Category:Hacks

ROM Hacks, more commonly referred to as simply Hacks, are modified variants of existing video games, crafted by editing the source code of the game the hack was based on. Most ROM hacks are based on the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, being adjusted versions of the Genesis/Mega Drive video games, or, more rarely, the Sega Saturn, Dreamcast and the Genesis/Mega Drive addons. The Super Mario series, albeit very distantly, follows as second.

ROM Hacks can vary in general premise. Some hacks - like Knuckles the Echidna in Sonic 1 or Sonic in Chaotix - merely add new characters to the game or replace existing characters. Others, like Sonic the Hedgehog: Westside Island, 'merely' change the layout and/or palette, and more rarely, bosses. Other hacks, like Sonic 3 and Knuckles: The Challenges and Sonic Classic Heroes, entirely overhaul the gameplay, whereas hacks like Sonic 3 Complete aim to improve and optimalize the game, hacks like Malevolence's Bosses and Robotnik's Revenge focus specifically on bosses and hacks like Sonic 1 for GBA attempt to "simply" port games over to console. The rarest and largest hacks there are include Metal Sonic Hyperdrive and The S Factor: Sonia and Silver; these are so different from the original game, they give the impression of being standalone, all-new games of their own. And then there's joke hacks like Sonic 1 Mega Hack: Ultra Edition (which ironically has many amazing and fresh ideas that would function well in serious projects).

An example of a popular ROM hacker is TheBlad768, famous for his various boss-themed hacks, and Kaze Emanuar, famous for his Super Mario 64 hacks.