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{{construction}}
{{about|the accessory for the Family Computer|the microgame in ''[[WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!]]''|[[Family Basic (microgame)]]}}
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{{system infobox
{{rewrite|Add discontinued release date}}
{{about|the accessory for the Family Computer|the microgame in ''[[WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!]]''|[[Family Basic]]}}
{{System-Infobox
|generation=Third
|generation=Third
|Image=[[File:FamilyBASIC.jpg|250px]]
|image=[[File:FamilyBASIC.jpg|250px]]
|Rel={{released|Japan|June 21, 1984}}
|release={{flag list|Japan|June 21, 1984<ref>{{cite|publisher=Retro Gamer Team|language=en|deadlink=y|archive=web.archive.org/web/20190331210953/https://www.retrogamer.net/retro_games80/famicom-family-basic|title=Famicom Family Basic|accessdate=September 17, 2024}}</ref>}}
|Dis=
|discontinued=
}}
}}
'''Family BASIC''' is an accessory for the [[Family Computer]] (Famicom) created by [[Hudson Soft]], [[Nintendo]], and [[Wikipedia:Sharp Corporation|Sharp Corporation]].<ref>https://nerdlypleasures.blogspot.com/2021/03/family-basic-putting-computer-into.html</ref> It allowed users to create programs in the [[Wikipedia:BASIC|BASIC programming language]], more specifically the NS-HuBASIC language which stands for Nintendo, Sharp, and Hudson Soft respectively. This accessory came with a specially designed cartridge and keyboard, similar in function to that of a [[Wikipedia:Commodore International|Commodore computer]] of that era. There was also the Data Recorder peripheral which was sold separately. It was preceded by the nearly identical '''Playbox BASIC''' for the {{wp|Sharp Nintendo Television|Sharp C1 Famicom TV}}. '''Family BASIC V3''' was released on February 21, 1985 as a stand-alone cartridge.<ref>https://themushroomkingdom.net/fb3.shtml</ref>
'''{{wp|Family BASIC}}''' is an accessory for the [[Family Computer]] (Famicom) created by [[Hudson Soft]], [[Nintendo]], and {{wp|Sharp Corporation}}.<ref>{{cite|publisher=Nerdly Pleasures|language=en|title= Family BASIC - Putting the "Computer" into the Family Computer|url=nerdlypleasures.blogspot.com/2021/03/family-basic-putting-computer-into.html|date=March 28, 2021|accessdate=September 17, 2024}}</ref> It was preceded by the nearly identical '''Playbox BASIC''' for the {{wp|Sharp Nintendo Television|Sharp C1 Famicom TV}}. The Family BASIC allowed users to create programs in the NS-HuBASIC programming language, a variation of the {{wp|BASIC}} programming language with an "NS-Hu" prefix that stands for Nintendo, Sharp, and Hudson Soft respectively. This accessory came with a specially designed cartridge and keyboard, similar in function to that of a {{wp|Commodore International|Commodore computer}} of that era. The keyboard plugs into a 15-pin expansion port on the front of the Famicom.
 
The keyboard plugs into a 15-pin expansion port on the front of the Famicom and the Data Recorder plugs into the back of the keyboard labeled "SAVE" and "LOAD." If one does not have the Data Recorder or spare cassette tape (or finds cassette tape technology too inconvenient), one can just use the microphone and headphone jacks of a computer or similar device to record the analog signal coming from the keyboard with their preferred audio recording program and then play it back when the game is requesting data to be loaded.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__9VYaKMwQI&t=12m45s</ref>
 
Three games are compatible with the Data Recorder:
* ''[[Wikipedia:Excitebike|Excitebike]]''
* ''[[Wikipedia:Mach Rider|Mach Rider]]''
* ''[[Wrecking Crew]]''
 
==Release history==
The Playbox BASIC and Family BASIC were both released in 1984 and came with NS-HuBASIC v1.0. Their initial retail price was the same as the Family Computer. While both included the music and calculator boards, the Playbox BASIC had a {{wp|Biorhythm (pseudoscience)|biorhythm}} board instead of a message board as the C1 TV already came with a message board.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20190915234033/http://www.sara.to/sigure/game/g12/index.html</ref> In the Family BASIC, biorhythm does not have a separate board but can be performed by the computer's fortune telling function.<ref>https://youtu.be/14l2nnT6-bg?t=219</ref> Soon after release, the v1.0 cartridges were replaced with v2.0A cartridges. Customers who bought the v1.0 versions could trade in their old ones for free and most did. As a result v1.0 cartridges are now rare and Playbox BASIC ones are extremely rare as the only people who bought it were owners of the expensive C1 TV sets. V2.1A later came out with minor bug fixes. The Family BASIC cartridges for v1.0, v2.0A, and v2.1A have an identical black appearance.
 
