LEARN NESMAKER YOUR WAY
The NES can be a fickle beast to develop games for. But have no fear, NESmaker takes care of many of the questions that a newcomer would not even know to ask so that you can jump right into the creative part of development. Below, there are learning resources for various learning styles. From following along using pre-defined assets and code all the way to developing an entire engine from scratch. From written instructionals to video tutorials. If you get stuck, don't forget about the forums, which are full of helpful people that want to assist you in bringing your game to life!
NESmaker Orientation Documentation
Specifically designed for those who like written instructionals, this documentation goes step by step through the process of creating a simple game, from basic design document through to flashing to a cartridge. This is the basis for the long-awaited NESmaker Strategy Guide, which also goes further to delve a bit deeper into working under the hood. The documentation download to the left makes use of the template module to the right.
12 Days of NESmas Intro to NESmaker Tutorial Series
For those feeling festive, one of the best ways to learn the basics of NESmaker is to follow along with this beginner tutorial series. This is a series covers much of the same ground as the Summer Camp Survival Guide, but in video form. Download the assets and then click on the thumbnail to follow the series to go from zero to new 8-bit hero!
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13 Bytes of October Intro to NESmaker Tutorial Series
If you're more interested in Spooky Season, this Halloween themed tutorial starts with a pre-existing project and deconstructs each part while building a fun arcade platformer. To get started:
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Download the zip of the project
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Unzip to your desktop
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Open NESmaker
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Load the 13Bytes Project
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MODULE TUTORIALS
Get started easily creating various genres of games right now. Use the pre-built modules and pre-made assets to wireframe basic projects.
MAZE GAME
Aliens have invaded the arcade. Prevent them from stealing all of your quarters in this top down maze game.
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ARCADE STYLE PLATFORMER
In this arcade style platformer, navigate your ninja through screen after screen of a dragon infested nightmare.
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TOP DOWN ADVENTURE
It's dangerous to go by yourself in this top down adventure, so pick up your stick and slay some slimes!
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SCROLLING PLATFORMER
Inspired by the scrolling platforming of a particular plumber help this rabbit free the Carrot Kingdom from the evil snails.
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SIMPLE SHMUP
Blast off into hyperspace in this horizontal shmup and rid the universe of an impending extraterrestrial invasion!
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BASIC BRAWLER
The future of law enforcement is in 8-bit...brawl with some baddies in this simple beat-em-up.
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MEGA-METRO-VANIA
Defend alien world Proxima Centauri b in Star Girl Proxima, a two way scrolling platformer. (art by Giant Evil Robot)
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NESmaker Summer Camp 2022 - Building a game from scratch
This will be an ongoing tutorial series that will offer NESmaker users a deep dive into learning how to program NES games from scratch while also using NESmaker's front end to keep organized.​ This tutorial set is meant for advanced users, and it is recommended that you master the above tutorials before tackling this one.
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Click on the summer camp image to go to the page.