general:why_rom_hack [MetConst Wiki]

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====== Why ROM Hack? ======
{{general:samusapproves.png | Samus approves this page!}} So, you've got your brilliant idea for a Metroid game - your re-imagination of Super Metroid, or you just want to make Fusion suck less - and you want to make it into a game to show the world, but you don't know anything about programming for making your own game engine...

But wait, have you thought about ROM hacking? With ROM hacking, you can create your own game by editing the existing Metroid games covered here. ROM hacking can also be your first foray into game making! By giving you an easy platform to test your level design out on, you can make a quality game without needing to know anything about programming!

===== What games can I edit? =====
So, you decided you want to ROM hack, but which game are you going to pick? Below is a list of games that are hacked on MetConst by people.
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==== Metroid ====
[[:metroid|{{metroid_nes_title.png | Metroid}}]] {{ editroid.png?250|Editroid}} The game that started the ball rolling, Metroid is the 1st game in the series. Released in 1986, Metroid is the second most hacked game, behind Super Metroid. However, it still has a good wealth of information around it and new advancements are being pushed forward, all of which are very exciting!

[[metroid:editroid|Editroid]] is the tool of use for when hacking Metroid. It was created by [[http://forum.metroidconstruction.com/index.php?action=profile;u=37|snarfblam]] in 2007 and is extremely comprehensive, even including a built in assembler for assembly tweaks located on this wiki. The editor is actively worked on by snarfblam and is continually receiving improvements to itself. For more information on Metroid hacking, please check the [[..:metroid|Metroid]] segment of this wiki.
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==== Metroid II: Return of Samus ====
[[:return_of_samus|{{:return_of_samus:metroid2returnofsamus_gb_title.png | Metroid II: Return of Samus}}]] {{ lamp.png?250|LAMP}}Samus' 2nd adventure in the Metroid series. Sadly, this one is the least hacked of all the 2D games...
Fortunately, There is [[https://github.com/liamnajor/ROSE | Return of Samus Editor (ROSE)]], an online work-in-progress editor by Liamnajor. There is another work-in-progress editor named [[https://github.com/ConConner/LAMP/releases | Level Arranging Metroid 2 Program (LAMP)]] by Contendo.
There is a Metroid 2 hacking Discord server named [[https://discord.gg/HqvUjFfRSV|Metroid II Construction (M2Const)]].
With any luck, something may be popping up at some point! Stay tuned on the [[..:return_of_samus|Return of Samus]] segment of the wiki.
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==== Super Metroid ====
[[:super_metroid|{{:super:supermetroid_snes_title.png | Super Metroid}}]] {{ smile.png?250|SMILE}}Super Metroid is the 3rd game released in the Metroid series. Released in 1994, Super Metroid is the most widely hacked game due to its wealth of information that has been documented by MetConst, as well as its popularity with people as most people have fond memories of this game...

Most of Super Metroid editing is done using [[super:editor_utility_guides:smile2.5|SMILE]] (Super Metroid Integrated Level Editor). SMILE was created in 2003 by [[https://forum.metroidconstruction.com/index.php?action=profile;u=32|Jathys]]; it is old but still features everything you need to make a great Super Metroid Hack. The things it can't edit are covered by the rest of the wiki in the [[..:super_metroid|Super Metroid]] segment.

There is also a newer and easier to use Super Metroid editor named [[super:editor_utility_guides:smart|SMART]] (Super Metroid Auto Repointing Tool). SMART was created in 2016 by [[https://forum.metroidconstruction.com/index.php?action=profile;u=31309|TestRunner]] and [[https://forum.metroidconstruction.com/index.php?action=profile;u=38331|Amoeba Of Doom]]; However it wasn't until 2018 that it became the editor it is today. SMART has everything you would need to make a great ROM hack of Super Metroid, and will even handle repointing data for you. What it can't edit is covered by the rest of the wiki in the [[..:super_metroid|Super Metroid]] segment. 

In addition to this, most people on [[https://discord.gg/xDwaaqa|Metconst Discord]] are comfortable with editing Super Metroid, so there is plenty of assistance if you require it.
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==== Metroid: Fusion ====
[[:fusion|{{:fusion:metroidfusion_gba_title.png | Metroid: Fusion}}]] {{ mage2.png?250|MAGE}} Metroid: Fusion is the 4th Metroid game released in the Metroid series, released in 2002 for the Game Boy Advance. Fusion is worked on by a few people over at MetConst. documentation is still in the process of being written up for this game, but hopefully soon this wiki shall be host to that information.

Currently, the editor for Fusion is [[http://labk.org/mage | MAGE]]. MAGE is a new and improved editor by [[http://forum.metroidconstruction.com/index.php?action=profile;u=28871|biospark]] and is currently in development. There is a Discord server for the game called [[https://discord.gg/WtekHKb|Metroid Advance Game Construction (MAGConst)]]. For more information please check the [[..:fusion|Fusion]] segment of the wiki.
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==== Metroid: Zero Mission ====
[[:zero_mission|{{metroidzeromission_gba_title.png | Metroid: Zero Mission}}]] {{ mage.png?250|MAGE}} Metroid: Zero Mission is the 5th 2d game, released in 2004 for the Game Boy Advance. It is a remake of Metroid (1986). Zero Mission is worked on by a few people over at MetConst. Documentation is still in the process of being written up for this game, but hopefully soon this wiki shall be host to that information.

