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Difference between revisions of "Sonic hacks"

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'''Sonic hacks''' are Sonic games which are usually edited through the process of [[Hacking|ROM Hacking]]. The Sonic hacking scene started in 1998, led by [[saxman]]. While the first hacks were very basic, such as minor [[palette]] changes, the hacks of today are very complex, usually featuring some combination of the following:
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[[File:s1k.png|thumb|link=Knuckles the Echidna in Sonic the Hedgehog|'''[[Knuckles the Echidna in Sonic the Hedgehog]]''' is a hack that allows a player to play as Knuckles in ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]'']]
 +
'''Sonic hacks''' are Sonic games which are usually edited through the process of [[Hacking|ROM Hacking]]. From the emergence of [[Cyan Helkaraxe]]'s [[Sonic 1 Beta Hoax]] in 1999, the production of '''hacks''' has been a vital part of the Sonic research community. Starting with the early documents penned by Cyan and [[saxman]], to the [[Nemesis]] [[SCHG:Sonic Community Hacking Guide#Nemesis' hacking guides|guides]] and the [[Sonic Community Hacking Guide]], researchers have taken their understanding of the Sonic games and turned them into original creations. While earlier hacks were simple, such as minor [[palette]] changes, a number of hacks today are very complex.  Over time, as the scene learns more about the underlying code behind the ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' series, the extent of these modifications has expanded.  Modifications now include:
 +
* palette changes
 +
* [[sprite]] changes
 +
* major art (title screen, HUD, et al.) changes
 +
* level art changes and original level layouts
 +
* music and sound changes
 +
* importation of levels from other games
 +
* changes in movement engines or bosses
 +
* original concepts and gameplay styles
 +
Today, with the assistance of [[hex editor|hex editors]], [[disassemblies]] and specific [[Sonic Hacking Utilities]], fans have been creating more extensive modifications.
  
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* Palette changes
+
Hacks in the Sonic community are usually distributed as full ROMs today. In the past, [[IPS]] patches were used, since an IPS patch was usually much smaller than the source ROM and therefore easier to distribute in a time when dial-up was widely used. It was also believed that since an IPS patch did not contain any copyrighted code, it was not illegal to distribute one. Many old hacks can still be found as IPS patches.  This format fell out of use when split [[disassembly|disassemblies]] came into use to edit game data, and when dial-up was losing popularity. The massive shifts in the ROM that can result from reassembly made IPS patches very large, and they would often contain a good volume of code anyway, thus eliminating the alleged legal advantage.  Though [[saxman]]'s [[RXL Format]] was meant to eventually replace IPS, it quickly faded into obscurity along with IPS patches.
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* [[Sprite]] changes
 
−
* Major art (title screen, HUD, et al.) changes
 
−
* Level art changes and original level layouts
 
−
* Music and/or sound changes
 
−
* Importation of levels from other games
 
−
* Changes in movement engines or bosses
 
−
* Original ideas and concepts introduced, such as the ring counter in Sonic 2 Delta
 
  
−
Most hacks in the Sonic community are distributed as full ROMs today. In the past, [[IPS]] patches were used, because an IPS patch was usually much smaller than the source ROM and therefore easier to distribute when dial-up was widely used. It was also believed that since an IPS patch did not contain any copyrighted code, it was not illegal to distribute one. Many old hacks can still be found as IPS patches, but the format fell out of use when split [[disassembly|disassemblies]] came into use to edit game data. The massive shifts in the ROM that can result from reassembly made IPS patches very large, and they would often contain code anyway, thus eliminating the alleged legal advantage. Though the [[RXL Format]], developed by [[saxman]], was meant to eventually replace IPS, it quickly faded into obscurity (and probably would have suffered from the same problems anyway).
+
==List of Hacks==
 +
===[[Sega Mega Drive]]===
 +
The majority of Sonic ROM hacks done in the Sonic scene are modifications of Sega Genesis games, since such games are smaller and relatively simple compared to the games of later consoles. Also, many ROM hackers in the Sonic scene grew up with the Genesis and its games, so they hold fond memories of these games.
 +
 
 +
====[[Sonic the Hedgehog (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]====
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<DPL>
 +
category=Sonic the Hedgehog (16-bit) Hacks
 +
columns=3
 +
</DPl>
 +
 
 +
====[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]====
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<DPL>
 +
category=Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit) Hacks
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columns=3
 +
</DPl>
 +
 
 +
====[[Sonic the Hedgehog 3]]====
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<DPL>
 +
category=Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Hacks
 +
columns=3
 +
</DPl>
 +
 
 +
====[[Sonic 3 & Knuckles]]====
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<DPL>
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category=Sonic 3 {{amp}} Knuckles Hacks
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columns=3
 +
</DPl>
 +
 
 +
====[[Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island]]====
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<DPL>
 +
category=Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island Hacks
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columns=3
 +
</DPl>
 +
 
