SmileBASIC 4 Lets Anyone Create And Publish Switch Games
With the thriving digital marketplace combined with easily accessible physics engines, programming lessons and coding software, it’s never been easier for the average, non-connected game developer wannabe to self-publish their work on a major system. (Seeing sales and getting paid is another matter.)
But if you don’t care about getting paid, and you just want to mess around, SmileBASIC 4 may be the app for you. You see, in the dawning years of home computers, a simple programming language called BASIC let anyone put together a game simply and quickly. SmileBASIC is a modern take on that language. It’s easy to pick up, challenging to master, and produces powerful results.
The previous three versions of SmileBASIC appeared on the DS and 3DS…this is the first variant to appear on a console you can plug into the TV. And it boasts a VAST number of improvements from its predecessors:
- High speed and powerful programming language “SmileBASIC 4” is installed
- Supports high-resolution display of up to 1280×720 and 16.77 million colours
- 2048×2048 huge graphic screen
- Drawing commands such as lines, circles and fills
- Compose with a full range of sound commands
- Make full use of Joy-Con features
- Supports various Toy-Con
- USB keyboard and mouse can be used
- Useful trace function for debugging
- Extensive materials, tools, and samples that support programming
- Guide for program beginners
- Equipped with keyword completion function in the command help and the editor
- Lots of characters and background images that can be used in various scenes
- More than 100 sound effects and more than 40 background music
- Smile Tool (SE and character number can be confirmed)
- Paint Tool (drawing characters and backgrounds, creating animations)
- Simple sample programs to learn BASIC
- Technical samples for checking execution results for each command
- Game samples that show the actual game structure
- Share your works with users around the world
- Publish your works to the server with icons and descriptions
- Easily download works published by other users
- Evaluation function that allows you to send “Like” to your favorite works
- Favorite works can be registered in the top menu and started immediately
- Download “SmileBASIC” Nintendo 3DS version of public programs
Keep in mind: this is not a serious development tool. Making a “real” Switch game requires a lot more effort, both in time and in monetary investment. You cannot sell a game made in SmileBASIC, but you can upload it for anyone with a Switch (and the app) to enjoy. And for those who grew up with BASIC (like yours truly), the SmileBASIC apps are great fun to mess around with.
SmileBASIC 4 is available now on the Nintendo eShop. $24.99 and $29.99 versions are available; $29.99 bundles in the fee required to access the SmileBASIC server and is kind of essential, so don’t bother with the $25 version because you’re going to be paying the extra money anyway.