ROM hacker @infidelity_nes has ported the Famicom version of Contra to the SNES.
The talented hacker has already performed the same trick with Mega Man and Metroid.
Infidelity_nes is keen to point out that he has chosen to port the Famicom version of the game, which is considered by many fans to be superior to the NES version.
The gameplay is the same, but Konami used a custom MMC called the VRC2, which allowed for improved visuals and cutscenes. The Famicom version also includes an additional song which isn't present in the NES version.
The port is currently available to Infidelity_nes's Patreon subscribers. Let us know if you've tried it out by posting a comment below.
Comments 12
I find things like this kind of pointless tbh. Why do you need to run a Famicom rom on a Super Famicom if the game is the same? I can understand it better if they wanted to make a All-Starslike version with all new 16-bit visuals and sound, but just literally getting a Famicom rom running on a Super Famicom with no changes doesn't seem to actually accomplish anything...? Am I missing something
@EarthboundBenjy Most NES games are prone to heavy lag and low sprite limits that cause that noticeable tearing and line flashing. Porting these games to the SNES makes it run without any graphical issues, improving the overall gameplay. In addition, this version of the game can be modded easier by others to add graphics and music through the MSU-1 chip. Thereβs a lot of use to this, especially for Famicom games that have lackluster North American ports, like Metroid which has an extra channel of sound and a save menu in Japan.
P.S. I love the Rakuga Kids pfp, rock on Benji!
@MetaCrystal @EarthboundBenjy
basically you are giving the game some headroom π
@MetaCrystal Thanks for the explanation! I was wondering the same thing.
Well, we all guessed it was Contra.
@EarthboundBenjy Now that these specific NES games are running natively on SNES, it becomes trivial for talented ROM hackers to go in and give them the "All-Stars" treatment visually and even add CD quality MSU1 audio too, as well as a bunch of other stuff, like the FMV intro infidelity already added to his port of DuckTales for example.
What this does is turn the SNES into basically a SNES plus NES in one system---some might argue that should have been the case all along--and with the ability to make any of these NES ports look and sound like SNES games too, without any of the negatives that might arise if someone were trying to create and program them entirely from scratch for SNES or just emulate them or whatever.
So it really a best of all worlds imo.
I think the differences between the Famicom and NES versions might be just a little overhyped.
Yeah, it has more visual presentation but as said "the gameplay is the same".
Yeah, it has cutscenes, but who plays Contra to watch the cutscenes more than once or twice?
Yes, some stages have animated backgrounds but unless you're a certain Australian streamer I know, you're not going to think the crazy prices the Famicom cart goes for now would justify the difference of "now the alien guts are PULSATING!".
There's games with more significant regional differences than visuals. But maybe not as popular.
Why is a copyrighted title that this developer doesn't own being locked behind a Patreon subscription?
@madgears He will eventually release it for everyone, but the Patreon backers get to try it early.
@KingMike Still, when you add all these things together, it's clearly the Japanese version is the way to go.
Dragon's Lair is more significant in its regional differences. I can at least respect what the game wanted to be in its European version. The USA version deserves the zero-star bombs it gets from people who probably only played that version without even knowing there is a difference. Having any idea of the technical reason why makes me more upset than most kusoge.
Kickle Cubicle is another NES game I remember being fairly different between the USA and Japanese versions.
@EarthboundBenjy I said the same thing with Metroid and Zelda ported to SNES, and the fact he didn't bother to add any of the quality of life enhancements modders have added (ie: proper maps to both Metroid and Zelda). These patches are freely available on RHDN, and they are excellent, adding new life to these old games, and greatly improving them. He did zero when porting these NES games. He didn't even bother adding L&R item selection in Zelda, which would be a number one first day addition.
These ports are pointless and I said as much.
And I got shot down.
The lesson is: do not question the guy making cheap, pointless no frills NES to SNES ports.
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