Difference between revisions of "Sonic hacks"
From Sonic Retro
(→List of hacks: Clarification: more notable hacks are listed separately) |
(Links, formatting) |
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| − | [[File:s1k.png|thumb|link=Knuckles the Echidna in Sonic the Hedgehog|'' | + | [[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 the Echidna in ''Sonic the Hedgehog'', a feature that Sega intended to be possible using Lock-On Technology, but ultimately removed due to technical problems.]] |
| − | '''Sonic hacks''' are Sonic games | + | |
| − | * palette changes | + | '''Sonic hacks''' are altered versions of Sonic games that have been edited through the process of [[sega:ROM 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 and [[Sonic scene|scene]]. Starting with the early documents penned by Cyan and [[saxman]], to the [[Nemesis']] [[SCHG:Sonic Community Hacking Guide#Nemesis' hacking guides|guides]], the [[Sonic Community Hacking Guide]], and beyond, researchers have used their understanding of the ''Sonic'' games to alter them in various ways. While earlier hacks were simple, such as minor [[sega:palette|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: |
| − | * [[sprite]] changes | + | |
| − | * major art (title screen, HUD, et al.) changes | + | * [[sega:palette|palette]] changes |
| + | * [[sega:sprite|sprite]] changes | ||
| + | * major art (title screen, [[HUD]], ''et al.'') changes | ||
* level art changes and original level layouts | * level art changes and original level layouts | ||
* music and sound changes | * music and sound changes | ||
| Line 9: | Line 11: | ||
* changes in movement engines or bosses | * changes in movement engines or bosses | ||
* original concepts and gameplay styles | * original concepts and gameplay styles | ||
| − | |||
| − | Hacks in the Sonic community are usually distributed as full | + | Today, with the assistance of [[sega:hex editor|hex editor]]s, [[disassemblies]] and specific [[Sonic Hacking Utilities]], fans have been creating more extensive modifications. |
| + | |||
| + | Hacks in the Sonic community are now usually distributed as full [[sega:ROM|ROM]]s. In the past, [[sega:IPS|IPS]] [[sega:patch|patch]]es were used, since these are usually much smaller than a full ROM and were therefore easier to distribute in a time when dial-up was widely used. It was also believed, that since patches do not contain any copyrighted code, it was not illegal to distribute one. This format fell out of use when split [[disassembly|disassemblies]] became available as a way to edit game data, and when dial-up was being replaced by faster broadband connections. 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 [[sega:RXL|RXL]] patch format was designed to replace IPS, it quickly faded into obscurity along with its predecessor. | ||
==List of hacks== | ==List of hacks== | ||
| Line 17: | Line 20: | ||
===[[Sega Mega Drive]]=== | ===[[Sega Mega Drive]]=== | ||
| − | The majority of Sonic ROM hacks | + | The majority of Sonic ROM hacks are modifications of [[sega:Sega Megadrive|Sega Mega Drive / Genesis]] games, since these 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]]==== | + | ====''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]''==== |
<DPL> | <DPL> | ||
category=Sonic the Hedgehog (16-bit) Hacks | category=Sonic the Hedgehog (16-bit) Hacks | ||
format = ,\n* [[%PAGE%|%TITLE%]],, | format = ,\n* [[%PAGE%|%TITLE%]],, | ||
columns=3 | columns=3 | ||
| − | </ | + | </DPL> |
| − | + | ====''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]''==== | |
| − | ====[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]==== | ||
<DPL> | <DPL> | ||
category=Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit) Hacks | category=Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit) Hacks | ||
format = ,\n* [[%PAGE%|%TITLE%]],, | format = ,\n* [[%PAGE%|%TITLE%]],, | ||
columns=3 | columns=3 | ||
| − | </ | + | </DPL> |
| − | + | ====''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 3]]''==== | |
