(c) Copyright 2024 Óscar Toledo Gutiérrez https://nanochess.org/
CVBasic is a BASIC language cross-compiler with a syntax alike to QBasic originally written for the Colecovision video game console.
The CVBasic compiler can create programs up to 1 MB using the BANK statements (using 16K bank switching on most platforms, 8k on TI-99/4A).
Later it was extended to support the following platforms:
- Sega SG-1000 / SC-3000 (supporting bank switching with Sega mapper)
- MSX 1 (supporting bank switching with ASCII16 mapper)
- Texas Instruments TI-99/4A (courtesy of @tursilion, supporting bank switching)
- Spectravideo SVI-318 / 328.
- Sord M5.
- Memotech MTX.
- Vtech Creativision (Dick Smith's Wizzard / Laser 2001).
- Tatung Einstein.
- Casio PV2000.
- Hanimex/Soundic Pencil II.
- NABU PC.
One of the advantages of using CVBasic is that all the programs can be compiled for all the platforms with mostly no modifications at all. Although the compiler started supporting only Z80, now this includes the 6502 based Creativision, and TMS9900 based TI-99/4A. This way it achieves a truly portable BASIC across the common theme: the video processor Texas Instruments TMS9128/9129.
The following files compose the compiler:
cvbasic.h The CVBasic compiler global definitions.
cvbasic.c The CVBasic compiler C language source code.
cpu6502.h 6502 code headers.
cpu6502.c 6502 code generation.
cpu9900.h TMS9900 code headers.
cpu9900.c TMS9900 code generation.
cpuz80.h Z80 code headers.
cpuz80.c Z80 code generation.
driver.h Driver headers.
driver.c Driver for both processors.
node.h Tree node headers.
node.c Tree node creation and optimization.
LICENSE.txt Source code license
cvbasic_prologue.asm Prologue file needed for compiled programs.
cvbasic_epilogue.asm Epilogue file needed for compiled programs.
cvbasic_6502_prologue.asm Prologue file needed for 6502 compiled programs.
cvbasic_6502_epilogue.asm Epilogue file needed for 6502 compiled programs.
cvbasic_9900_prologue.asm Prologue file needed for TMS9900 compiled programs.
cvbasic_9900_epilogue.asm Epilogue file needed for TMS9900 compiled programs.
manual.txt English manual for CVBasic
README.md This file
examples/bank.bas Bank-switching example.
examples/demo.bas Demo of graphics.
examples/face_joystick.bas Moving face with joystick.
examples/happy_face.bas Bouncing face.
examples/music.bas Music example.
examples/oscar_compressed.bas High-resolution graphics example compressed with Pletter.
examples/oscar.bas High-resolution graphics example.
examples/portrait.bas Data used by demo.bas
examples/space_attack.bas Game example.
examples/test1.bas Moving stars.
examples/test2.bas Arithmetic test.
examples/vgm.bas VGM audio player.
examples/viboritas.bas Game example.
Using CVBasic to compile a Colecovision program:
cvbasic game.bas game.asm
gasm80 game.asm -o game.rom -l game.lst
You need to assemble the output file using Gasm80 available from http://github.com/nanochess/gasm80 (this assembler serves for all the platforms, including Creativision based on 6502 CPU)
Using CVBasic to compile a Sega SG1000/SC3000 program:
cvbasic --sg1000 game.bas game.asm
gasm80 game.asm -o game.rom
Using CVBasic to compile a MSX program for 8K RAM (wider compatibility) and 16K RAM:
cvbasic --msx game.bas game.asm
gasm80 game.asm -o game.rom
cvbasic --msx -ram16 game.bas game.asm
gasm80 game.asm -o game.rom
Using CVBasic to compile a Colecovision Super Game Module program:
cvbasic --sgm game.bas game.asm
gasm80 game.asm -o game.rom
Using CVBasic to compile a Spectravideo SVI-318/328 program:
cvbasic --svi game.bas game.asm
gasm80 game.asm -o game.rom
Using CVBasic to compile a Sord M5 program:
cvbasic --sord game.bas game.asm
gasm80 game.asm -o game.rom
Using CVBasic to compile a Memotech MTX program:
cvbasic --memotech game.bas game.asm
gasm80 game.asm -o game.run
cvbasic --memotech -cpm game.bas game.asm
gasm80 game.asm -o game.com
Using CVBasic to compile a VTech Creativision (Dick Smith's Wizzard / Vtech Laser 2001) program:
cvbasic --creativision game.bas game.asm
gasm80 game.asm -o game.rom
You can use the -rom16 option to generate a 16K ROM instead of a 32K ROM, and it is provided utility/switch.c to switch the two 8K banks in a 16K ROM and run it with MAME, as MAME doesn't yet support 32K ROM. For 32K ROM you can use the Creativision emulator.