Family BASIC V3 was sold a separate title with NS-HuBASIC v3.0 in red cartridges. It was marketed to people who already owned a previous version so it did not come with a keyboard and its manual served as an addendum to the previous 2.x manual. As a result of its narrow market, it sold poorly and is now rare. Unlike the previous versions, it did away with the message, calculator, and music boards to concentrate solely on programming. It had double the RAM capacity and came with pre-programmed [[mini-game]]s.


Family BASIC had the separately sold Data Recorder peripheral, which plugs into the back of the keyboard labeled SAVE and LOAD, and ''[[Wrecking Crew]]'' was one of the games compatible with it.
==Sprites==
==Sprites==
[[File:FamilyBASICsprites.png|thumb|All the available sprites that can be used in Family BASIC]]
[[File:FamilyBASICsprites.png|thumb|All the available sprites that can be used in Family BASIC]]
Many of the sprites and tilesets were taken directly from the [[Arcade Classics Series]] version of the ''[[Donkey Kong (game)|Donkey Kong]]'', ''[[Donkey Kong Jr. (game)|Donkey Kong Jr.]]'', and ''[[Mario Bros. (game)|Mario Bros.]]'' There are 16 animated sprites built-in. The following are the only sprites available for programmers:
Many of the sprites and tilesets were taken directly from the [[Arcade Classics Series]] version of the ''[[Donkey Kong (game)|Donkey Kong]]'', ''[[Donkey Kong Jr. (game)|Donkey Kong Jr.]]'', and ''[[Mario Bros. (game)|Mario Bros.]]'' There are 16 animated sprites built-in. The following are the only sprites available for programmers:
*[[Mario]] - from his ''Mario Bros.'' design
*[[Mario]] - similar to his ''Mario Bros.'' design
*[[Pauline|Lady]] - very similar to her ''[[Pinball (game)|Pinball]]'' design
*[[Pauline|Lady]] - very similar to her ''[[Pinball (game)|Pinball]]'' design
*[[Fighter Fly]]
*[[Fighter Fly|Fighterfly]]
*Achilles - a bird, similar sprites are found in Hudson Soft's Famicom port of ''{{wp|Binary Land}}'' and also ''{{wp|Challenger (video game)|Challenger}}''
*Achilles - a bird-like creature, a palette swap of this sprite reappears in the Japanese version of ''[[VS. Pinball]]''.<ref>{{cite|date=August 29, 2019|publisher=YouTube|timestamp=02:12|url=youtu.be/CCI8LLstbsg?t=132|title=<nowiki>[Arcade Archives Pinball]</nowiki> First Look|author=NintenDaan|language=en|accessdate=September 17, 2024}}</ref>
*Nitanita - a smiley face
*Nitanita - a smiley face
*Penpen - a [[penguin]] from ''Pinball'', this sprite will later be reused for ''Binary Land''.
*Penpen - a [[penguin]] resembling the one from the [[slot window]]s from ''Pinball'', this sprite will later be edited and reused for Hudson Soft's Famicom port of ''{{wp|Binary Land}}''.
*[[Fire (100m)|Fireball]] - the variant from [[100m]] of ''Donkey Kong'', later reused for ''Challenger''
*[[Fire (enemy)|Fireball]] - from [[100m|100 m]] of ''Donkey Kong'', this sprite will later be edited and reused for ''{{wp|Challenger (video game)|Challenger}}''
*Car
*Car
*Spinner - a rotational symmetric space ship
*Spinner - a rotational symmetric space ship
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*[[Shellcreeper]]
*[[Shellcreeper]]
*[[Sidestepper]]
*[[Sidestepper]]
*[[Kuro|Nitpicker]] - the variant from [[Stage 4 (Donkey Kong Jr.)|Stage 4]] of ''Donkey Kong Jr.''
*[[Bird (Donkey Kong series)|Bird]] - from the [[Chain Scene]] of ''Donkey Kong Jr.''
*Laser effects
*Laser effects
It is possible to adjust the color of the sprites. The manual gives instructions on how to create [[Luigi]] or different colored enemies from the default sprites.
It is possible to adjust the color of the sprites. The manual gives instructions on how to create [[Luigi]] or different colored enemies from the default sprites.


