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ROM hacking and translations

ROM hacking is the process of modifying a video game ROM to change its content, such as graphics, music, text or game mechanics.

This can be done for various reasons, such as to fix bugs, add new features, or create translations of games that were never released in certain regions.

Some ROM hacks even go as far as to create entirely new games.

Patch files

Most of the time, ROM hacking is done by applying patches to the original ROM.

Patches are files that contain the differences between the original ROM and the modified version.

They are usually in such formats :

  • .ips (International Patching System): one of the oldest and most widely used ROM patch formats.
  • .ups (Universal Patching System): a delta patch format that frequently includes checksum checks to ensure the integrity of the original ROM before applying the patch.
  • .bps (Binary Patch Support): a newer format design to improve IPS, that often includes checksum checks.
  • .xdelta / .vcdiff: powerful binary diff format, often used for large changes.
  • .ppf (PlayStation Patch Format): often used for disc image patching.

More informations about formats here and here

Tools

You need a patching tool to apply patches to ROMs. These tools take the original ROM and the patch file as input, and produce a new ROM with the modifications applied.

Here are some popular tools for applying patches to ROMs:

Where to find patches

Here are some popular sources for ROM hacks:

And for translations:

Also, if you're looking for a specific game (or language translation), try searching for "game name + rom hack" or "game name + translation" on your favorite search engine, you might find some hidden gems!

Gus Selection ✨

If you're new to ROM hacking and don't know where to start, here are some popular ROM hacks you might want to check out: