The program they are calling "SmileBASIC" was formerly known as "Petit Computer" and for some reason has been removed from the Nintendo store, but was previously available on the DSi and 3DS.
This new version was released in Japan and slated for an English release but they postponed it to add a whole pile of new features and have the new release coincide with the English release as well, supposedly also including the new features.
The previous editor was a little painful on the small device, but this new one looks to have a bunch of features that make the New 3DS a viable editing device. More importantly they claim you will be able to share your programs using their cloud service; sharing programs wasn't really viable before (using QR codes).
Most importantly of all you can use every part of the 3DS, including the microphone and all the controls, though I believe the camera can't be used because of Nintendo rules. It's even possible to make networked games for 3DS's in the same room.
Previously there was voice synthesis as well but only in Japan. It has a really fantastic collection of sprites and sounds which is what gets you creating quickly.
Phone controls simply don't compare to Nintendo controls; anything else is somewhat moot beyond that. A pure touchscreen game is always limited in ways that a D-pad and buttons are not.
Thanks for this background. I would've loved to have something like this when I was growing up. I'm sure I'd enjoy playing with this today, when it's released in English.
You're right, my apologies. I saw (c) 2011 Nintendo in the footer, and thought it was by them. Upon closer reading I see that SmileBoom Co. Ltd were just acknowledging use of Nintendo trademarks!
Can someone edit the title to be "SmileBASIC for Nintendo 3DS"?
There are actually quite a few ways to write software on Android for Android, my favorite at the moment being Ruboto (at least when used with the Ruboto IRB app).
Hey, the condition was whether or not one can program on iOS or Android. One can program on Android with Ruboto. Question answered, never mind UI "deficiencies".
In reality, Ruboto IRB's UI isn't that bad (it supports command history, and isn't stuck with a Gingerbread-era UI like most program-Android-on-Android environments are (I'm looking at you, Android Forth)). It's also significantly less bad on a tablet with a keyboard (or even without the keyboard).
This new version was released in Japan and slated for an English release but they postponed it to add a whole pile of new features and have the new release coincide with the English release as well, supposedly also including the new features.
The previous editor was a little painful on the small device, but this new one looks to have a bunch of features that make the New 3DS a viable editing device. More importantly they claim you will be able to share your programs using their cloud service; sharing programs wasn't really viable before (using QR codes).
Most importantly of all you can use every part of the 3DS, including the microphone and all the controls, though I believe the camera can't be used because of Nintendo rules. It's even possible to make networked games for 3DS's in the same room.
Previously there was voice synthesis as well but only in Japan. It has a really fantastic collection of sprites and sounds which is what gets you creating quickly.
Phone controls simply don't compare to Nintendo controls; anything else is somewhat moot beyond that. A pure touchscreen game is always limited in ways that a D-pad and buttons are not.