C64 · BASIC V2 · gateway

Commodore 64 BASIC

Learn programming fundamentals before assembly

CPU

MOS 6510

RAM

64 KB

Language

BASIC V2

Games

Build complete games while you learn the fundamentals — variables, loops, and the C64's screen and memory. Start with Game 1 and work through in order.

Primer

1 games

Meet C64 BASIC

Write, run, edit and debug Commodore BASIC for real — and meet the screen, colour, sound and input the C64 reaches only by POKE and PEEK.

Typing and editing a programPRINT, LET, INPUTIF/THEN, FOR/NEXT, GOTO / GOSUBThe screen, colour, sound and joystick by POKE/PEEK

15 / 15 units

First Programs

8 games

Skyline

Build a city by writing straight to the screen

POKE to screen memoryThe separate colour RAMScreen codes

6 / 6 units

Oracle

Ask a question, get an answer from the machine

RNDINPUTIF/THEN

6 / 6 units

Reflex

How fast can you press a key?

The jiffy clock (TI)GET for an instant keypressScreen flash (POKE 53281)

6 / 6 units

Tally

Roll two dice a thousand times and watch a bell curve appear

Numeric arrays as countersThe roll value as an indexA POKEd bar chart

6 / 6 units

Bleeper

Make the SID chip play a tune you must repeat

SID registers as a voiceA sequence stored in an arrayGET to read and check the echo

6 / 6 units

Safe Cracker

Crack the code by narrowing it down

The loop-with-a-goalHigher/lower deductionColour feedback and a guess limit

6 / 6 units

Rover

Drive a rover around the screen with a joystick

Joystick (PEEK 56320)The continuous game loopLook-ahead collision

6 / 6 units

Dropzone

Fight gravity to land safely

Velocity, gravity and thrustThe continuous physics loopWin, lose, and a fuel squeeze

6 / 6 units

After BASIC

Complete these 8 games and you'll understand C64 memory layout, screen handling, and the limits of BASIC. Then move to 6510 assembly to unlock the full power of the machine.