Faxanadu: How to get back your Mattock Brad Smith 2024-07-03 | I made a little bit of a tutorial for the first small part of Faxanadu that trips up a lot of players. There's an unexpected resolution to the mattock problem that I think very few would find on their own. ...but at the same time, I wonder if by sharing this I'm denying others this funny experience of restarting the game. It was something I genuinely enjoyed. It's just a part of the game's charm for me. I ended up on a soapbox here, I guess, but the spoiler issue is something that's frequently on my mind, and sometimes I just wanna talk about it.I'm not free of sin. I've been an accidental back-seater on more than one occasion. It happens... but I think there are ways we can learn to avoid falling into that trap.Don't worry, I'm conscious of the irony in making this point in a tip video. 😈 Also, I like the X sound, but feel free to debate the merits of ファザナドゥ in the comments. I regret not saying "snield".
NESferatu - Hans Erdmann - NES / VRC6 Brad Smith 2024-06-09 | The opening of Hans Edrmann's 1922 score for the film Nosferatu, as played by the NES with VRC6 expansion audio, arranged by Brad Smith, December 23, 2011.This was originally supposed to be part of a collaborative complete "NESferatu" score, but I don't know if any other portions of the project were ever finished. I had shelved this at the time because the film's public domain status was still being contested until 2019.This music would have been for the opening of the film, but I chose a clip from the middle instead because it was a little bit more exciting.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nosferatuhttp://rainwarrior.ca/music
hatariB Atari ST emulator core test - Kings Quest IV (MT-32) Brad Smith 2023-08-23 | Testing out a new Atari ST emulation core I've been working on, based on the Hatari emulator but adapted for RetroArch / Libretro. I've been testing RetroArch's experimental MIDI feature, combined with the MUNT emulator for MT-32.The emulator core is merely sending MIDI writes, and MUNT is installed as a MIDI driver on my system. In theory I could use a physical MIDI interface and hook up to an external keyboard or synthesizer with cables.This is my first time using MUNT, so I don't know if it's set up perfectly. Some of the instrument choices seem a little strange. The bard's lute sounds like an organ? ...but it's definitely playing the right notes!When I played this as a kid, the manual really hyped up the Roland MT-32, and I wanted one so badly. Sometimes I played this game set to MT-32 output, and even though it was silent I just imagined what the music would sound like instead of the built-in AY chiptune version I was used to. I think the AY music is still quite good, though. Sierra's music staff was quite talented.The core is available here:patreon.com/posts/88108809The MUNT MT-32 emulator is available here:sourceforge.net/projects/munt
hatariB Atari ST emulator core test - Bubble Bobble Brad Smith 2023-08-23 | Testing out a new Atari ST emulation core I've been working on, based on the Hatari emulator but adapted for RetroArch / Libretro. Here I play the first stage of Bubble Bobble, and demonstrate the on-screen keyboard.The core is available here:patreon.com/posts/88108809
Chrono Trigger (SNES) alternative Epoch Crash scene Brad Smith 2023-02-14 | An odd alternative scene from Chrono Trigger (SNES, Squaresoft 1995) Once you get the Epoch, there is always an option to take it to fight Lavos. Later, when you get the wings, it allows you to crash the Epoch into its outer shell, breaking through and bypassing the first phase of the battle. Even later in the game, Lavos' head may already be destroyed, which I think is due to completing the Black Omen areas, but I haven't figured out the exact conditions yet. Under that late game condition, there are two more versions of the scene available!When Lavos appears there is a brief view of the outer shell with missing head, and someone is saying "Lavos...". If you press A quickly here, you will crash the Epoch, but if you linger on this moment, the music will fade and go silent. The characters will make a few