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Difference between revisions of "Sonic hacks"

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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 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.]]
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[[File:s1k.png|thumb|320px|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 altered versions of [[Sonic the Hedgehog]] 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:
 
'''Sonic hacks''' are altered versions of [[Sonic the Hedgehog]] 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:
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==List of hacks==
 
==List of hacks==
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(The most notable hacks are listed separately below.)
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{{Seealso|Sonic_hacks#Notable_hacks|Notable Sonic hacks}}
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===[[Sega Mega Drive]]===
 
===[[Sega Mega Drive]]===
 
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.
 
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.
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====''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]''====
 
====''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]''====
 
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====''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]''====
 
====''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]''====
 
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====''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 3]]''====
 
====''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 3]]''====
 
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====''[[Sonic & Knuckles]]''====
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====''[[Sonic 3 & Knuckles]]''====
 
====''[[Sonic 3 & Knuckles]]''====
 
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====''[[Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island]]''====
 
====''[[Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island]]''====
 
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===[[sega:Sega Game Gear|Sega Game Gear]]===
 
===[[sega:Sega Game Gear|Sega Game Gear]]===
 
====''[[Sonic Drift 2]]''====
 
====''[[Sonic Drift 2]]''====
 
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====''[[Sonic Triple Trouble]]''====
 
====''[[Sonic Triple Trouble]]''====
 
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===[[sega:Sega Mega CD|Sega Mega CD]]===
 
===[[sega:Sega Mega CD|Sega Mega CD]]===
 
====''[[Sonic the Hedgehog CD]]''====
 
====''[[Sonic the Hedgehog CD]]''====
 
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===[[sega:Nintendo GameCube|Nintendo GameCube]]===
 
===[[sega:Nintendo GameCube|Nintendo GameCube]]===
 
====''[[Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut]]''====
 
====''[[Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut]]''====
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Research and modifications of ''Sonic Adventure DX'' has been made much easier by the game's availability on PC. [[Dude]],[[MainMemory]] and [[Endri]] are two of the pioneers in modifying this game.
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Research and modifications of ''Sonic Adventure DX'' have been made much easier by the game's availability on PC. [[Dude]], [[MainMemory]] and [[Endri]] are considered pioneers in modifying this game.
 
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====Unofficial ports====
 
====Unofficial ports====
 
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*''[[Sonic 1 Beta Remake]]'' by [[Mistergambit]]
 
*''[[Sonic 1 Beta Remake]]'' by [[Mistergambit]]
 
*''[[Sonic 1 Remastered]]'' by [[Puto]]
 
*''[[Sonic 1 Remastered]]'' by [[Puto]]
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*''[[Sonic 2 Remastered]]'' by [[Puto]]
 
 
*''[[Sonic 1 Return to the Origin]]''
 
*''[[Sonic 1 Return to the Origin]]''
 
*''[[Sonic 2: Advanced Edit]]'' by [[Rika Chou]]
 
*''[[Sonic 2: Advanced Edit]]'' by [[Rika Chou]]
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*''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (colourised ending hack)]]'' by [[Nemesis]]
 
*''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (colourised ending hack)]]'' by [[Nemesis]]
 
*''[[Tails in Sonic 1]]'' by [[drx]]
 
*''[[Tails in Sonic 1]]'' by [[drx]]
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*''[[The S Factor: Sonia and Silver]]'' by [[Aquaslash & Pals]]
 
*''[[Tohaka]]'' by [[Ultima]]
 
*''[[Tohaka]]'' by [[Ultima]]
  
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[[Category:Hacks| ]]
 
[[Category:Hacks| ]]
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[[Category:Hacking Information]]
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[[Category:Hacking information]]

Revision as of 20:39, 20 January 2012

File:S1k.png
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 altered versions of Sonic the Hedgehog 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.

List of hacks

Sonic Retro emblem.svg See also: Notable Sonic hacks

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

Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Sonic the Hedgehog 3

Sonic & Knuckles

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Sonic 3 & Knuckles

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Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island

Sega Game Gear

Sonic Drift 2

Sonic Triple Trouble

Sega Mega CD

Sonic the Hedgehog CD

Nintendo GameCube

Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut

Research and modifications of Sonic Adventure DX have been made much easier by the game's availability on PC. Dude, MainMemory and Endri are considered pioneers in modifying this game.

Other

Unofficial ports

Notable hacks

In alphabetical order

Sega Mega Drive / Genesis

Sega Mega CD

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