Top 10 Classic Video Game Rom-Hacks and Mods

Everyone’s favourite female bounty hunter returns in this rework of the classic game for Super Nintendo. In this version, the rooms have been completely redesigned, creating new puzzles, and the physics of the game have also been changed. The creator (Drewseph) said he increased the speed that Samus falls at, claiming that this would better reflect the gravity on Zebes. Aditionally, the ability to wall jump has also been converted into an item, restricting the amount of places it is possible. Over the course of its design, the game was scrapped and restarted three different times before the final product was complete. The end result is a more challenging version of the classic, about four times the length of the original.

The year is 20XX, and Dr. Wily has teamed up with Bowser to overcome Mega Man once and for all. Now the blue bomber must fight his way through the mushroom kingdom, facing unfamiliar foes. So, don’t be fooled, although it looks like a Mario game, this is actually a hack of the original Mega Man. And while the level design remains largely the same, it uses sprites from Mario Bros 1, 2, 3, and Super Mario World. Mega Man also jumps higher than in the original, to accommodate the taller Mario World obstacles. Though there are the odd glitches, the game is still completely playable. The bosses remain the same as in the original Mega Man, although their difficulty has been adjusted.

This hack of the original Castlevania for the NES has been described as an ambitious project. As well as completely redesigning the levels and map, the game also features brand new sprites, backgrounds and music. The creators have also provided an original story for the hack; You play as Armund DeNasty, the orphaned heir to a pirate legacy. As fate would have it, he is guided through a series of mysteries that pit him against the evil undead in a quest to discover his ancestry. Chorus of Mysteries holds up as an in-depth spiritual successor to the original game, despite being created by only two people.

This hack of Mario’s first 3d title makes some major changes to the original game. Rather than focussing on different graphics, this hack provides original levels and 130 stars for Mario to collect. It also allows the player to control the camera more smoothly, instead of using the N64’s notorious C-buttons. And while you’re playing, you might notice some familiar tunes from your other favourite Nintendo titles. But perhaps most exciting about this hack is the multiplayer feature. The developer even took the time to create a Luigi model for player 2!

In this hack, the Princess of Mobius takes on the original Sonic the Hedgehog levels. Originally introduced in the comic series and Sonic the Hedgehog TV show, it took the devotion of caring fans to finally bring Sally into an actual game. While Sally is slower than Sonic and can’t use his signature spin attacks, she has a few tricks of her own to help her get by. Using her handheld computer NICOLE, she can fire lasers and scan to reprogram Eggman traps. Her somersault dash is also handy for reaching areas that Sonic may have had trouble with.

This rom hack of the first Zelda game really ramps up the difficulty. Like the original, you start with nothing, although now you are up against much more. As well as relocating all the dungeons and secrets, the dungeon rooms now have 42 different possible tile configurations. The secrets also remain locked depending on which quest you are currently playing, so the same tricks won’t work twice. There are also a slew of new monsters, and new graphics for each of the bosses. This hack is perfect for someone wanting the feel of the original game, although as if there were an “expert mode”.

If you’re something of a purist concerning new Nintendo games, this is the Mario Kart for you. It features completely new levels in the classic super nintendo style. And along with each level comes an original theme. While the mechanics and the items remain the same, there is one major change. Replacing Toad as a playable character is Kirby, complete with his own track and theme music. The creator also swapped the colour palette for something more subtle, and made some other visual changes to make the game more pleasing to the eye.

Did Chrono Cross not really do it for you? Are you still hoping for a better sequel to Chrono Trigger. Well, you’re in luck as Crimson echoes is the unofficial sequel to the original SNES game while still setting up the events of Chrono Cross. It promises around 35 hours of content, and has ten different endings. While the game succeeded as a modern iteration of the classic RPG, a cease and desist from Square Enix right before the official release spelled an end for the project.

This rom hack of Super Mario Brothers 3 is truly a classic amongst classics. As one of the most widely popular hacks, it boasts professional level quality. With seven worlds and a “secret” waiting at the end of the game, there’s a ton of new content to enjoy. Along with new enemies and new powerups, it also features a new colour palette, and even random weather patterns for each stage. The stages themselves have increased difficulty, and a miniboss at the end of each one. For the Mario fan, this rom hack is a must.
Before we get to our top pick, here are a few honourable mentions.

Pokemon Snakewood (2013)
Bubble Bobble: Lost Cave (2002)
The S Factor: Sonia and Silver (2013)
Super Mario Bros. 3 Mix (2014)
Pokemon Light Platinum (2009)

This hack of the classic Link To The Past for the Super Nintendo was the product of almost five years of development. While it uses the classic game engine, almost everything else is different. The creators even added new songs, although they left in the majority of the original soundtrack out of respect. The game features an increased difficulty, to the extent that the author’s notes include a brief walkthrough. Along with the graphics of enemies and other game elements, the game features a brand new HUD, designed with the Ocarina of Time interface in mind.

Do you agree with our list? What are your favourite classic video game hacks? For more creative Top 10s daily, be sure to subscribe to Watchmojo.com.