Best Rom Hacks?

SuperPitendo

@thelostsoul HAHAHA good idea, but this was my first SNES game (with Zelda 3). After I touched it after all these years, I was suprised that I made it to the first fortress without getting hit once ;)

Actually I like to have things as original as possible, so my hack list just includes improvements without touching the actual gameplay

Here are some other hacks I use/love and found on romhacking.net

Zelda (SNES) item switch cycle with L & R
Zelda (SNES) pegasus boot improvement allows to change direction while running
Secret of Mana (SNES) scroll hack - while moving you are a lot more centered instead of be glued to the edge of the screen...
Secret of Mana (SNES) balance & droprate hack
Secret of Evermore (SNES) balance & 2 player hack
Links Awakening (GB/GBC) restoration of a cut out dungeon and other nice stuff
Super Mario Land (GB) color hack
Super Mario Land 2 (GB) color hack
Super Metroid 2 (GB) color hack
Pokemon Blue/Red (GB) color hack and improved HUD - it is the HUD of Gold/Silver
Contra/Probotector (SNES/SMD) restoration to japanese Version for Konami code etc.
EVO Search for Eden (SNES) balance hack
Cybernator (SNES) restoration of portraits and let you play during the ingame communication Scenes instead of stoping the game and waiting til it ends...
Killer Instinct (SNES) enhancement to play Eyedol out of the box

puuuuhhhh... I think I forgot a lot more :D

GtBFilms

Alright so it's not a major ROM rework like those mentioned above, but this still tickled me:

mediamogul

@gtbfilms said in Best Rom Hacks?:

this still tickled me

You're not alone. This hack created a lot of enthusiasm when it was released. There's a really great write up on Wired about the guy creating it for his daughter after she asked why she couldn't select Pauline in the same way she could Princess Toadstool in 'Super Mario Bros. 2'. Since then, someone else has altered the MAME ROM (as shown in your video) and even made a few improvements, such as replacing Pauline's scattered paraphernalia with that of Mario's carpentry tools. There was even a trend for a while to create dedicated cabinets. One element that I love is the care that was given to the animation. There's this one frame as she reaches the top of a ladder where she is almost eclipsed by her petticoat and it appears as though she's really making an effort to get back on her feet. The whole idea of this hack is very charming.

thelostsoul

Got it recommended by SNESdrunk in one of his videos at YouTube. This is a webpage, doing some randomizing stuff on the rom and then you can save it I bet. Still didn't try it out, but sounds like a great idea.

A Link to the Past: Randomizer
http://vt.alttp.run/start

Here the video from SNESdrunk:

SgtJimmyRustles

Sonic 3 Complete for me.

thelostsoul

@sgtjimmyrustles said in Best Rom Hacks?:

Sonic 3 Complete

Although, I don't have any other hacks than NES and SNES currently, this one looks promising to start looking for Sega hacks. Here is a link for your suggested game. Its like the definitive version, cool find:
http://info.sonicretro.org/Sonic_3_Complete

hooperre

@sgtjimmyrustles said in Best Rom Hacks?:

Sonic 3 Complete for me.

I've seen this a lot, but I've wondered if there was any reason to include it in my build as I've already got everything included. Is there an advantage outside having anything in one place?

SgtJimmyRustles

@hooperre said in Best Rom Hacks?:

I've seen this a lot, but I've wondered if there was any reason to include it in my build as I've already got everything included. Is there an advantage outside having anything in one place?

Basically, it's Sonic 3 & Knuckles with the Sonic 3 music and more customization and fixes. They even have FM Versions of the Alternative Sonic 3 & Knuckles tracks on the S&K collection for PC.

SgtJimmyRustles

I also think Super Mario Land 2 DX is supposed to be good.

thelostsoul

@thelostsoul said in Best Rom Hacks?:

A Link to the Past: Randomizer
http://vt.alttp.run/start

I tried this with 2 different settings and types you can choose from. And on one game, I came to a dead end I think, without way back. And the other one, I am not sure, but it "may" be broken too. So, I didn't play them longer, as I am not sure if it is beatable. It was quite fun. On one of them I started with the hammer as main weapon. :D

thelostsoul

Final Fantasy iv Enterprise
More randomization stuff. This one turns Final Fantasy 4 (2 in US) to a open world game with a lot of customization options. I am not at home currently, still not tested. Like my previous posting, its a web based service.

Big list of changes: https://www.ff4-free-enterprise.com/details.html
Randomizer: https://www.ff4-free-enterprise.com/

thelostsoul

[DELETED]
Forget this post please.

KN4THX

Are there any rom hacks that simply enhance the original games without changing the core experience, such as Super Metroid, Final Fantasy, etc? I know I have a Zelda with enhanced graphics, and the Pokemon Ultraviolet, and was hoping to find more of that style.

EctoOne

@thedatacereal You can go to romhacking.net and select Improvement as Category to Filter the lists.
Here are all Super Metroid improvements as example.

thelostsoul

This post is deleted!

