Say you’ve found a great homebrewn ROM hack for the Nintendo 64 but it comes in a format that you can’t play because it’s distributed as a patch. No fear! This simple guide will help you patch it up so that you can get your hack up and running in no time.
A patch is a file that contains the differences between a ROM hack and the original game ROM. It can be seen like this:
Original + Patch = Hack
Waluigi in Super Mario 64 DS Released (pages: 1 2) Russmarrs2. 10-17-17 04:38 PM. By pacmainia&luigi ». Zero (Megaman Zero) in Super Mario 64 DS Hack Released Russmarrs2. Super Mario 64 Land. Anyone who’s been after the SM64 ROM hacking scene is familiar with Kaze Emanuar, the hard-working behind lots of the very challenging and awesome hacks for your traditional game. It has less scope than a few of the others but the same final quality. Super Mario 64 Land. Check Out This Rom Hack. Anyone who’s been following the SM64 ROM hacking scene is familiar with Kaze Emanuar, the hard-working visionary behind a lot of the most ambitious and amazing hacks for the classic game. Super Mario 64 Land is one of their earlier creations. A rom hack for Super Mario 64 has recreated part of Super Mario Sunshine within the game's engine. There have been countless rom hacks for SM64 in the past, many of which have involved elements of later (or earlier) Mario games. Super Mario 64 ROM Hacks series Games sm64romhacks Discord Streams Forum. Moderated by: MarvJungs MarvJungs, Spaceman Spaceman, FrostyZako FrostyZako, T o m a t o b i r d 8 T o m a t o b i r d 8, sizzlingmario4 sizzlingmario4.
Since game hacks contain large portions of the original game, you can’t really distribute them without breaking copyright. For instance, a hack of Mario 64 would borrow assets such as characters, stage or even the game engine itself. Since all of this belongs to the original owner, the homebrewer only provides the new code that they developed.
xDelta
This is the most common type of patch used to distribute hacks online. It is very simple to use as well.
Step 1: Get Delta Patcher
Download Delta Patcher from the official website or from a mirror on N64 Squid by using the password “deltapatchmirror”.
Note that this is a Windows 32-bit program. I’ve tested it on Windows 7 and 10, but I’m not sure how well it works on Mac or Linux.
If you’re curious about whether to use the lite or full version, it doesn’t really matter. The only difference DeltaPatcher.exe and DeltaPatcherLite.exe is that the lite version only allows you to apply patches, while the full version lets you create them as well as apply them.
Step 2: Get your source ROM
Disclaimer: it is illegal in many places to download copies of games that you do not own. I will not be linking to any libraries/repositories for this reason. Make sure you source your ROMs ethically.
This is the hardest part in my opinion. Most homebrew developers publish their patches with the simple instruction of “Apply the patch to a [game] ROM”. However, there are many versions of that game floating around the internet: JP, USA, PAL, little/big endian versions…
Even if you create your own backup ROM, it likely won’t match. I usually mention which one to use in my posts, but it’s really a matter of trial and error.
Step 3: Patch your ROM
The moment of truth. Open up the Delta Patcher executable and select your source ROM and your .xdelta patch file.
As a security measure, be sure to check the “Backup Original File” option under the settings menu icon. Rather then updating the source file, it will create a copy which will be useful in case you want to patch it again.
Step 4: Complete!
If everything goes correctly, you got your hacked ROM all set! If you created a backup, the new version will be called “[filename]PATCHED.ext”, otherwise it will have the same file name.
BPS / flips
The BPS format is used by Kaze Emanuar to distribute his Super Mario 64 hacks, so you’re more likely to have to use this method for those kinds of games.
He explains how to run the patch quite well in this video:
The video is a bit low resolution, so I’ll walk you though it here as well.
Step 1: Download your ROM patch
First of all, you need to obtain the hack’s patch. You can obtain these from Kaze directly. The zip file should include a few files in it, but these are the ones you should be paying attention to:
- Flips folder (patching software)
- BPS file (game patch)
Step 2: Obtain the ROM
Similar to xDelta patches, you need to find the source ROM separately. The one I use for Super Mario hacks made by Kaze is called Super Mario 64 (U) [!].z64.
