How to Write a Platformer(e.g. Super Mario) Game in Java
In this short video series course, we will learn how to write a platformer (or side-scrolling) game like Super Mario. We will write this game from scratch with very basic algebra without relying on any physics engine!
Below are all of the resources including video lectures, code, and labs. I created this curriculum for my AP Computer Science A course during the current school closures due to the coronavirus. Subscribe to my channel.
If you teach AP Computer Science A and would like solutions, feel free to contact me directly.
1) Game Preview
A preview of the platformer game that we will write.2) Introduction to Processing
A quick introduction to Processing, a software sketchbook that allows us to easily create animations/games with simple Java code.- Slides (PPT)
- Bouncing Ball Lab (Friendly Version, More Challenging Version)
Given a ball PNG image, simulate a ball bouncing on the screen.
3) Creating the Sprite Class
Making our game object-oriented by creating the Sprite class, which is the superclass of all of our game objects.- Slides (PPT)
- Sprite Class Lab (Friendly Version, More Challenging Version)
Implement the Sprite class. This is the base class for all game objects.
4) Controlling a Sprite Using the Keyboard
Controlling our player using the keyboard.- Slides (PPT)
- Controlling A Sprite Using Keyboard Lab (Friendly Version, More Challenging Version)
Control a sprite with the keyboard.
5) Creating the Game Map by Using a CSV File
Create a game map or level stage using a comma-separated values (CSV) file.- Slides (PPT)
- Design CSV Game/Stage Map Lab
No coding lab. Read code and modify CSV file to create a stage map.
6) Collision Detection
Detecting collision between sprites. We'll implement the checkCollision method which returns true if two sprites collide and the checkCollisionList method which returns the collision list between a sprite and a list of sprites.- Slides (PPT)
- Collect Coins Lab (Friendly Version, More Challenging Version)
Tank moves around on the screen and collect coins. Coin counter is display and updated on the screen.
7) Resolving Platform Collisions Part 1
Understanding the math behind resolving platform collisions. This is the most important algorithm in writing this game.- Slides (PPT)
8) Resolving Platform Collisions Part 2
Implement the code to resolve platform collisions.- Slides (PPT)
- Resolving Platform Collisions Lab
Add gravity and resolve platform collisions. This is the most important algorithm in the game.
9) Add Jumping
Add in jumping ability to the player.- Slides (PPT)
- Jumping Lab
Add jumping feature to our game. You'll need your solution from the previous Resolving Platform Collisions Lab.
10) Scrolling
Add scrolling to the game.- Slides (PPT)
- Platformer Scrolling Lab
Implement scrolling for the platformer game.
- (Optional) Scrolling Lab (Friendly Version, More Challenging Version)
Implement scrolling. Draw left/right/top/bottom boundaries to visualize scrolling.
11) Animating the Sprite(uses inheritance)
Create AnimatedSprite class for simple animated Sprites. AnimatedSprite inherits from the Sprite class.- Slides (PPT)
- Animated Sprites Lab (Friendly Version, More Challenging Version)
Animate the coins from the previous Collect Coins lab.
12) Creating Enemies(uses inheritance)
Creating animated enemies by inheriting from the AnimatedSprite class.- Slides (PPT)
- Create Enemies Lab (Friendly Version, More Challenging Version)
Create an ArrayList of Enemy objects using CSV file. Each enemy has a different walk length between its left and right boundaries.
13) Animating the Player(uses inheritance)
Create Player class which inherits from the AnimatedSprite class to animate the player.- Slides (PPT)
- Animating the Player Lab (Friendly Version, More Challenging Version)
Animate a simple version of the player to walk left and right. No jumping or platform collisions.
14) Finish Up Game
Finish up the game by adding game over screen and restart feature.- Slides (PPT)
