RPG MAKER 2003 ABS CHARSET SPRITES

If this is your first time using rm2k3 I really don't recommend making a ABS...it's rather complicated and very time consuming and I recommend something simpler or look into ACE with scripts. But i recommend using IDRAW its a good program to make Charsets/Tilesets...and there is a Zelda Starter kit you can look into which helped me.

here is a link for the zelda starter kit:
http://www.angel-spire.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=713

^ True rm isn't the best tool for action games and there is a lot more tutorial wise for the system is gm

VX is better than 2003 for most if not all purposes (it's newer, and has RGSS programming) other than that awesome nostalgia feel.

Darken meant you should try the program called 'Game Maker' out as it is much more flexible for something like an abs, although it would also mean making things such as the message boxes from RM2k etc yourself. GM Website Here
There are a boat load of versions these days but you can grab a 'lite' version for free which includes almost everything from the full version anyway except a few advanced things.

Edit: Rpg Maker is much more beginner friendly IMO though and good for learning the basics of coding (variables, conditional branches etc)

Can't really offer any advice on RGSS scripting as I don't actually use XP or VX, but the scripting in game maker seems to flow in a similar way to eventing in any rpg maker (variables, if statements etc).

Edit: Basically you could go straight to VX if you wanted and still learn the same things that you would from 2k3 as you don't HAVE to use scripting in VX and could make do with eventing until you learn the basics.

Can't help beyond the basics of keep your code readable, comment everything with scripting in Rpg Maker, I use 2k3 myself so I'm an eventer.

I could help with GML scripting in Game Maker though if you choose to fiddle around with it.