Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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Game Boy ROM download: dropbox.com/scl/fi/yseg7wizrvcwjcv408th4/DPadHeroProto20260130.gb?rlkey=kms7m5zx8jyesdzn3s8y10d8l&st=bx8sy9w3&dl=0

Source code: github.com/khansen/gbdev/tree/master/games/d-pad-hero

Includes a cover of "Maple Leaf Rag". Original music by Scott Joplin. I used youtu.be/eyh0bFWxWOs?si=r_hJC6NDdwOBFqK_ to transcribe the notes. Major thanks to @TutorialsByHugo!

Notable changes since prototype 2 (youtu.be/QGJTT7igyBk?si=fRiPhJJQ2MHrUj-Z):
- Switched to using Down on the D-pad for controlling lane 2
- Added support for sound effects
- Added highlighting of lane hit zone on mis-press
- Added lane miss indicators ("X")
- Added difficulty selection screen

Special thanks to @SoundToxin and @ChrisLeeW00 for valuable feedback!

CONTROLS:
Tap the suitable button when a target is inside the hit zone near the bottom of the screen. Lane 1 = Left, lane 2 = Down, lane 3 = B, lane 4 = A. For long targets (that have a tail), tap and hold the button until the whole duration has been "consumed". If you hit a target, it will explode. If you miss a target or break a hold, part of the audio will go silent until your next hit.

Check out the D-Pad Hero NES games: dpadhero.com