@TK8305 , @bigjoe , @Gleeok
Drafting the rules again:
1. You may not change the Overworld unless it's to show a secret or a level.
2. Underworld, feel free. Change the graphics if you please. No color restrictions either.
3. Scripting allowed, try to keep it in the spirit of Zelda and the NES.
4. New enemy tiles allowed, but must fit an NES theme.
5. This is unfortunately a must. You MUST use a custom soundtrack. A lot of people are getting into copyright trouble, so it is now required that there is replacements to the NES Zelda tunes. Go to http://www.vgmusic.com if you need to download new tunes.
6. Your difficulty should start at 2nd Quest level and be no harder than 3rd Quest's. It has to be hard, but innovative at the same time. If it's James Quest level, it's probably at the absolute hardest it should be.
7. No maze paths in the Underworld, and you may not change the Maze Paths in the Overworld.
8. You are allowed to make cosmetic changes to enemies (like new colors for grave Ghinis, or new colors for the old same colored Octorocks)
9. New enemies should be featured within and showcased. No Kaizo Enemies like Death Knights.
10. You must have 9 normal levels, 10 levels tops. Uses for a 10th level could be a bonus level, a hidden level at the end of Level 9, or Level 9 is a preparation for Level 10. Absolutely not required to have a 10th level.
11. Quest Rules: Keep in spirit of the NES, fast scrolling allowed, multiple strings allowed. No advanced things like screen wipes. All NES bugs must be present. Level 3 color difference not required.
12. This is a requirement: You should put some custom-palettes if you're not using anything but classic tiles. No one likes clones and copy and paste these days: Play around with the colors and create new sets. (using First Quest palette numbers): 4/6, 5/7, 8/9 likely candidates
13. TEST FOR BUGS! Buggy quests will not be considered.
14. Whistle Warps not required, especially if making difficulty levels. If you don't have Whistle Warps the whirlwind MUST take you back to the Overworld beginning.
15. Everyone is responsible for making a playthrough of their quest on YouTube. Judges don't have time to play them all, so this is mandatory this time!!!!!!
16. Init Data MUST be the default, like a new game on the NES. May allow starting off with the Blue Candle as an init item, but if you do that it may not burn bushes and you need to have 2 candle upgrades, and the Red Candle must replace the Blue Candle in item shops.
17. Entrances and Triforce rooms must resemble Zelda 1. Everything else is OK to change
18. Easy Mode is mandatory for everyone now. The deadline for it will be during the testing/revision phase.
Some cool things that will be allowed:
Title Screens (but no cutscenes)
Difficulty Levels
ROMhack style enemies (once again within reason, speeds faster than the NES allowed, no things like Death Knights: Try to keep walk speeds at 100 or less)
Startup dialog for dungeons, mentioning dungeon name, etc.
Extended enemy palettes
Upgrades to existing items
LA Slash if given like Imzogelmo's 5th (where you get it via upgrade room and not at start)
Same goes for Spinning Sword Slash, is allowed, but you're not allowed to start with it
Selection for both buttons
Trees and other overworld titles in dungeons (if you want to theme things)
Wallets and other new items allowed (like expansions to memory)
Hammer/Hookshot (only if given in later levels, like 7/8/9, can be quite broken)
Bomb Bags that replace More Bombs rooms
Super Bombs (though you must have a way to regenerate them eventually)
Custom Guys (if you need the script let me know)
Recolored enemies in the Overworld if a new power table is introduced
BS-Zelda Power Table
Multiple entrances for dungeons
Multiple floors for dungeons
Some things NOT allowed:
Infinite Bomb Bags/Rupee collection/anything of this like that violates the spirit of the NES
Lens of Truth
Fire Boomerang (just breaks the game way too much, but a custom Lv. 3 Boomerang might be allowed that doesn't have those features. If you REALLY want to stun Darknuts and Wizzrobes that bad change their values, or add a Hookshot)
True Arrows (no, NES does it by Rupees)
Magic Meter (not allowed under ANY circumstance!!!!!!!!!!)
I'll add to this list as things come up. Feel free to contact me if you have questions or want to join (though spots are limited and I might require you to make a sample level before I approve you)
Discord Server for this: https://discord.gg/8RrvzSW
-James
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