 +
===[[Sega Game Gear]]===
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===[[Sonic Drift 2]]===
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<DPL>
 +
category=Sonic Drift 2 Hacks
 +
columns=3
 +
</DPl>
 +
 
 +
===[[Sonic Triple Trouble]]===
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<DPL>
 +
category=Sonic Triple Trouble Hacks
 +
columns=3
 +
</DPl>
 +
 
 +
===[[Sega Mega CD]]===
 +
====[[Sonic CD]]====
 +
<DPL>
 +
category=Sonic CD Hacks
 +
columns=3
 +
</DPl>
 +
 
 +
===[[Nintendo GameCube]]===
 +
====[[Sonic Adventure DX]]====
 +
Research and modifications of [[Sonic Adventure DX]] has been made much easier through the game's PC port. [[Dude]] and [[MainMemory]] are two of the pioneers in modifying this game.
 +
<DPL>
 +
category=Sonic Adventure DX Hacks
 +
columns=3
 +
</DPl>
 +
 
 +
===Other===
 +
====Unofficial Ports====
 +
<DPL>
 +
category=Unofficial Ports
 +
columns=3
 +
</DPl>
  
 
==Notable hacks==
 
==Notable hacks==
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*''[[Robotnik's Revenge]]'' by [[ColinC10]]
 
*''[[Robotnik's Revenge]]'' by [[ColinC10]]
 
*''[[Sonic 1 Beta Remake]]'' by [[Mistergambit]]
 
*''[[Sonic 1 Beta Remake]]'' by [[Mistergambit]]
 +
*''[[Sonic 1-Metal Sonic Hack]] '' by unknown
 
*''[[Sonic 1 Remastered]]'' by [[Puto]]
 
*''[[Sonic 1 Remastered]]'' by [[Puto]]
 
*''[[Sonic 2 Remastered]]'' by [[Puto]]
 
*''[[Sonic 2 Remastered]]'' by [[Puto]]

Revision as of 20:57, 20 November 2009

File:S1k.png
Knuckles the Echidna in Sonic the Hedgehog is a hack that allows a player to play as Knuckles in Sonic the Hedgehog

Sonic hacks are Sonic games which are usually edited through the process of ROM Hacking. From the emergence of Cyan Helkaraxe's Sonic 1 Beta Hoax in 1999, the production of hacks has been a vital part of the Sonic research community. Starting with the early documents penned by Cyan and saxman, to the Nemesis guides and the Sonic Community Hacking Guide, researchers have taken their understanding of the Sonic games and turned them into original creations. While earlier hacks were simple, such as minor palette changes, a number of hacks today are very complex. Over time, as the scene learns more about the underlying code behind the Sonic the Hedgehog series, the extent of these modifications has expanded. Modifications now include:

  • palette changes
  • sprite changes
  • major art (title screen, HUD, et al.) changes
  • level art changes and original level layouts
  • music and sound changes
  • importation of levels from other games
  • changes in movement engines or bosses
  • original concepts and gameplay styles

Today, with the assistance of hex editors, disassemblies and specific Sonic Hacking Utilities, fans have been creating more extensive modifications.

Hacks in the Sonic community are usually distributed as full ROMs today. In the past, IPS patches were used, since an IPS patch was usually much smaller than the source ROM and therefore easier to distribute in a time when dial-up was widely used. It was also believed that since an IPS patch did not contain any copyrighted code, it was not illegal to distribute one. Many old hacks can still be found as IPS patches. This format fell out of use when split disassemblies came into use to edit game data, and when dial-up was losing popularity. The massive shifts in the ROM that can result from reassembly made IPS patches very large, and they would often contain a good volume of code anyway, thus eliminating the alleged legal advantage. Though saxman's RXL Format was meant to eventually replace IPS, it quickly faded into obscurity along with IPS patches.

List of Hacks

Sega Mega Drive

The majority of Sonic ROM hacks done in the Sonic scene are modifications of Sega Genesis games, since such games are smaller and relatively simple compared to the games of later consoles. Also, many ROM hackers in the Sonic scene grew up with the Genesis and its games, so they hold fond memories of these games.

Sonic the Hedgehog

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Sonic the Hedgehog 2

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Sonic the Hedgehog 3

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Sonic 3 & Knuckles

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Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island

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Sega Game Gear

Sonic Drift 2

Extension:DynamicPageList (DPL), version 3.3.3: Warning: No results.

Sonic Triple Trouble

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Sega Mega CD

Sonic CD

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Nintendo GameCube

Sonic Adventure DX

Research and modifications of Sonic Adventure DX has been made much easier through the game's PC port. Dude and MainMemory are two of the pioneers in modifying this game.

Extension:DynamicPageList (DPL), version 3.3.3: Warning: No results.

Other

Unofficial Ports

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Notable hacks

In alphabetical order

Mega Drive/Genesis

Mega CD

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