Mega Man World 5 DX (Game Boy to Game Boy Color hack)

[Supergamerguy]

I think the Stardroids look great, marc_max. Don't worry about what can't be technically done with the GBC's color palette and just focus on what you can, and want to, achieve with this hack. It's looking better and better every time you post an update.

[PowerPanda]

Venus looks excellent!

[Brutapode89]

Colors are beautifuls, marc_max But what utilities are you using for that?

[marc_max]

Colors are beautifuls, marc_max But what utilities are you using for that?

This is a totally ASM hacking project, no external tools are involved other than the emulator debugger and a tile editor. I even had to build my own tools to extract the OAM attribute data and other data as well.

[Balgar]

For the last few days I've been trying out the GBColorizer tool but I think it's a bit of an outdated tool for trying to add color to a Game Boy game. What is the specific method you use to apply a color palette to a game marc_max? (I don't want you to answer in the form of a tutorial XD, only if you can give some tips to start messing around in the colorization of Game Boy games). Thanks in advance.

[amaturehr]

@marc_max - The work you are doing on this rom hack, is a life long dream.  I think I can literally die a happy man, getting to be able to play MM5 in color on original hardware.  I have no technical help to offer other than testing roms if you need, on various hardware (GBC, GBA, GBA Player).  I would be sure to not release any of it.  I literally am in awe you have the technical ability to make this a reality.

One thought, since 3 of the 4 Mega Man Killers were in MegaMan 10, perhaps those sprites could be used as a reference for coloring:

http://sprites-inc.co.uk/files/Classic/MM10/DLC/mm10_enker.png
http://sprites-inc.co.uk/files/Classic/MM10/DLC/mm10_punk.png
http://sprites-inc.co.uk/files/Classic/MM10/DLC/mm10_ballade.png

[SCD]

I found this colorized version of Quint on Spriters Resource, maybe this might help you on what colors to give him:

[julayla]

I found this colorized version of Quint on Spriters Resource, maybe this might help you on what colors to give him:

Oh wow. Reminds me of the Captain N version of Mega Man's color palette that was used on the show

[marc_max]

Sorry for the lack of news.

This is probably one of the hardest games to colorize, I can figure why no one tried to do it previously. My approach reached a bottle neck and had to rewrite the entire code during the last six months. I don't really want to know how many thousands of hours I've spent already on this.

There has been progress, but it's everything internal, that's why I haven't posted any screenshots (if you look carefully, the latest Stardroid screenshots I posted had a weird HUD, that was in the midle of the rewriting process). As of now, I'm close to have the hack running again over the new colorization engine and showing up the same results as last year.

However, there won't be news coming soon sadly. I've paused all my colorization hacks for now (which includes Mole Mania, by the way, just in case you weren't in the know).
There is a big obstacle when colorizing DMG games which is the lack of tools. I'm currently working on a tool that will be very helpful and hopefully shorten colorization development times.

In other words. Yes, this is still been working on, but still needs more work on development tools before resuming the hacking process. And yes, there are hopes for a 2022 release.

[Thirteen 1355]

I don't know. To me, this sounds like awesome news. Understanding a ROM and creating tools to help colorise games produces a lot more long-term results than some sprite changes or screenshots. I say props! Take the time you need to learn the stuff from the inside out! 

[JKPhage]

Amen to that. You're still trucking away at the project despite hardships, which is more than some can say. I'm just happy to know it's still in progress instead of it just languishing in silence for a year or more until everyone just gives it up for abandoned like some other projects have gone. If it took some extra work to make it functional and stable, that just means it's going to come out a better product in the end. You're giving the community a gift, so if it takes a little longer with not a lot of visible results to show, so be it.

We're still rooting for you.

[Behemothcult1982]

I found these photos, I hope they inspire you.

https://www.pixiv.net/en/artworks/62143697

[alien nose job]

hey marc_max, seriously, your hacks are beautiful, you have some real talent.
Making tools for others is something great
Take your time and do whatever you want.

Thanks for Mole Mania, I must have missed the info, looks like a nice little puzzler.

[Cris1997XX]

Are there any updates on this hack?

[marc_max]

Are there any updates on this hack?

No public updates other than this.

[amaturehr]

Just posting some words of encouragement.  I often come to this post just to re look at all the screen shots and videos you have shown off of your work so far. Keep Going!!

[ENKERsmash]

I second this. I have an alert set up for all replies here and I am constantly hoping this project gets finished. I love this project!

[marc_max]

Thank you all for your words ^_^

I have not been able to work on it for a couple of months, I've been focused on other projects and, well, personal life.

I'm sure once I resume it, development will flow!

[marc_max]

I bring you today very good news!

I could post here a long story of what has been slowing down this project for the last year and how I finally managed to fix it. But short story: I managed to progress :-)

The rest of metasprites that were missing colors can be colorized at last :-)

[acediez]

I bring you today very good news!

I could post here a long story of what has been slowing down this project for the last year and how I finally managed to fix it. But short story: I managed to progress :-)

The rest of metasprites that were missing colors can be colorized at last :-)

Great news! Thanks for the update!