[DoctorDjinn]

Every time I try to play a DKC hack, either I select the first world and the music keeps playing but the screen stays black and I can't do anything, or it just simply freezes.  I've tried 3 different emulators, patching with different apps (including the online patcher here).  I feel like I've exhausted every option I can think of. Anyone know how I can fix this/these issue(s)?

[Thorbs]

You can probably fix these issues by learning how to patch ROM's properly.
Sounds like you are using the wrong ROM version.
Or, you use the right version of the respective ROM, but forgot to add/remove the header of the ROM.

Read the ReadMe files of the hacks properly and you should be fine.

[DoctorDjinn]

Got it to work!  I was using the wrong version of the ROM.
Took a bit of a search but I found the right one.  Thanks!

[Thorbs]

You're welcome. 👍