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Programming Games for the $10 Computer

This version was saved 14 years, 3 months ago View current version     Page history
Saved by Derek Lomas
on December 4, 2009 at 9:03:42 pm
 

 

Programming New Games for the $10 Computer

So you want to start programming on "the $10 computer?"  The NES hacking scene has produced a number of tools over the years to enable homebrew game making. To get started, here's the information you need to know:

  1. Join our technical mailing list, PlaypowerTech and add yourself to our volunteer directory.
  2. I strongly recommend using a Windows environment for development...  most of the development tools are not Mac friendly, sorry!  But many of us run Windows on our Mac or Linux machines, so that's an option.
  3. Go to this page and download all the development tools you need.
  4. Download this zip file. It contains a set of open-source code and your compiler so you can hacking away...
  5. Spend the time to go through this tutorial for programming on the NES, written by Brian Parker of Retrozone.  It really starts from the basics, so you can jump right in.  Don't worry about prior knowledge... just start reading!
  6. Bookmark this page, wiki.nesdev.com.  This website provides great documentation of the NES and provides advanced tutorials for NES programmers.
    1. For additional help programming, first check out the nesdev BBS forums
    2. Then, consider listening in to the conversations at the #NESDEV IRC channel
    3. The NES and the $10 computer are based on the 6502 chip architecture, which was also used by the Apple IIe, the Commodore 64, the Atari 2600, the BBC Micro, and the VIC -20.  Check out 6502.org for a forum about programming on the 6502
  7. You'll probably want to have some source code to play with.  Don Miller, AKA No-Carrier, has produced a series of Open-Source NES applications, which are available for download here.  Try the GalleryNES!  See if you can generate a new picture, following the instructions in the readme file.  Want other source code?  nesdev.parodius.com is a great place to look.
  8. Finally, Retrousb.com (aka Retrozone) contains a number of hardware tools if you are interested in creating your own cartridges or debugging on actual hardware.

 

 

Differences between the NES and the $10 Computer

There are some key differences between the NES and a "FamiClone."

  1. Currently, FamiClones are typically sold with 60 pin cartridges, not 72 pin cartridges, as on the NES.  However, Makershed.com sells a converter that lets NES games be played on the FamiClones
  2. FamiClones use a NOAC chips (NES-on-a-Chip-- epoxy affixed "GlopTop" integrated circuits).  This means that the actual chips are less accessible than on the NES.  For information on NOAC chips, Ben Heck's forums have lots of useful information
  3. There are a few (poorly documented) timing differences between the NES and the FamiClone.  Unfortunately, these prevent most of the Retrozone kits from working directly with the FamiClones.
  4. <please add more>

 

Alternative Programming Languages

Many people really enjoy programming in assembly code.  Really. 

However, some people would really prefer to use high-level languages. 

 

Side note: Ian Bogost taught an Atari course at George Tech in 2007 where students programmed both in assembly and something called "batari BASIC."  This was very successful, from what I've heard.

 

This is the music composition program that comes with many of the TV-Computers

 

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