Games

Petit Computer brings the power of BASIC to Nintendo 3DS and DSi

Petit Computer brings the power of BASIC to Nintendo 3DS and DSi
Petit Computer brings back the days when apps were still called programs
Petit Computer brings back the days when apps were still called programs
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Petit Computer lets you enjoy the classic 1970's and 80's graphics on your Nintendo DSi or 3DS
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Petit Computer lets you enjoy the classic 1970's and 80's graphics on your Nintendo DSi or 3DS
Several BASIC programs are included within Petit Computer
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Several BASIC programs are included within Petit Computer
Petit Computer brings back the days when apps were still called programs
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Petit Computer brings back the days when apps were still called programs
The virtual keyboard may make entering multiple lines of code a tedious experience
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The virtual keyboard may make entering multiple lines of code a tedious experience
Included programs can be tweaked and changed at will
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Included programs can be tweaked and changed at will
A typical BASIC game included within the Petit Computer app
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A typical BASIC game included within the Petit Computer app
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Petit Computer is a new application which brings the golden age of home computing to Nintendo 3DS and DSi - no cassette tape required. Available on the DSiWare store and 3DS eShop, the app allows both hardened BASIC veterans and new recruits to get stuck in to the venerable programming language and to this end, several tools are provided which are written in BASIC and thus can be tinkered with easily.

BASIC (or the Beginner's All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code) was a popular command-line computer programming language initially created in the mid-1960s, but it really found widespread popularity during the home computing boom of the 1970s and 80s and was to appear on many classic computers, including the Apple II, the TRS-80 and later, the Commodore 64.

Petit Computer enables users to select commands and run programs using the Nintendo DS touch screen, with a virtual keyboard included for those willing to tap endless lines of code into the command-line. Games, applications and music all can be created with the modified version of BASIC, providing you have the necessary skills and patience.

Petit Computer lets you enjoy the classic 1970's and 80's graphics on your Nintendo DSi or 3DS
Petit Computer lets you enjoy the classic 1970's and 80's graphics on your Nintendo DSi or 3DS

In addition, users can share programs with other Petit Computer-equipped Nintendo DSi and 3DS consoles, either by making use of the Wireless Communications feature which each device sports, or simply saving to an SD Card.

If one chooses the latter option, the relevant program can also be converted to a QR code using a computer and browser, and this QR code can then be loaded onto another Nintendo DS model running Petit Computer by using the console’s camera to scan it. From the promo material we've seen, it's not clear exactly how this QR code loading works, though if you're savvy enough to code BASIC in the first place, then one presumes it shouldn't be too taxing.

Petit Computer can be purchased from Nintendo's online store for US$7.99. Check out the promotional video below to learn more about the application.

Source: Petit Computer, via The Next Web

DSiWare - Petit Computer Trailer

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3 comments
3 comments
Pete_Morrison
It has been said over many years that anyone who programs in BASIC can never be a software engineer. for myself after 30 years of it, I thank God that I found "C" first!
Chuck Hunnefield
Judging from the video I would say that this is yet another interpretive BASIC. What probably should happen is some international standards committee getting together and coming up with a next generation BASIC that would be structured, yet easy to use.
While I think it's a pretty cool idea, I just wish interpretive languages would just go away. It really does the user a disservice if ever they need to use a real computing language.
Klaptrap Von Spilldabeanz
So where the heck is Petit Computer on DSi-ware? I can't find it via my DSi nor does it show up on the DSi web page lists. Any help would be much obliged.