Post by dlevere on Jul 24, 2012 12:50:00 GMT -4
By Benj Edwards
The Internet has given rise to many wonderful amateur creations, some of which would not exist in a world strictly controlled by intellectual property holders (*cough* SOPA). "No game is an island," I like to say, and never has that saying been more applicable than when discussing ROM hacks — that is, classic console video games that have been modified by fans.
We call them ROM hacks because they consist of modified "ROM files," which are captured images of the original ROM chips found in classic game cartridges. These hacks typically rearrange and remix graphics, levels, and even game features to provide completely new gaming experiences that retain a hint of the familiar nostalgia many of us grew up with. The height of the game hacking scene currently revolves around the 8-bit Nintendo Entertainment System by virtue of that console's popularity and nostalgic appeal, but fans hack games for just about every console.
You're about to see 10 stand-out hacks that span the NES, Super NES, Genesis, and Nintendo 64 platforms. I won't lie to you and say that obtaining playable versions of these hacks is easy.
Because of copyright laws, we can't provide fully playable versions of these games. Instead, you'll have to find the original game ROM files (try Google), download patch files linked in this slideshow (which contain the hacked changes to the games), and then apply the patches yourself. It's going to be frustrating, but it is worth the effort.
For a good tutorial on ROM patching, read this nice FAQ written by Romhacking.net. My personal favorite Windows-based patching tool is Lunar IPS, though you can find patching utilities for other platforms here.
With that out of the way, let the hacking begin!
Click here to see "10 Classic Video Game Hacks Everyone Should Play" slideshow.
The Internet has given rise to many wonderful amateur creations, some of which would not exist in a world strictly controlled by intellectual property holders (*cough* SOPA). "No game is an island," I like to say, and never has that saying been more applicable than when discussing ROM hacks — that is, classic console video games that have been modified by fans.
We call them ROM hacks because they consist of modified "ROM files," which are captured images of the original ROM chips found in classic game cartridges. These hacks typically rearrange and remix graphics, levels, and even game features to provide completely new gaming experiences that retain a hint of the familiar nostalgia many of us grew up with. The height of the game hacking scene currently revolves around the 8-bit Nintendo Entertainment System by virtue of that console's popularity and nostalgic appeal, but fans hack games for just about every console.
You're about to see 10 stand-out hacks that span the NES, Super NES, Genesis, and Nintendo 64 platforms. I won't lie to you and say that obtaining playable versions of these hacks is easy.
Because of copyright laws, we can't provide fully playable versions of these games. Instead, you'll have to find the original game ROM files (try Google), download patch files linked in this slideshow (which contain the hacked changes to the games), and then apply the patches yourself. It's going to be frustrating, but it is worth the effort.
For a good tutorial on ROM patching, read this nice FAQ written by Romhacking.net. My personal favorite Windows-based patching tool is Lunar IPS, though you can find patching utilities for other platforms here.
With that out of the way, let the hacking begin!
Click here to see "10 Classic Video Game Hacks Everyone Should Play" slideshow.