==Programmable games in the 2.x manual==
==Programmable games in the manual==
Before V3, there were no games available from the start. The 2.x manual gives instructions on how to create eight sample games.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ir8jM3otL5w</ref>
[[File:Family BASIC Data Recorder UFO.png|thumb|UFO]]
 
Before V3, there were no games available from the start. The manual gives instructions on how to create eight sample games.<ref>{{cite|url=www.youtube.com/watch?v=ir8jM3otL5w|title=ファミリーベーシック付属マニュアル サンプルプログラム集|language=ja|author=Mikasen|date=April 16, 2019|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=September 17, 2024}}</ref>
*Knight - each player controls a chess knight on a chess board. Any spot that has been landed upon becomes unavailable. The aim is to trap the opposing player.
*Knight - each player controls a chess knight on a chess board. Any spot that has been landed upon becomes unavailable. The aim is to trap the opposing player. It is similar to other "square-removal" chess variants that utilize the {{wp|knight's tour}}.<ref>{{cite|url=www.chessvariants.com/other.dir/kchase.html|title=Knight Chase|author=Randolph, Alex|language=en|publisher=Chess Variants|accessdate=September 17, 2024}}</ref>
*Super Memory - a memory game similar to ''{{wp|Simon (game)|Simon}}''.
*Super Memory - a memory game similar to ''{{wp|Simon (game)|Simon}}''.
*UFO - a shooter where the player controls the Starship and faces off against a lone Fighter Fly that shoots back.
*UFO - a shooter where the player controls the Starship and faces off against a lone Fighterfly that shoots back. This game comes with the Data Recorder's cassette.
*Route 66 - an endless driving game
*Route 66 - an endless top-down driving game like ''{{wp|Speed Race}}'' and [[nwiki:Color TV-Game#Color TV Game Racing 112|Color TV-Game Racing 112]].
*Type Master - a typing game
*Type Master - a typing game
*Turtle - horse betting but on Shellcreepers
*Turtle - horse betting but on Shellcreepers
*Card - a card matching game similar to [[N-Mark Spade Panel]]
*Card - a card matching game similar to [[N-Mark Spade Panel]]
*Sample program 8 - a turn-based chase game where Penpen has to grab flags while evading a Nitanita. The manual insists that this is not a game but a tech demo for a new command introduced in NS-HuBASIC v2.0A and leaves it unnamed.
*Sample program 8 - a turn-based chase game where Penpen has to grab flags while evading a Nitanita. The manual insists that this is not a game but a tech demo and leaves it unnamed.
 
{{br}}
==V3 mini-games==
Family BASIC V3 came with four mini-games:
 
*Game 0 "Heart": There is an outline of a heart that can be filled by speaking or breathing into microphone of controller 2. When done, Mario and Lady will come together.


==Family BASIC V3==
[[File:FamilyBASICV3 Mario World.png|thumb|Mario World]]
'''Family BASIC V3''', released on February 21, 1985, came as a stand-alone cartridge. It has four minigames, all having ''Super Mario'' content.
*Game 0 "Heart": There is an outline of a heart that can be filled by speaking or breathing into microphone of controller 2. When done, Mario and Lady will come together. This is reproduction of a cutscene from ''{{iw|nwiki|Sheriff}}'', [[Nintendo Research & Development 1|Nintendo R&D1]]'s 1979 arcade game.
*Game 1 "Penpen Maze": The player controls Penpen on a grid. The object is to collect numbers in order while avoiding two Sidesteppers. Penpen starts off with three traps that can temporarily stun the Sidesteppers.
*Game 1 "Penpen Maze": The player controls Penpen on a grid. The object is to collect numbers in order while avoiding two Sidesteppers. Penpen starts off with three traps that can temporarily stun the Sidesteppers.
*Game 2 "Mario World": Mario has to collect numbers sequentially and [[apple]]s through a single screen of platforms, ladders, and springs while avoiding the two Nitanitas. However, collecting all the items does not end the game. The [[Time Limit]] will simply run out, forcing a [[Game Over]].<ref>{{cite|url=www.youtube.com/watch?v=0or6KaR6N6k|title=スーパーマリオワールドじゃなくてマリオブラザーズじゃなくて。ファミリーベーシック「マリオワールド」に挑戦|language=ja|author=STINKY RETRO GAMES|date=May 8, 2020|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=September 17, 2024}}</ref>
*Game 3 "Star Killer": This is an endless space shooter on a wraparound screen for 1 or 2 players controlling Star Killer and Starship respectively. Enemies include Spinners, Fighterflies, Fireballs, and Achilleses.