Using CVBasic to compile a Hanimex/Soundic Pencil II program (almost exactly like a Colecovision, but with 2K of RAM and different cartridge header):
cvbasic --pencil game.bas game.asm
gasm80 game.asm -o game.rom
Using CVBasic to compile a Tatung Einstein program:
cvbasic --einstein game.bas game.asm
gasm80 game.asm -o game.com
Using CVBasic to compile a Casio PV-2000 program:
cvbasic --pv2000 game.bas game.asm
gasm80 game.asm -o game.rom
Using CVBasic to compile a Texas Instruments TI-99/4A program:
cvbasic --ti994a game.bas game.a99
xas99.py -b -R game.a99
linkticart.py game.bin game_8.bin "CARTNAME"
You require Python3 and the utilities from the xdt99 tool suite: https://github.com/endlos99/xdt99
The target is a stock TI-99/4A system with 32k memory expansion and joysticks. The cartridge binary can be used directly with the online emulator js99er.net or Classic99, and can be packed into an RPK for MAME (see README - TI99.md).
Using CVBasic to compile a NABU PC program:
cvbasic --nabu game.bas game.asm
gasm80 game.asm -o 000001.nabu
zip game.npz 000001.nabu
cvbasic --nabu -cpm game.bas game.asm
gasm80 game.asm -o game.com
The .npz file is directlty usable by MAME NABU port (put it in the nabu directory). The 000001.nabu name is important or it doesn't work. I've used the script boot-built-in-adapter-local.sh
I don't have tested the COM files for NABU CP/M yet.
The current official version is v0.7.0.
All platforms have been tested in emulation.
- Colecovision and MSX have been tested in real hardware by myself.
- Sega SG1000/SC3000 tested in real hardware by aotta.
- Spectravideo SVI-318/328 tested in real hardware by Tony Cruise.
- Creativision / Dick Smith's Wizzard tested in real hardware by Scouter3d.
- NABU tested in real hardware by Sektor.
MSX controller support only handles the two joysticks and keyboard arrows (plus Space and M for buttons). The keys 0-9, Backspace and Return emulate the Colecovision keypad (CONT1.KEY only).
The Sega SG1000 doesn't have any keypad, so CONT1.KEY and CONT2.KEY aren't operative, but the support includes compatibility with Sega SC3000 computer, and the keyboard can be used as first controller (code contributed by SiRioKD) and for CONT1.KEY using the keys 0-9, Delete and CR.
The Spectravideo SVI-328 only has one button in the joystick. The keyboard can be used for the second button (letter M) and to have keypad (CONT1.KEY only) using the keys 0-9, Backspace and Return.
The Sord M5 can only use binaries up to 16 kb, both joysticks are handled as controllers, and the keyboard emulate the Colecovision keypad (CONT1.KEY only) using the keys 0-9, Backslash/Del and Return.
The Tatung Einstein can only use binaries up to 32 kb, keyboard is handled as controller 1 (joystick not used), and it can also emulate the Colecovision keypad (CONT1.KEY only) using the keys 0-9, Del/Ins and Enter.
The Casio PV-2000 can only use binaries up to 16 kb, the keyboard and joystick are controller 1, and it can emulate the Colecovision keypad (CONT1.KEY only) using the keys 0-9, Home/Cls and Return.
The Creativision can only use binaries up to 32 kb, the joysticks are controller 1 and controller 2, and it can emulate the Coleocovision keypad (CONT1.KEY only) using the keys 0-9, Left and RETN.
The TI-99/4A can only generate non-banked binaries up to 24 kb. When banking, the fixed space is 24k and pages are 8k. Both joysticks are supported with a single button. The second button is simulated on the keyboard with control for player 1 and fctn for player 2. CONT1.KEY will also return uppercase ASCII characters from the keyboard in addition to the stock 0-9, #, * for compatibility with Coleco programs. No keypad is implemented for controller 2 - only the joystick. The program supports FCTN-= (Alt-= on PC emulation) to reset.
The NABU PC can only use binaries up to 32 kb, joysticks can be used for both controllers, keyboard arrows are handled as controller 1, and it can also emulate the Colecovision keypad (CONT1.KEY only) using the keys 0-9, Del and Enter.
Many people is developing games using CVBasic, feel free to check some of these examples at the AtariAge Colecovision Programming forum
If you find CVBasic useful, please show your appreciation making a donation via Paypal ($9 USD suggested) to b-i+y-u+b-i (at) gmail.com
If you find a bug, please report it to the same email address, and I'll try to look into it. Because lack of time I cannot guarantee it will be corrected.
You can also get my book Programming Games for Colecovision including an introductory course to game programming with CVBasic and full examples with source code: Game of Ball, Monkey Moon, Space Raider, Bouncy Cube, and Dungeon Warrior.
The foreword is written by the legendary David R. Megarry, programmer of Zaxxon™ for Colecovision, and creator of the Dungeon!™ Board game.
All the games in the book will compile for all the platforms.
- Programming Games for Colecovision, paperback, 250 pages
- Programming Games for Colecovision, hardcover, 250 pages
- Programming Games for Colecovision, PDF ebook, 250 pages
Thanks to the following members of Atariage for contributing valuable suggestions: abeker, aotta, ARTRAG, atari2600land, carlsson, chalkyw64, CrazyBoss, drfloyd, gemintronic, Jess Ragan, Kamshaft, Kiwi, pixelboy, SiRioKD, Tarzilla, Tony Cruise, tursilion, wavemotion, and youki.