SMW2+3: The Essence Star

Extra Files:

readme.txt

*SMW2+3: The Essence Star*

By Golden Yoshi/Steven

-README-

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I. Introduction
II. Patching Instructions
III. Timeline
IV. Checklist
V. Change History
VI. Credits
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I. Introduction

SMW2+3: The Essence Star is a hack of the game Super Mario World. It is also the sequel to my Yoshi's Island hack,
SMW2+2, released earlier this year. Although this hack connects to the storyline in SMW2+2, it is not necessarily
required to play the previous hack to understand this one. This hack contains plenty of recap of the events in the 
first hack, so you won't be left in the dark if you haven't played the previous installment.

This hack, compared to others of this game, is more heavy on storyline, and overall, has a bigger RPG feel to it. 
The gameplay itself still consists mostly of platformer elements, however, there are areas which contain RPG elements as well, such as cutscenes and minigames. If anything, this hack could be comprable to Super Paper Mario for its mixture of classic platformer and RPG elements. 
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II. Patching Instructions

Using a patching program (I recommend LunarIPS, which can be found here: http://www.smwcentral.net/download.php?id=39&type=tools), patch the enclosed IPS file to an UNMODIFIED version of the Super Mario World ROM. Once this is done, load up the ROM in an emulator, such as ZSNES or SNES9x, and you're ready to go.
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III. Timeline

June 7, 2008- Hack started
November 11, 2008- Demo released
November 16, 2008- Demo v1.1 released
December 28, 2008- Demo v1.2 released
June 25, 2009- Final Version released
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IV. Checklist

This checklist is to help keep track of all the exits and unlockables available in this hack. Once you have attained all of these criteria, then you have fully completed the hack.

-42 Main Levels (Does not include levels with solely RPG elements)
-15 character cards
-4 Bonus Levels Available to play at Level Up! at Euphoria Festival
-3 Custom Powerups
-4 Easter Eggs
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V. Change History

Final Version
The final product, so yeah. :P

V1.2
-Eliminated slowdown by switching to BlockTool Super Deluxe
-Expanded introduction scene
-Altered Perry's NPC graphics to face toward the player rather than the camera
-Lowered item shop prices
-Neatened up the status bar a bit
-Made a correction on Luigi's character card where I wrote he was Mario's "older" brother. Luigi is actually Mario's
younger brother

V1.1
-All stats, including lives, powerup status, coins, and reserve box item are now saved even after resetting game
-Reworked reserve box system. Now, you only receive items in your reserve box by purchasing them at the item shop. Items are not added to reserve box by gaining additional powerups during levels, and items do not fall from reserve box when getting hit by an enemy. The only way to use these items is to press Select.
-Changed the music selection of the Battleship Brawl level
-Fixed some of the wording in the message when choosing an unavailable level in the Level Up building
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VI. Credits

andy_k_250- testing
Broozer- testing, graphic requests, support
Foursword4- testing, support, being an awesome friend :)
Hach- testing, graphic requests
Iceguy- ASM hack
Kc- testing, graphic requests, support
LunarDrake- testing, graphic requests
Maxx- boss sprite
Romi- testing, vast ASM assistance, cutscene tool, being totally awesome :3
Roy- ASM assistance
S.N.N.- testing, music request, support, ASM assistance

SMW Central- graphic, music, and ASM resources
Spriters' Resource- graphics
Mario Fan Games Galaxy- graphics