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Create New Atari 2600 Games With BASIC

Posted by Zonk on from the new-classics dept.

2600fan writes "Fred Quimby, a game developer for the Stella Atari 2600 emulator, has released a new BASIC compiler that can be used to create games to run on Stella and potentially on the 2600 itself. The compiler generates efficient assembly-language code in DASM syntax, then uses DASM to make a binary. A bitmapped playfield and easy-to-use scrolling routines are included, and programmers can also add inline assembly language and directly access TIA registers if they please."

2 of 34 comments (clear)

  1. What? by ResidntGeek · · Score: 3, Interesting

    That takes all the fun out of programming for the 2600. http://www.oreillynet.com/lpt/a/4849

    --
    ResidntGeek
  2. No Licensing Issues! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

    The Atari 2600 was made from off-the-shelf parts, so there are no ROM licensing issues (on the platform itself). This is why Mattel was able to make a 2600 add-on for the Intellivision.

    Seems crazy now -- Imagine having a hardware add-on for the Gamecube that played PS2 games!