2.3 KiB
This is a list of the software/hardware used by the helds development team, so keep in mind that this is not a complete (or even extensive) list over software or hardware. Unless otherwise mentioned, software listed here is for linux.
Software
Compiler
The easiest way to compile GBA homebrew code is using devkitARM, a toolchain based on GCC. devkitARM is part of devkitPro, which contains libraries and compilers for several portable platforms. We also use libgba, a development library containing memory constants and practical functions. libgba is also part of devkitPro.
devkitARM and libgba can be downloaded from the devkitPro project page on sourceforge (link to files). Remember to get the gba_examples as they make a good structure for basing new projects.
See devkitPro site for installation and setup instructions.
Emulator
To get instant feedback when developing, you really should have an emulator available. The best one found so far for linux is Visual Boy Advance. For better debugging it's possible to use the windows version on linux through Wine. The windows version includes memory viewers and state inspection, making it alot easier to figure out when you've set your OAM entries wrong or placed stuff in the wrong memory area.
Image editor
I know there are lots of tile utilities
Hardware
Game Boy
You really need to get the hardware if you want to have fun developing homebrew. Playing around in the emulator is nice, but it can't compare to the real thing.
Flash cart / Flash2Advance
To get your newly compiled homebrew running on a game boy, you can use a flash cart. We're using the Flash2Advance usb linker to connect the game boy to a PC, then use the F2A writable cartridge in the game boy to store the rom. After the rom has been transfered, you can take your game boy with the flashcart and show your new creations to your friends. Great work is being done on if2a, so you can use the F2A linker on linux, OS X or windows.