| − | ====[[Sonic the Hedgehog 3]]==== | ||
<DPL> | <DPL> | ||
category=Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Hacks | category=Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Hacks | ||
format = ,\n* [[%PAGE%|%TITLE%]],, | format = ,\n* [[%PAGE%|%TITLE%]],, | ||
columns=3 | columns=3 | ||
| − | </ | + | </DPL> |
| − | + | ====''[[Sonic 3 & Knuckles]]''==== | |
| − | ====[[Sonic 3 & Knuckles]]==== | ||
<DPL> | <DPL> | ||
category=Sonic 3 {{amp}} Knuckles Hacks | category=Sonic 3 {{amp}} Knuckles Hacks | ||
format = ,\n* [[%PAGE%|%TITLE%]],, | format = ,\n* [[%PAGE%|%TITLE%]],, | ||
columns=3 | columns=3 | ||
| − | </ | + | </DPL> |
| − | + | ====''[[Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island]]''==== | |
| − | ====[[Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island]]==== | ||
<DPL> | <DPL> | ||
category=Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island Hacks | category=Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island Hacks | ||
format = ,\n* [[%PAGE%|%TITLE%]],, | format = ,\n* [[%PAGE%|%TITLE%]],, | ||
columns=3 | columns=3 | ||
| − | </ | + | </DPL> |
| − | + | ===[[sega:Sega Game Gear|Sega Game Gear]]=== | |
| − | ===[[Sega Game Gear]]=== | + | ====''[[Sonic Drift 2]]''==== |
| − | ====[[Sonic Drift 2]]==== | ||
<DPL> | <DPL> | ||
category=Sonic Drift 2 Hacks | category=Sonic Drift 2 Hacks | ||
format = ,\n* [[%PAGE%|%TITLE%]],, | format = ,\n* [[%PAGE%|%TITLE%]],, | ||
columns=3 | columns=3 | ||
| − | </ | + | </DPL> |
| − | + | ====''[[Sonic Triple Trouble]]''==== | |
| − | ====[[Sonic Triple Trouble]]==== | ||
<DPL> | <DPL> | ||
category=Sonic Triple Trouble Hacks | category=Sonic Triple Trouble Hacks | ||
format = ,\n* [[%PAGE%|%TITLE%]],, | format = ,\n* [[%PAGE%|%TITLE%]],, | ||
columns=3 | columns=3 | ||
| − | </ | + | </DPL> |
| − | + | ===[[sega:Sega Mega CD|Sega Mega CD]]=== | |
| − | ===[[Sega Mega CD]]=== | + | ====''[[Sonic the Hedgehog CD]]''==== |
| − | ====[[Sonic CD]]==== | ||
<DPL> | <DPL> | ||
category=Sonic CD Hacks | category=Sonic CD Hacks | ||
format = ,\n* [[%PAGE%|%TITLE%]],, | format = ,\n* [[%PAGE%|%TITLE%]],, | ||
columns=3 | columns=3 | ||
| − | </ | + | </DPL> |
| − | + | ===[[sega:Nintendo GameCube|Nintendo GameCube]]=== | |
| − | ===[[Nintendo GameCube]]=== | + | ====''[[Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut]]''==== |
| − | ====[[Sonic Adventure DX]]==== | + | Research and modifications of ''Sonic Adventure DX'' has been made much easier by the game's availability on PC. [[Dude]] and [[MainMemory]] are two of the pioneers in modifying this game. |
| − | Research and modifications of | ||
<DPL> | <DPL> | ||
category=Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut Hacks | category=Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut Hacks | ||
format = ,\n* [[%PAGE%|%TITLE%]],, | format = ,\n* [[%PAGE%|%TITLE%]],, | ||
columns=3 | columns=3 | ||
| − | </ | + | </DPL> |
| − | |||
===Other=== | ===Other=== | ||
| − | ====Unofficial | + | ====Unofficial ports==== |
<DPL> | <DPL> | ||
category=Unofficial Ports | category=Unofficial Ports | ||
format = ,\n* [[%PAGE%|%TITLE%]],, | format = ,\n* [[%PAGE%|%TITLE%]],, | ||
columns=3 | columns=3 | ||
| − | </ | + | </DPL> |
==Notable hacks== | ==Notable hacks== | ||
''In alphabetical order'' | ''In alphabetical order'' | ||
| − | ===Mega Drive/Genesis=== | + | ===[[sega:Sega Mega Drive|Sega Mega Drive / Genesis]]=== |
<!--- This is a list of notable or well-known hacks. If you add your hack to this list, it may be deleted. ---> | <!--- This is a list of notable or well-known hacks. If you add your hack to this list, it may be deleted. ---> | ||
*''[[Eggman in Sonic 1]]'' (a.k.a. ''Eggman the Dictator'') by [[LOst]] | *''[[Eggman in Sonic 1]]'' (a.k.a. ''Eggman the Dictator'') by [[LOst]] | ||
| Line 125: | Line 119: | ||
*''[[Tohaka]]'' by [[Ultima]] | *''[[Tohaka]]'' by [[Ultima]] | ||
| − | ===Mega CD=== | + | ===[[sega:Sega Mega CD|Sega Mega CD]]=== |
