libgodc - Go runtime for Sega Dreamcast

Replaces the standard Go runtime with one designed for the Dreamcast's constraints: memory 16MB RAM, CPU single-core SH-4, no operating system. Provides garbage collection, goroutines, channels, and the core runtime functions.

Quick Start

Prerequisites: Go 1.25.3+, make, and git must be installed.

go install github.com/drpaneas/godc@latest
godc setup
godc doctor # to check (optional)

Note: The godc CLI tool is a separate project that handles toolchain setup and builds.

Create and run a project:

mkdir myproject && cd myproject
godc init
# write your main.go and other *.go files
godc build
godc run

See the Quick Start Guide for your first program.

Documentation

📚 Full Documentation

• Installation — Setup and configuration
• Quick Start — First program walkthrough
• Design — Runtime architecture
• Effective Dreamcast Go — Best practices
• KOS Wrappers — Calling C from Go
• Limitations — What doesn't work

Performance

The repo includes tests/bench_architecture.go for measuring runtime behavior on Dreamcast hardware.

Run tests/bench_architecture.elf on your hardware for current numbers.

Examples

The examples/ directory contains working programs:

• hello — Minimal program (debug output)
• hello_screen — Hello World on screen using BIOS font
• blue_screen — Minimal graphics
• input — Controller input
• goroutines — Concurrent bouncing balls
• channels — Producer/consumer pattern
• timer — Frame-rate independent animation
• bfont — BIOS font rendering
• filesystem — Directory browser
• vmu — VMU LCD and buzzer
• brkout — Breakout clone (GPL v2, port of Jim Ursetto's original)
• platformer — Side-scrolling platformer
• pong — Pong clone with 1P/2P mode, particle effects, and AI

License

BSD 3-Clause License. See LICENSE for details.