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'''Changes:'''*Level data*Graphics (occasionally)*3D Model of Level ===Asset Enhancement Hacksenhancement hacks===GBA games suffered from games having brightened palettes (to compensate for the lack of back-lighting on the early models), and terrible sound quality. SNES games even had muffled sound samples and Megadrive Mega Drive games have questionable palette choices. Not to mention some FMVs in PS1 games being very low-quality for cost concerns, or having artifacts due to the shoddy implementation of hard subs, compared to cleaner versions of the same FMV on other platforms.
→Sprite/model swaps
Some people are not satisfied with how their favorite game looks and plays like. So, they resort to altering this game to mold it in the game they wish it has been. This practice is known as '''modding''', or '''hacking''', or '''romhacking'''. It's prevalent in PC games, but it's also done for console and handheld games.
==How To Apply Modsto apply mods==''Main Pagepage: [[Apply ROM Hacks hacks and Translationstranslations]]''
==Types of Modsmods==*Mods that alter the game files*They're permanently Mods that are included in the ISO/ROM
*They exist within hardware constraints
''If you're looking for enhancements that are outside what the hardware can achieve (high-resolution sprite/texture replacement) then check this page: [[Texture Packspacks]] or [[Frames_per_second|60FPS patches]]''
===Fan-Translationstranslations===
Games released only in foreign countries (like Japan) often have enthusiasts translating them to their language. After they whip up a translation on some script dump text document they extracted or transcripted from the game, they insert it back in the game.
*Programming (in case game has no variable width text)
Examples:*[https://www.romhacking.net/translations/2260/ Ace Attorney Investigations 2] (DS)*[https://www.romhacking.net/translations/1333/ Mother 3] (GBA)*[https://www.romhacking.net/translations/961/ Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem] (SNES)*[https://www.romhacking.net/translations/846/ Castlevania: Rondo of Blood] (PC-Engine) ===Anti-Piracy Fixpiracy fix===GBA and DS games don't take too kindly to flashcards. If it's not a black screen at startupstart-up, then some roadblock would be implemented by devs developers to trigger in-game and render all progress impossible. Region-locked games have it even worse, especially import ones. They could use some alteration to the ROM image so that the programming check doesn't go off.
'''Changes:'''
Examples:
*[https://www.romhacking.net/hacks/541/ Terranigma ] (SNES): NTSC version patch (changes region, removes region locking programming)
===Intro Screensscreens===
Some warez groups for distributing ROMs like to add lengthy unskippable intros with rotating rainbow text and crappy messages, that appear before the game begins executing. Unfortunately, this practice is still going on with some newly released games.
*Lots of Homebrew stuff, depending on the author
===Balance Modsmods===
Mostly done for RPGs with an obscenely high encounter rate, games with a lot of grinding, or inconsistent enemy difficulty. There's also rebalancing mods for games that suffer from some bosses being bullet sponges, and absurd prices (like the dreaded triforce quest in WW) leading to padding or unnecessary frustration.
'''Changes:'''
*Stat Valuesvalues
*Programming (not often)
** [http://balancedbrawl.net/ Balanced Brawl]
===Restoring Cut Contentcut content===Sometimes stuff gets cut from the game before it's released because devs developers ran short on time. Sometimes stuff gets censored because some offended people can't stand it existing, either this can range from soccer moms from in the nineties yelling "think of the children" while calling for censorship of M-rated games, or social justice to people wanting "games they see as potentially problematic" games banned today (examples include GTA Vbeing banned in Australian for "sexual violence"). Many companies self-censor based on what they think the majority of their international market may respond negatively to due to cultural differences or regional sensibilities (increasing the a character's Australian ban and female costumes age to prevent underage sexualization in many MMOscountries with a different age of consent). It may be also happen because it simply would be too costly to license. This sort of stuff often has some people rallying to restore it to the game with using whatever little remnants there still is in-gameremain. '''Changes:'''*Text*Graphics*Pointers to enable access to these otherwise inaccessible places*Potentially other things too
Examples:
Stuff getting scrapped before release:
*[http://www.sonicretro.org/2014/07/windy-valley-beta-restoration-released-for-sonic-adventure-dx-pc-2004/ Sonic Adventure: Beta Windy Valley] (GC, PC)
*[http://www.romhacking.net/hacks/333/ Metroid Zero Mission: Crocomire mod] (GBA)
*[http://www.romhacking.net/hacks/934/ Star Ocean 1: unused difficulty options] (PSP)
Stuff getting removed from localizations":
*[http://fantasyanime.com/finalfantasy/ff4/ff4downloads.htm Final Fantasy 4: Retranslated] (SNES): prostitute sprite restoration
*[http://www.romhacking.net/translations/1063/ Actraiser: Retranslation Hack] (SFC)
Stuff getting modded to be more "offensive":*[http://www.gamevixenzone.net/20-mods/ Nude Nudity mods] '''Changes:'''*Text*Graphics*Pointers to enable access to these otherwise inaccessible places*potentially other things too
===Undub===
It's often swapping sound files from the English version with ones from the Japanese version, provided they use the same format (which they sometimes don't, and the need for a more throughout hacking).
