Cosmic Balloon Assault

Original game : Balloon Fight

Platform : NES

Author : Quick Curly

Release date : 05 August 2015

Category : Complete

Patch version : 1.0

Modifications : G, L, P, O

Downloads : 2074

ROM Information

Balloon Fight (U) [!].nes
Checksum-16: 0672
Checksum-32: 00230672
Checksum-64: 0000000000230672
CRC-16: 59E6
MD-5: 6E125395CA4F18ADDB8CE6C9152DEA85
SHA-1: F5E4CD9F287A8233EEE35AD1881B2770D9F2C453
SHA-256: 9710F31E7EE204A69AAAAFB6AF340EFEC89657A245C8D402DEE95DAEA4F8A49F

Hack description

In the first ever published Balloon Fight level hack, the balloon fighters find themselves having to conquer new worlds that they never knew existed.

Here's a general list of everything that has been changed in this hack:

12 brand new Phases

New title screen

Starting lives are now 6 instead of 2

Bonus Phases have been modified: balloon rising speeds, points per balloon, and super bonus points rewards

Some surprise graphical appearances from other games

NROM-128 to NROM-256 conversion/ROM expansion

Intro music plays at the beginning of every Phase instead of the first of every 3 Phases

Phase designs are revisited starting from Phase 1 instead of Phase 4

Custom palette code: each Phase and Bonus Phase has its own unique palette; the original game had different palettes for every 3 Phases

This hack was created as a proof of concept for a Balloon Fight level hack, in contrast to previous Balloon Fight hacks that are primarily graphical hacks.

The level format and basic components of the game have been documented and submitted separately, available for other ROM hackers to potentially create their own awesome Balloon Fight level hacks! Download the collection of documents for Balloon Fight Level Hacking here.

Due to NROM-128 to NROM-256 ROM expansion, this hack uses the BPS patch format instead of the IPS patch format. Please download the beat utility by byuu and refer to the readme file for appropriate patching instructions.

Screenshots

Contributions

Contributor	Type of contribution	Description
Quick Curly	Hacking
Vicious Poetry	Levels	Designed Phase 12

Reviews

Good levels	diablo666	2022-01-18	Version 1.0
Usually, I don't touch hacks with changing "levels", because they change them weakly. This one was an exception to this rule. All levels are competently and interestingly done. In addition to changing the levels, they introduced "different palettes" so that the levels were not monotonous. And that's right, because each level should stand out "in its own way". In addition, THIS is the very first hack that changes the graphical part of the game. And makes it even more interesting It's worth a try, because interesting ideas and solutions have really refreshed this game.

Cosmically fun!	MegaEliteGamers	2015-12-30	Version 1.0
This first Balloon Fight hack that changes the levels was a very fun enjoyable experience to play. The special appearances from other well loved games was extra icing on the cake for me. Very delicious! The documentation also had a lot of effort and care just like this hack, which led to a second hack with changed levels that I actually had the privilege of joining in on. If you're looking for a very fun hack to play with a friend that doesn't take long to enjoy in a series of party games, this is a great selection! Party on!

A refreshing new take on Balloon Fight	mrrichard999	2015-08-28	Version 1.0
This is a well done hack for Balloon Fight. The graphics on this hack are well done and the new levels give this game more life to it with better creative level design. This is definitely worth a play if you are a fan of Balloon Fight.

Give it a play	dougeff	2015-08-17	Version 1.0
I got a chance to play Cosmic Balloon Assault today, and here are my thoughts... It's the first hack of Balloon Fight that changes the levels. I'm sure it won't be the last, since Quick Curly also posted a very detailed document explaining where all the game level data is and how to edit them. :) It's slightly harder than the original, but makes up for it by giving you many more lives. Some of the later levels have cramped spaces, but this can work to your advantage if you play it just right. Oh, and many of the graphics and palettes have changed, which is a nice touch. If you like Balloon Fight, give this one a try! (If you haven't played Balloon Fight, it's a lot like Joust).

GuestLog in