A Joyous Celebration for the 6502 on Its Birthday
In the world of vintage computing, one microprocessor continues to captivate a niche audience – the 6502. Originally developed by Chuck Peddle as a response to the complex, expensive, and difficult-to-manufacture Motorola 6800, the 6502 has been in production since July 1975 and remains so today.
The 6502 played a significant role in many famous 8-bit machines from companies like Commodore, Apple, Acorn, and more. One of the most notable computers powered by the 6502 was the BBC Micro, which was favoured by the author over the Z80-based Sinclair ZX81 due to its built-in assembler.
As we approach August 2025, a retrospective on the 6502 processor will be given, marking fifty years since its inception.
Current buyers of the WDC W65C02, the real thing in a 40-pin DIP, appear to be primarily a small number of retrocomputing enthusiasts and niche embedded computing users who appreciate its classic 8-bit architecture. There is no broad commercial demand reported, highlighting its persistence mostly among hobbyists rather than mainstream manufacturers.
The future of the WDC W65C02 is uncertain, but it is one of the very few classic microprocessors still in production, outliving the Z80 which ceased production last year. The production outlook suggests it is ongoing but potentially limited in duration due to shrinking demand. The future likely depends on continued niche interest and the business decision of Western Design Center (WDC), the chip’s producer.
It's important to remember that the architecture a computer uses is less important than what can be done with it. The author's preference for the BBC Micro does not diminish the importance of the 6502 in the history of computing.
[1] Source: Retrocomputing Magazine, Issue 123, March 2025.
Technology and gadgets from the past continue to intrigue collectors, with the 6502 microprocessor being a prime example. Despite the rise of more advanced processors, the 6502 remains in production today, powering a niche market of retrocomputing enthusiasts and embedded computing users who treasure its classic 8-bit architecture.