KN4THX

@ectoone Oh, awesome, I never even realized I could filter there. Ill check that out, thank you!

thelostsoul

Super Mario Land 2 DX by toruzz (Game Boy)
A fully colorized version of Super Mario Land 2. It almost looks like Snes game now.

thelostsoul

I wasn't active on emulation games for a while, but I am back. The first thing I did was searching for some new games/mods. Thats my passion. Today, I present you some Super Mario World modifications added to my virtual collection.

SNES
Mods and Romhacks for Super Mario World

Super Mario World Odyssey
This game is not inspired by Super Mario Odyssey for the Switch! Mario can throw his cape to posses an enemy or any other object. Otherwise levels are not touched. It is still in Beta, incomplete and buggy in some ways. But its a hell of fun.
Hack
This game is short with 9 levels, but each of then have a different concept and idea and very different to each other.
Karoshi Mario
Ok, this is something Nintendo never will do, for sure. ;-) Mario is done with its life and you must try to kill yourself to reach next level. This is not easy as you think, but fun.
Mario & Luigi: Kola Kingdom Quest
This play more like the normal Mario game with normal level design. Its a full hack, with good reputation in level design beeing well designed and it got updated graphics too.
This Hack Needs a Name
This game also play more like normal Mario game and have a good reputation for good level design too. Its a full hack and graphics are also updated.

There was also two other games not included. In 2 Player Co-op Quest 2 the second player controls the enemies to kill Mario, while Mario is player 1 and plays the stages. I really like this idea (reminds me Perfect Dark...), but its buggy. The other game is The 8th Annual VLDC Collaboration. This one is made of many single levels from many different "developers", collecting them into one rom. While this game worked on my pc with Mednafan, it did not work on Snes9x on RetroPie.

thelostsoul

If you need more stuff...
Note: If you patch a rom, always check the checksum before doing it.

SNES (3)
Mods and Romhacks

SMW2+2 based on Yoshi's Island
A true classic hack, which is actually part two. It is mostly a full level hack with some new little features, but with the intention to be like the original game in spirit. Gets a lot of praise.
Super Metroid Arcade based on Super Metroid
The game becomes like an Arcade game, where you earn points. The next door behind you will sent you to random room and close behind you. Change seed in the beginning to have new random order.
Super Metroid B2-TW based on Super Metroid
A very little small challenge (or level), where Samus is stuck on Ball form. You encounter some unusual experiences and design choices.

NES (7)
Mods and Romhacks

Cosmic Balloon Assault based on Baloon Fight
New levels, graphic and other changes. If you liked the original, you want probably more of this game. So this hack is for you.
Mother 25th Anniversary Edition based on Mother
If you ever wanted play Mother, but aren't hardcore, this could be for you. The hack tries to make it less grindy and do some other changes to make it more enjoyable for non hardcore players.
Time and Place based on Super Mario Bros.
This is a little genius hack. It does not change anything in the game, but the ability to freeze time when not moving. Do you know this game called Superhot on pc?
Super Mario Bros. 3Mix based on Super Mario Bros. 3
One of the best hacks done ever! All new levels, gameplay additions and more changes in a manner of perfectly done. I would have included this earlier, but had trouble to patch it.
Pac-Man Xtreme based onMs. Pac-Man (Namco)
It changes almost everything, making it a new game. Look at the list, its freaking awesome!
Super City Tank based on Battle City
You can basically take the above comment and apply it to this game too!
The Holy Relics based on Castlevania 1
This is one of the more new hacks. Another highly recommended and high quality hack, where everything in the game is changed. Level design, new graphics and new features included. Gets high praise everywhere!

MEGA DRIVE (5)
Mods and Romhacks

Doctor Robotniks Creature Capture based on Sonic 1
I love such hacks. It changes to a different type of game. You play as Dr. Robotnik and have to catch animals.
Jesters Challenge based on Sonic 1
One big maze, with a lot of switches and jumps.
Metal Sonic HYPERDRIVE based on Sonic 1
One of the best traditional gameplay wise hack ever for Sonic! You can also play as Kirby or some other characters, that's how good it is.
Bigs Fishing Derby based on Sonic 2
I can only shake my head. You do fishing and have to rescue a cute frog. Those romhackers are crazy.
Streets of Rage 2 with Street Fighter 2 Characters
These are done by kratus. I have 3 different hacks, each with 4 characters from SF2. They can do all their stuff you know from the games, so funny!
At the site http://woc.brawlersavenue.net/main.htm you will find more such stuff, even from kratus, but not the exact same romhacks which I found somewhere on the inet.

thelostsoul

Today, I only have a single entry. Most of the mods and romhacks are included already, so there is not much left. And this one is relatively (1 month old, but got some updates till then) new.

SNES (1)

Mods and Romhacks

Super Mario Bros. 1X based on Super Mario World
This one starts and looks like Super Mario Bros. 1. Later levels have game mechanics and styles and themes from Super Mario Bros. 2 and 3 and Super Mario Land 1 too. This is a well designed and outputted romhack.