VBdevelopmentkit

Virtual Boy Development Kit:

Released by Nintendo (for game company’s only), to enable software company’s to develop/make games for the Virtual Boy (they would also be able to view their creations on a TV-screen in 2D and on the VB itself in 3D).

We’ve been in contact with the company that used to make and sell these with license of Nintendo, here are some of the responses -->

First a reply to some general questions from the sales division: "A VUE development tool isn't being produced at present. It is because it can't obtain a part any more because Nintendo Co.,Ltd. stopped the production of VIRTUAL BOY. Familiar information is the rule established only in the place where a license is contracted to Nintendo Co.,Ltd. Please ask for Nintendo of America inc."

It wasn’t soon before we where put off: "We have no stock of VUE development tools. We can not sell it without permission from Nintendo Co.,Ltd."

So we contacted a programmer within the company, his explanation: "The VUE Debugger is VirtualBoy Game development tool. It includes development software and hardware. PAL-TV outs function is optional board. In other products... The VideoBoy VUE can display to PAL-TV or RGB-Display. Please ask to Nintendo of America inc. about our products. We can not sell without the license of Nintendo. We can not sell&support to other regional directly."

The filthy and sad truth about the whereabouts of a VB Dev Kit in Europe we got in a reply from the UK based Team17 Software Ltd. (known for their Worms game series) When their co-founder Martyn Brown was asked about the VB Dev Kit they received (but never started working with) his answer was and I quote:

"Got one here ;-) I use it to prop open my office door."

As much as that would make any VB fan want to sit in a corner and cry, nothing can be done about it, so no need to bother, we've already tried to obtain it... without success.

VUE. Guide of DEBUGGER series

Contents of this data are the specification presently of June of 1995 being decided or being examined,
Being to be times when future it is modified that acknowledgement, we ask.

To begin

The VUE-DEBUGGER series the Nintendo Co. corporation make virtual boy (the VIRTUAL BOY) is the development support system in order to develop the software of business.
The VUE-DEBUGGER, the assembler (the ISAS), linker (the ISLK), the control software for the VUE-DEBUGGER (the ISW) the software, and the VUE-DEBUGGER itself, is formed from hardware such as scanner and controller. As for these using the IBM-PC/AT compatible machine for the host computer, it is possible to advance with the environment which standardized the development to debugging from assembling and linking the program.
With the environment for software development due to the VUE-DEBUGGER series, the program is developed with assembler language, debugging is advanced making use of the ISW. As for the ISW as for symbolic debugging of course thing, also debugging at the assembling source level is made possible. In addition, it is possible to advance the program development with C language the C compiler of option (the VUCC) by using. Of course, even in this case it is possible to debug at C source level.
In addition, in order to draw up the 3d graphics data which are feature of the VUE, with option, the rendering tool VUE which operates on the PowerMacintosh (the software) we have prepared.

Environment for software development

The VUE-DEBUGGER is operated, the environment which is shown below becomes necessary.

Hardware

Computer: The Intel corporation make 80386 and 80486, or with the IBM-PC/AT compatible machine which loads the CPU of the Pentium, the MS-DOS or PC DOS must operate.
Memory: In conventional memory above the 200K byte, active memory above the 2m byte must be guaranteed in expansion storage. Furthermore, as for expansion storage the fact that above the 4m byte you prepare is recommended.
Mouse: The Microsoft mouse, or those which conform to this.
Extended slot: ISA expansion slot one use.
Video adapter: VGA (Video Graphics Array) or SVGA (Super VGA).
Disk: The being less crowded territory above the 500K byte is needed above the 1m byte, and for one for temporary for one for installation.

Software

OS: MS-DOS or PC DOS Version 5.0 or more
Mouse driver: Those which in the MS-DOS or PC DOS standard are attached or those which conform to this.

It mounts the IBM private interface board of option into the ISA extended slot of the computer in the connection with the VUE-DEBUGGER and the computer, connects with SCSI interface.

Product structure

The VUE-DEBUGGER is formed from the product below.