*''[[Sonic Megamix]]'' by [[Team Megamix]] | *''[[Sonic Megamix]]'' by [[Team Megamix]] | ||
*''[[Sonic for MegaCD]]'' by [[Stealth]] | *''[[Sonic for MegaCD]]'' by [[Stealth]] | ||
Revision as of 01:57, 22 June 2010
Sonic hacks are altered versions of Sonic games that have been 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 and scene. Starting with the early documents penned by Cyan and saxman, to the Nemesis' guides, the Sonic Community Hacking Guide, and beyond, researchers have used their understanding of the Sonic games to alter them in various ways. 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 now usually distributed as full ROMs. In the past, IPS patches were used, since these are usually much smaller than a full ROM and were therefore easier to distribute in a time when dial-up was widely used. It was also believed, that since patches do not contain any copyrighted code, it was not illegal to distribute one. This format fell out of use when split disassemblies became available as a way to edit game data, and when dial-up was being replaced by faster broadband connections. 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 patch format was designed to replace IPS, it quickly faded into obscurity along with its predecessor.
Contents
List of hacks
(The most notable hacks are listed separately below.)
Sega Mega Drive
The majority of Sonic ROM hacks are modifications of Sega Mega Drive / Genesis games, since these 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
Extension:DynamicPageList (DPL), version 3.3.3: Warning: No results.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Extension:DynamicPageList (DPL), version 3.3.3: Warning: No results.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Extension:DynamicPageList (DPL), version 3.3.3: Warning: No results.
Sonic 3 & Knuckles
Extension:DynamicPageList (DPL), version 3.3.3: Warning: Skipping bad option 'Sonic 3 Template:Amp Knuckles Hacks' for parameter 'category'.
Extension:DynamicPageList (DPL), version 3.3.3: Error: No selection criteria found! You must use at least one of the following parameters: category, namespace, titlematch, linksto, uses, createdby, modifiedby, lastmodifiedby, or their 'not' variants
Extension:DynamicPageList (DPL), version 3.3.3: Warning: No results.
Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island
Extension:DynamicPageList (DPL), version 3.3.3: Warning: No results.
Sega Game Gear
Sonic Drift 2
Extension:DynamicPageList (DPL), version 3.3.3: Warning: No results.
Sonic Triple Trouble
Extension:DynamicPageList (DPL), version 3.3.3: Warning: No results.
Sega Mega CD
Sonic the Hedgehog CD
Extension:DynamicPageList (DPL), version 3.3.3: Warning: No results.
Nintendo GameCube
Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut
Research and modifications of Sonic Adventure DX has been made much easier by the game's availability on PC. 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
Extension:DynamicPageList (DPL), version 3.3.3: Warning: No results.
Notable hacks
In alphabetical order
Sega Mega Drive / Genesis
- Eggman in Sonic 1 (a.k.a. Eggman the Dictator) by LOst
- Knuckles the Echidna in Sonic the Hedgehog by Stealth
- Project Shadow 2 by JohnnyUK
- Robotnik's Revenge by ColinC10
- Sonic 1 Beta Remake by Mistergambit
- Sonic 1 Remastered by Puto
- Sonic 2 Remastered by Puto
- Sonic 1 Return to the Origin
- Sonic 2: Advanced Edit by Rika Chou
- Sonic 2: Aluminum Edition by Dr. Eggfan
- Sonic 2 Delta by Esrael
- Sonic 2 Long Version by Sonic Hachelle-Bee
- Sonic 2 & Knuckles Long Version by Sonic Hachelle-Bee
- Sonic 2 SMTP by SMTP
- Sonic 3 Delta by Esrael
- Sonic Boom by SÆGA
- Sonic Gaiden by Yuski the Dog
- Sonic in Chaotix by JJFTails
- South Island Adventure by Hivebrain
- Sonic - The Lost Land by Shadow Fire
- Sonic the Hedgehog Extended Edition by Cinossu
- Sonic the Hedgehog Plus by Hivebrain
- Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (colourised ending hack) by Nemesis
- Tails in Sonic 1 by drx
- Tohaka by Ultima