Famicom World

Family Computer => Famicom / Disk System => Topic started by: UglyJoe on July 05, 2015, 07:05:15 pm

Title: Family BASIC Super Thread
Post by: UglyJoe on July 05, 2015, 07:05:15 pm
This thread will serve as a portal to other threads about Family BASIC on the form.  It's a work in progress.  If you have anything to add, just reply here and I'll get around to merging things into the first post.



Manual Translations:

Family Basic Manual - Translating what is left (http://www.famicomworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=8876.0)
Family Basic V3 Manual Translation (http://www.famicomworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=10276.0)

Documentation:

The (unofficial) Family BASIC reference manual *now with new revision!* (http://www.famicomworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=10018.0)

Sample Programs:

Family BASIC noise channel (http://www.famicomworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=12116.0)
Family BASIC palette change (http://www.famicomworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=12094.0)
Family Basic Prorgam - Matrix Effect (http://www.famicomworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=11027.0)
Controlling ROB with Family Basic (http://www.famicomworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=9691.0)
Family Basic programs from 任天堂のファミリーコンピュータファミリーベーシックがわか (http://www.famicomworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=8234.0)
Space Harrier Boss BGM in BASIC (http://www.famicomworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=1408.0)
Family Basic Tapes and Misc (https://www.famicomworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=15079.0)

Discussion:

Family BASIC (http://www.famicomworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=131.0)
Family BASIC VRC7 conversion released! (http://www.famicomworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=8888.0)
peeking and poking around family basic. (http://www.famicomworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=8539.0)
family basic token help (http://www.famicomworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=7714.0)
Game made with Family Basic and compile to ROM download here (http://www.famicomworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=9792.0)
data recorder tape images (http://www.famicomworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=7704.0)
Family BASIC scrolling backgrounds (http://www.famicomworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=12100.0)

External Links:

STTONES (https://messatu.wordpress.com/2013/02/24/sttones-%E4%B8%80%E8%88%AC%E3%83%AA%E3%83%AA%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B9%E2%98%86%E3%81%A7%E3%81%99/)
Converts VirtuaNES FB save states to standalone NES roms

Makimura Manufucturing Family Basic Hacks (http://rdev.php.xdomain.jp/makimura/archive/family-basic)
Has hacked versions of FB that run with VRC7 and MMC5 with extra features

FAMILY BASIC ROOM (http://page.freett.com/familybasic/index.html)
Japanese site with some manuals and sample programs

ファミリーベーシックで遊ぼう! (http://imgur.com/a/CBnOi)
Scans of a Japanese book on Family Basic.  Has sample programs in it and goofy illustrations.  Can be downloaded here (http://famicomworld.com/wp-content/uploads/Lets_Play_with_Family_Basic.zip).
Title: Re: Family BASIC Super Thread
Post by: P on August 30, 2015, 01:18:33 pm
Something to add.
The basics of using the Noise Channel in Family BASIC: http://www.famicomworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=12116.0.
Title: Re: Family BASIC Super Thread
Post by: UglyJoe on August 30, 2015, 02:55:07 pm
Added.
Title: Re: Family BASIC Super Thread
Post by: Vinnk on December 30, 2015, 09:08:42 am
Subbed.  Thank you for this thread.  We are going to do a video on Fami Basic w/ data recorder soon. 
Title: Re: Family BASIC Super Thread
Post by: P on December 30, 2015, 01:38:10 pm
Finally! Looking forward to it! :D
Title: Re: Family BASIC Super Thread
Post by: zmaster18 on December 31, 2015, 04:20:17 am
Yes, please do! There simply isn't enough information on Famicom BASIC in English online and your video would totally be a lot of people's first look at the Family BASIC stuff.
Title: Re: Family BASIC Super Thread
Post by: SeanOrange on January 13, 2016, 04:18:01 pm
This thread is pure magic.
Title: Re: Family BASIC Super Thread
Post by: DecepticonZero on February 29, 2016, 05:30:51 am
Awesome thread.  I'm immersed myself in all things Famicom as of late, and these guides are gonna make me.take the plunge and buy a basic setup.

