How do I start GBA development?

[canofaltoids]

I've been wanting to make a game for the GBA for a while now, where do I start? I'm wanting to make a platformer with some basic dialog system.

 

[patters]

https://devkitpro.org/wiki/Getting_Started

 

[metroid maniac]

If you don't know C, learn C. Be already comfortable working in it on a conventional platform.

After that point, install devkitARM. Read the examples and get acquainted with the key libraries like libgba.

 

[godreborn]

it might be easier to modify an existing app or homebrew game that's open sourced. I might be able to help with compiling it.

 

[Knightsurfer]

I've been wanting to make a game for the GBA for a while now, where do I start? I'm wanting to make a platformer with some basic dialog system.

I'm mostly just a newb but cross referencing Devkitpro's files and this handy tutorial here really helped me get started.

music can sometimes be a bit buggy to set up so I reorganised the maxmod libraries a little to better suit my workflow, the easiest way to make music files is with an app called: OpenMPT

I haven't figured out how to save to flash memory yet but to save to SRAM this is basicly all you need to do:

#define CARTRAM 0x0E000000 // SRAM memory Adress.
#define SaveData    ((u8*)  CARTRAM)  //Treats the CARTRAM adress like it's an array,

char someVariable;

void SaveFunction(){
    SaveData[0] = 'T';
}


void LoadFunction(){
    someVariable = SaveData[0] ;
}

I plan to release my own "engine creation library" eventually to help other newbs,
but in the meantime feel free to ask me stuff.


Here's a little preview of one of many of my test roms here.

I have a lot more going on than what is shown in that demo, but as you yourself will likely do, I have reworked this so many times that all I have to show for it is proof the core basics work lel.

also if you are feeling particuarly clever, theres a handy dandy sheet of specs for the gba's many features here.