General Resources[]
- ROMHacking.net - This is like a hub where the various hacking communities meet. It hosts a large variety of major ROM hacks and translations. Also hosts numerous FAQs and tools to help aspiring hackers get started.
- Data Crystal - A wiki hosted by ROMHacking.net. While it is a bit outdated at this point, it is still a good resource for information about different editors and links to a handful of prominent hacks.
- FuSoYa's Niche - Site of the creator of the popular Super Mario World editor, Lunar Magic. Also hosts a set of tools for ROM expansion, patching, compression, etc.
- Zophar's Domain - A site that hosts lots of smaller patches, such as spoofs, as well as a significant amount of major ones. Hosts a lot of content that can't be found on ROMHacking.net
Programs[]
General purpose 2D graphics/tile editor[]
Tile Molester. Works with Java, practically can edit any game.
Hex Editor[]
XVI32 or Translhextion. You can edit the bytes of the ROMs, i.e. everything. Some values are obvious and some text is already ASCII.
Game Specific[]
Super Mario World[]
- Super Mario World Central - The largest site dedicated to SMW hacking. Hosts hundreds of hacks and is a resource for SMW hacking utilities and knowledge. Also has a very active community and forums.
- X-Mario - Prominent Japanese site that hosts a variety of hacks. Worth noting is that Japanese hacks are usually more reliant on creating challenging gameplay and are less flashy or graphically modified than their Western cousins.
- Raocow's Talkhaus - The community for the most prominent let's player in SMW hacking. Whether or not you enjoy his commentary, this site remains a great resource for discovering hacks, as the community here is generally focused on hacks that the SMW Central community doesn't cover.
- VIP Wiki - Japanese wiki dedicated to the development of 2channel's series of popular hacks, the VIP & Wall Mix series. Hosts the 5 current installments and news about the sixth, currently a work in progress.
Super Metroid[]
- Metroid Construction - The most prominent and active Super Metroid hacking community currently. Hosts a large variety of hacks, resources, FAQs, and an active community and forum. Originated in m2k2 before becoming its own dedicated site.
- Metroid Construction Wiki - As its name implies, a wiki created by the Metroid Construction community.
- Metroid 2002 - The former most prominent and active Super Metroid hacking community previously. While it has since been foregone in favor of Metroid Construction, it can still be a valuable resource for knowledge about the more advanced mechanics and inner workings of Super Metroid (as well as other games in the series).
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past[]
- Zelda Construction - Despite its huge popularity, the hacking community for ALttP is relatively small. This is mainly due to the lack of a truly good editor, though one is in the works. This community is a spin-off of Metroid Construction devoted to hacking of ALttP and other games in the series.
EarthBound[]
- Starmen.net - Home of the hacking utility PK Hack, an editor for modifying the EarthBound/Mother 2 ROM. Has an active hacking community in the PK Hack section of its forums, where links to completed hacks can also be found.
Yoshi's Island[]
- Super Mario World Central - In addition to Super Mario World, smwcentral is a budding hub for Yoshi's Island hacking. While it only hosts a few complete hacks, the community is very active, and new content is being produced at a consistent pace.
- YI Hacking Wiki - A knowledge base for Yoshi's Island hacking.
Final Fantasy III (VI)[]
- FF6 Hacking - Home to a large community of Final Fantasy VI hackers, complete with active forums, links to patches, and FAQs and guides for those looking to get into hacking the game.
Final Fantasy Tactics[]
- Final Fantasy Hacktics - Community for FFT hacking with a variety of completed hacks, patches, and resources.
Fire Emblem[]
- Fire Emblem Shrine - An active and prominent Fire Emblem hacking community. Hosts a variety of completed hacks and FAQs to get you started.
- Serenes Forest - Another active and prominent Fire Emblem hacking community, though perhaps a bit more active than Fire Emblem Shrine.
Pokémon[]
- The PokéCommunity - Very active (and helpful) Pokémon hacking community.
Sonic the Hedgehog[]
- Sonic Retro - The largest resource for hacks and modifications of the Sonic series (primarily focused on the Genesis games).
Mega Man X[]
- MegaED X - Two different Mega Man X editors with support for X2.