Step 3: Run the patch though Flips
Run flips.exe and click on the ‘Apply Patch’ button. It will prompt your windows explorer three times:
- Select the .bps patch file
- Select the source ROM
- Choose a save name for the patched ROM
Download Sm64 Rom Hacks
Step 4: Success!
If you chose the correct source, you should have a successfully patched ROM. Enjoy!
PPF / PPF-O-Matic
This is a patching tool originally from 2001 that was primarily used for Playstation ISO patches, but some Nintendo 64 hacks use this as well.
Step 1: Obtain and open PPF-O-Matic
First you need to download the PPF-O-Matic from either the Rom Hacking website or from the N64 Squid mirror using the password “PPFpatcher”. No need to install it, the executable works fine on its own.
It should open to something like this:
Step 2: Prepare your source ROM and patch file
Just like the other two methods, get your ROM for the game. Make sure it’s the correct version, as every game has a few slightly different dumps floating around.
Also make sure you have your .ppf file ready and uncompressed in a convenient location.
Step 3: Patch them up!
Once that’s done, put your source ROM in the top input. I know it says ISO (a format used for CDs), but that’s just because this was a patcher intended for Playstation games.
The bottom one should have your .ppf file.
Caution! The PPF-O-Matic will NOT back up your original file! Be sure to keep a copy handy! It also won’t rename the file after patching so make sure you rename it after giving it a test.
If you get an error, it is probably because the wrong source file was used. I tend to write the exact file name of the ROM we’re patching to avoid confusion, but mistakes can still happen. Try getting it from another source.
Precautions
Again, it’s important to remember that it’s illegal to have a ROM of a game you don’t own.
With most game hacks, be sure to set your emulator to 8MB mode for the correct compatibility.
I have always been impressed by the push of men and women who make mods and ROM hacks for their favorite games.
Sm64ds Rom Hacks
Nintendo is known for being tough on ROM hacking communities, however they survive thanks to this love all these creators. And consider Super Mario 64, arguably among the greatest platformers out of Nintendo’s library… it’s got a whole lot around.
I have recently become hacks for Nintendo’s classic Super Mario 64 and that I can’t help but admire the work put into them.
It is especially impressive considering the bizarre and honestly antique way the sport is coded, which is to be anticipated from a pioneer of this 64-bit era.
I will do my part to fan the fires of ROM hacking and then discuss what I think are the 10 finest Super Mario 64 ROM hacks ever produced.
10. Super Mario 64: The Green Stars
A fairly good option to try out ROM hacks and choose whether it’s for you would be Kampel64’s SM64: The Green Stars.
It adds many degrees and showcases a whole lot of what’s possible through all these modifications.
It sports 130 celebrities to collect throughout many custom degrees. A number of that you’ll need to discover by exploring the overworld with a detective’s lens, as the founder made it a point to conceal every secret very well.
The reason it is not higher in the ranking is simply that the grade of degree design varies more than it ought to.read about it new super mario bros rom from Our Articles
Some areas are so simple they’re boring, whereas others need a few hyper-specific trick jumps and feats just a specialist can pull off without even trying 200 times.
9.
If you’d like to start with something more ambitious then contemplate SM64: Kirby Edition by creator Dudaw.
This hack replaces the classic red-capped plumber with the lovable Kirby.
It had been the very first full personality hack ever released on SM64, and despite the practice becoming more common now I’d say the polish level remains striking.
Not only does Kirby go and creep as the character should. But additionally power-ups are modified to turn the pink puff into a Boo or a Thwomp, mimicking his copy ability.
You may also ride Kirby’s signature Warp Star on certain levels. Neat!
Rom Hacks For Super Mario 64
8. Super Mario 64 Land
Anyone who’s been after the SM64 ROM hacking scene is familiar with Kaze Emanuar, the hard-working behind lots of the very challenging and awesome hacks for your traditional game.
