Guide: So you want to make a ROM hack?

[esperance]

ROM Hacking Walkthrough (pending rewrite)

You can view the old write-up here, which will be replaced in the future:

Spoiler:

Greetings, denizens of the ROM Hacking section! I am Hopeless Masquerade, a now five year member of PokéCommuninty, and I've been hacking since I was a new member all those years ago. If you're anything like I was back then, then you know that ROM hacking is actually a lot harder than you expected, what with managing all that data and knowing all kinds of fancy terms and techniques. It sure would have been nice if someone was able to walk you through it, and not with stuff from like 2004, am I right? Well I am here to do just that. I will be creating a hack and sharing all the steps that I take as I go through it, and you'll be able to make your own version of it alongside me! Think of it as a huge interactive tutorial, and by the end we'll all have made a fun little hack of our own.

I will be sorting my steps below in the order I post, and I will be posting them for as long as I can keep going. Each step will have its own thread so that people can ask questions pertaining to each topic there.

About the Hack

Here is where I'll be posting information about the hack as it comes together!

Hack of: Pokémon FireRed
Features:

• Four gyms
• Fairy type
• Updated battle mechanics
• You can catch some legendaries

Region: The Tokan Region

Steps

In Order

1. Choosing your ROM
2. Planning the Game
3. You Think You're Ready?
4. Your First Map
​

Topics Covered

Planning

1. Choosing your ROM
2. Planning the Game
​

General Hacking

3. You Think You're Ready?
4. Your First Map
​

Mapping

4. Your First Map
​

Tools of the Trade

And finally here is a list of tools you'll need if you want to follow along. Be sure to check back because I will add more.

• HxD (a hex editor)
• Advanced Map 1.92
• XSE 1.1.1
• Lunar IPS

 

[esperance]

Okay people, the first step is up! Today I discuss choosing the right ROM. Next time I'll discuss planning the hack.

 

[esperance]

Alright! Step 2 is up! Today we discuss planning the game. Next time I'll show you why you may not be ready for the actual hacking. And then finally, we'll get to it! :)

 

[esperance]

Okay! Step 3 is up! Today we discuss some basic knowledge you need. Next time we'll finally be getting to it!

 

[esperance]

Hey! Step 4 is now up! (sorry for the delay)

Today we discuss basic mapping and setting up the ROM for hacking. Next time we'll do some more with our first map, including basic scripting!

 

[esperance]

Just making a quick post to say that this being re-branded to go along with my username change~
On top of that, the next step is being planned so be on the lookout for that soon! :)

 

[BadEgg~]

It's really useful seeing how other people go about making their hacks step-by-step. I hope you finish this!

 

[Syrex]

I'm looking forward to the next time,
As for I am in training :3

 

[BremFM]

When is step 5 coming?

 

[esperance]

When is step 5 coming?

Not anytime soon unfortunately. The computer I was using to work on this is out of commission for the time and I won't be able to get it going for a while. I can't give you an estimate, but worst-case I'll be able to continue this in May, and if I can I'll try and get something out sooner.

 

[xXbrendanhoennXx]

This series has helped a lot!

 

[StrikeFreedom]

I just got into hacking and this tutorial has been extremely helpful. Thank you very much for writing it. I'll definitely follow along.

 

[rockboyfr]

Thank, you thread help me to prepare my project. :)

 

[crimsonwolf8439]

Just checking, but this is dead right?

Either way, thanks for this.

 

[LovetheJello]

Thanks for the Help!

 

[playboyhacker]

Awesome! This is very useful! Thanks Sir!

 

[windvelasco]

Yo man, I just finished the 4th part of this guide. I noticed that this post was edited last March. Will the guide continue? I'm getting fired-up on making a ROM hack, but I don't think there'll be a part 5. Great map tho, It got me learning the basics of advanced map.

Awesome guide!

 

[PokZoom]

Thanks for the basic info. I might have to eventually dig into this.

 

[Tamzarian]

This is so dead. Wish he'd continued, because this is a really great guide!

 

[Fireboy gaming]

Rip I'll never learn how to script and hack like a true G whatever that means