It's really popular, but frowned upon by hacking sites usually hosting content, since any patches would contain copyrighted data for voice performance of Japanese VAsvoice actors. That's why you find these undub things directly pre-patched to ISOs on your favorite shady ROM site.
'''Changes:'''
*FMVs
===Sprite/Model Swapsmodel swaps===Ever wanted to play M.C. Kids (a genuinely fun game) but couldn't due to the game starring the unbearably repulsive hideous satanic abomination that is Ronald McDonald? Wanted to play as a dick / Mara in the original Super Mario Bros? Your girl wanted Wanted to play as Zelda in the Legend of Zelda? All of this and more is possible (and happened has indeedbeen done) by the modders replacing the original 2D sprites or 3D models with the ones of their liking.
'''Changes:'''
*Graphics
Examples:*[https://www.romhacking.net/hacks/4205/ Pokémon Red/Blue Gender Selection] (GB)*[https://www.romhacking.net/hacks/4263/ Pokémon Playable Blue] (GB): Lets you play as the original rival*[https://www.romhacking.net/reviews/6713/ Sonic in Flicky] (GEN)*[https://discord.com/channels/1133007456826564608/1133021716554190888 UFC Undisputed 3 - Undisputed Forever] (PS3) - Xbox 360 version WIP at the moment. ===Level / Quest Hacksquest hacks===
When you take it one step further in changing how the game plays by modifying maps and levels. You could also alter the programming to create new gameplay mechanics (FLUDD in Mario 64 DS, Paint Gun in Portal) to accommodate the new level design and you might end up with a whole new game, Chinese-bootleg-style!
Some RPG mods take it one step further and alter storylines and quests left and right, adding enemies and so on.
'''Changes:'''
*Level data
*Graphics (occasionally)
*3D model of level
Examples:
*[https://sites.google.com/site/zeldaparallelworlds/home Zelda LTTP Parallel Worlds]
Some modders just went and fixed this up, by editing the files containing the sub-par assets to include a higher-quality version, though the replacements are still usually abiding by the hardware constraints. If you're looking for HD graphics you might want to check for emulator-based solutions enhancing the game on the go without actually altering the internal files.
*[http://www.romhacking.net/hacks/969/ Final Fantasy IV - Sound Restoration hack]
===Scrubbing the game of Garbage Datagarbage data===''Main PageSee the page: [[Save_Disk_Space_for_ISOsSave disk space for ISOs#Padding|Save disk space for ISOs (removing padding)]]'' ==Built-in graphics mod editor/manager for emulators==The ability to edit graphical mods in realtime using an built-in editor for emulators. Currently there is a [https://github.com/dolphin-emu/dolphin/pull/12280 pull request] for Dolphin emulator.
==See Also==
*[http://www.romhacking.net/hacks/ ROMHacking .net's Hackssection]*For tools and info on ROM hacking see [[ROM Hacking Resourceshacking resources]]*[https://www.youtube.com/@emulapor/videos Youtube channel named "emulapor" monthly 'translations recap' videos][[Category:Modding]]
[[Category:FAQs]]
