NINTENDO ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM

The console that saved gaming

CPU
Ricoh 2A03
Speed
1.79 MHz
RAM
2 KB
Released
1983
🚧

Lessons Coming Soon

We're currently building the NES assembly course. Soon you'll be creating tile-based graphics, composing with the APU, and building classic games in 6502 assembly. Watch the repository for updates!

What You'll Learn

PPU Programming

Master the Picture Processing Unit: tiles, sprites, nametables, and the famous scrolling techniques that defined a generation.

APU Sound

Program the Audio Processing Unit's five channels: two pulse waves, triangle, noise, and DMC for authentic 8-bit music.

Mapper Magic

Understand cartridge mappers and how they expanded the NES beyond its limits. Bank switching and advanced techniques.

Controller Input

Read the iconic NES controller. Implement responsive controls and special button combinations for your games.

8×8 Pixel Tiles: The Building Blocks

Every NES graphic is built from 8×8 pixel tiles stored in pattern tables

Combine these tiles to create characters, backgrounds, and entire worlds

NES Memory Map

$0000-$07FF RAM (2KB, mirrored)
$2000-$2007 PPU Registers
$4000-$4017 APU & I/O Registers
$4020-$FFFF Cartridge Space
$8000-$FFFF PRG-ROM

Ready to Code Like It's 1983?

Follow the project on GitHub to be notified when NES lessons are available.

Watch on GitHub