I haven't looked into the JS that pico-8 generates, I have no idea how it works. I haven't added collision because I want to focus on the graphics first. You mentioned lacking player rotation, I have left and right rotation controlled by z and x in the browser example. It's a little janky, but like I said, I'm just focusing on the graphics.
I've never done an ascii renderer before, that looked really cool. I played your more recent one too, and that was amazing. I might have to try it out for myself sometime.