Hardware

VUE-DEBUGGER: Debugger itself for virtual boy
Private scanner VUE: Indicates the three-dimensional picture of the virtual boy display of the goggle type which
Controller: Controller for virtual boy

Software

ISAS: Relocatable assembler. The ISAS.EXE of MS-DOS edition and the ISAS4G.EXE of DOS/4GW edition are included
ISLK: Linker. The ISLK.EXE of MS-DOS edition and the ISLK4G.EXE of DOS/4GW edition are included
ISW: The control software for the VUE-DEBUGGER of the multiwindow type which operates the on the MS-DOS or the PC DOS.

Feature of ISAS and ISLK

The ISAS is the cross assembler of 2 passes, it is the relocatable assembler which the source program every module can divide and convert to the file and assemble.
In addition, the ISLK links the object file which is formed when assembling, draws up the ISX file which can load to the debugger. Because information for debugging is included in this ISX file, it is possible to do symbolic debugging and source level debugging whose efficiency is good with the debugger.
There is a following kind of feature in the ISAS and the ISLK.

You prepare the MS-DOS edition which operates in conventional memory and the DOS/4GW edition which operates in expansion storage. Especially, in DOS/4GW edition, turnaround time of assembling and linking is shortened, also restriction of buffer capacity such as symbol is largely lightened. Because of this, when developing the large-scale program, efficiency is shown.

Because it is possible, to output the information of source level debugging, it is possible to debug at source level on the ISW. Of course, also symbolic information in order to do symbolic debugging at assembler level is output enable.

The mode which develops the order of the V810SF optimally is prepared, mnemonic description is made easy.

Because you can use the valuation plan which uses various operators such as arithmetic operator and the Boolean operator which almost are equal to C language, complicated valuation plan it can describe clearly.

The pseudo-instruction which is necessary for the description of the assembling program is prepared abundantly. In addition, while macro pseudo-instruction because operation of conditional type and the character string is possible, it has been rich in expandability such as re-naturalization of macro.

The ISAS and the ISLK correspond to as many as 65816 processors which are the CPU for the super Family Computer, also compatible mode of the IS65 assembler of our company has. Furthermore, we measure 2.3 times and acceleration former ones (the IS65 * ISLINK of our company) with in comparison concerning the speed of assembling * link.

Feature of ISW

With the software in order to control the VUE-DEBUGGER, it is the debugger * software of the multiwindow type which operates the on the MS-DOS. There is a following kind of feature in the ISW.

* You adopt the overlapped possible multiwindow for mother thin interface, use the mouse and can operate to visual. The main window and the function are shown below.

Source window: The source file is indicated. On the source list which is indicated in this window, it is possible to execute the program, stepwise execution, to execute to cursor position and to set the breakpoint et cetera.
Disassemble window: The disassemble list is indicated. On the disassemble list which is indicated in this window, it can execute the program, stepwise execution, it can execute to cursor position and it can set the breakpoint et cetera. In addition, because line assembling function is prepared, it is possible directly to input mnemonic on the window.
Dump window: The dump list of memory is indicated. In addition, it is possible directly to input the data on the window.
Register window: Contents of the register are indicated. When are modified contents of the register with such as stepwise execution, as the modification part understands, it is indicated. In addition, it is possible also directly to input the contents of the register on the window.
Stacked window: Contents of stack are indicated.
Breaking window: It indicates setting of the breakpoint, and setting contents.
Watch window: It indicates setting of the watch point, and setting contents.
In supekuto window: It indicates the contents of variable.
Hiss To Lee window: Disassemble indicates the execution result.
Command window: The execution result of input and command of command is indicated.
Help window: Help of the ISW is indicated.

* You prepare the command window, have tried to be able to do principal debugging job even in command. As for command system because debugger IS-DEBUGGER for the super Family Computer of our company (the SHVC) and the like it is conformed, it is possible to move from former environment for software development easily.

* The breakpoint 1 hardware breakpoint and has prepared software breakpoint 10.

* You prepare hiss To Lee function, can refer to the execution past record of the user program. We load the RAM of 32k word as a memory for Lee's hiss To.

* It is possible to debug source level on the ISW by using the ISAS and the ISLK together. The VUCC of option is used, source level debugging with C language is possible.

* At the time of source level debugging with C language, the mouse just clicks the variable which we would like to verify on the source window, value of local variable and other variable easily is verified the fact that can. These items of information are indicated in the supekuto window.