It has less scope than a few of the others but the same final quality.
It plays much like Super Mario 3D Land, including 33 new degrees which are a lot more linear than the ones existing in vanilla.
Mario also includes a couple of new moves to traverse them better. Notably, a Butt Bounce and an Aerial Dive, which you’ll find remarkably helpful.
7. Super Mario 64: Star Revenge Redone
Developed by ROM hacking character BroDute and many collaborators, the Star Revenge series is one of the most prolific hack series in life. Counting more than six major releases along with a ton of remakes.
SM64: Star Revenge Redone is actually the latest version of this first hack. It comprises over 125 new celebrities to collect over 13 unique levels.
Why is this hack so unique, apart from the surreal humor and self-referencing jokes, is its own complex lore and also an overarching narrative you would need to play with each launch to comprehend.
If you would like to set out on such a quest, this is the place to begin.
6.
For something unusually less complex we have Kaze Emanuar’s Super Mario Bros. 64, that brings the side-scrolling platformer charm of older Mario games like Super Mario World.
Cool, right?
I love the way the camera angle is tilted just in the ideal angled angle so you can enjoy thickness without repainting the side-scrolling perspective entirely.
You’re able to play with as many characters from the Mario world such as Luigi, Wario, fan-favorite Waluigi, along with Mario himself.
5. Super Mario 74
Sometimes all we are searching for is a more challenging experience from our all time favorite games.
If that is you, think about Super Mario 74 by Lugmilors.
It has 120 new celebrities to become in its many custom levels, all which present a much greater difficulty than your normal vanilla SM64 specific situation.
That includes most boss battles, which now have additional challenges like needing to swing Bowser higher to reach the bombs.
Once you clean it you can go on to play Super Mario 74 Extreme Edition, and it will be a more foolish, Kaizo-level battle.
4. Super Mario 64 Sapphire
Given the artisanal nature of ROM hacking generally, I would say the majority of these games have… varying levels of quality, to say the least.
Yet one of the most frequently fantastic hacks around is NebulaSM64’s Super Mario 64 Sapphire, a brief but sweet experience consisting of 30 stars spread over six unbelievable levels.
And these levels feature some of their most beautiful landscapes ever seen on this 64-bit engine.
If you’re looking for a quick Mario fix with a twist on SM64 then that is it.
3. Super Mario: Star Road
I believe in showing respect and admiration for initiating attempts in almost any area. And if they are as great as Skelux’s Super Mario: Star Road, it is a real pleasure.
This massive ROM hack has been one of the initial ones with some mainstream appeal out the hardcore ROM hacking community.
It has 130 stars to accumulate in certain exceptional amounts, introduces new enemies, also has a revamped soundtrack which gives it the sense of a real sequel.
Considering the extreme focus on tight platforming, in addition, it is important to note all of the work put into creating a more friendly camera compared to the first.
2.
Another classic hack that revamps several vital technical aspects from the game is Frauber’s SM64: The Lost Stars.
It comes with a day/night cycle, a better camera, and a bunch of other tweaks that enhance gameplay.
You can even go through its ten degrees as Luigi if you are tired of his plumper brother.
With upgraded bosses, new enemies, and remixed songs that contains some original compositions made particularly for the hack, it feels to be an entirely fresh spin on the SM64 formulation.
1. Super Mario 64: Last Effect
It includes tons of custom assets, new supervisors created from scratch, and new power-ups. All really cool things, such as a Yoshi that you’re able to ride and Super Mario Sunshine’s FLUDD, one of the items.
This game is really a technical marvel!
Every one of the newest degrees is completely different from what we’re utilized to viewing. And getting each of these 130 new celebrities introduces several unique challenges.
There’s a level where you will have to play with Mario Party games to acquire the coveted astral body!
Rom Hacks For Ds
Sure, it might find a tad wonky here and there. And it’s not without a fair share of bugs.
Sm64 Rom Hacks Kaze
But that is to be due to this enormous undertaking, and something you can generally dismiss because this rom hack really is SM64’s next level.