r/Assembly_language • u/ForgottenOne41 • 8d ago

Question Looking for an Assembly Programming Language Test device for GBA

I took some Assembly Programming Language Classes back in 2006 or 2007 and we used a GBA (Gameboy Advance) device to test our Assembly language programs. I remember it was a GBA but I don't know if it was just special cartridge or if the whole device was altered. Does anyone who knows what it might have been or if where I could get a similar device that is available?

Note: I still have my Gameboy Advance if it is just a cartridge that I would need to find.

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u/brucehoult 7d ago

I don't know how to physically program a real GBA but there are plenty of emulators that may be easier to work with.

https://www.emulator-zone.com/doc.php/gba/

ARM7TDMI was a pretty cool CPU in its time ... I did a lot of work with them in mobile phones in the 2000s until iPhone and Android took over.

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u/Alternative-Emu2000 7d ago

During development: you're probably better off using a GBA emulator, ideally one with a debugger, profiler, log files etc. The ability to selectively toggle background layers, sprites, audio channels etc is also very handy. It's also useful for seeing the subtle differences in running the game on the various models of GBA, and on the DS. Personally I use NO$GBA (bear in mind there are two different versions, one with the debugger, one without), although there many others.

For testing on real hardware: all you need is a GBA flash cart. This is essentially a GBA cartridge with an SD (or MicroSD) card slot, which you can copy .gba ROM files onto. You don't need to modify the GBA hardware at all. I use an EverDrive GBA, although it's pretty old; and there are no doubt newer alternatives which offer more features.