A Kickstarter campaign has launched for RetroGameForge, a fresh suite of tools aimed at making homebrew development for the NES and SNES significantly more intuitive.
Quick Facts
- Creator: Joe Granato, developer of NESMaker and part of The New 8-bit Heroes.
- Platforms supported: NES and SNES development on PC, Mac, and Linux.
- Funding status: Smashed its initial $6,502 goal, raising $72,331 with 27 days left to go.
- Entry tier: Pledging $64 grants an activation code for the NES and SNES modules.
While Joe Granato describes NESMaker as a punk-rock utility chain originally built for in-house use, RetroGameForge aims to deliver tools that are both easier to use and exponentially more capable. According to the Kickstarter campaign, the software allows users to create pixel art and animations, reduce friction in object management and screen editing, and utilize a GUI-driven script editor alongside flexible NES mapper and memory handling.
The suite also includes a dedicated music editor featuring grid-based trackers and a DAW-style timeline environment tailored for creators familiar with software like Pro Tools and Logic. Designed to bypass the steep learning curve of assembly language, the software offers a visual alternative for newcomers and experienced programmers alike.
Funds raised from the campaign will go toward stress-testing the software, improving documentation, building templates, and covering manufacturing, shipping, and administrative fees. Higher backing tiers also offer physical bonuses, including Wi-Fi-enabled development cartridges for both the NES and SNES.