*Game 2 "Mario World": Mario has to collect numbers sequentially and [[apple]]s through a single screen of platforms, ladders, and springs while avoiding the two Nitanitas. However, collecting all the items does not end the game. The [[Time Limit]] will simply run out, forcing a [[Game Over]].<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0or6KaR6N6k</ref>
==Appearances in ''Super Mario'' games==
 
In ''[[WarioWare Inc.: Mega Microgame$!]]'', [[9-Volt]]'s [[microgame]] [[Family Basic (microgame)|Family Basic]] includes the Family BASIC keyboard, where the objective is to type in the requested numbers or letters.
*Game 3 "Star Killer": This is an endless space shooter on a wraparound screen for 1 or 2 players controlling Star Killer and Starship respectively. Enemies include Spinners, Fighter Flies, Fireballs, and Achilleses.


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
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MarioFB.png|A screenshot of Heart
MarioFB.png|A screenshot of Heart
FBMarioSprite.png|Mario
FBMarioSprite.png|Mario
FBPaulineSprite.png|Lady
FBPaulineSprite.png|Lady (Heart palette)
PlayboxBASIC.jpg|Playbox BASIC set
PlayboxBASIC.jpg|Playbox BASIC set
PlayboxBASICcartridge.jpg|Playbox BASIC cartridge
PlayboxBASICcartridge.jpg|Playbox BASIC cartridge
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|JapM=Family BASIC
|JapM=Family BASIC
}}
}}
;Family BASIC V3
;Family BASIC V3
{{foreign names
{{foreign names
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==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*In the [[Game Boy Advance|GBA]] game ''[[WarioWare Inc.: Mega Microgame$!]]'', [[9-Volt]]'s [[microgame]] [[Family Basic]] includes the Family BASIC keyboard, where the objective is to type in the requested numbers or letters.
[[File:PlayboxBASIC Biorhythm Board.png|thumb|The Biorhythm Board, featuring some ''Mario Bros.'' enemy sprites]]
 
*The Family BASIC's predecessor, Playbox BASIC had a {{wp|Biorhythm (pseudoscience)|biorhythm}} board instead of a message board as the C1 TV already came with a message board.
==External links==
* [[Wikipedia:Family BASIC|Family BASIC]]


==References==
==References==
{{NIWA|NWiki=1}}
<references/>
<references/>


{{Consoles}}
{{Super Mario games}}
{{NES}}
{{Systems}}
[[Category:Games]]
[[Category:Games]]
[[Category:1984 games]]
[[Category:1985 games]]
[[Category:1985 games]]
[[Category:Japan Only Games]]
[[Category:Japan-only games]]
[[Category:Japan Only Systems]]
[[Category:Japan-only systems]]
[[Category:Educational games]]
[[Category:Accessories]]
[[Category:Accessories]]

Latest revision as of 08:28, October 31, 2024

This article is about the accessory for the Family Computer. For the microgame in WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!, see Family Basic (microgame).
Family BASIC
Family BASIC
Generation Third generation
Release date Japan June 21, 1984[1]

Family BASIC is an accessory for the Family Computer (Famicom) created by Hudson Soft, Nintendo, and Sharp Corporation.[2] It was preceded by the nearly identical Playbox BASIC for the Sharp C1 Famicom TV. The Family BASIC allowed users to create programs in the NS-HuBASIC programming language, a variation of the BASIC programming language with an "NS-Hu" prefix that stands for Nintendo, Sharp, and Hudson Soft respectively. This accessory came with a specially designed cartridge and keyboard, similar in function to that of a Commodore computer of that era. The keyboard plugs into a 15-pin expansion port on the front of the Famicom.

Family BASIC had the separately sold Data Recorder peripheral, which plugs into the back of the keyboard labeled SAVE and LOAD, and Wrecking Crew was one of the games compatible with it.

Sprites[edit]

All the usable sprites for the Family BASIC
All the available sprites that can be used in Family BASIC

Many of the sprites and tilesets were taken directly from the Arcade Classics Series version of the Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Jr., and Mario Bros. There are 16 animated sprites built-in. The following are the only sprites available for programmers:

  • Mario - similar to his Mario Bros. design
  • Lady - very similar to her Pinball design
  • Fighterfly
  • Achilles - a bird-like creature, a palette swap of this sprite reappears in the Japanese version of VS. Pinball.[3]
  • Nitanita - a smiley face
  • Penpen - a penguin resembling the one from the slot windows from Pinball, this sprite will later be edited and reused for Hudson Soft's Famicom port of Binary Land.
  • Fireball - from 100 m of Donkey Kong, this sprite will later be edited and reused for Challenger
  • Car
  • Spinner - a rotational symmetric space ship
  • Star Killer - the bulkier space ship
  • Starship - the space ship with nacelles
  • Explosion effects
  • Shellcreeper
  • Sidestepper
  • Bird - from the Chain Scene of Donkey Kong Jr.
  • Laser effects

It is possible to adjust the color of the sprites. The manual gives instructions on how to create Luigi or different colored enemies from the default sprites.