statements observing Lavos, and then instead of crashing the Epoch the characters will descend into the cavern below, and have different things to say. How subtle!If you'd like to try this, I'd recommend using a save file from Zophar's Domain: zophar.net/savestates/snes/chrono-trigger.htmlDownload the save file called "Black Omen destroyed, all quests completed, everything found." by Joakim Hellstrand. It will load at the End of Time where you can board the Epoch by jumping from the right hand side of the area.A side note: when flying the Epoch toward the crash, the game switches to a rarely used interlaced video output mode of the SNES. In most games, interlacing is either used for 480i high resolution (e.g. RPM Racing), or sometimes by accident, but I think this usage might be intentional to use the inherent jitter of interlacing to slightly highten the turbulence of the flight scene? Very strange!Chrono Trigger seemed to use a few unusual features of the SNES video hardware, and it feels like the developers were curious to experiment with some of its dark corners.Sadly, a lot of modern TVs or upscalers will have problems switching to interlaced and back, so the unique crash scene might end up dropping the picture for some players today! For this video I used weave de-interlacing so that you can see two interlaced frames at once in a mesh of horizontal lines.Further reading: snes.nesdev.org/wiki/Uncommon_graphics_mode_gamesThanks go to user Yl Ow who discovered this while pressing fast forward in SNES9x. They thought it might only be accessible via the emulator, but I found that it is really based on waiting on the "Lavos..." screen. Here is their original discovery video: youtube.com/watch?v=I-PxY_43pdM0:00 Epoch Crash2:13 Alternative Crash Skip
Palette Cycling on the SNES Brad Smith 2022-09-10 | Some demonstration of palette cycling and colour animation on the SNES.ROM and Source Code:patreon.com/posts/palette-cycling-71799222Mark Ferrari's Living Worlds HTML5 Demo:http://www.effectgames.com/demos/worldsMark Ferrari at GDC:youtube.com/watch?v=aMcJ1Jvtef0Living Worlds for your phone:http://pixfabrik.com/livingworldsSecret of Mana:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secret_of_Mana
SimCity SNES map viewer script Brad Smith 2022-08-30 | I made a Lua script for BizHawk that allows you to view your entire city at once in Sim City for the SNES.Lua script:patreon.com/posts/simcity-snes-map-71239703BizHawk emulator:tasvideos.org/BizHawk
Pastured Ewe - TOJam 2014 Brad Smith 2022-05-28 | This was a game created in 3 days for TOJam 9 in April 2014.It's a game about herding sheep.I like the game's concept, but I didn't get to realize much of its potential within the deadline of the game jam. I was happy with the music, and the game systems work pretty OK mechanically. I didn't have a lot of time to experiment with level design and figure out how to make fun scenarios out of it.Game download and source code available here:rainwarrior.itch.io/pastured-ewe
Classic Chips 11 - String Quartet No. 1 (2 of 2) - Schönberg - NES / MMC5 Brad Smith 2022-01-07 | iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/classic-chips/id480889322Bandcamp: http://rainwarrior.bandcamp.com/album/classic-chipsCDBaby: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bradsmith23http://rainwarrior.ca/music/classic_chips.htmlClassical favourites arranged for NES.Title: String Quartet No. 1 Op. 7Composer: Arnold Schönberg (1905)Performer: bradsmithChip: MMC5
Boing Ball for NES Brad Smith 2021-11-30 | A recreation of the Amiga Boing Ball demo for the NES, or perhaps the Boink demo if you were an Atari ST kid like me.ROM and information:patreon.com/posts/boing-ball-for-59302672
Alwas Awakening NES - Part 2: Sprites Brad Smith 2021-10-17 | Alwa's Awakening for the NESeldenpixels.com/alwas-awakening-nesThis is the second part of a making-of series for Alwa's Awakening NES. In this episode we discuss sprites, which are used to create animated characters for the game.For more information on NES sprites, here is a making-of article from my earlier game Lizard:My lizard is the Lizard of NES Sprite Renderingkickstarter.com/projects/1101008925/lizard/posts/1582636Chapters:00:00 Prelude00:39 Hardware02:03 Colours06:08 Flickering09:08 Memory13:13 Secret Walls14:47 Coda
