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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.]]
  
==Summary==
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'''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 [[User:Cyan|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 [[User:Saxman|saxman]], to the [[User:Nemesis|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:
Hacks are edited Sonic games. The Hacking scene started around 1997, 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:
 
  
* Palette changes
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* [[sega:palette|palette]] changes
* [[Sprite]] changes
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* [[sega:sprite|sprite]] changes
* Major art (title screen, HUD, et al.) changes
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* major art (title screen, [[HUD]], ''et al.'') changes
* Level art changes and orignial level layouts
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* level art changes and original level layouts
* Music and/or sound changes
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* music and sound changes
* Importation of levels and/or from other games
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* importation of levels from other games
* Changes in movement engines or bosses
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* changes in movement engines or bosses
* Original ideas and concepts introduced, such as the ring counter in Sonic 2 Delta
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* original concepts and gameplay styles
  
Most hacks are distributed in [[IPS format]] today. Though the [[RXL format]], developed by Saxman, was meant to eventually replace IPS, it quickly faded into obscurity. Applying an IPS patch to an existing Sonic game allows a user to play the hacked version.
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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 that deserve recognition==
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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 [[User:Saxman|saxman]]'s [[sega:RXL|RXL]] patch format was designed to replace IPS, it quickly faded into obscurity along with its predecessor. Another format, [http://xdelta.org/ xdelta], takes shifted data into account, resulting in much smaller patches. (Note that xdelta-1.x used the original format known as xdelta; xdelta-3.x uses the standard [[wikipedia:VCDIFF|VCDIFF]] format.)
''In alphabetical order''
 
  
===Megadrive/Genesis===
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==List of notable ''Sonic'' hacks==
*[[Eggman in Sonic 1]] (a.k.a. Eggman the Dictator)
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===[[Sega Mega Drive]]===
*[[Project Shadow]]
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The majority of Sonic ROM hacks are modifications of [[sega:Sega Megadrive|Sega Mega Drive]] 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 1 Plus]]
 
*[[Sonic 2: Advanced Edit]]
 
*[[Sonic 2: Aluminum Edition]]
 
*[[Sonic 2 Delta]]
 
*[[Sonic Gaiden]]
 
*[[South Island Adventure]]
 
*[[Tohaka]]
 
  
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====''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]''====
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<DPL>
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category=Sonic the Hedgehog (16-bit) hacks
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format = ,\n* ''[[%PAGE%|%TITLE%]]'',,
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columns=3
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</DPL>
  
===Gameboy Advance===
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====''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]''====
''none yet''
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<DPL>
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category=Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit) hacks
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format = ,\n* ''[[%PAGE%|%TITLE%]]'',,
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columns=3
 +
</DPL>
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====''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 3]]''====
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<DPL>
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category=Sonic the Hedgehog 3 hacks
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format = ,\n* ''[[%PAGE%|%TITLE%]]'',,
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columns=3
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</DPL>
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====''[[Sonic & Knuckles]]''====
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<DPL>
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category=Sonic & Knuckles hacks
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format = ,\n* ''[[%PAGE%|%TITLE%]]'',,
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columns=3
 +
</DPL>
  
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====''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles]]''====
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<DPL>
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category=Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles hacks
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format = ,\n* ''[[%PAGE%|%TITLE%]]'',,
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columns=3
 +
</DPL>
  
===Other Systems===
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====''[[Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island]]''====
*[[Shadow Adventure]] (PC)
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<DPL>
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category=Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island hacks
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format = ,\n* ''[[%PAGE%|%TITLE%]]'',,
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columns=3
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</DPL>
  
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===[[sega:Sega Game Gear|Sega Game Gear]]===
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====''[[Sonic Drift 2]]''====
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<DPL>
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category=Sonic Drift 2 hacks
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format = ,\n* ''[[%PAGE%|%TITLE%]]'',,
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columns=3
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</DPL>
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====''[[Sonic Triple Trouble]]''====
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<DPL>
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category=Sonic Triple Trouble hacks
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format = ,\n* ''[[%PAGE%|%TITLE%]]'',,
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columns=3
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</DPL>
  
''Feel free to add any other hacks that you feel are worthy''
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===[[sega:Sega Mega-CD|Sega Mega-CD]]===
[[Category:Hacks]]
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====''[[Sonic the Hedgehog CD]]''====
[[Category:Hacking Information]]
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<DPL>
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category=Sonic the Hedgehog CD hacks
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format = ,\n* [[%PAGE%|%TITLE%]],,
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columns=3
 +
</DPL>
 +
 
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===[[sega:Nintendo GameCube|Nintendo GameCube]]===
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====''[[Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut]]''====
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Research and modifications of ''Sonic Adventure DX'' have been made much easier by the game's availability on PC. [[User:Dude|Dude]], [[User:MainMemory|MainMemory]] and [[User:Endri|Endri]] are considered pioneers in modifying this game.
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<DPL>
 +
category=Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut hacks
 +
format = ,\n* ''[[%PAGE%|%TITLE%]]'',,
 +
columns=3
 +
</DPL>
 +
 
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===Other===
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====Unofficial ports====
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<DPL>
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category=Unofficial ports
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format = ,\n* ''[[%PAGE%|%TITLE%]]'',,
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columns=3
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</DPL>
 +
 
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==References==
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<references />
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[[Category:Hacks| ]]
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[[Category:Hacking information]]

Revision as of 08:44, 10 August 2018

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. Another format, xdelta, takes shifted data into account, resulting in much smaller patches. (Note that xdelta-1.x used the original format known as xdelta; xdelta-3.x uses the standard VCDIFF format.)

List of notable Sonic hacks

Sega Mega Drive

The majority of Sonic ROM hacks are modifications of Sega Mega Drive 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

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles

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

References