8BitKunst

8BitKunst is a term used to describe a visual art style that emulates the pixelated aesthetics of early 8‑bit video games. It encompasses pixel art, illustration, animation, and graphic design that intentionally uses visible pixels and limited color palettes to evoke retro computer and console graphics.

The roots lie in 8‑bit hardware of the 1980s, such as the Nintendo Entertainment System and the Commodore 64, where artists worked with small resolutions and restricted color schemes. The style gained renewed attention in the 1990s and 2000s through hobbyist communities and the demoscene, and later spread via digital art platforms, indie games, and online media.

Common techniques include composing on a fixed pixel grid, restricting palettes to a small number of colors, and using dithering to simulate additional tones while keeping the pixelated look. Many artists rely on dedicated pixel editors and emphasize grid-based composition, retro color theory, and straightforward animation frames to convey movement within a limited frame set.

In contemporary contexts, 8BitKunst appears in video game art, album covers, advertising, and increasingly in blockchain-based digital art projects. It is valued for nostalgia, clarity at small scales, and ease of iteration. The style also intersects with broader retro and chiptune aesthetics and contributes to efforts in preserving early digital culture and techniques.