Alwas Awakening NES - Part 1: Backgrounds Brad Smith 2020-12-14 | Alwa's Awakening for the NESeldenpixels.com/alwas-awakening-nesThis is the first part of a making-of series for Alwa's Awakening NES. In this episode we discuss how the maps and background art will work.For more information on NES backgrounds, here are two making-of articles for my earlier game Lizard:1. My lizard is the Lizard of Tile Mapskickstarter.com/projects/1101008925/lizard/posts/11863322. My lizard is the Lizard of NES Scrollingkickstarter.com/projects/1101008925/lizard/posts/1820518Chapters:0:00 Prelude0:25 Map Editor0:44 Hardware3:29 Tile Conversion5:06 Compression7:16 Coda
The Lizard Tool: making an NES game Brad Smith 2020-06-09 | rainwarrior.itch.io/lizardA tour of the Lizard Tool that I used to make my NES game Lizard.kickstarter.com/projects/1101008925/lizard/posts/2860878http://lizardnes.compatreon.com/rainwarriorChapters:00:00 Where to get it00:35 Opening the tool01:08 CHR Graphics01:54 Palettes02:11 Sprites04:22 Rooms07:36 Room Properties09:32 Dogs12:45 Testing13:34 Non-Scrolling Rooms13:46 Boss Rooms14:04 Other Tools15:31 Coda
Remember Your Mantra - Faxanadu (Guitar) Brad Smith 2020-04-16 | Remember Your Mantra - FaxanaduJun Chikuma, Hudson Soft, 1987Arranged for guitar by Brad Smith, 2020Don't have negative thoughts. Remember your mantra. Score and tab available at:http://rainwarrior.ca/music/index.html
Legacy of the Wizard (NES) editor - Xemns Infinity Block Brad Smith 2020-04-13 | An experiment with LotW Tool, giving Xemn a replicating block to play with.This is a small demonstartion of my editor for Legacy of the Wizard (NES) and Dragon Slayer IV (Famicom).Download: github.com/bbbradsmith/lotwtool/releasesPatreon: patreon.com/posts/legacy-of-wizard-35878112
Legacy of the Wizard (NES) editor - LotW Tool Brad Smith 2020-04-11 | A demonstration of my editor for Legacy of the Wizard (NES) and Dragon Slayer IV (Famicom).Download: github.com/bbbradsmith/lotwtool/releasesPatreon: patreon.com/posts/legacy-of-wizard-35878112Chapters:00:00 Where to get it00:17 Overview00:45 Rooms01:32 Tiles04:11 Metatiles05:42 Map Properties11:52 Items and Enemies14:58 Teleports16:22 Enemy Properties17:22 CHR Graphics19:15 Credits20:40 Title Screen23:25 Dragon25:26 Boss Rooms26:19 Special Rooms27:22 Undo28:06 Global Properties29:43 Testing33:00 Revert Changes33:39 Coda
NESert Golfing: making an NES golf game Brad Smith 2019-11-09 | How and why I made a golf game for the NES.NESert Golfing:rainwarrior.itch.io/nesert-golfingDesert Golfing:captaingames.itch.io/desert-golfingSources and notes:gist.github.com/bbbradsmith/e8618becb822156da30c677f54d5b7b4Chapters:00:00 Introduction01:08 Mouse03:08 Courses06:00 Physics08:37 Multiplication12:22 Coda
KHAN.NES screaming demo Brad Smith 2019-10-13 | A stack of kirks endlessly screaming the name of his greatest foe... in my NES? It's more likely than you think.ROM and explanation: patreon.com/posts/30714624
Un bel dì vedremo (Madama Butterfly) - NES Brad Smith 2019-06-03 | Un bel dì vedremo, Madama Butterfly - Giacomo Puccini 1904Arranged for NES, Brad Smith 2019I was working on a data compression library for the NES, and I needed to make a demonstration test for it. I used the public domain story The Most Dangerous Game, which fit reasonably in the space I wanted to use. The story mentions Madame Butterfly at one point, which I thought could make appropriate accompanying music while you read the story.Information on the NES compression project:patreon.com/posts/27359058Download the ROM:http://rainwarrior.ca/projects/nes/danger.nes