* Consecutive command is registered to the file, the function which is executed automatically is prepared. At the time of ISW starting initial setting of the debugging environment which has the necessity each time to do and the line of the plural commands whose utilization frequency is many, to execute as one command and it being possible, to register very much it is convenient.

* State and the watch point of the window, Lee's command hiss To information is retained in the file, when restarting the resume which resets these to the state of the time before is prepared.

* Installing the VUE flash memory cassette for the virtual boy in the VUE-DEBUGGER, it can write the program which is in the midst of debugging to flash memory. Entry time to the flash memory cassette being the 8m bit, 30 seconds, 50 seconds is high speed at the 16m bit. In addition, installing the VUE flash memory cassette and the VUEEPROM cassette, also it is possible to read the contents.

C compiler VUE (VUCC)

It is the C compiler for virtual boy program development. You describe the program in C language and you can improve the development efficiency of the program largely by using this C compiler. The ISX file in order to read with the debugger from the assembling file * object file which the C compiler outputs, by using the ISAS * ISLK, is made. When the ISX file which includes the information of source level debugging is drawn up, it is possible to debug at C source level by loading to the ISW.

* We are conformed to ANSI-C language specification.

* Debugging option (-g) with compiling, the ISX file which it drew up includes the information of source level debugging, the source level debugging of C becomes possible with the ISW debugger.

* Because it is the VUE private C compiler, the hardware of the virtual boy (memory mapping) the cord/code which is suited is outputted.

* We actualize the cord/code optimization processing which is high function, we form the execution cord/code which pulls out the efficiency of the V810SF.

PAL specification monitor output board VUE

The three-dimensional picture of the scanner it is the monitor output board in order to output to the television monitor where PAL system video input or RGB input is prepared.
It mounts in the inside the VUE-DEBUGGER itself, indicates the picture for the left eye and the picture for the right eye in the television monitor in falsely with the respective red and green color. In addition, selecting the picture only for the left eye, and the picture only for the right eye also it is possible to indicate.

* It is possible to videotape debugging job in video. Sometimes, only reappearance * verification of the bug and the like which does not occur becomes easy and debugging efficiency rises and increases.

* You can verify the identical picture at plural number of people by starts projecting contents of the VUE scanner, to the television monitor. At the time of specification previous arrangement and, power is shown at the time of demonstration.

* The necessity for the programmer to look the scanner when developing decreases sharply, as burden of the eye of the developer is lightened, rises and increases also Labor effectiveness.

IBM private interface baseplate VUE

It mounts into the ISA extended slot of the IBM-PC/AT compatible machine of the host computer, connects the VUE-DEBUGGER and the computer. Because SCSI interface is adopted, as for the VUE-DEBUGGER and the computer it is possible to communicate to high speed. Furthermore, as for this interface board, being common, with the board which has been used with development tool IS-DEBUGGER for the super Family Computer of our company and the IS-CHARACTER it can use.

Emulation RAM addition 4m byte VUE

It is the option which furthermore the 4m byte increases the emulation RAM of the VUE-DEBUGGER. The VUE-DEBUGGER has mounted the emulation RAM of the 4m byte usually, it becomes the emulation RAM of the 8m byte the 4m byte by increasing.

VUE-DEBUGGER block diagram

VUE-DEBUGGER

Controller (attachment)

Private scanner VUE (VUE-DEBUGGER attachment)

SCSI cable (VUE-DEBUGGER attachment)

IBM private interface baseplate VUE

PAL specification monitor output board VUE

Emulation RAM addition 4m byte VUE

VUE-DEBUGGER accessory

Terminal resistance
Power source cable

Video boy VUE

The television monitor where PAL system video input or RGB input is prepared in the video boy VUE just is connected, indicates the three-dimensional picture of the virtual boy in the television monitor in falsely. When the game cassette of the virtual boy is mounted on the video boy VUE, the picture for the left eye and the picture for the right eye it is possible to indicate in the television monitor with the respective red and green color. In addition, selecting the picture only for the left eye, and the picture only for the right eye also it is possible to indicate.
Because you can verify the identical picture at plural number of people, at the time of demonstration, power is shown at the time of specification previous arrangement and when et cetera debugging.

