentic music and sound effects for games.
MPU-401 MIDI with GM synthesizer — Allows playback of General MIDI music right in the emulator.

This rich audio support ensures sound isn’t an afterthought — it’s a core part of the retro experience.

💾 Storage and Interaction

Pico-286 implements multiple storage methods:

Virtual floppy/hard disks (standard DOS A:, B:, C:, D:).
Direct host filesystem mapping via a virtual network drive for rapid file access.

Combined with peripherals like PS/2 keyboard and NES gamepad support, the emulator becomes a usable retro PC platform rather than just a demonstration.

⚙️ Hardware Requirements and Build

The emulator targets both RP2040 and RP2350 devices. While the base RP2040 can run the emulator, the RP2350 (as found in Pico 2) offers significant advantages like onboard PSRAM, higher performance, and better video output options like HDMI.

Building the firmware involves typical embedded build steps (CMake, toolchains, and platform-specific options) but the community provides sample configurations for VGA, HDMI, audio outputs, and more. After compilation, flashing is straightforward thanks to the Pico’s UF2 bootloader mechanism.

🧩 Real-World Uses and Community Appeal

Projects like pico-286 are not just engineering exercises — they serve as educational platforms to learn about CPU internals, classic hardware behavior, and real-time systems on microcontrollers. They are also social projects: developers, retro fans, and hobbyists frequently contribute fixes, new drivers, and build tips.

The Murmulator platform itself spans multiple emulation targets beyond just the 286 — it’s part of a larger ecosystem of open-source retro hardware and software.

🎮 Pros & Cons

Pros

Authentic Retro Experience: Comprehensive CPU, graphics, and sound emulation.
Affordable Hardware Base: Murmulator + Raspberry Pico solutions are low-cost.
Community-Driven: Open-source code and hardware make it easy to extend or customize.

Cons

Performance Boundaries: Even with an RP2350, emulation of complex software has limits.
Complex Setup: Requires SD card disk images and correct hardware configuration.
Peripheral Scope: Some modern conveniences (USB mass storage, advanced graphics) may need more work.

🧠 Final Thoughts

The RP2040/RP2350 286 PC emulator on the MURMULATOR dev board is more than a curiosity — it’s a celebration of retro computing wrapped in cutting-edge microcontroller engineering. By faithfully replicating classic PC hardware behavior — including CPU, video, and sound — on tiny modern boards, this project proves that nostalgia and innovation can coexist beautifully.

Whether you’re a developer interested in low-level system design, a maker wanting a unique display at your desk, or a retro gamer craving authentic DOS experiences without vintage hardware, this project delivers a compelling and rewarding experience. Its open source nature means it’ll continue to evolve with community contributions — bringing even more vintage tech back to life on today’s tiny silicon marvels

🔗 Source & Attribution

This review article is written based on publicly available information and documentation from the following official sources:

pico-286 GitHub Repository
https://github.com/xrip/pico-286
(Main source for emulator features, CPU support, graphics, sound, storage, and build details.)
MURMULATOR Official Website
https://murmulator.ru/
(General information about the Murmulator ecosystem, hardware philosophy, and supported projects.)
MURMULATOR MM1-4 Hardware Page
https://murmulator.ru/mm1-4
(Specific reference for Murmulator development board variants, hardware design, and supported configurations.)

All trademarks, product names, and technologies mentioned remain the property of their respective owners. This article is intended for educational, informational, and community-driven retro computing appreciation purposes.