Programmable games in the manual[edit]

UFO minigame in Family BASIC's Data Recorder tape
UFO

Before V3, there were no games available from the start. The manual gives instructions on how to create eight sample games.[4]

  • Knight - each player controls a chess knight on a chess board. Any spot that has been landed upon becomes unavailable. The aim is to trap the opposing player. It is similar to other "square-removal" chess variants that utilize the knight's tour.[5]
  • Super Memory - a memory game similar to Simon.
  • UFO - a shooter where the player controls the Starship and faces off against a lone Fighterfly that shoots back. This game comes with the Data Recorder's cassette.
  • Route 66 - an endless top-down driving game like Speed Race and Color TV-Game Racing 112.
  • Type Master - a typing game
  • Turtle - horse betting but on Shellcreepers
  • Card - a card matching game similar to N-Mark Spade Panel
  • Sample program 8 - a turn-based chase game where Penpen has to grab flags while evading a Nitanita. The manual insists that this is not a game but a tech demo and leaves it unnamed.

Family BASIC V3[edit]

Mario World mini-game in Family BASIC V3
Mario World

Family BASIC V3, released on February 21, 1985, came as a stand-alone cartridge. It has four minigames, all having Super Mario content.

  • Game 0 "Heart": There is an outline of a heart that can be filled by speaking or breathing into microphone of controller 2. When done, Mario and Lady will come together. This is reproduction of a cutscene from Sheriff, Nintendo R&D1's 1979 arcade game.
  • Game 1 "Penpen Maze": The player controls Penpen on a grid. The object is to collect numbers in order while avoiding two Sidesteppers. Penpen starts off with three traps that can temporarily stun the Sidesteppers.
  • Game 2 "Mario World": Mario has to collect numbers sequentially and apples through a single screen of platforms, ladders, and springs while avoiding the two Nitanitas. However, collecting all the items does not end the game. The Time Limit will simply run out, forcing a Game Over.[6]
  • Game 3 "Star Killer": This is an endless space shooter on a wraparound screen for 1 or 2 players controlling Star Killer and Starship respectively. Enemies include Spinners, Fighterflies, Fireballs, and Achilleses.

Appearances in Super Mario games[edit]

In WarioWare Inc.: Mega Microgame$!, 9-Volt's microgame Family Basic includes the Family BASIC keyboard, where the objective is to type in the requested numbers or letters.

Gallery[edit]

Names in other languages[edit]

Family BASIC
Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese ファミリーベーシック[?]
Famirī Bēshikku
Family BASIC
Family BASIC V3
Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese ファミリーベーシックV3[?]
Famirī Bēshikku Bui Surī
Family BASIC V3

Trivia[edit]

The Biorhythm Board, featuring some Mario Bros. enemy sprites
  • The Family BASIC's predecessor, Playbox BASIC had a biorhythm board instead of a message board as the C1 TV already came with a message board.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Famicom Family Basic. Retro Gamer Team (English). Archived March 31, 2019, 21:09:53 UTC from the original via Wayback Machine. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
  2. ^ March 28, 2021. Family BASIC - Putting the "Computer" into the Family Computer. Nerdly Pleasures (English). Retrieved September 17, 2024.
  3. ^ NintenDaan (August 29, 2019). [Arcade Archives Pinball] First Look (02:12). YouTube (English). Retrieved September 17, 2024.
  4. ^ Mikasen (April 16, 2019). ファミリーベーシック付属マニュアル サンプルプログラム集. YouTube (Japanese). Retrieved September 17, 2024.
  5. ^ Randolph, Alex. Knight Chase. Chess Variants (English). Retrieved September 17, 2024.
  6. ^ STINKY RETRO GAMES (May 8, 2020). スーパーマリオワールドじゃなくてマリオブラザーズじゃなくて。ファミリーベーシック「マリオワールド」に挑戦. YouTube (Japanese). Retrieved September 17, 2024.