Category: roundup

  • Eight Thematic Mod Types Explored

    For NES and SNES

    For clymax’s projects, click here.

    This post explores eight types of mods for Nintendo consoles spanning the third and fourth generations of game consoles.

    Note that external mods aren’t covered in this post. Examples include randomizer websites, achievement sets, HD texture packs, widescreen mods, Archipelago integrations, and Lua scripts.

    Comparison Chart

    See the Legend table further below for type descriptions.

    RankTypeSystem(s)Modder(s)
    1ConversionNES to SNESinfidelity
    2ConversionNES to SNESRumbleminze
    3TranslationNES, SNESGideon Zhi
    4Super Acceleration 1 (SA1)SNESVitor Viela
    5FastROMSNESkandowontu
    6MSU-1SNESCubear
    7Save/LoadSNESBillyTime! Games
    8Save/LoadNES8-bit fan
    9Self-RandoNES, SNESclymax
    10LevelingNES, SNESclymax

    Legend

    RankTypeDescription
    1ConversionPorting a game from one system to another
    2TranslationTranslating a game from Japanese to another language
    3Super Acceleration 1 (SA1)Improving performance by retargeting certain operations to run on an acceleration chip
    4FastROMImproving performance by activating a higher speed of ROM access
    5MSU-1Adding support for CD-quality audio
    6Save/LoadAdding support for save files
    7Self-RandoAdding an internal randomizer
    8LevelingAdding a leveling system

    So, what do you think? Do you know of a mod type that should be added to or removed from the list? Which listed mod type is your favorite? Comment below, or come check us out on Discord.

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  • Randomizers Compared

    Final Fantasy Series

    For the Whirlwind family of mods, click here. For clymax’s projects, click here.

    This post compares randomizers that coders have made for the Final Fantasy series over the years.

    Both respinners and repatchers are included in this comparison.

    Respinners refer to internal randomizers, also called integrated or self-randomizers.

    Repatchers refer to external randomizers such as web- and app-based randos.

    Note that roguelikes are not included in this post. They may be the subject of a future post. For now, you can find the Ancient Cave hacks for FFV and FFVA here and here.

    Randomizers for the Advance version are not otherwise included but can be included in a future post. For now, you can find one here; the other is not currently available via the surface web.

    Comparison Chart

    Randomizers that are not respinners are repatchers.

    Note that “⏯” represents that the respinner can be toggled in-game mid-run, where toggling it off gives you a vanilla experience. Such a feature is not feasible with repatchers.

    FFNameRepatcherRespinnerAuthor(s)
    IFinal Fantasy Randomizer✓Entroper
    IHeadwind✓clymax
    IIUpwind✓clymax
    IIIFinal Fantasy III Randomizer✓nachoyacopu
    IIICrosswinds✓clymax
    IVFree Enterprise✓b0ardface
    IVDownwind⏯clymax
    VCareer Day✓caerulius, cleartonic
    VGrand Cross✓abyssonym
    VWhirlwind⏯clymax
    VIWorlds Collide✓AtmaTek
    VIBeyond Chaos✓abyssonym
    VIFinal Fantasy VI Randomizer✓Dessyreqt, Lenophis
    VITailwind⏯clymax

    So, what do you think? Do you know of a randomizer that should be added to or removed from the list? Which listed randomizer is your favorite? Comment below, or come check us out on Discord.

    Related Posts:

    FFV Randomizers Compared
    The Big List of Video Game Respinners

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  • Solo Projects Compared

    Mods of Final Fantasy V

    For clymax’s projects, click here. You can also follow him on YouTube or Twitter.

    This post compares Final Fantasy V mods that solo modders have made over the years.

    Comparison Chart

    ReleasedModSystemModderFocus
    2010Ancient CaveSFCAnonymousRoguelike
    2012Custom ClassesGBAludmeisterMechanics
    2012Remix1SFCff5akiOverhaul
    2014Ancient CaveGBAx0_000Roguelike
    2017MSU-1SFCConnSound
    2024DressCodeSFCCubearGraphics
    2024WhirlwindSFCclymaxMechanics

    Honorable Mentions

    These mods were excluded from the previous section because they incorporate community patches or prior works.

    ReleasedModSystemModderFocus
    2018Void DivergenceSFCpraetarius5018Mechanics
    2023IC2SFCwatergaOverhaul
    1. A.k.a. FF5R. ↩︎
    2. A.k.a. FF5r-IC. ↩︎

    More specifically, Void Divergence incorporates the RPGe translation and community bugfixes. IC incorporates Inu’s QoL patches.

    So, what do you think? Do you know of a mod that should be added to or removed from the list? Which listed mod is your favorite? Comment below, or come check us out on Discord.

    This post has been viewed 47 time(s).

  • FFV Randomizers Compared

    For clymax’s projects, click here. You can also follow him on YouTube or Twitter.

    This post compares “Final Fantasy V” randomizers that have been created by the modding community over the years.

    Note, this post does not cover roguelikes such as Ancient Cave.

    Randomizers for the Advance version are also not covered.

    These randomizers are unofficial and unaffiliated with Square Enix.

    Comparison Chart

    The below info was compiled and is believed to be correct as of this writing. The data in the table is current as of August 2025. If there are any inaccuracies or potential clarifications, comment below or reach out to us via Discord.

    Note that “⏯” represents a feature that can be toggled in game.

    Grand CrossCareer DayWhirlwind
    Released201620192024
    Author(s)abyssonymcaerulius, cleartonicclymax
    Community size (Discord)~150~800~400
    Base translationRPGe optionalRPGeRPGe
    Base hack—Project DemiChallenge Pack
    Free as in beer✓✓Base version only, or Fiesta event
    PlaystyleRandomized vanillaScavenger huntBattle speedrun
    Repatcher✓✓
    Respinner✓
    QoL addedWebsite option to use Inu patches✓
    Open world✓⏯
    World warps✓⏯
    Cutscene skips✓⏯
    Vanilla bugfixes✓
    Engine overhaul✓
    Encounter control✓Game Clear any file
    Boost farm rates4x XPConfig
    1-62x @
    Job colorsWebsite option to randomizeJob colors and cosmetic hair
    Solo project✓✓
    Exclusive features or implementationsAllSome, if Inu patches are usedAll
    Fiesta modeWebsite option⏯
    Vanilla mode⏯
    Config expansion✓
    RandomizeAbilities, commands, enemy stats, shops, equippable, job stats, chests, crystal jobsChests incl. jobs, abilities, and spells; enemies; website option to randomize steals and dropsJobs, chests incl. spells, enemies, shops, bonus drops incl. spells
    LeaderboardsSpeedrun.com
    AchievementsBased Badges (dev version only); Retro Achievements (base version only)
    Sample VODLinkLinkLink

    This post may be expanded over time with more details. Want to discuss? Comment below, or come hang out with us at our Discord.

    Related Post:

    Randomizers Compared

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