A Strange Query

[nikhilkhullar]

Hello Friends,

I know the question may sound strange to some, but I haven't been able to find the answer yet.

Please tell me what is the way in which 8-bit games like Mario, Contra, Road Runner... ,that we used to play on consoles in our childhood days, are developed ?

I mean, what are the pre-requisites (knowledge-wise) to start developing. I have seen NES emulators make it possible to play them on PC. I am quite curious to develop a few. But, have no idea how a .nes file is made.

Please specify any particular development tools if you know any.


Regards,
Nikhil Khullar

[WingedPanther]

They were programmed, knowing the architecture of the target system. They probably used a mixture of C and assembly.

[nikhilkhullar]

@ WingedPanther

Is it possible to create such games for PC. I mean what is the way to get started. I know intermediate level C, C++ but have only worked with console apps so far. I do not know how a GUI is created .

Apart from that, I know BASH shell scripting, JavaScript, PHP, HTML and CSS.

Please tell me whether I can combine any or some of these and create such games. I mean simple 2-D character arcade games like Mario ?


Warm Regards,
Nikhil Khullar

[WingedPanther]

You would need to know the NES API, and have an appropriate compiler to target it.

[nikhilkhullar]

Well, that was really helpful guidance. Thanks...

I am looking for NES API now to get under way.


Regards,
Nikhil Khullar

[nikhilkhullar]

I am unable to find the API. There is a sourceforge page for cc65 but that does not seem to contain any files.

Can you help me out in finding the API and some manual ?


Regards,
Nikhil Khullar

[ZekeDragon]

Are you attempting to program a 2D game that will work on a NES or on a NES emulator, or are you just trying to learn how to make 2D games? This seems like a project that might be out of the ballpark for someone who doesn't know much about assembly, but if you're looking at just doing 2D game development that runs on PC's, you can very easily get started with nearly any language and there's an assortment of libraries out there to help you get started.

[nikhilkhullar]

I am looking for simple 2D game development. Games that feel like the ones we had on NES. I do not intend to make for .nes . Please guide me where to get started with the PC game development. I am not willing to make stuff like OpenGL , DirectX etc. Simple, lightweight something...


Regards,
Nikhil Khullar

[Hignar]

have a look here

98-026 Nintendo

I've had a quick look through the slides from the first lecture and have managed to compile and run the .nes file generated in the first assignment. I've no idea how far the course goes but it should get you going.

It looks like the coding uses a form of basic (NBASIC) and assembly.

I also found this site which is a tutorial on nesasm. It does recommend you know some basic assembly so you might want to start on that before launching into NES programming.

[Hignar]

I am looking for simple 2D game development. Games that feel like the ones we had on NES. I do not intend to make for .nes . Please guide me where to get started with the PC game development. I am not willing to make stuff like OpenGL , DirectX etc. Simple, lightweight something...


Regards,
Nikhil Khullar

Didn't see this before I replied.

It sounds like SDL might be the sort of thing you are after

SDL homepage

SDL tutorial