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Gradius IPS patch

by KdL on 06-09-2011, 17:18
Topic: Software
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You may be interested in a new IPS patch for beloved Konami classic Gradius (a.k.a. Nemesis), created by Japanese MSX enthusiast SHALOM. When applied, it modifies the graphics to make the sprites, surroundings and font look more like their incarnations on other home platforms and arcade machines.

Relevant link: IPS download

Comments (28)

By Paulbrk

Hero (572)

Paulbrk's picture

06-09-2011, 18:16

Wow, this is awesome!!!

May it work with SCC version of Gradius?

How can I modify graphics of others Konami roms?

By Google

By JohnHassink

wayward son (3183)

JohnHassink's picture

06-09-2011, 18:24

I wondered the same thing. Is there an IPS patch to get SCC music for 'normal' Gradius?
In that case, applying both patches to the same ROM might work. Extra awesomeness. Smile
Because, the SCC Gradius is on disk, right?

By Vampier

Paragon (1589)

Vampier's picture

06-09-2011, 18:31

images.vampier.net/onzin/nem1_graphics_color.png

I played a bit with the colors

By Paulbrk

Hero (572)

Paulbrk's picture

06-09-2011, 18:50

John, take a look at your email Smile

By JohnHassink

wayward son (3183)

JohnHassink's picture

06-09-2011, 19:05

Thanks Toni!
Too bad that both patches seem to confict with eachother. Sad
But man, now it reminds me, those SCC versions of the Gradius music are sooooo ridiculousy cool. Smile

By JohnHassink

wayward son (3183)

JohnHassink's picture

06-09-2011, 19:08

By the way, some kind of tutorial on how we can modify ROMs ourselves would indeed be very nice!

By OeiOeiVogeltje

Paladin (703)

OeiOeiVogeltje's picture

06-09-2011, 19:15

@ John Hassink
i tried but it totally fucked up the rom
graphics were botched

By JohnHassink

wayward son (3183)

JohnHassink's picture

06-09-2011, 19:21

Yep, same here.

By Huey

Prophet (2132)

Huey's picture

06-09-2011, 20:05

IIRC you can extract the tile data and sprite data quite easily (remember ripping them to take a look at them.

I think even some of the standard tile editor form the other platforms can work.

By Vampier

Paragon (1589)

Vampier's picture

06-09-2011, 20:32

also: http://www.youtube.com/user/teoki#p/u/14/Gc3Tv5hcASQ here is the origin (back in 2009)

By Paulbrk

Hero (572)

Paulbrk's picture

06-09-2011, 20:34

From the other platforms? then what if the color can't be changed on the tiles? I mean, to draw with SC2 colors.

How I insert my graphics later on the rom?

By SLotman

Paragon (1107)

SLotman's picture

06-09-2011, 23:49

If the graphics aren't compressed, it's just a matter of overwritting them at the same file offset.

By JohnHassink

wayward son (3183)

JohnHassink's picture

07-09-2011, 00:03

SLotman, logical as that may sound, some guys still won't have a clue how to do it. I know because I'm one of those. Smile

By Paulbrk

Hero (572)

Paulbrk's picture

07-09-2011, 00:16

Lets open a new topic to show to the people to change graphics of Maze Of Galious, for example.

Please someboy explain all the steps clearly and the programs to do it.

By Vampier

Paragon (1589)

Vampier's picture

07-09-2011, 00:19

I can change the graphics in openMSX in real time (screen 1-4)

By JohnHassink

wayward son (3183)

JohnHassink's picture

07-09-2011, 01:13

Permanently as well, Vampier?

By KdL

Champion (364)

KdL's picture

07-09-2011, 02:56

Hey! John... please, can you put my name to reporting these news!? Evil

By SHALOM

Supporter (4)

SHALOM's picture

07-09-2011, 02:57

Hello, everyone.
I am the creator of this IPS patch for GRADIUS for MSX ROM version.

