General prototype release and cleanup thread

[Arasoi]

Lately I have been getting my feet wet in the prototype community, and working to acquire and release previously undumped/preserved video game history. Ed Oscuro suggested I start a thread here so that folks here on shmups could be aware of stuff that is getting released, and also status on projects.

Last week I acquired a Monster in my Pocket prototype with some funding and support from the guys at tcrf.net, and released the rom. It is a sampler demo of the first stage, with some notable differences from the final game, as well as some previously unheard music files hidden in the data. TCRF posted it up publically on lost levels:

http://forums.lostlevels.org/viewtopic.php?t=3357

What I'm working on now is a bit more complex. I won an auction for a prototype cartridge of the unreleased Strider Hiryu on Famicom (an altered version appeared on the NES)

http://page8.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/h176265099

I am working to get some rom hackers and translators organized so I can sell a reproduction run of cartridges with the following features:

(1) Re-translated text to more closely match the original manga that the game is based on
(2) A fix for the triangle jump, and poor hit detection in the game
(3) Brand new label artwork and individual numbering in the cart data for the limited run of carts
(4) If possible, a white 72 pin cart shell to match the shell color of all known Strider Hiryuu famicom prototype carts.

The reproduction run is primarily to recover cost of the auction which was a bit steep, a rom release would come later this year.

Since I am waiting on the item to arrive still, I've been reaching out to a few communities like romhacking.net to see if I can make my ideas for this a reality. As things progress I'll post updates.

[Udderdude]

Is the hit detection as flakey in the Famicom Strider prototype? I can't believe how often your attack goes right through enemies in the NES version.

Also, this might be a stretch, but changing some of the art that's slightly modified Bionic Commando art could be an idea.

[Arasoi]

Is the hit detection as flakey in the Famicom Strider prototype? I can't believe how often your attack goes right through enemies in the NES version.

Also, this might be a stretch, but changing some of the art that's slightly modified Bionic Commando art could be an idea.

I think it's fair to assume that the hit detection would be about the same, I can't confirm just yet, but this is an excellent point. I'm going to have this looked at as well and see if it can be improved.

When you say art, are you referring to the NES cover art or actual in game sprites/etc?

[Udderdude]

I noticed some of the background tiles are similar or identical to ones seen in Bionic Commando.

[Arasoi]

I never noticed that before, interesting. I'm not sure if that is something that could be changed easily but I'll look into it.

[Arasoi]

The Strider Hiryu proto cart arrived today. Here is some footage I recorded to share:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oArTNBu ... e=youtu.be