Private scanner VUE

It is the private scanner which is connected to the video boy VUE. By the fact that you utilize this option, it is possible completely to do the game in the same way as the virtual boy with the video boy VUE. Furthermore, this private scanner VUE is the product which is equal to the scanner which is included in the VUE-DEBUGGER.

Video boy VUE block diagram

1. Video boy VUE; 2. Controller (video boy VUE attachment); 3. Private scanner VUE
Video boy VUE accessory

Red green glasses
Stereo AV cable
Power source cable

VUE flash gang lighter/writer

* We have become the gang type whose simultaneous entry to maximum of 8 VUE flash memory cassettes is possible. We load 32 bits CPU, writing in and reading are high-speed processing possible. 8m bit flash memory cassette 1 entry time 40 seconds, 8 simultaneous entry hours has been 90 seconds.

* We correspond to the flash memory cassette of the 8m bit and the 16m bit.

* Using the IBM-PC/AT compatible machine as a host computer, as for connection with the PC/AT compatible machine and the VUE flash lighter/writer, you use the SCSI. The IBM private interface baseplate VUE is used to SCSI interface of the PC/AT compatible machine. Also it is possible to connect with the VUE-DEBUGGER and the daisy chiein.

* The software in order to control the VUE flash gang lighter/writer operates the on the MS-DOS of the PC/AT compatible machine. As a command, it confronts the flash memory cassette, we support eliminating, writing in, verifying and reading.

VUE flash gang lighter/writer block diagram

VUE flash gang lighter/writer
AC adapter (VUE flash gang lighter/writer attachment)
SCSI cable
IBM private interface baseplate VUE

VUE flash gang lighter/writer accessory

Terminal resistance

Other things

Concerning the hardware of the VUE-DEBUBGGER series, repair when breaking down makes gratuitousness repair basically. In addition, you correspond with on call such as loan of the alternative machine.
Concerning the software, it receives the opinion of the user and demand does version rise, always supplies up-to-date version as a reference. We do also the support service which utilizes Internet in addition to the correspondence with the telephone * FAX. With the support with network, reply of the question with the mail and procurement of the latest edition software, in addition we think of the offer of the information which is effective to development.

Presently, the debugger of Windows correspondence it is in the midst of developing. It assembles with Windows environment, can do link, C compiling and debugging entirely. Environment for software development with the DOS which used the former ISW and environment for software development with the Windows can select the user.
There is a character compilation tool of the VUE in Windows environment. As for the character which is drawn with the character compilation tool of the VUE, in real time being indication possible in the VUE scanner, while verifying the actual picture, it is possible to draw.

VUE development tool commodity / price list

You sell this commodity Nintendo Co. (inc.) only with the Licensee enterprise which has made a contract.

Name	Value case
Video boy VUE	90,000 Yen (classified by tax)
Private scanner VUE	17,000 Yen (classified by tax)
C compiler VUE	160,000 Yen (classified by tax)
VUE-DEBUGGER (private scanner attachment)	980,000 Yen (classified by tax)
PAL specification monitor output board VUE	75,000 Yen (classified by tax)
Emulation RAM addition 4m byte VUE * 2	30,000 Yen (classified by tax)
IBM private interface baseplate VUE * 1	30,000 Yen (classified by tax)
VUE flash gang lighter/writer	150,000 Yen (classified by tax)

* It is necessary in order to connect 1 VUE-DEBUGGER to the computer.
(Bundled it is not done to the VUE-DEBUGGER.)
However, presently the IS-DEBUGGER, the IS-CHARACTER and the IS-SOUND to the IBM-PC/AT
As for the person who is connected, the stock IBM private interface baseplate
Being common, you can use.

* In 2 VUE-DEBUGGER in normal condition emulation RAM of 4 M byte
We can be mounted, we can increase in 8 M byte with this option.

The MS-DOS and the Windows are trade mark of the American Microsoft corporation.

The IBM, the PC DOS is trade mark of the American IBM corporation.

80386 and 80486, the Pentium is trade mark of the American Intel corporation.

As for Macintosh Apple Computer, Inc. It is trade mark.

As for DOS/4GW Rational Systems, Inc. It is trade mark.

The V810SF is trade mark of the NEC Corporation corporation.

The virtual boy, the VIRTUAL BOY is the Nintendo Co. trade mark.