I was gonna release this on SCH2022, but it didn't fit my quality standard. However, I think if I don't release this now, it'll never be. This is Sonic 1 PAL0 Free. Pal0 is palette 0, the first palette. In the context of Sonic 1, this is the player palette. Character hacks are quite a notable thing about Sonic 1, but the palette limitations are usually very bad. Some hacks try to fix this, while others don't bother. Essentially, I was trying to create the ultimate character hack base. And visually speaking, I'd say I succeeded. Granted, GHZs water and one of Eggmans frames in Final Zone could be more accurate, and a specialized character hack would have better Squirrel, Pig and Eggman art, but as it stands its really good... visually. There's no unique slowdown per say, rather the game has some obvious bugs. The disassembly also isn't as flexible as I would want it to be Once (or rather, if) I release another hack, it'll most likely be an S3K one, or something on a customized engine with most of S3Ks optimizations (the sonic 2 build isn't new or anything, I'm just making it easier to access from here) Original S2P0F Description Spoiler Here's an incomplete hack. This game started as me trying to optimise Sonic 2 while making less objects use Sonics Palette (PAL0), to remove limitations on character hacks. I changed a lot in the process, some changes not as necessary as others. I think the limitation of not using PAL0 has hurt the project a lot. Though, I might reuse certain parts of it for a new project. I've learned a lot from this experience, even when I was just copying guides NOTE: You enter an unfinished hidden palace when you enter 1 player mode at the title screen. It loops infinitely, possibly due to a bug? Either way, you have to use the options menu or level select 2 Player mode is broken, especially in Casino Night! People that helped indirectly vladicomper: Optimised CPZ deformation (as if I wasn't already drowning in RAM), Error Handler TheFieldWarrior: S3K ducking guide The "Some changes and fixes for Sonic 2" forum on Sonic Retro: many smaller fixes The people who contributed to MDcomp, for there Updated Kosinski (I had trouble with KosM and KosPlus, though) Basically every single guide on the SCHG (MoDule's LZ ripple guide comes to mind) The people who made the Github disassemblies, of course And probably a whole lot of people I'm forgetting Download: https://www.dropbox.com/s/jpsg2uzos4laajn/s2built.bin?dl=0 I also had a Sonic 1 version, though I plan to use that for something else in the future
This is an okay hack. It does just what its aiming for. Even though its a bit werid to see a pink sonic instead of a multi color Hedgehog. Also, I'm glad this exists. Just because its sonic's world doesn't mean everything is blue or about him sega. Anyways theres not that much to this hack. Edit: fixed wording
If your want to further reduce reliance on Pal0 by adding more artwork, you can make the shields and invincibility stars overwrite each other, which saves a substantial amount of VRAM in every single zone. You might be able to redraw red springs to use Pal1 and have them load in that free space, for example. There's a guide to free up that VRAM somewhere on the site. This is definitely a good idea, palette management is often the most difficult part of building a character hack, and the part that causes the most glaring issues when not handled properly.
Honestly, VRAM wasn't the issue at all, especially around the shields. Though, the invincibility and super sonic stars do load on top of each other like in S3K, which saves a ton of space. No, the issue was the palettes. Oil Ocean at the end of Act 1 is a good example of this, and ARZ's water use to be a victim for a long time. Though looking back, most levels load two reds in the same spots in PAL1 (heck, Sonic 1 pal0 free always does). If I ever come back to this hack, I'll definitely make the red springs use separate tiles (once I figure out how to work with its raw mappings, or just port over S3K's mappings with some changes)
Despite being very incomplete, I'd say this rom hack might have potential. I was a bit confused why when I checked the CRAM only one palette was green instead of pink, and I'd like to recommend changing the color pink to something more easier on the eyes, like black. Overall, this hack looks quite interesting, although still very incomplete (as clearly said in the title of this discussion).
I haven't played this yet, but it might be a good idea to add some screenshots or a video clip of your hack, so people have a better idea of what they're downloading. Also, you can attach ROMs to the post directly if you want, in case you weren't aware.