Title: Re: Family BASIC Super Thread
Post by: Elrinth on May 11, 2016, 04:54:52 am
I'm going to have to read thru this thread more... I wanna give Family BASIC a try :D
Title: Re: Family BASIC Super Thread
Post by: Flemishdog on June 01, 2016, 09:33:25 pm
just got my keyboard today, itching to use it! thank you SO MUCH!
Title: Re: Family BASIC Super Thread
Post by: YoshiFan501 on June 29, 2016, 03:30:28 pm
the FAMILY BASIC ROOM site (http://page.freett.com/familybasic/familybasic_download.html) no longer exists.
Title: Re: Family BASIC Super Thread
Post by: UglyJoe on June 29, 2016, 07:34:29 pm
Bummer.  You can still get to it via archive.org, but the two program listings are gone.  It does have the NesterJ versions, so I should be able to extract the program listings from those.
Title: Re: Family BASIC Super Thread
Post by: P on June 29, 2016, 11:57:55 pm
I've been prepared for this. Here you go: http://s000.tinyupload.com/?file_id=06340071153679569064.

The program listings are in JPG screenshots though.
Title: Re: Family BASIC Super Thread
Post by: houser1 on February 08, 2017, 05:50:38 am
Yes!
Title: Re: Family BASIC Super Thread
Post by: cobracon on February 09, 2018, 07:35:52 pm
Thanks for this wonderful thread!!!
Title: Re: Family BASIC Super Thread
Post by: Protoman on March 12, 2019, 01:02:06 pm
If we have Family Basic, and Family Basic V3, where is V2?
Title: Re: Family BASIC Super Thread
Post by: zmaster18 on March 12, 2019, 02:19:34 pm
The regular version of  Family BASIC is version 1.0, 2.0, 2.1, and 2.1A.
Title: Re: Family BASIC Super Thread
Post by: P on March 14, 2019, 05:55:34 am
I've also seen 2.0A and the prototype version 0.0.
As for dumped ROMs I've only seen NS-HuBASIC version 0.0, 1.0, 2.0A, 2.1A and 3.0. But the letterless 2.0 and 2.1 versions might also exist on carts, I don't know.

As for NS-HuBASIC version differences, this is what we know:

V0.0
Earliest known version number.
Used in the Playbox BASIC prototype ROM.
The LOAD? command does not seem to work.

V1.0
Used in Playbox BASIC and Family BASIC launch version.
This version of Family BASIC has a RAM self-test that is accessed by holding the T-key while pressing RESET. Unknown if Playbox BASIC also has this (the prototype does not). Edit: Confirmed to work in the release version of Playbox BASIC as well.
If there are any differences in the actual NS-HuBASIC they are unknown.

V2.0A
Used in a newer revision of Family BASIC. Supposedly people who called Nintendo and complained could trade their V1.0 version for this one for free.
This newer version of Family BASIC has the RAM self-test replaced by a BASIC mode shortcut. Holding the T-key while pressing RESET now goes directly to BASIC mode. Edit: The RAM-test is also done and at this time and this supposedly destroys RAM by filling it with fives.
As for the actual NS-HuBASIC, the SCR$ command was added.

V2.1A
Used in the last known revision of Family BASIC.
Bug fixes. What kind of bug is unknown.

V3.0
Version used in Family BASIC V3 (a separate title) with lots of new functions and even sample games. As V3 is fully operated from BASIC mode it has some new commands to go into the BG editor and such, and the T+RESET shortcut is no longer needed.


Also while programs and BG data are generally cross-compatible between versions (unless a program relies on the memory mapping or new commands) the tape format seems to be incompatible between some versions. At least you can not load a regular Family BASIC tape on Playbox BASIC (I've only tried it on the prototype) or Family BASIC V3. You have to retype the program from the beginning.
It would be interesting to know more about the tape format and exactly what is different.

Edit: I've done some more extensive testing and discovered that the tape format is not different between versions. All versions seems to use the same format and can load any Family BASIC tape (executing it is a different story of course). I was probably just unlucky before and thought the format was different when it didn't work, but it's not.
Title: Re: Family BASIC Super Thread
Post by: 80sFREAK on March 14, 2019, 06:49:56 am
Sounds like a call, but unfortunately i don't have time at moment.

