In a code density comparison, the 6502 is as bad as some RISC processors where instructions are four bytes instead of one. <https://www.researchgate.net/publication/224114307_Code_dens...>
But it was fast, with the smallest instructions taking 2 cycles (one to read the op-code, one to execute). A 1 MHz 6502 is considered on par with a 3.5 MHz Z80, overall.
In a code density comparison, the 6502 is as bad as some RISC processors where instructions are four bytes instead of one. <https://www.researchgate.net/publication/224114307_Code_dens...>
But it was fast, with the smallest instructions taking 2 cycles (one to read the op-code, one to execute). A 1 MHz 6502 is considered on par with a 3.5 MHz Z80, overall.