EDIT: DEMO IS NOW AVAILABLE!
The two links for it via either NCFC:
http://nintendocfc.com/booth.html?id=80
Or Gaming Reinvented:
https://gamingreinvented.com/forum/index.php?resources/marios-nightmare-quest-part-1-demo-1.15/
Yeah, it's a topic for this hack, given that C3 will be over and the forum closed soon.
It's a very different kind of game. This is because:
1. Bowser isn't present, and nor are the Koopalings.
2. Peach isn't captured, or even present in the game.
3. Despite the non Mario graphics, there are very few crossover elements and no gameplay gimmicks that take away from the platforming. So no vehicles, shoot em up levels, etc.
4. The structure is non traditional. Short worlds, non linear overworld, etc.
So with that said, some pictures, which you'll recognise from both the C3 topic and the topics about the game on other ROM hacking and fan game websites like ROM Hacking.net, raocow's Talkhaus, Fusion Gameworks, etc...
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/67216205/minishcapexgfx.png
So, any questions? Oh wait, I'll try and answer a few that might come up in advance. As partly mentioned on the Talkhaus:
How difficult is this game?
It's meant to be fairly easy. Lots of power ups and checkpoints exist, and neither Elite Koopas, Homing Bullet Bills or N00b bosses are present. Yes really. It's a whole SMW ROM hack with both chocolate content and ZERO homing bullets.
I'm really, really trying to avoid the ridiculously high level of difficulty present in most hacks and fan games. I want something that's reasonably fair, rather than the near impossible that some of my past games were.
It will actually be easier than about 70% of hacks on this site, and about 80% of games on Mario Fan Games Galaxy.
What do you mean by 'not a crossover'?
It's... not a crossover. Yes the graphics often come from somewhat obscure games that aren't always part of the Mario universe.
But they're like the levels in Mario Fusion and its ilk... using resources from other games in original contexts that don't involve multiple universes. Basically, things from other franchises are being used in semi generic, original contexts that don't reference other series.
There are no worlds based on other game series, no gimmicky non Mario levels, all enemies are simple and based on Mario universe attack patterns... That kind of thing.
Why does Mario look somewhat out of place?
Because his GFX haven't been edited yet.
Why are some levels seemingly a tad empty?
Because in some cases, I'm showing off progress with the level graphics and atmosphere before the actual level is properly assembled. In other cases, the screenshots are really old and aren't really relevant any more.
What's unique about the overworld?
You start out in the centre, after playing through an interactive intro. Then, you can choose which of the five initial worlds to visit. When you then clear one of these worlds, you unlock another world, which is from the second 'batch', aka the submaps.
Your goal is to beat enough levels/find enough exits to reach the final world/castle and boss. Your progress is checked in a manner sort of similar to the badge checks in Pokemon's Victory Road, rather than based on switch palaces cleared.
How many levels?
About 60.
How long is each level?
They get longer as you progress, but the average is about 12 screens for a short level, 16 or so for a medium one and maybe 20 or more for a long one. Checkpoints are frequent, as are blocks with power ups.
The longer the level, the easier it is to compensate.
If there are no Koopalings, who are the bosses?
Somewhat obscure, mostly unused characters. Most of whom are from games set in the Mario universe.
Their boss sprites are rare ones not seen in most ROM hacks, and any complexity solely comes from complex attack patterns. This game has Kirby style boss dissonance rather than Mario style boss dissonance.
And that should be everything. If you want more information, or to see what other people think of this game, you can see the topics at ROM Hacking.net, the Talkhaus, the GCN, Fusion Gameworks, Wario Forums or Talk Nintendo, which have plenty of responses and updates.
For gaming news and Wario discussions, check out Gaming Reinvented and Wario Forums respectively.
As for Mario's Nightmare Quest? Well, it's currently on Fusion Gameworks, ROM Hacking.net or the GCN at the moment.
The two links for it via either NCFC:
http://nintendocfc.com/booth.html?id=80
Or Gaming Reinvented:
https://gamingreinvented.com/forum/index.php?resources/marios-nightmare-quest-part-1-demo-1.15/
Yeah, it's a topic for this hack, given that C3 will be over and the forum closed soon.
It's a very different kind of game. This is because:
1. Bowser isn't present, and nor are the Koopalings.
2. Peach isn't captured, or even present in the game.
3. Despite the non Mario graphics, there are very few crossover elements and no gameplay gimmicks that take away from the platforming. So no vehicles, shoot em up levels, etc.
4. The structure is non traditional. Short worlds, non linear overworld, etc.
So with that said, some pictures, which you'll recognise from both the C3 topic and the topics about the game on other ROM hacking and fan game websites like ROM Hacking.net, raocow's Talkhaus, Fusion Gameworks, etc...
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/67216205/minishcapexgfx.png
So, any questions? Oh wait, I'll try and answer a few that might come up in advance. As partly mentioned on the Talkhaus:
How difficult is this game?
It's meant to be fairly easy. Lots of power ups and checkpoints exist, and neither Elite Koopas, Homing Bullet Bills or N00b bosses are present. Yes really. It's a whole SMW ROM hack with both chocolate content and ZERO homing bullets.
I'm really, really trying to avoid the ridiculously high level of difficulty present in most hacks and fan games. I want something that's reasonably fair, rather than the near impossible that some of my past games were.
It will actually be easier than about 70% of hacks on this site, and about 80% of games on Mario Fan Games Galaxy.
What do you mean by 'not a crossover'?
It's... not a crossover. Yes the graphics often come from somewhat obscure games that aren't always part of the Mario universe.
But they're like the levels in Mario Fusion and its ilk... using resources from other games in original contexts that don't involve multiple universes. Basically, things from other franchises are being used in semi generic, original contexts that don't reference other series.
There are no worlds based on other game series, no gimmicky non Mario levels, all enemies are simple and based on Mario universe attack patterns... That kind of thing.
Why does Mario look somewhat out of place?
Because his GFX haven't been edited yet.
Why are some levels seemingly a tad empty?
Because in some cases, I'm showing off progress with the level graphics and atmosphere before the actual level is properly assembled. In other cases, the screenshots are really old and aren't really relevant any more.
What's unique about the overworld?
You start out in the centre, after playing through an interactive intro. Then, you can choose which of the five initial worlds to visit. When you then clear one of these worlds, you unlock another world, which is from the second 'batch', aka the submaps.
Your goal is to beat enough levels/find enough exits to reach the final world/castle and boss. Your progress is checked in a manner sort of similar to the badge checks in Pokemon's Victory Road, rather than based on switch palaces cleared.
How many levels?
About 60.
How long is each level?
They get longer as you progress, but the average is about 12 screens for a short level, 16 or so for a medium one and maybe 20 or more for a long one. Checkpoints are frequent, as are blocks with power ups.
The longer the level, the easier it is to compensate.
If there are no Koopalings, who are the bosses?
Somewhat obscure, mostly unused characters. Most of whom are from games set in the Mario universe.
Their boss sprites are rare ones not seen in most ROM hacks, and any complexity solely comes from complex attack patterns. This game has Kirby style boss dissonance rather than Mario style boss dissonance.
And that should be everything. If you want more information, or to see what other people think of this game, you can see the topics at ROM Hacking.net, the Talkhaus, the GCN, Fusion Gameworks, Wario Forums or Talk Nintendo, which have plenty of responses and updates.
For gaming news and Wario discussions, check out Gaming Reinvented and Wario Forums respectively.
As for Mario's Nightmare Quest? Well, it's currently on Fusion Gameworks, ROM Hacking.net or the GCN at the moment.