Currently, the editor for Zero Mission is [[http://labk.org/mage | MAGE]]. MAGE is a new and improved editor by [[http://forum.metroidconstruction.com/index.php?action=profile;u=28871|biospark]] and is currently in development. There is a Discord server for the game called [[https://discord.gg/WtekHKb|Metroid Advance Game Construction (MAGConst)]]. For more information please check the [[:zero_mission|Zero Mission]] segment of the wiki.
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==== Metroid Prime ====
[[:prime|{{:prime:metroid_prime_logo.png | Metroid Prime}}]] Metroid Prime is the first 3D game in the franchise, it and its sequels fitting between Metroid and Metroid 2. Released in 2002 for the Nintendo GameCube alongside Metroid: Fusion for the GameBoy Advance, Metroid Prime sees hacking attention from a smaller group of people. For hacking this game, tools include *[[http://forum.metroidconstruction.com/index.php?topic=3855.0 | Prime World Editor]] for level editing and *[[https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9MLV21H7SDvSjBIY3BKRkQyZlk/edit | STRG Editor ]] for editing string files. There is also a [[https://discord.gg/tQAdp3A|Discord Server]]. To learn more, check out the [[:prime| Prime]] segment of the wiki.
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==== Metroid Prime 2: Echoes ====
[[:prime2|{{:prime2:prime2.png | Metroid Prime 2: Echoes}}]] Metroid Prime 2: Echoes is the second 3D game in the franchise. Released in 2004 for the Nintendo Gamecube, Metroid Prime 2 sees about the same amount of hacking attention as the first prime game, and uses the same tools: *[[http://forum.metroidconstruction.com/index.php?topic=3855.0 | Prime World Editor]] for level editing and *[[https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9MLV21H7SDvSjBIY3BKRkQyZlk/edit | STRG Editor ]] for editing string files. There is also a [[https://discord.gg/tQAdp3A|Discord Server]]. To learn more, check out the [[:prime2| Prime 2]] segment of the wiki.
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==== Metroid Prime 3: Corruption ====
[[:prime3|{{:prime3:prime3.png | Metroid Prime 3: Corruption}}]] Metroid Prime 3: Corruption is the fourth 3D game in the franchise for the Nintendo Wii. There is a [[https://discord.gg/tQAdp3A|Discord Server]]. There are currently no known editors for the game. FIXME
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==== Metroid Prime Hunters ====
[[:prime_hunters|{{:prime_hunters:prime_hunters.png | Metroid Prime Hunters}}]] Metroid Prime Hunters is the third 3D game in the franchise. Released in 2006 for the Nintendo DS, Metroid Prime currently sees hacking attention from a handful of hackers. A WIP disassembly of the game can be found [[https://gitlab.com/an-unknown/mph/ | here.]] The source code for a prime hunters room viewer can also be found [[https://github.com/hackyourlife/metroidprimehunters/tree/master/models| here.]]  For more information, check out the [[:prime_hunters|Prime Hunters]] segment of the wiki. There is also a [[https://discord.gg/SUe7JTC | MetroiDS Hacking Discord Server]] for those interested!
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==== Metroid: Other M ====
[[:otherm|{{:otherm:otherm.png | Metroid: Other M}}]] Metroid: Other M is the 5th 3D game in the franchise for the Nintendo Wii. There are currently no known editors or sub-communities for the game. FIXME
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==== Metroid: Samus Returns ====
[[:samus_returns|{{:samus_returns:samus_returns.png | Metroid: Samus Returns}}]] The first 2.5D game in the franchise, Samus Returns is a Nintendo 3DS remake of Metroid II: Return of Samus for the GameBoy. In a similar state to Metroid Prime Hunters, very few metconstians have messed around with this game. However, those who have say it would be very easy to disassemble for those up to the challenge. For more information, check out the [[:samus_returns|Samus Returns]] segment of the wiki. There is also a [[https://discord.gg/SUe7JTC | MetroiDS Hacking Discord Server]] for those interested!
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==== Metroid Dread ====
[[:dread|{{:dread:dread.png?220x110 | Metroid Dread}}]] Metroid Dread is the fifth main-line game in the Metroid series, released in 2021 for the Switch. It is a direct sequel to the fourth main-line game, Metroid Fusion, released on the GBA in 2002. Dread is currently the latest game in the Metroid Timeline. There is a [[https://discord.gg/BvGheCv5JN|Discord Server]] available for you to explore Metroid Dread modding.
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===== What Assistance Can I Get? =====
In addition to the wealth of knowledge on this wiki, Metroid Construction has an [[http://forum.metroidconstruction.com/index.php|Active Forum]] of people who can answer any questions you may have. There is also a [[https://discord.gg/xDwaaqa|Discord Server]] available for you to connect to which is populated by most of the active MetConstians. If you need a quick answer to something, the Discord Server is the place to go. There is also an [[http://client01.chat.mibbit.com/?channel=%23metconst&server=irc.esper.net|IRC Chatroom]] which doesn't see a whole lot of activity nowadays.

The main site also hosts a [[http://metroidconstruction.com/resources.php|Resources Page]] with lots of free resources for an aspiring hacker to use. All of these resources have been created by MetConstians to help you create the best hack possible.
===== Conclusion =====
So, you might have started unsure about how you feel about ROM hacking. Maybe the word hacking intimidated you, or perhaps you felt like you needed to know programming to get somewhere, but now you feel confident about ROM hacking, and hopefully, want to get started on a game! So head back to the [[..:start|Start]] page and pick a game and get hacking! Happy hacking MetConstian!
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