dɐW ǝlɔɹᴉƆ Brad Smith 2019-02-18 | This is the evil twin to my previous Circle Map render:youtube.com/watch?v=-l12chlb31Mx ← x + Ω - K * sin(2πx) / 2π mod 1This is another graph of the circle map iteration, but what was changing over time in the other rendering is now changing across the vertical, and vice versa.http://mathworld.wolfram.com/CircleMap.htmlΩ varies from 0 to 1 across a vertical row, and each row represents a single value of K from 4π to 0, left to right. Over time what varies is the initial value used for x.Instead of keeping a trace of where the iterated values of x land across the vertical column, as the last render did, instead I am counting how many iterations it takes to return to the initial value (within some epsilon). If it never returns, the image is black. If it returns very quickly, the image is brighter.This took a lot more processing time, and the result is very noisy Maybe a bit spooky. It would probably take an insane amount of time to reduce that noise, however. This is just a hazy approximate view into this strange chaotic system.More info and example program:patreon.com/posts/24826459
Circle Map Brad Smith 2019-02-16 | An animation smoothly varying parameters of the Circle Map.x ← x + Ω - K * sin(2πx) / 2π mod 1It began as a simple iterative system modelling an interaction between a spring and a rotating motor, but when you vary the speed and strength parameters, interesting regions of stability and chaos appear.http://mathworld.wolfram.com/CircleMap.htmlIn this rendering, each frame represents a single Ω, varying from 0 to 1 across the animation. Each vertical line represents a single K, varying from 4π to 0 from left to right.For each vertical slice, many starting values for x are chosen and iterated, accumulating a count of how many times each pixel is visited. Bright spots in the image represent a point of stability where they tend to converge.Horizontally you can see it tends to split into pairs, recursively as K increases, eventually approaching total chaos, but then surprisingly returning to stability again periodically.It's a form of the classic bifurcation pattern seen in many chaotic systems:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bifurcation_diagramMore info and example program:patreon.com/posts/24826459An animation of the Circle Map's evil twin can be seen here:youtu.be/3kBwqK-9CkcMusic is something I wrote a few years ago for a one hour compo:http://battleofthebits.org/arena/Entry/lava_man_and_lava_woman_lava_love_time.mp3/8944
Succumb to Eggnog Brad Smith 2018-12-25 | A brief holiday tune. Be mindful of the power of egg!Written December 25, 2012.(Image is a screenshot of Doki Doki Penguin Land.)http://rainwarrior.ca/music
Why does an NES cartridge have two ROM chips inside? Brad Smith 2018-11-15 | A look at one of the more unique design decisions of the NES.More info: patreon.com/posts/22735126Music: http://rainwarrior.ca/music/classic_chips.htmlSources and game list: gist.github.com/bbbradsmith/e8c0cdb82157060ec078bfb19a321194Chapters:0:00 Two ROM chips0:42 Hardware2:52 CHR ROM for graphics4:29 CHR RAM for graphics5:32 A fun thing to try
A very abstract version of Karnov (NES) Brad Smith 2018-11-09 | The Karnov Inspector with the "hide screen" option creates a very abstract looking version of Karnov. Download here:patreon.com/posts/karnov-inspector-22622436
Ways to play NES Light Gun Games on a Modern TV Brad Smith 2018-10-09 | An overview of the problem light guns have with the modern television set, and a couple of ways to overcome it.NES LCD Mod:http://neslcdmod.comTomee Zapp Gun:hyperkin.com/nes-zapp-gun-tomee.htmlLightGunVerterlightgunverter.comgithub.com/charcole/LCDZapperModern Mallard Kickstarter: (unsuccessful)kickstarter.com/projects/metsasta/modern-mallardIt's a big topic, and there's a lot of little details that I had to leave out to keep it simple. For instance, there's really a lot of possibilities for how LCD and other types of modern TVs operate, but I tried to give an overview of the most basic and common cases here. There are also more unusual light gun detection techniques for NES software (e.g. Action 53's zapper games) that can't really be covered by lag compensation. Feel free to discuss these in the comments.http://rainwarrior.caChapters:0:00 The latency issue1:49 The frequency issue4:08 Previous solutions5:14 A new solution
Super Mario Bros. (NES) World -1 Demonstration Brad Smith 2018-09-01 | How to get to the infamous World -1 in Super Mario Bros.Originally broadcast on twitch:twitch.tv/videos/304433554
