Jump to content
IGNORED

BASIC compilers, compiled!


Jess Ragan

Recommended Posts

For the benefit of amateur programmers hoping to make their own video games, let's keep track of all the BASIC compilers available for home game consoles.

 

ATARI 2600: batari BASIC

ATARI 5200: Calamari BASIC (no longer supported, link goes to archived page)

ATARI 7800: batari BASIC v2.0 (tentative title, still in development)
INTELLIVISION: IntyBASIC (just released, early)

EMERSON ARCADIA: BASIC 2001 (limited distribution, no longer supported. Link goes to AtariAge page where compiler is archived)

COLECOVISION: BASICvision (still in development; unreleased)

SEGA GENESIS: BasiEgaXorz (also offers limited support for add-ons Sega CD and 32X)

GAME BOY ADVANCE: Dragon BASIC (modified for improved battery life in 2009)

VECTREX: VexOS BASIC (vaporware)

 

And here are a couple of interpreters in case anyone's interested in those, although interpreters are of course slower and less versatile than compilers.

 

ASTROCADE/BALLY PROFESSIONAL ARCADE: Bally BASIC/Astro BASIC
SEGA SATURN: Saturn BASIC

 

If you know of any others, or have information that I've missed, please add it here!

Edited by Jess Ragan
  • Like 12
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Playstation: PSX Chipmunk BASIC (apparently abandoned. requires modded psx)

Jaguar: VRBasic (development stalled. currently does not support hardware joysticks)

Genesis: 16-bit BASIC (Announced. stalled)

Nintendo DS: Dynamic BASIC (DS Game Maker's BASIC implementation)

Nintendo: FamilyBasicEditor (Windows interface and conversaion utilities to turn FamilyBASIC programs into real ROMs)

Nintendo: nBasic (No longer developed. Not stable/correct on real hardware)

Sega Master System: ZXB-SMS (Not actively developed and still in alpha)

Aquarius: Boriel's ZX-Basic (Original developer may be stalled. Unknown if installer exists)

Aquarius: BootLoader BASIC (Enhancement that allows compilation of BASIC to ROM)

Coleco: Boriel's ZX-Basic (Stalled before working release)

Playstation 2: Yabasic (Apparently abandoned)

XGameStation: XGS Basic (Compiler for XGS PIC 16-Bit and XGS AVR 8-Bit Consoles)

Playstation Portable: sdlBasic (No longer actively developed)

 

Interpreters

Gameboy: GB Basic (No longer actively developed)

Nintendo DS: SMILEBASIC

  • Like 9
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
  • 4 weeks later...

How difficult would it be for you enthusiasts to find one for the Pippin? I feel the system is severely underrated and not much software has been released for it.

 

Can't be done. Too obscure. It takes hardcore enthusiasts to cobble together a lawsuit free SDK. Then it takes the rare %1 of those crazy enough to make a BASIC compiler.

 

UPDATE: Didn't mean to sound like a hardass. It's taken me and Jess years to track down and remember all of these BASIC compilers. Besides the PSP BASIC I just listed I'm pretty sure this is it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 year later...

 

As one of the 3 other guys that acutaly owns one, what would you actually like to see? There's really, unfortunately, not much too it.

 

 

 

How difficult would it be for you enthusiasts to find one for the Pippin? I feel the system is severely underrated and not much software has been released for it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 10 months later...

Someone should remove VRBasic and replace it with rB+ ;)

 

Yeah, I should have updated this list a long time ago.

 

** CHANGED **

Jaguar: VRBasic link is dead. rB+ is active and link working. Jaguar Homebrewers should go here: http://reboot.atari.org/new-reboot/rbplus/

Sega Genesis: Psycatic Software left the new Sega Genesis BASIC forum open but stopped development. Sega Genesis Homebrewers need to go here: http://www.second-dimension.com/sbasic/

NDS: DSGameMaker let their domain expire. You can still get the last free version around the 'net in places like GBATemp: https://gbatemp.net/threads/ds-game-maker-free-version-download.429755/

Sega Master System/Aquarius/Coleco: ZX Basic ports technically exist in varying states of completeness but not as an easily install-able package. Not really a good link to give for any of those efforts to port ZX Basic.

PSP: SDLBasic link is trashed and project has been long dead. YoYo Games botched their port of Game Maker (kept it to themselves) so no easy equivalents.

NES: FamilyBasicEditor has too many dead links to list plus 0 activity. Couldn't get a straight answer about what cartridge type the resulting ROMs need either.

Atari 7800: 7800BAS (Updated link) http://atariage.com/forums/topic/222638-7800basic-beta-the-release-thread/

3DS SmileBASIC has been shut down by Nintendo over a security vulnerability. Web site exists but no forward movement in quite some time.

Atari 2600 vwBASIC http://relationalframework.com/vwBASIC.htm

Intellivision IntyBASIC http://atariage.com/forums/topic/248209-the-intybasic-compiler-official-thread/

 

** ADDED **

Dreamcast VMU: VMU Script Compiler (Dead but site still works) http://www.vmuscript.8m.com/

Dreamcast/XBOX/Playstation2/Wii BennuGD (Many platforms but some incomplete. Forum mostly Spanish): http://www.bennugd.org/node/2

 

 

If VRBasic has a website and is complete enough to produce real carts/CDs then I'll gladly put it back on the list.

