Difference between revisions of "Sonic hacks"
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* Original ideas and concepts introduced, such as the ring counter in Sonic 2 Delta | * Original ideas and concepts introduced, such as the ring counter in Sonic 2 Delta | ||
| − | Most hacks are distributed | + | Most hacks 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. 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 people started using split [[disassembly|disassemblies]] to edit the 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 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). |
==Notable hacks== | ==Notable hacks== | ||
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*''[[Project Shadow 2]]'' by [[JohnnyUK]] | *''[[Project Shadow 2]]'' by [[JohnnyUK]] | ||
*''[[Sonic 1 Beta Remake]]'' by [[Mistergambit]] | *''[[Sonic 1 Beta Remake]]'' by [[Mistergambit]] | ||
| − | *''[[Sonic 1 Megamix]]'' by [[ | + | *''[[Sonic 1 Megamix]]'' by [[Team Megamix]] |
*''[[Sonic 1 Remastered]]'' by [[Pu7o]] | *''[[Sonic 1 Remastered]]'' by [[Pu7o]] | ||
*''[[Sonic 1 Return to the Origin]]'' | *''[[Sonic 1 Return to the Origin]]'' | ||
Revision as of 00:16, 31 December 2007
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
- 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 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. 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 people started using split disassemblies to edit the 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 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).
Notable hacks
In alphabetical order
Megadrive/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
- Sonic 1 Beta Remake by Mistergambit
- Sonic 1 Megamix by Team Megamix
- Sonic 1 Remastered by Pu7o
- 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 Gaiden by Yuski the Dog
- 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
- Tails in Sonic 1 by drx
- Tohaka by Ultima