Forum >> Geek >> ROM Hacks!

Well, this thread is about making ROM hacks. Don't post the actual ROM. Post some screenshots. You can post screenshots of ROM hacks you are currently working on. I can't post screenshots. I try uploading it on pcmunkey.net, but IT WON'T LET ME. *sigh* I may as well put a ROM hacks page on my website. Anyway, are any of you working on ROM hacks?

I'm working on a Super Mario Bros. hack called "Save the Koopas!". I'm making this to support the Koopas. The game will have ABSOLUTELY NO KOOPA KILLING. Well, except the koopa in a Bowser costume. In 2-4. But that koopa is an EVIL one that SUPPORTS Bowser. I'm making it so that the mushroom retainers are Koopas.

How much done: 0% I've just started! Cut me some slack.

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Sounds okay. Anyway, the actual owner doesn't really care now... this is kinda legal...

Actually, it is NOT legal. Nintendo made Super Mario Bros. 1, and Nintendo is still in business.

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Sorry,buddy,I'm with Nintendo.*shows badge* you just broke the law.I'm going to have to take you away.*drags Dusty away to Nintendo HQ.*Your friend knew too much.
My point is:if it's illegal than why tell everyone on Laf about it?You never know who's watching.

I'm stuck in a world that does not exist
There are people,but they are not real
They speak for hours,yet don't say a word
Their lives are right here yet they have no life
They're isolated,yet connected to all
We're always in this place, but not really there at all
All we see is a blinding light, we never hear a call
What am I to do
When I'm stuck in a world that does not exist
Left with a pain that is all but bliss.

We can mention them. But we can't offer or request. We can post screenshots. But we can't post the actual hack.

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Okay,then..As long as it's legal.
Dusty:go check Sakura's forum.

I'm stuck in a world that does not exist
There are people,but they are not real
They speak for hours,yet don't say a word
Their lives are right here yet they have no life
They're isolated,yet connected to all
We're always in this place, but not really there at all
All we see is a blinding light, we never hear a call
What am I to do
When I'm stuck in a world that does not exist
Left with a pain that is all but bliss.

Already checked it. And replied. Anyway, I'm going to work on the hack tomorrow. I'll pribably get done levels 1-1 to 3-1 or something like that.

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How do you make ROM hacks?

Go Protoman, and Link, and Zero, and Roll, and Shadic(who likes AOL)!

You need a level editor. They can be found anywhere on the internet. For example, for a SMB1 level editor, go to acmlm.overclocked.org, then click on Downloads or Level Editors. YYMario is the level editor I use for SMB1 hacks.

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This is what IPS patches are for. They contain the changes you make to a ROM and then someone else can download it and install it on their ROM and have those changes made. IPS patches aren't copyrighted, so you can freely distribute them.

What you're doing isn't really ROM hacking. It's just level editing. ROM hacking actually consists of going into the ROM's source code and changing it. This requires knowledge of Assembly (good luck if you feel like learning it). Level editing is still classed as ROM hacking, but really shouldn't because you're not hacking anything, you're just using someone else's program to edit things.

<LINK>http://www.zophar.net/hacks/nes.html</LINK> -- Nice list of IPS patches for many games (including a lot of Mario and Zelda edits).

Ok, can someone please outline the 'illeagal' part of this? I know what ROM hacks are, and I think I know why they might be illeagal, but could someone please tell me excactly why?