BasiEgaXorz is a Sega Genesis BASIC compiler but the community is transitioning to SecondBASIC as it is actively developed by our own AtariAge member dra600n.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yeah, I should have updated this list a long time ago.

 

** CHANGED **

Jaguar: VRBasic link is dead. rB+ is active and link working. Jaguar Homebrewers should go here: http://reboot.atari.org/new-reboot/rbplus/

Sega Genesis: Psycatic Software left the new Sega Genesis BASIC forum open but stopped development. Sega Genesis Homebrewers need to go here: http://www.second-dimension.com/sbasic/

NDS: DSGameMaker let their domain expire. You can still get the last free version around the 'net in places like GBATemp: https://gbatemp.net/threads/ds-game-maker-free-version-download.429755/

Sega Master System/Aquarius/Coleco: ZX Basic ports technically exist in varying states of completeness but not as an easily install-able package. Not really a good link to give for any of those efforts to port ZX Basic.

PSP: SDLBasic link is trashed and project has been long dead. YoYo Games botched their port of Game Maker (kept it to themselves) so no easy equivalents.

NES: FamilyBasicEditor has too many dead links to list plus 0 activity. Couldn't get a straight answer about what cartridge type the resulting ROMs need either.

Atari 7800: 7800BAS (Updated link) http://atariage.com/forums/topic/222638-7800basic-beta-the-release-thread/

3DS SmileBASIC has been shut down by Nintendo over a security vulnerability. Web site exists but no forward movement in quite some time.

 

** ADDED **

Dreamcast VMU: VMU Script Compiler (Dead but site still works) http://www.vmuscript.8m.com/

Dreamcast/XBOX/Playstation2/Wii BennuGD (Many platforms but some incomplete. Forum mostly Spanish): http://www.bennugd.org/node/2

 

 

If VRBasic has a website and is complete enough to produce real carts/CDs then I'll gladly put it back on the list.

BasiEgaXorz is a Sega Genesis BASIC compiler but the community is transitioning to SecondBASIC as it is actively developed by our own AtariAge member dra600n.

IntyBASIC has its own pinned thread here:

http://atariage.com/forums/topic/248209-the-intybasic-compiler-official-thread/

It is significantly improved from the link you reference above.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

Yeah, I should have updated this list a long time ago.

 

** CHANGED **

Jaguar: VRBasic link is dead. rB+ is active and link working. Jaguar Homebrewers should go here: http://reboot.atari.org/new-reboot/rbplus/

Sega Genesis: Psycatic Software left the new Sega Genesis BASIC forum open but stopped development. Sega Genesis Homebrewers need to go here: http://www.second-dimension.com/sbasic/

NDS: DSGameMaker let their domain expire. You can still get the last free version around the 'net in places like GBATemp: https://gbatemp.net/threads/ds-game-maker-free-version-download.429755/

Sega Master System/Aquarius/Coleco: ZX Basic ports technically exist in varying states of completeness but not as an easily install-able package. Not really a good link to give for any of those efforts to port ZX Basic.

PSP: SDLBasic link is trashed and project has been long dead. YoYo Games botched their port of Game Maker (kept it to themselves) so no easy equivalents.

NES: FamilyBasicEditor has too many dead links to list plus 0 activity. Couldn't get a straight answer about what cartridge type the resulting ROMs need either.

Atari 7800: 7800BAS (Updated link) http://atariage.com/forums/topic/222638-7800basic-beta-the-release-thread/

3DS SmileBASIC has been shut down by Nintendo over a security vulnerability. Web site exists but no forward movement in quite some time.

 

** ADDED **

Dreamcast VMU: VMU Script Compiler (Dead but site still works) http://www.vmuscript.8m.com/

Dreamcast/XBOX/Playstation2/Wii BennuGD (Many platforms but some incomplete. Forum mostly Spanish): http://www.bennugd.org/node/2

 

 

If VRBasic has a website and is complete enough to produce real carts/CDs then I'll gladly put it back on the list.

BasiEgaXorz is a Sega Genesis BASIC compiler but the community is transitioning to SecondBASIC as it is actively developed by our own AtariAge member dra600n.

 

 

This BASIC has a website and a CD, add it to the list! :)

 

post-30777-0-33561400-1469062739_thumb.jpg

 

BASIC_Programming_Quickstart_guide.pdf

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

Sega Genesis: Psycatic Software left the new Sega Genesis BASIC forum open but stopped development. Sega Genesis Homebrewers need to go here: http://www.second-dimension.com/sbasic/

If VRBasic has a website and is complete enough to produce real carts/CDs then I'll gladly put it back on the list.

BasiEgaXorz is a Sega Genesis BASIC compiler but the community is transitioning to SecondBASIC as it is actively developed by our own AtariAge member dra600n.

 

Thanks for the shoutout, theloon!

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

TI-99/4A: Wilhelm's BASIC/XB compiler.