IIRC 2.1A have small patch and that's all, but can not recall details.
Title: Re: Family BASIC Super Thread
Post by: Sydsydsyd on March 24, 2019, 05:41:33 pm
Super interesting thread. Maybe some member of this forum has something coded into this and wants to share it?? I never seen some quality games coded into this device  :mario:
Title: Re: Family BASIC Super Thread
Post by: UglyJoe on March 24, 2019, 07:44:10 pm
Quote from: Sydsydsyd on March 24, 2019, 05:41:33 pm
Super interesting thread. Maybe some member of this forum has something coded into this and wants to share it?? I never seen some quality games coded into this device  :mario:


It depends on your definition of "quality".  I think a few of the games transcribed here (http://www.famicomworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=8234.0) are kinda fun (like Mario Shooter).
Title: Re: Family BASIC Super Thread
Post by: zmaster18 on March 25, 2019, 03:45:45 am
Back in like 2013 or so when I was really into Family BASIC V3 I made some finished programs. I have them saved on tapes, but I no longer have Family BASIC, or V3, or a Data Recorder

Here's what I made:

- Learn Katakana with BASIC! (a Japanese-English Hangman game with 3 different modes, different categories of vocabulary, and some nicely designed menus)
-PUNG (a version of pong that is colorful like the TV COLOR GAME 6)
-Orb of Destiny ( a breakout game with multi-colored blocks and the ball got increasingly faster)

I was making Mini Putt Challenge as well, but never finished it. This game was too ambitious for just 4k of memory, but I was very close to making it all fit.

I would totally post screenshots of the games if I had some :)



If you want to see examples of Family BASIC programs, search youtube for Nico Nico Douga Family BASIC compilations :)
Title: Re: Family BASIC Super Thread
Post by: boye on June 22, 2019, 06:19:04 pm
Here's a thread I made to document Family Basic games.
https://www.famicomworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=14509.0
Title: Re: Family BASIC Super Thread
Post by: saimen10 on March 08, 2020, 02:03:06 pm
Hello everyone,

I recently got a copy of Family Basic. I have some starter questions, maybe somebody can help me.

1) Is there a translated manual of the "Computer" menu (enter name, BASIC, calculator, etc.). I think the available english translation starts after that.

2) What is the concept of the built in battery backup. How to use it, switch positions.

3) Is it possible to use a smartphone with a appropiate MP3 recorder app for saving/loading to "tape"? Has somebody already tried it?

Thank you in advance.
Best regards!
Title: Re: Family BASIC Super Thread
Post by: UglyJoe on March 08, 2020, 05:15:02 pm
Quote from: saimen10 on March 08, 2020, 02:03:06 pm1) Is there a translated manual of the "Computer" menu (enter name, BASIC, calculator, etc.). I think the available english translation starts after that.

The .txt file attached to the first post here has a translation of the early manual pages.

https://www.famicomworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=8876.msg127809#msg127809 (https://www.famicomworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=8876.msg127809#msg127809)

Quote from: saimen10 on March 08, 2020, 02:03:06 pm2) What is the concept of the built in battery backup. How to use it, switch positions.

This is covered the txt file from #1 above.  It's kind of wonky and I don't trust it, personally :P

Quote from: saimen10 on March 08, 2020, 02:03:06 pm3) Is it possible to use a smartphone with a appropiate MP3 recorder app for saving/loading to "tape"? Has somebody already tried it?

Yup, very possible.  I would recommend using an app that can record/playback lossless audio (like wav or flac) instead of mp3, since the compression might cause issues.  (Some people have had luck with mp3s, though).
Title: Re: Family BASIC Super Thread
Post by: PALCOLOR on July 08, 2020, 10:09:03 pm
Nice to meet you. :D
I have a Playbox BASIC v1.0 cartridge. :redcart:
The ROM dump was also successful. :star:
CHR-ROM seems to be the same between Playbox BASIC v1.0 and Family BASIC v1.0.
Title: Re: Family BASIC Super Thread
Post by: PALCOLOR on July 09, 2020, 02:18:11 am
There were some differences between Playbox Basic v0.0, Playbox Basic v1.0 and Family BASIC v1.0, so I took a screenshot.

