Actions

Difference between revisions of "Sonic hacks"

From Sonic Retro

(10 intermediate revisions by 5 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
[[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.]]
 
[[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 [[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:
+
'''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:
  
 
* [[sega:palette|palette]] changes
 
* [[sega:palette|palette]] changes
Line 14: Line 14:
 
Today, with the assistance of [[sega:hex editor|hex editor]]s, [[disassemblies]] and specific [[Sonic Hacking Utilities]], fans have been creating more extensive modifications.  
 
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 [[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.)
+
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.)
  
==Hack list==
+
==List of notable ''Sonic'' hacks==
{{Seealso|Sonic_hacks#Notable_hacks|Notable Sonic hacks}}
 
 
===[[Sega Mega Drive]]===
 
===[[Sega Mega Drive]]===
 
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.
 
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.
Line 24: Line 23:
 
<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>
 
</DPL>
Line 31: Line 30:
 
<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>
 
</DPL>
Line 37: Line 36:
 
<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>
 
</DPL>
Line 43: Line 42:
 
<DPL>
 
<DPL>
 
category=Sonic & Knuckles hacks
 
category=Sonic & Knuckles hacks
format = ,\n* [[%PAGE%|%TITLE%]],,
+
format = ,\n* ''[[%PAGE%|%TITLE%]]'',,
 
columns=3
 
columns=3
 
</DPL>
 
</DPL>
  
====''[[Sonic 3 & Knuckles]]''====
+
====''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles]]''====
 
<DPL>
 
<DPL>
category=Sonic 3 & Knuckles hacks
+
category=Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles hacks
format = ,\n* [[%PAGE%|%TITLE%]],,
+
format = ,\n* ''[[%PAGE%|%TITLE%]]'',,
 
columns=3
 
columns=3
 
</DPL>
 
</DPL>
Line 57: Line 56:
 
<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>
 
</DPL>
Line 65: Line 64:
 
<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>
 
</DPL>
Line 71: Line 70:
 
<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>
 
</DPL>
Line 88: Line 87:
 
<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>
 
</DPL>
Line 96: Line 95:
 
<DPL>
 
<DPL>
 
category=Unofficial ports
 
category=Unofficial ports
format = ,\n* [[%PAGE%|%TITLE%]],,
+
format = ,\n* ''[[%PAGE%|%TITLE%]]'',,
 
columns=3
 
columns=3
 
</DPL>
 
</DPL>
  
==Notable hacks==
+
==References==
''In alphabetical order''
+
<references />
 
 
===[[sega:Sega Mega Drive|Sega Mega Drive]]===
 
<!--- This is a list of notable or well-known hacks. If you add your hack to this list, it may be deleted. --->
 
*''[[Endless Engine]]'' by [[User:Unkn0onm User|Unkn0onm User]]
 
*''[[Doctor Robotnik's Creature Capture]]'' by [[User:MarkeyJester|MarkeyJester]]
 
*''[[Eggman in Sonic 1]]'' (a.k.a. ''Eggman the Dictator'') by [[User:LOst|LOst]]
 
*''[[Knuckles the Echidna in Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' by [[Stealth]]
 
*''[[Metal Sonic Hyperdrive]]'' by Darkon360
 
*''[[Pana Der Hejhog]]'' by [[User:MarkeyJester|MarkeyJester]]
 
*''[[Project Shadow 2]]'' by [[User:JohnnyUK|JohnnyUK]]
 
*''[[Robotnik's Revenge]]'' by [[User:ColinC10|ColinC10]]
 
*''[[Sonic 1 Beta Remake]]'' by [[User:Mistergambit|Mistergambit]]
 
*''[[Sonic 1 Remastered (hack)]]'' by [[User:Puto|Puto]]
 
*''[[Sonic 1 Return to the Origin]]''
 
*''[[Sonic 2: Advanced Edit]]'' by [[User:Rika Chou|Rika Chou]]
 
*''[[Sonic 2: Aluminium Edition]]'' by [[User:Doc eggfan|Dr. Eggfan]]
 
*''[[Sonic 2 Delta]]'' by [[User:Esrael|Esrael]]
 
*''[[Sonic 2 Long Version]]'' by [[User:Sonic Hachelle-Bee|Sonic Hachelle-Bee]]
 
*''[[Sonic 2 & Knuckles Long Version]]'' by [[User:Sonic Hachelle-Bee|Sonic Hachelle-Bee]]
 
*''[[Sonic 2 SMTP]]'' by [[User:SMTP|SMTP]]
 
*''[[Sonic 3 Complete]]'' by [[User:Tiddles|Tiddles]]
 
*''[[Sonic 3 Delta]]'' by [[User:Esrael|Esrael]]
 
*''[[Sonic Boom (hack)|Sonic Boom]]'' by [[SÆGA]]
 
*''[[Sonic Gaiden]]'' by [[User:Yuski|Yuski the Dog]]
 
*''[[Sonic in Chaotix]]'' by [[User:JJ-Fox|JJFTails]]
 
*''[[South Island Adventure]]'' by [[User:Hivebrain|Hivebrain]]
 
*''[[Sonic - The Lost Land]]'' by [[User:Shadow Fire|Shadow Fire]]
 
*''[[Sonic the Hedgehog Extended Edition]]'' by [[User:Cinossu|Cinossu]]
 
*''[[Sonic the Hedgehog Plus]]'' by [[User:Hivebrain|Hivebrain]]
 
*''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (colourised ending hack)]]'' by [[User:Nemesis|Nemesis]]
 
*''[[Tails in Sonic 1]]'' by [[User:Drx|drx]]
 
*''[[The S Factor: Sonia and Silver]]'' by [[Aquaslash & Pals]]
 
*''[[Tohaka]]'' by [[User:Ultima|Ultima]]
 
 
 
===[[sega:Sega Mega-CD|Sega Mega-CD]]===
 
*''[[Sonic Megamix]]'' by [[Team Megamix]]
 
*''[[Sonic for MegaCD]]'' by [[Stealth]]
 
  
 
[[Category:Hacks| ]]
 
[[Category:Hacks| ]]
 
[[Category:Hacking information]]
 
[[Category:Hacking information]]

Revision as of 19:14, 21 August 2019

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, [1], 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