Lizard Trailer (NES) Brad Smith 2018-03-28 | LizardA game for the NES(Also: PC / Mac / Linux / Steam)http://lizardnes.com
My lizard is the Lizard of River Test Zone Brad Smith 2017-02-26 | Test sequence for the River Zone of Lizard, because every game needs a surfing level.http://lizardnes.com
Zelda II intro layer breakdown Brad Smith 2017-01-06 | This video shows the introduction to Zelda II, comparing just the background layer (bottom left) and just the sprite layer (top right) against the complete image (top left and bottom right).Note how the stars and sparkling water are all on the sprite layer, as well as the sword and the part of the rocks that stick out above the point where the scrolling splits.The sprite rocks are also used to hide visual glitches that were the result of how difficult it is to do precise timing on the NES.The stationary part of the background ends up being copied several times to accomodate the vertical wrapping of the internal graphics memory. It has to move out of the way of the text! Illustration here:http://twitter.com/bbbradsmith/status/817258998831333376Zelda II for the NESNintendo, 1987
Tecmo Super Bowl intro layer breakdown Brad Smith 2016-12-22 | This video shows the introduction to Tecmo Super Bowl, comparing just the background layer (bottom left) and just the sprite layer (top right) against the complete image (top left and bottom right).Tecmo Super Bowl for the NESTecmo, 1991
Frog boss test sequence for Lizard Brad Smith 2016-08-21 | NES footage of a test sequence of Lizard's giant frog boss.The capture device was having some problems in the middle (the stutter and pitch change is not the NES), but you get the idea. All the components of this boss are complete, but the sequence of events is just a test version right now, while I figure out the real sequence.http://lizardnes.com
Japanese Castlevania III soundtrack synthesized on North American NES Brad Smith 2016-08-08 | Who says the American NES can't do expansion sound?The Japanese version of Castlevania III, a.k.a. Akumajou Densetsu (悪魔城伝説) is well known for its richly orchestrated soundtrack that included extra sound hardware inside the cartridge known as the Konami VRC6. Unfortunately, outside of Japan, the NES did not have support for this kind of expansion audio, and the soundtrack on other versions had to be scaled back significantly.This little demonstration takes on the problem of no expansion audio hardware, by using the CPU of the NES to synthesize two extra square wave channels to make up for what's missing. I had to make some changes to the arrangement to make it fit, but at long last you can hear something close to the Japanese Castlevania III soundtrack coming out of an unmodified North American NES!ROM download: rainwarrior.ca/projects/nes/ad_sound_demo.nesNSF music file: rainwarrior.ca/projects/nes/ad_sound_demo.nsfEngine used, with source code:rainwarrior.ca/projects/nes/dmmc_beta.zipRecorded from a real North American model NES. Download the ROM to try it yourself. No hardware modifications are necessary.Sadly, this technique wouldn't really work in a game setting, since the CPU is being used heavily there is really not enough time left in a frame to run a game while playing this music. This is merely a proof of concept.http://rainwarrior.ca
Vergespiracy Brad Smith 2015-12-05 | A few moments from my unfinished RPG, Vergespiracy, released June 24, 1999.I used to hang around in an RPG engine community called Verge:http://verge-rpg.comMore info on Vergespiracy here:http://rainwarrior.ca/dragon/newchaos.html(Please don't download and play this piece of poo.)
Song of the Plants ♪ - Mario Maker Brad Smith 2015-10-09 | A musical course made with Mario Maker. The goal was to make a musical composition that you could "play", rather than it just be an automatic level.B5B9-0000-007B-97A9supermariomakerbookmark.nintendo.net/courses/B5B9-0000-007B-97A9The exact sequence of notes isn't guaranteed, but their relative proximity is, which was an interesting compositional problem.There is a third 1-up hidden in the level, not shown in this video. See if you can find it!Sorry about the video quality. I don't have an HDMI capture device, so I had to use composite 480i.
