Best resources for learning NES programming?

[satoshi_matrix]

Over the last few years I've seen so many great hacks as well as new homebrew games being developed for the NES and the more I think about it, the more I envy such development and wonder how it is done today.

I find myself more and more drawn to classic gaming from the 2600 C64 to the NES and feel rather strongly about learning programming for the NES/Famicom.

I'm currently a journalism student but due to my interests, I'm thinking of switching careers next fall and going into programing.

So of all the resources out there, the question is where to start. What are the best resources for absolute beginners to learn programming on the NES? I'm fairly good with mathematics and am eager to start learning.

Any links, recommended books or general info is much appreciated.

[tappybot]

I've also always wanted to make my own NES game...   it's been a bit of a wistful dream, but I never thought about it too seriously because it seemed too distant a reality.
I'm not sure I even like programming.

But never say never, right?  I'd at least find it very interesting to observe or understand the whole process.

[UglyJoe]

What are the best resources for absolute beginners to learn programming on the NES?

I can come up with some links later, but I should mention that programming for the NES would be assembly programming.  As a beginner programmer, it could be rather daunting.  I mean, something like this in a high-level language:

Code Select Expand


if ( i == j )
  i++ ;
else
  j-- ;
j += i ;


could look like this in an assembly language:

Code Select Expand


      bne  $r1, $r2, ELSE
      addi $r1, $r1, 1
      j L1
ELSE: addi $r2, $r2, -1
L1:   add $r2, $r2, $r1


Also keep in mind that if you plan on switching your major to programming, you're going to be using a high-level language.  The concepts you'll learn in a high-level language will apply to assembly (with some understanding of what's really going on).

[satoshi_matrix]

Great to know. Can't wait to see your links.

[UglyJoe]

This guy taught a class about programming for the NES: http://bobrost.com/nes/.  I'm not too knowledgeable about nbasic, but I would stay away from it, personally (nesasm is probably a better choice).

There's a quick 6502 guide at nesdev: http://nesdev.parodius.com/6502guid.txt.  And of course nesdev in general is a great resource and forum for NES programming.

Found this site, too, but I haven't really gone over it in detail.  Looks nice, though: http://www.patater.com/nes-asm-tutorials

[satoshi_matrix]

Any recommended books to teach assembly code? I'm thinking of buying this one:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/Excellent-6502-Assembly-Language-Subroutines-Book-/380289646364?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item588b077f1c

[UglyJoe]

I never read a book for it, so I don't have any recommendations.  I did some MIPS asm in college and applied that knowledge to 6502 documentation found around the web.

[Xious]

There is also an experimental C compiler, so you could check that out (CC65). You should start with NESDev, as even CC65 will require you to know a lot about the NES HW. Read through the NESDev articles and Wikia pages, read and post int he forums there.

CC65+NKES library add-on is available here. Be sure to get the CC65 release on that website though.