 

I don't want to chase down links when I have very little experience with the T.I. Do you have any more information about where to download? Compiler specific forums? Documentation and examples? Can you compile a binary file ready to make into a cart from this?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 years later...

2018 Updated Links

 

COLECO: ZX BASIC - No homepage. Just included in game projects by Paulo Silva. http://www.boriel.com/wiki/en/index.php/ZX_BASIC:Released_Programs_-_ColecoVision

NES: NBASIC - An incomplete, partially working BASIC with much inline assembly needed to function. Unmaintained. http://bobrost.com/nes/resources.php

GENESIS: SecondBASIC - A spiritual successor to BasiEgaXorz. Currently maintained. http://www.second-dimension.com/second-basic

DREAMCAST: BennuGD - A BASIC-like language with many targets including the Dreamcast. Dreamcast devkit here: https://sourceforge.net/projects/coldev/files/Dreamcast/

SEGA MASTER SYSTEM: ZX BASIC - Another port that is only available in the sources for games by Paulo Silva and Haroldo PInheiro. http://www.boriel.com/wiki/en/index.php/ZX_BASIC:Released_Programs_-_SMS

PSX: PSX Chipmunk BASIC - Still unmaintained. No great way to burn a copy protected homebrew disc. https://sourceforge.net/projects/psxbasic/

INTELLIVISION: IntyBASIC - Currently maintained. http://nanochess.org/intybasic.html

7800: 7800BAS: Currently maintained. http://7800.8bitdev.org/index.php/7800basic

2600: batari BASIC: Updates by RevEng. Website has been apparently hijacked so use Random Terrains page. http://www.randomterrain.com/atari-2600-memories-batari-basic-commands.html#gettingstarted

ATARI FLASHBACK: Mr SQL makes Tiny BASIC variants for the SuperCharger and Atari Flashback portable. http://atariage.com/forums/topic/263138-atari-flashback-basic/

JAGUAR: rB+ (RAPTOR BASIC+) Currently maintained. https://github.com/ggnkua/bcx-basic-Jaguar

GBA: Dragon BASIC - Somebody may be reviving this. Not sure how reliable / easy the Win32 set up for this is. https://github.com/uli/dragonbasic

SATURN: Game BASIC - Here is a collection of tools and resources. http://vberthelot.free.fr/SX/satdev/SaturnBasicTools.html

PSP: Yabasic - Probably unmaintained Yabasic interpreter for the PSP. http://www.brewology.com/downloads/download.php?id=3827&mcid=1

RASPBERRY PI: AppGameKit - Still free! https://www.appgamekit.com/agk-pi

PC/MAC: QB64 - Basically (ha!) QuickBASIC for modern computers. https://www.qb64.org/

WII: BCX-BASIC - Someone hacked together a way to use BCX-BASIC and some other bits and pieces. Sounds unmaintained and, er, hacked together! https://wiibrew.org/wiki/BCX-BASIC

ARDUINO: Great Cow BASIC - BASIC compiler for many micro-controller targets including Arduino. http://gcbasic.sourceforge.net/Typesetter/index.php/Download

WEB/HTML5: Spider BASIC - Limited free version. https://www.spiderbasic.com/

AMIGA: PureBASIC - Amiga version is free. https://www.purebasic.com/introduction_amigaos.php

5200: 5200BAS - A highly modified port using Python. No idea if it works. Need Python 3 (and probably other stuff). https://github.com/james7780/5200BAS_python

SWITCH: FUZE - Release date stalled. Maybe vaporware at this point. https://www.fuze.co.uk/nintendo-switch.html

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Harry Wilhelm's BASIC compiler (and game developer's package) for the TI-99/4A.

 

It allows you to code in BASIC or Extended BASIC, then compiles it into assembly language. The resulting program can be used to put a BASIC or XB game onto cartridge.

 

 

 

 

http://atariage.com/forums/topic/224905-xb-game-developers-package/

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't know if this one is maintained, or if there is any demand for a C64 BASIC cross compiler, but the author posted a comparative video between his compiler and the famous BOSS compiler:

https://www.c64-wiki.com/wiki/MOSpeed

https://github.com/EgonOlsen71/basicv2

Edited by carlsson
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Maybe worth mentioning that some of these are cross platform? I believe BennuGD works for the older GP2X handhelds, and Windows.

 

DREAMCAST: BennuGD - A BASIC-like language with many targets including the Dreamcast.

 

^^

I tried to make that clear. But, mainly my intent was to list the best for a particular target per link.

 

If you have leads on targets I missed please let me know. It's getting harder to find these things.

Edited by Gemintronic
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Oh man. Thanks for this thread. I've always wondered what modern tools were available for the Genesis, and now I know it's SecondBASIC.

 

SecondBASIC is made by an AtariAge member nicknamed dra600n. He's published physical titles including Veteas BOMB on BASIC City. I made War in the Machine for GoodDealGames :)

 

Although SecondBASIC has its own official forum most people still lurk in the forum for the previous BASIC compiler:

http://devster.proboards.com/board/1/basiegaxorz-forums

Edited by Gemintronic
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...