Please use this space to share your thoughts!

I love Zelda Outlands very much. Can't wait to try the other one you recommend!!

Good eye opener Arch_8ngel. I hope you review a few more in future months

I thought this was a remarkable idea for an article. Many people scoff at these since they're not canon, and dismiss them as rough hacks. Nathan makes a great argument for, though, where nobody even really has discussed them here. In three years, the most discussion I've heard about any of these on the three boards I've visited revolved around whether Outlands was a legit unreleased proto, when new collectors ask about it.

^^^ Yeah, Outlands gets publicity in bursts, and I can see some people getting confused about it, because it IS so well done.
The title screen would tip people off, I would hope, though...

That game was what really got me interested in NES hacks. Way back before the PowerPak, when Leon K had just started making
repros (and the going rate was about $45) I commissioned the first one on cartridge. It actually upset a few people at the time,
but I HAD to play that game on the real NES.

Now that I have the PowerPak, I doubt I would repro anything like that again...no real reason to.



The second game I reviewed, is really wild. If you like FF style rpg's at all, you'll love it.
DEFINITELY check out the website I have listed in the article. It has quite a few more screenshots,
and I believe that is where the download is located.

Also, you can see some video on YouTube if you search for Dragoon X Omega.



Zzap, I definitely intend to give the topic some more publicity in the future. Unfortunately, I did start with what I think are the two BEST hacks in existence, but there is still a lot of good material that is worth our time and attention. I mean, think of how many mediocre legit releases we play on occassion... there are quite a few good hacks that are better than the "average" NES game.

Great article! I think it was a great idea as well, something new.

arch_8ngel i sent you a PM regarding that best nes hack out there for anyone else interested you can download here http://www.perturb.org/display/en...

^^^ Yeah, I'm definitely going to check that out.

I read the review, and it sounds like he does some stuff that is "emulator only", though.
I'll see if I can play it on the PowerPak and get back to you guys.

One of the big things to me about a great hack, is that it works on the real hardware.

That game definitely looks cool, though.



BTW, what makes it the 'best' hack out there?

For one, new enemies, great vibrant colors. Each level has 3 different versions (day bight sunset), new powers, alot of challenge and alot of use of the goomba shoe!!

Keep in mind, he's not asking why it's the best _Mario_ hack. He's implying that there are a lot of fun game engines and for those that don't worship Mario 3, what would set this apart from, say, the ones he reviewed. It certainly still lacks any story or depth that the FF hack would bring to the table...even the crappiest current-gen adventure games carry some sort of evolving storyline.

hmmm well if your asking why its the best hack,(like how dangevin said it) I would probably say the added enemies, attention to detail (3 variants on each levels)challenge, and using the games engine to generated some of the best level layouts ive ever seen.My favorite part though, is when you beat the boss (koopa kid) of each world you get a riddle on where the worlds hidden key is (you can return to each world at any time you want), so it gives you extra replay value and adds an element of exploration to the gameplay. If you get all 7 hidden keys you can go to the ? world which i havent even been to yet. One of my favorite levels is in the second world theres a level that when you go through any door the whole level vertical flips itself and you keep going through doors to flip the area so you can use what looked like an obstacle as steps to reach the exit. I hope that info answered what you wanted to know.




BTW: for anyone PLAYING the game, in world 1 there is a level where your blocked by a pipe and what you have to do is duck on the platform with red grass on a white base, which makes you go into the backround like the white blocks in mario 3.

It does sound pretty innovative for an NES hack. I definitely intend to check it out.

Sorry to bump an old thread, but does anyone know if Mario Adventure is compatible on the Power Pak? If it is then bunnyboy is going to have some money coming his way

Jonas - do you have the specific ROM already patched? I could test it if you can send it to me.