My lizard works at the Penguin Testing Facility Brad Smith 2015-07-25 | Mountainside penguin testing facility. The consistency of the penguin stack must be rigorously maintained.http://lizardnes.com
Freebird - NES Brad Smith 2015-06-28 | http://rainwarrior.ca/musicBy popular request, it's Lynyrd Skynyrd's Freebird! Arranged for NES by Brad Smith, created using Famitracker, with sound rendered by NSFplug.
Super Mario Bros. 3: Pick a box; its contents will deceive you? Brad Smith 2015-06-07 | A brief lesson in existentialism I learned while playing Super Mario Bros. 3. What happens in Toad's mushroom house? Why do you have a choice, and what does it mean?All video is from Super Mario Bros 3. by Nintendo, 1990, recorded in FCEUX.The backround music is from Lizard. http://lizardnes.com
My lizard found a place for all its coins? Brad Smith 2015-06-04 | This friendly piggy has offered me a storage solution.http://lizardnes.com
Looks like my lizard is the Lizard of Brad Dungeon? Brad Smith 2015-05-24 | Looks like my lizard is the Lizard of Brad Dungeon?http://lizardnes.com
Bill Murray has been kidnapped by ninjas. Brad Smith 2015-05-23 | Bill Murray has been kidnapped by ninjas. Are you a bad enough dude to rescue Bill Murray?Art and music by Svetlana:http://mynameiser.in/Music is from the Super John Stamos sountrack:http://bandcamp.mynameiser.in/album/super-john-stamosAdapted for the NES by rainwarrior. This was an experiment in automated NES graphics conversion.Technical explanation, NES ROM and source code available here:http://forums.nesdev.com/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=9801
My lizard is the Lizard of Vertical Space Brad Smith 2015-05-14 | A short preview of a continuous vertical segment of the Lizard world. From a towering structure atop the forest, down, down, down into the cavernous root system below it.This is just a demonstration of space. You'd normally want to play the forest region bottom-to-top, but if you want to risk it you can try to go back down the quick way.http://lizardnes.com
My lizard is the Lizard of Two Bits Brad Smith 2015-04-03 | NES development is too hard. I'm going to have to cut at least 6 bits to make this work.If you like this version of the soundtrack, NSF and NSFe music files are available here:NSF: http://lizardnes.com/downloads/lizard2bit.nsfNSFe: http://lizardnes.com/downloads/lizard2bit.nsfehttp://lizardnes.com
Total Tee Golf Simulator 2015 - Weekly Treats Brad Smith 2015-04-03 | An NES tune for Weekly Treats.http://weeklytreats.net/album/14-bitpuritans-hertzdevil-bradsmithMP3 / NSF / FTM available at:http://rainwarrior.ca/music
HIDDEN SECRET FOUND BY HACKER IN NES GAME LIZARD Brad Smith 2015-04-01 | FOLLOW THE STEPS IN THE VIDEO TO UNLOCK THIS HIDDEN SECRETEquivalent Game Genie code: LOVOKKAA + LOXXXKAAThis works only in the prototype demo version of Lizard:rainwarrior.ca/lizard/prototype.html
My lizard is the Lizard of Double Wide Brad Smith 2014-12-21 | Lizard is now double wide!More information: kickstarter.com/projects/1101008925/lizard/posts/1084753http://lizardnes.com
My lizard is the Lizard of Big Head Mode Brad Smith 2014-11-24 | We have the technology.http://lizardnes.com
My lizard is gNd .KQfC Lv b.Ken@!#?@! Brad Smith 2014-11-22 | Selections from the bizarro glitch version of the Lizard soundtrack.For more information on what exactly is happening, see: kickstarter.com/projects/1101008925/lizard/posts/1060626If you want to play the game, please go to: http://lizardnes.comThere are less bugs in the real game, I swear!
