GameBoy Metroid II: Distress Call (Hack) GB ROM

[CSmith327]

Game Description:​

Distress call received:
...
Research satellite has come under attack. Rather than risk our military project falling into the wrong hands, we have executed Process 0 eliminating all occupants.
...
With the station automata failing and organic matter weaponized there is nobody to save.
...
We rather ask that you eliminate those who have come here, and return our prototype bioweapons to the proper authorities, under article 36-C of the Galactic Border Treaty.

Mission:
Dock at the research station and investigate the situation.
Eliminate 21 pirates at all cost.
Recover 35 equipment systems if able.
The station map will be provided.

Hack Credits:​

Released by: Moehr
Type: New Story/Graphics/Levels/Gameplay
Language: English
Status: Complete
Patch Version: v1.01
Date: 26 May 2023

Source and details: https://metroidconstruction.com/hack.php?id=737

Features:​

• Wholly original story completely unrelated to Metroid II.
• New map based on 4 interconnected "Satellite Zones": Biotech Labs, Engineering, Factory, and Docks.
• New level mechanisms to interact with. (referred to as "Objects of Interest" in the manual)
• New icons and tile graphics.
• New and original enemies.
• Altered behaviors for some of Samus' equipment.
• Beams can be selected and toggled instead of being only stacked.
• Fully functional map screen to help manage your progress.

-----------------------------------------------
Some notes from the author:

If you use IBJ (Infinite Bomb Jump), you are sequence breaking, and might get yourself some place before you are prepared with proper equipment; the game will let you do this and should not end up in a softlock as a result. But think twice before using IBJ!

The map is very open - feel free to stick to easier areas on several maps, then go back once you have some upgrades to harder areas. You won't be forced to do much movement through damage tiles (though the game will let you if you insist, so if there's an environmental hazard, think twice before going directly through it). It is likely hard to totally avoid the toxic clouds on a first playthrough but you shouldn't be wading through it unprepared.

In regards to the level of difficulty of the hack:
- you will benefit from experience with the original
- damage has been reduced a lot
- drops are more frequent and restore more health/ammo
- no missile rechargers away from gunship
- missile expansion tanks refill missiles
- the game world is smaller but not linear
- new upgrades have been added
- beams behave differently
- some new items have been added
- some custom art and enemy behavior
- one of the 4 areas is an entirely new layout
- pausing loads a map showing item locations and game info
- collected beams can be swapped (when paused, press missile toggle to cycle through them)
- anytime you eliminate a game target, the screen shakes to let you know

There are a lot of customizations, enjoy!
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This is one of the only map and new story hacks for Metroid II and is very well made by an author regarded highly in the Metroid Construction romhack community. The only other new map hack for Metroid II is one of those small silly Samus gets a glass of milk hacks. I hope with the success of this hack, others will be inspired to create similar new map/planet hacks for Metroid II.

Included in the download is the manual and two helpful maps. (make sure to read the manual for a greater understanding of this hack) The manual also includes a simple walkthrough on how to reach the end, but not spoil the location of items.

(I'll most likely take replacement screenshots for this at some point later)

Download Links​

• Metroid II: Distress Call (Hack) GB ROM

 

[roundtree]

Been a long time since I've played Metroid II. I forgot how much of the GB screen Samus takes up. I don't hate it, I just found it a bit odd at first. :)

She ate too much and just let herself go after the first game. =)

 

[CSmith327]

idk why but when I try to extract any of the files from the zip I get an error for this particular dl

I used 7-Zip to compress it using LMZA compression. There's nothing wrong with the archive file since both 7-Zip and WinRAR have no errors when testing or extracting it. Try using a different app to extract it or download it again in case the file said it downloaded completely but actually didn't. For Android the RAR app is made by the same developer of WinRAR and it's pretty good too, but for Windows maybe just try 7-Zip

 

[DiRtY-StEvE]

idk why but when I try to extract any of the files from the zip I get an error for this particular dl

 

[ct010]

Gotta say, not a fan of these AI generated boxarts. Fine for a logo maybe, but not for background art.

I would prefer the title screen of the romhack.

 

[CSmith327]

Just tested it by applying that on top of the map hack and viceversa, it doesn't work unfortunately.

Darn This hack here doesn't work with the color hacks, but I've not tried it with the SGB one. It probably wouldn't work with it either

 

[DarioEMD]

This should be added to the repo. I would do it, but I kinda just added 3 Metroid related posts in a row You said it doesn't work with color hacks, but does it work with the SGB Enhancement hack that adds a border?

Just tested it by applying that on top of the map hack and viceversa, it doesn't work unfortunately.

 

[CSmith327]

Here: https://retrogametalk.com/threads/metroid-ii-map-hack.23804/

This should be added to the repo. I would do it, but I kinda just added 3 Metroid related posts in a row You said it doesn't work with color hacks, but does it work with the SGB Enhancement hack that adds a border?

 

[DarioEMD]

I wish there was a map in regular Metroid 2.

Here: https://retrogametalk.com/threads/metroid-ii-map-hack.23804/

 

[CSmith327]

Been a long time since I've played Metroid II. I forgot how much of the GB screen Samus takes up. I don't hate it, I just found it a bit odd at first. :)

She a big girl lol But actually I'm glad her sprite is larger and well detailed as opposed to if it had been half the size and more simplistic looking like in one of the Castlevania GB games. Her design in Metroid II is the one that they stuck with for the rest of the whole series for the main power suit.

 

[Carnivius]

Been a long time since I've played Metroid II. I forgot how much of the GB screen Samus takes up. I don't hate it, I just found it a bit odd at first. :)

 

[todwurst]

I wish there was a map in regular Metroid 2.

 

[TheManInBlack]

This not only looks good but having a full blown hack for Metroid 2 is definitely a first. Playing it this week for sure.

 

[4C374552A1CA2638]

pausing loads a map showing item locations and game info

I was interested before, but this got my attention. I played M2 on a cart ages ago and only got to the end after some 10 hours because I simply got lost so often, but the way the game's environments looked on the screen did little to help that. What, make maps? Don't be absurd!

 

[Hahahavana]

We're in a golden age for GB hacks right now it feels like. Some really amazing stuff coming out of the GB/GBC homebrew and hacking space.

 

[roundtree]

I just tried this. I didn't get far yet but it seems cool. I tend to forget in metroid 2 the ship does not refill your weapons and save. This comes with a very nice map and a manual.