I knew that have been mentioned several times as a topic in this community.
Because of my poor English language skills, but please forgive the past did not comment.
My English writing is due to translation services.
I have write in English is required in long time. So only the greeting. Thank you.
(If who can assist the translation of my Japanese, please help.)

See you after! ^^

http://www.youtube.com/user/ToyoAtsuPsalm96
http://www.nicovideo.jp/user/14559697
http://www.nicovideo.jp/mylist/15674602:murdock:

By KdL

Champion (364)

KdL's picture

07-09-2011, 03:07

Very nice patch, SHALOM!! It's possible SCC version? I have GRADIUS SCC in ROM format if you want it.

By Vampier

Paragon (1589)

Vampier's picture

07-09-2011, 05:54

Shalom: thanks for the patch.. it's really great!

By ro

Prophet (3591)

ro's picture

07-09-2011, 08:50

yeah, see you behind Shalom and thanx Smile !

By Paulbrk

Hero (572)

Paulbrk's picture

07-09-2011, 11:33

Thanks very much for the patch, your work with the game is awesome, I invite you to work with other games and improve his graphics capabilities.

おかげで非常に多くのパッチについては、ゲームであなたの仕事は素晴らしいです、私はあなたが他のゲームで動作し、彼のグラフィックス機能を向上させるために招待。

By Huey

Prophet (2132)

Huey's picture

07-09-2011, 12:32

@SHALOM: Well done!!!

Lets open a new topic to show to the people to change graphics of Maze Of Galious, for example.
Please someboy explain all the steps clearly and the programs to do it.

There is no general approach. To do this. But here is what to do if you want to try:

1) Locate the gfx data in ROM (sprites, tile pattern, tile colors).
There are 2 ways. to do this: a) lookup the VRAM updates in the code to resolve the addresses in ROM. b) brute force by displaying the ROM contents as MSX graphics (e.g. simple Qbasic, blitz basic program will do).

2) Export the graphics found in a format you are comfortable with (bmp. polka, etc)

3) change the graphics as you like.

4) Import the changes back (and create an IPS patch).

Remember that this method can only be used to update the patterns not the layout of the game screen, NPC's, sprite colors and levels.
Changing the gfx seems easy to do. But it takes skills to make it look better than the original.

Anyway. The most fun part is doing this yourself. Wink

By SHALOM

Supporter (4)

SHALOM's picture

07-09-2011, 13:24

Good evening, MSX freaks. ^^
Now is 20:20, Sept. 7 in Japan Yokohama.

This project began from a few replacement about 10 years ago.
It started with being inspired Kashion's patch. (http://hlc6502.web.fc2.com/gra_ac.htm)
I experienced programmers, It was advanced dramatically 3 years ago.
I wrote a own C# application that analyzed the graphics compress processing.
I got a knowledge of Z80 and MSX-systems from faith brother.
And now I have completed a reverse engineering about 70%.

About SCC Version
Perhaps the binary can be rewritten. However, it is necessary to analyze the version of SCC.
SCC version has built of the new Sound Driver. Therefore, there are some design changes of coding.
Unfortunately, I do not have time for analysis... I wait expecting a challenger's appearance! ^^

Reason of non SCC
Konami's software is intended that the minimum system configuration.
I want to respect the design of Konami MSX team.

It is part of my private life. So, please wait patiently. :-)
See you soon! ^^:murdock:

By mesiasmsx

Guardian (1324)

mesiasmsx's picture

08-09-2011, 15:04

!Welcome Shalom!

By KdL

Champion (364)

KdL's picture

08-09-2011, 15:32

hi Vampier, could you create a profile for PALEDIT ?

By Oscar

Champion (462)

Oscar's picture

10-09-2011, 13:16

Hello,

Help! Where is the IPS file? I can´t find it.

By SHALOM

Supporter (4)

SHALOM's picture

10-09-2011, 15:14

@ Oscar

Hello,

Help! Where is the IPS file? I can´t find it.

IPS patch:
www1.axfc.net/uploader/File/so/51419
Public official site: (Niconico Video in Japanese)
www.nicovideo.jp/mylist/15674602

See you! ^^:murdock:

My MSX profile