Family BASIC v1.0 vs Playbox BASIC v1.0


Playbox BASIC v0.0 vs Playbox BASIC v1.0
Title: Re: Family BASIC Super Thread
Post by: PALCOLOR on July 09, 2020, 02:37:09 am
QuoteV1.0
Used in Playbox BASIC and Family BASIC launch version.
This version of Family BASIC has a RAM self-test that is accessed by holding the T-key while pressing RESET. Unknown if Playbox BASIC also has this (the prototype does not).
If there are any differences in the actual NS-HuBASIC they are unknown.

RAM self-test is also available in Playbox BASIC v1.0.
Title: Re: Family BASIC Super Thread
Post by: P on July 11, 2020, 11:06:11 am
Oh the final (known) missing piece! Thank you for preserving it and telling us of the differences that you know of. I look forward to see the ROM.

You don't happen to have the manual or anything else that came with it? From what I've seen it's very similar to the Family BASIC manual (using the same illustrations and all), but it got to have a few pages totally different, like the biorhythm board. The biorhythm board is even mentioned in the Family BASIC manual, probably by mistake from when they modified the Playbox BASIC manual for Family BASIC.
Title: Re: Family BASIC Super Thread
Post by: PALCOLOR on July 11, 2020, 08:10:37 pm
Unfortunately I don't have a manual.
Cartridge only.

Link to ROM in this forum
I know that it is not desirable to attach it.
Please forgive me.

Playbox BASIC (Japan) (v1.0).zip (https://www.mediafire.com/file/6bk7m34pjf53nu1/Playbox_BASIC_%28Japan%29_%28v1.0%29.zip/file)
Title: Re: Family BASIC Super Thread
Post by: julgr on March 04, 2021, 05:28:17 pm
Here's a useful page on the keyboard matrix and hardware interface.

https://wiki.nesdev.com/w/index.php/Family_BASIC_Keyboard

It's on my list of future projects to create a USB adapter for my Family Basic keyboard. Some day...
Title: Re: Family BASIC Super Thread
Post by: leadedsolder on May 09, 2021, 01:50:10 pm
Does anyone know how to squelch the annoying background hum/noise that seems to be present in Game BASIC? I've muted the TV, but it makes for a little extra work.
Title: Re: Family BASIC Super Thread
Post by: dave99 on June 10, 2021, 09:05:23 am
Quote from: PALCOLOR on July 11, 2020, 08:10:37 pmUnfortunately I don't have a manual.
Cartridge only.

Link to ROM in this forum
I know that it is not desirable to attach it.
Please forgive me.

Playbox BASIC (Japan) (v1.0).zip (https://www.mediafire.com/file/6bk7m34pjf53nu1/Playbox_BASIC_%28Japan%29_%28v1.0%29.zip/file)

I have the manual for Family Basic v3
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/nes/938747-family-basic-v3/faqs/59317
Title: Re: Family BASIC Super Thread
Post by: dave99 on June 10, 2021, 09:11:44 am
Quote from: leadedsolder on May 09, 2021, 01:50:10 pmDoes anyone know how to squelch the annoying background hum/noise that seems to be present in Game BASIC? I've muted the TV, but it makes for a little extra work.

Try making an audio decoupling toroidal transformer
https://www.epanorama.net/documents/groundloop/audio_isolator_building.html
Title: Re: Family BASIC Super Thread
Post by: fredJ on May 23, 2023, 06:57:42 am
I have this guidebok from Famitsu, it says how to get to 256 levels in Super Mario Bros. Same trick as you can do with Tennis.

I don't know if you guys know about it.

Title: Re: Family BASIC Super Thread
Post by: P on May 23, 2023, 11:20:26 am
An article describing the same thing is on Famicom World's frontpage. But it is indeed relevant to this thread. The BASIC code is found in the article (https://famicomworld.com/workshop/articles/super-mario-bros-256-worlds/).
Title: Re: Family BASIC Super Thread
Post by: Ghegs on June 16, 2023, 04:22:16 am
Masahiro Sakurai himself talks how important Family BASIC was to his career as a game creator, and does some light coding. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89_FhHQ5n-g)
Title: Re: Family BASIC Super Thread
Post by: VeganLies2Me on July 18, 2023, 06:02:10 am
I may look like I'm egoistical with this but I think my game could be a nice addition to this thread, mainly because I released the source code.
https://vl2m-studio.itch.io/satin