Game Boy Coding Adventure

by Maximilien Dagois

Spring 2025, 400 pp.

ISBN-13:

9781718503908

The Game Boy is an iconic handheld console and a remarkable piece of gaming history. Programming the Game Boy is rewarding but can be challenging especially to newcomers. Game Boy Coding Adventure gives readers an organized, hands-on explanation of the hardware, covering everything from the very basics to advanced topics. This book doesn't assume any prior knowledge of assembly language or the Game Boy hardware. Whether you want to create games or applications, are interested in ROM hacking, or are looking for a fun way to level up your engineering skills, this book will give you a strong understanding of the hardware and the programming techniques to leverage it properly.

Author Bio

Maximilien Dagois is a Software Engineer and Game Programmer who has worked with prominent studios such as Square-Enix, Creatures, EA Mobile, and Google.

Table of contents

Introduction
PART I: GETTING STARTED
Chapter 1: DMG Fundamentals
Chapter 2: Assembly Language
Chapter 3: DMG Toolchain
Chapter 4: Introducing the Sample Template
PART II: DMG ESSENTIALS
Chapter 5: Graphics Overview
Chapter 6: Graphics Assets Management
Chapter 7: High-Level Features
Chapter 8: Joypad
Chapter 9: Audio
PART III: ADVANCED DMG
Chapter 10: Counter and Timer
Chapter 11: Serial Communication
Chapter 12: Advanced Graphics
Chapter 13: Memory Bank Controller
Chapter 14: Interrupts
Chapter 15: Programming and Debugging Tricks
PART IV: BEYOND THE DMG
Chapter 16: Game Boy Color
Chapter 17: Game Boy Printer
Chapter 18: Super Game Boy
Chapter 19: Going Further
Appendix A: Instructions
Appendix B: Opcodes

The chapters in red are included in this Early Access PDF.