It has built-in code, sprite, map, music, and sound effect editors, as well as a command line interface that allow users to develop and edit games within the fantasy console.

[10] As a fantasy console, TIC-80 has some set limitations in terms of graphics and processing power in order to create a "retro-styled" gaming experience.

[6] Integrated tools within the "tiny computer" allow developers to edit code, create graphics, write music, and build levels within games.

[12] To push the metaphor one step further, this serialized memory dump can be embedded in a PNG picture (resembling a real physical cartridge) using steganography.

TIC-80 runs on major operating systems including Windows, x86 Linux 32 and 64 bit, Mac OS X, and Android, and can be compiled from source code for other platforms such as Raspberry Pi.