I haven't used variable types much... but if A% is a number variable/array, you might need to use VAL() to convert the $tring to a number or integer.

lotsa spaghetti

It's nice, and works well. No bugs. Maybe you could add colors to the text/background for more emotion, or add more dialogue.

oh, you still need VSYNC too.

(any variable) = TRUE WHILE (the variable) == TRUE B=BUTTON() IF B==#A THEN (whatever happens if you press A) (variable) = FALSE ENDIF WHILE (variable) == FALSE (button inputs for the rest of the game) WEND

You could use "WHILE a variable is true", then set the variable to false once you press A. Then use another WHILE loop for the game.

You could use BGGET for whatever coordinates the player is at. If the BGGET variable is equal to the ladder's tile number, you can run a special ladder climbing code. Sorry if this is a bad explanation.