Hobby BASIC, a simple but surprisingly capable BASIC interpreter, developed in 32-bit x86 assembly.

-Features a BASIC-like syntax with a collection of specialized commands and functions.
-Fully supports both keyboard and mouse input in the console.
-Effortlessly handles ANSI-encoded graphics.
-Includes a compact set of UDP networking functions.
-Generates standalone pseudo-executables.
-Compatible with Windows XP, 7, 10, and 11 (see General Notes below).
-Includes examples such as Draw, a tool for creating and editing ANSI art, fully written in Hobby BASIC.
-Launched in 2015, the Hobby BASIC interpreter has been continuously evolving.

My goal has always been to create a simple, user-friendly language
designed for game development within the Windows console—and I believe it's progressing quite well!

Hobby BASIC is a small, unsigned executable.
Some antivirus tools might falsely flag it as a virus due to its size and lack of a digital signature.
Rest assured, it is 100% safe.

Version 2.1.3, March 2025

Download

Mirror Download Link


A Hobby BASIC demo running in the Windows 10 console.







How to run the examples

To run the examples, simply double-click HB.EXE and choose an example from the EXAMPLES folder.






Alternatively, open CMD.EXE in the HB folder.
To run the TV.BAS example, enter the following command:







How to create the standalone TV.EXE

To create the standalone TV.EXE, enter the following command in the command-line:

A standalone application will be assembled.
The bind command generates only the executable.
Any external files and folders required by the program should be included alongside it.






General Notes for Windows 10 and 11

The interpreter was initially developed for Windows XP, then continued on Windows 7, but is now being developed in a Windows 10 environment.
Some of the examples still run on Windows XP (and, of course, on Windows 7), but Hobby BASIC now focuses on Windows 10 and 11.

For the examples to function properly:
Enable the "Use Legacy Console" option in Windows 10 and 11.
Right-click on the application title bar and select the "Properties" menu option.
Restart the console.




Important Notes for Windows 11 Users

In Windows 11, you need to revert to the legacy command prompt.
To do so, change the default terminal app to Windows Console Host instead of Windows Terminal.
After applying the changes, restart the console and enable the legacy option.






Showcase

A selection of games created with Hobby BASIC, featuring Windows 10 console screenshots and ANSI graphics.

Great stuff!
Things like that motivate beginners to start programming.

I suppose that the author's sentiment to QuickBasic was the main inspiration for this project. Nice thing.

Nice. This prompts me to make a CLI graphics library. Looks pretty neat.

Bindi is a small puzzle game written in Hobby BASIC.

In the game, your goal is to place the orange heroes in the marked positions.
You control the blue hero, who can push the orange heroes in the classic way.

However, you have an additional ability:
By pressing the Spacebar, the orange heroes "bind" with the blue hero, changing color and becoming blue.
From that moment on, they all move as a single entity, making it easier to complete your objective.

The game is controlled via the keyboard, includes sound effects, and features an undo function, just like the previous games in the series.

The game's source code can be found in the folder: EXAMPLES\GAMES\WIN10\BINDI.BAS.

Windows 10 console screenshot.

This is very nice.
Reminiscent of DOS apps.

Mouse handling would be a nice addition, I think

[ Post removed by author. ]

If it can be understood then no worries.

Besides not all examples are aimed at beginners.

Blocktrix is a small puzzle game written in Hobby BASIC.

Your goal in this game is to create a path between the starting (yellow) block and the final (white) block.
There are various blocks, each with its own mechanism, as well as a limited number of allowed moves for each puzzle.

The game is controlled using the keyboard arrow keys.

The game's source code can be found in the folder: EXAMPLES\GAMES\WIN10\BLOCKTRIX.BAS.

Windows 10 console screenshot.

Boxxy is a small puzzle game written in Hobby BASIC.

It is a push-pull type game with a unique mechanic:
The player can push boxes up or down and pull them left or right.

The game is controlled via the keyboard, includes sound effects, and features an undo function, just like the previous games in the series.

The game's source code can be found in the folder: EXAMPLES\GAMES\WIN10\BOXXY.BAS.

Windows 10 console screenshot.

I get this when I run MOUSE

John Eats Cake is a short puzzle game about moving boxes and eating cake.

It is a push-pull Sokoban game, meaning you can both push and pull boxes, switching modes with the Spacebar.

The game features:

7 rooms.
Keyboard controls.
Undo move function.
Sound effects.

The game's source code can be found in the folder: EXAMPLES\GAMES\WIN10\CAKE.BAS.

Windows 10 console screenshot.

Windows 7 64 bit. Actually all the programs except the binary and the the color ones. And why it says print I don't know

Mandy Crush is a small puzzle game written in Hobby BASIC.

In Mandy Crush, you control a character who swaps places with objects.
Your goal is to create horizontal or vertical matches of three or more identical objects.

The puzzle features 16 rooms with increasing difficulty.
It is a remake of a PuzzleScript game.

The game's source code can be found in the folder: EXAMPLES\GAMES\WIN10\CRUSH.BAS.

Windows 10 console screenshot.

I see. It's a version difference thing.

Icy Blocks is a fun puzzle game where you must push crates and seal water holes to reach your goal.

The game features:

Smooth movement.
Animation frames for the hero.
Tileset background in the Windows 10 console.
ANSI graphics, designed using DRAW, like all Hobby BASIC projects.

The game is controlled using the keyboard arrow keys.

The game's source code can be found in the folder: EXAMPLES\GAMES\WIN10\ICYBLOCKS.BAS.

Windows 10 console screenshot.

They work now . Care to share what was causing it to say that?

Gravibox is a small puzzle game written in Hobby BASIC.

In the game, you will encounter classic boxes that need to be placed in the correct positions, as well as "gravitational" boxes that move in four directions.

These boxes, once they find free space, continue moving endlessly, adding an extra challenge to the puzzles.

The game's source code can be found in the folder: EXAMPLES\GAMES\WIN10\GRAVIBOX.BAS.

Windows 10 console screenshot.

Hmm. Nice, what Win7 version?

Flood is a small puzzle game written in Hobby BASIC.

To play Flood, click on any square with your mouse.

The top-left corner and all squares connected to it will fill with the color of the square you clicked on.
Clicking on a square that is the same color as the top-left corner will have no effect and therefore doesn't count as a move.

It's not the Same Game; it has a completely different gameplay mechanism.
Each level has a specific number of allowed moves.

The program can be found in the folder: EXAMPLES\GAMES\WIN10\FLOOD.BAS.

Windows 10 console screenshot.