A Super Mario ROM Hack aggregator/archive thing
Vast Minutiae
“Minutiae” (pronounced “min-ew-sha”) is a word similar to “trivia”. It refers to the small, precise, or trivial details of something; as in - “the minutiae of everyday life”.
This hack clawed its way out of my brain and onto the screen. I hadn’t really set out to make it in the first place but here it is nonetheless. This hack is uncompromisingly difficult, in part because (CW) it is a large metaphor about living with, and overcoming depression.
It is not my intent to be cruel, or to make horrible creations that torture players. I set a challenge for myself to “create an SMW hack that actually expresses something emotional” and to see how far I could test my own skills at this game.
I wanted to design something unlike my previous works and to that end, this is a “precision” hack. An archaic style, to be sure, but one that is very dear to me. I enjoy the intense emphasis on a single jump or movement - the ‘vast minutiae’ of subtle platforming techniques; a test of articulate character control.
I’d recommend practicing this hack with save-states before attempting an RTA clear; or just playing with save-states for fun. I certainly had this advantage when I made the game, and you ought to have it as well. To be sure, I have personally RTA cleared the entire game. There are no secret exits, puzzles, codes, or trolls.
Please check the enclosed “credits” file for a full list of music and graphics used. I recognize that this work might have a very limited audience of players who are specifically seeking such a tough challenge - but for those players I hope you enjoy yourselves. Thanks to this community for being such a bright light in this vast world.
Edit 2/16/24 - Fixed a minor problem with the OW. The game is not intended to be an open overworld. After level 4, you could just walk to the subsequent levels because the flags were set incorrectly. Fixed that. (Hopefully!)
Edit 4/2/24 - Levels did not have a save prompt upon completion. Bit of an oversight on my part. This has been corrected.
Extra Files:
Vast_Minutiae Credits.txt
Vast Minutiae
Level design and writing by GlitchCat7
RESOURCES USED:
***SPRITES***
-Half-screen jumping fish by Hwailaluta with suggestions and tweaking by me, GlitchCat7.
***MUSIC***
(Intro)
Tales of Phantasia - Sylphis'
Ahrion
(Room of Returning)
Mysterious End Theme
by Janno27
(Overworld)
Super Mario World (custom) - Lone Moments
Milon Luxy
(Everyday)
Devoid Spirits II - Abandoned Headquarters
Fullcannon
(Viability)
Sky Map, Void Mix
S.N.N.
(Sea of Needles)
Bowser Strikes Back - Castle 2: Aquatic Castle
original song by Jimmy
(Damage)
SMW Central Production 2 - Sakura
S.N.N., Oriental Map theme
(Quantum Spin)
icrawfish - Walls That Were Once Called Home
icrawfish, Super Famicompo 4 entry
(Au Naturale)
VLDC11 - Mountain Map
by Teows
(Maintainence)
Vanilla Level Design Contest 7 - Abstract Map
Torchkas
(Fine day for fish)
A Plumber For All Seasons - Leaf Sunrays
Maxodex, Foresty
(You Keep Returning)
An SMW Central Production - Ice Submap
S.N.N.
***GRAPHICS***
(general)
Sloped and Cracked Cement
by AmperSam
"mars Bars" - large death block graphics
by mars ampere
(Intro Screen)
Touhou Eiyashou ~ Imperishable Night - Stage 6B (Outside)
by Rykon-V73
(Viability)
ActRaiser 2 - Lovaous Palace (Interior)
Anorakun
(Sea of Needles)
Terranigma - Hitoderon & Gossie
Anorakun
(Damage)
Fantasy Zone II: Tears of Opa-Opa - Stage 3 (Dark Side)
Roberto zampari
(Quantum Spin)
Mega Man 7 - Dr. Wily Stage 4 (Cloud Man's Room)
by cheat-master30
(Au Naturale)
Enchanted: Once Upon Andalasia - Forest
Roberto zampari
(Maintainance)
Chou Gekijouban Keroro Gunsou 3 - Tenkuu Daibouken de Arimasu! (Stage 2-4)
by Roberto zampari
(Fine Day for Fish)
Super Fantasy Zone - Picknica
by Rykon-V73
(Ending Room)
Rudra no Hihou - Mitra (Third Form)
by Anorakun
(L.104 (home))
Super Valis IV - Valhalla (Inside the Chapel)
by Anorakun
(Room of Returning)
Klonoa 2: Dream Champ Tournament - Ruins
by Rykon-V73
***Special thanks***
Fen
Underway
Ampersam
SolveforX
ikeSMB
Mars