Explore Z80 assembly programming through hands-on analysis of the open-source ChibiAkumas game in this comprehensive tutorial series. Dive deep into game development fundamentals by examining real source code, starting with basic movement mechanics and sprite handling using the custom AkuSprite Editor. Master essential game programming concepts including object arrays, star arrays, settings data management, and event stream systems across multiple detailed lessons. Learn player driver implementation, user interface development, and advanced graphics techniques such as background drawing, tile rendering, and gradient fills across various retro platforms including Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum, MSX, and Sam Coupe. Discover bitmap compression using RLE (Run-Length Encoding) techniques and implement efficient sprite systems with clipping capabilities. Build proficiency with the SpeedTile software tilemap engine, progressing from basic tilemaps to advanced SuperTile mapping and software sprite integration. Gain practical experience with cross-platform Z80 development while working with authentic retro gaming hardware constraints and optimization techniques.

Syllabus

Learn Z80 Assembly - With ChibiAkumas! - Lesson 1
Learn Z80 Assembly with ChibiAkumas! Lesson Aku2 - Movements
Learn Z80 With Chibiakumas! Lesson Aku3 - Sprite Basics with my AkuSprite Editor!
Lesson Aku3 Part II - The Return!
Learn Z80 Assembly with ChibiAkuams... Lesson Aku4 - The Star Array!
Learn Z80 Assembly with ChibiAkumas! Lesson 5 - The Object Array
Learn Z80 Assembly with ChibiAkumas... Lesson Aku6 - Settings Data
Learn Z80 Assembly with ChibiAkumas! - Lesson Aku7 - The Event Stream Basics!
Lesson Aku8 - The Event Stream Code - Part 1
Lesson Aku9 - The Event Stream Code - Part 2
Learn Z80 Assembly with ChibiAkumas: Lesson Aku10 - The Event Stream Code - Part 3
Learn Z80 assembly with ChibiAkumas - Lesson Aku11 - Player Driver
Learn Z80 Assembly With ChibiAkumas: Lesson Aku12 - Player Driver Part 2
Learn Z80 with ChibiAkumas: Lesson Aku13 - Player UI
Lesson Aku14 - Background Drawing on the CPC/Speccy - Part 1
Learn Z80 With Chibiakumas Lesson Aku17 - Tile Draw MSX
Lesson Aku15 - Background Drawing on the CPC/Speccy - Part 2: QuadSprite and SolidFill
Solid fill & Gradient on the MSX - Learn Z80 with ChibiAkumas Lesson Aku18
Learn Assembly with ChibiAkumas Lesson Aku16 - Gradient Draw
Learn Z80 Assembly With ChibiAkumas - Lesson Aku20 Level Init and Loop
Learn Z80 ASM with Chibiakuams Lesson Aku19 - Gradient fill on the MSX2 + V9990 (V9K)
Z80 RLE Bitmaps with Akusprite for CPC,Spectrum,MSX and Sam Coupe - Learn Z80 with ChibiAkumas Aku21
ChibiAkumas RLE decodeer (CPC,MSX,SAM,ZX,ENT) - Learn Z80 With ChibiAkumas Lesson Aku22
Lesson Aku24 - A Compiled Sprite Source code for the Amstrad CPC and ZX Spectrum
Z80 SpeedTile software Tilemap Engine (Basic Tilemap) - Lesson M14
SpeedTile software Tilemap Engine - (Z80 SuperTile map) Lesson M15
SpeedTile software Tilemap Engine (3/3) - (Software Sprites & Sprite Clipping) - Z80 ASM Lesson M16