[quote name='Gameboy415']I picked up a Family BASIC cart for 100yen in Japan years ago but I never got around to getting the keyboard/data recorder so I haven't been able to test it out, unfortunately.
I'm not sure if they're still easy to find, but I occasionally saw keyboard/cart sets in Japan for 3000-5000yen (About $30-50). If you can get someone in Japan to track one down for you it shouldn't be too expensive to import![/QUOTE]
If you're just looking for a working unit with maybe a little cosmetic damage and no box/manual, then you can still find sets for relatively cheap. The recorder as well, when it emerges.
[quote name='soonersfan60']I sold off the Famicom Basic, Keyboard, Recorder that I had, but I still have a really cool--and Rare!--Famicom Basic Programming Book. It shows you how to use the sprites from Mario and other games and move them around the screen. The actual programming lines are in English, but not much else. Really, cool, though. (Asking $100 if someone is interested. It's up on eBay, but I'd prefer dealing directly with a trusted CAG.)[/QUOTE]
Sorry if I got your hopes up on a sale, but I'm going to have to pass. That is an awesome book but after tinkering around with a loaner unit I realized Famicom Basic is just too limited. If I end up completing something it will have to be a game made from scratch.
Unfortunately the BASIC takes up a lot of overhead and the Famicom has practically no power to spare for it. So the most complicated games you're going to get running with Famicom Basic would be something like the 'pulse line' games but nothing more complex than that. I really have something a little more complicated than those in mind so I grew out of this machine quickly.
Excellent collector's item though!
ing hate hate hate programming in assembly and would really love to avoid it.
