6510based

6510based is a designation used in computing to describe hardware, software, or emulation built around the MOS Technology 6510 microprocessor, an enhanced version of the 6502 used most famously in the Commodore 64. The 6510 retains the 6502’s 8-bit data path and 16-bit address space and the same general instruction set and registers (A, X, Y, Status, Program Counter). The principal difference is the inclusion of an integrated 8-bit I/O port, which provides direct access to eight I/O lines for basic peripheral control and for simplifying hardware design on the systems that used it. This on-chip port and related circuitry allowed the C64 to interface with its chipset and other peripherals with less external hardware.

Historically, the 6510 was introduced in the early 1980s by MOS Technology and used in the Commodore 64, Commodore 128 in 8-bit mode, and some other Commodore designs. Because the 6510 and 6502 share the same instruction set, most 6502 software can run on a 6510-based machine, though timing differences may affect cycle-critical code. The I/O port means software can have a direct influence on hardware state, and port misuse can affect system behavior.

In modern contexts, "6510based" is often used informally to describe hardware platforms, emulators, or projects that aim to emulate or reproduce the behavior of the C64-era CPU. It is a niche descriptor within retro computing communities and is not used as a formal designation beyond discussions of the CPU family.