+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + + + Metroid Captive v0.9b + + + + Hack of Metroid (U) [!] for the NES + + + + By SPJ midget35@msn.com + +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 07.04.05 Metroid - Captive +++++++++++++++++ This is Metroid - Captive. A hack of the NES classic: Metroid. This is- to all intents and purposes- the first and final version. I have tested it very carefully on Nestopia and VirtuaNes and found no big problems. If you find any, please let me know, and I will make alterations for the 1.0 Final! What's changed? +++++++++++++++ A lot! Big things: - Item collection order is very different. - The overall map layout is almost unrecognisable from the original. - Many more puzzles. - Completely new graphics and areas. - More skills have to be taken advantage of to complete the game. - Secret doors, Warp areas. Small things: - Mini Ridley is now included. - New story, title screen, slightly altered ending, Samus' graphics. - Some room properties have changed- a few enemies & doors added here and there. - New boss rooms - Too many, I forget. What's not changed? +++++++++++++++++++ - Enemy sprites. For the time being they are the same. I feel that the game has changed A LOT already. If enough people want them changed, I will do so for the Final release. - The basic game engine. All the bugs from the original game are still here! Metroid is a marvellous game and hacking a tried and tested formula too much would be counter- productive. What are the new areas? +++++++++++++++++++++++ Forest Area Underground Reservoir Ice caverns Sulphur Mines Underwater Samus' Ship Ancient Ruins How do I play it? +++++++++++++++++ - Download an emulator (Nestopia or VirtuaNes) . http://www.zophar.net/ - Download Lunar IPS. http://www.zophar.net/ - Download the ROM (GoodNes) - Metroid (U) [!] - (search google) - Open Lunar IPS - Choose "Apply IPS Patch" - Choose this .ips file - Choose the rom - Lunar IPS says "The file was successfully patched!" - Open the rom with the emulator. What new moves do I need to learn to complete the game? +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ *Note: All these skills are present in the original game, but must be mastered to complete Captive. Drop and roll. Once you have the Maru Mari, You can fall off ledges as a ball and hold left or right to fit through narrow gaps while in mid-air. Ball Jump. As a ball, fall off a ledge, then tap 'Up'. Now press jump followed immediately by left or right to jump in mid-air. Bomb jump. Continuously plant bombs while you are a ball to blast into the air and reach narrow passages. Bounce. When you fall from a high enough place as a ball and hit the ground, you will bounce into the air. During this time it is possible to push left or right and squeeze through slightly elevated passageways. Wave Beam & Long Beam. No longer optional. Utilising these tools is necessary for completion. Any important hints I should remember? ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ - Using enemies as platforms is especially important in Captive. Freeze them with the Ice Beam. If you feel that there should be enemies present when there are not, try re-entering the room, or even entering from a different (hidden?) door. - Dead-ends. There are many secret doors and warp techniques to be uncovered. Look for hidden entrances, and don't always think 2 dimensionally! - In order to complete this game, you will have to find all the key items (Except the Varia)! - Some items (missiles and E-tanks especially) can only be accessed with the Wave Beam. You may have to switch between the Wave and Ice beams to get those elusive missiles. What Bugs are present? ++++++++++++++++++++++ There is one random bug that has been annoying me for a while. It seems that Samus can occasionally suffer damage at random points in the Forest area- even when there are no enemies around. Fortunately this happens VERY rarely and is not a big enough problem for me to delay this release further. Will be fixed for the Final version, though. The fanfare music (when you collect an item) stays on one note in the underwater level. Another one I hope to have fixed for 1.0. What will change for the 1.0 Final release? +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ - New bugs (see below), Known bugs (see above). - New / remixed music? This entirely depends on whether someone has written new music, integrated it into the Metroid ROM, and is willing for me to use it in Captive. - New / changed graphics here and there, depending on feedback. - Too easy, too hard? Also dependent on feedback. Why would I contact you? ++++++++++++++++++++++++ SPJ contact: midget35@msn.com - Bugs! Please let me know if you find any serious errors. There should be no point where level design error forces you to Reset the game. - New music. I'd love to incorporate new music into this hack. If you would like to contribute, please do not hesitate to get in touch! - Maybe you want to host the patch on your site? Please do so, but you must include this Readme. - Metroid - Captive needs a homepage! Please let me know if you'd be willing to host a small homepage with a few pics and details. - Praise / criticism. Let me know what you think! This patch is absolutely free, though I have spent countless hours on it (and nearly failed my degree!). Let me know what you don't like and I'll try to better it (but don't be rude to me as I don't like it!). Your comments are vital and will directly influence changes in the next release. Thanks to +++++++++ Massive, massive, massive thanks to the outrageously talented SnowBro for MetEdit, Tile Molester, and his technical docs. I owe this guy a pint so if you see him tell him it's coming! The FCE and FCEUXD teams. Brilliant work on this emu, a massive help to me. Thank you! The whole Acmlm's Board for not flaming me when I asked ridiculous questions at an unrelenting pace! Dedication ++++++++++ I would like to dedicate this and the final release to both Gunpei Yokoi and Bryan "Kidhype" Smith. Two great friends of videogaming who are no longer with us. Disclaimer ++++++++++ Metroid, Samus Aran, and all associated names and characters are copyright Nintendo. I take no responsibility for any damage done to your computer. Download at your own risk.