NES Boulder Dash, why so different?

Everything about the old and new Boulder Dash games for C64, Atari, ...

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LogicDeLuxe
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NES Boulder Dash, why so different?

Post by LogicDeLuxe »

Here are the maps: http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/nes/game/587153.html

I noticed that the first 4 worlds are identical to the C64 version level 1 for the most part. Then, 2 more worlds come, and then come 3 more versions of all those caves of the first 6 worlds, which is similar to the C64's level idea.

The interesting aspect is, that all those seem to use the same random seed the first worlds use, but merely add a few elements here and there (such adjustments aren't even supported by the original BD1 engine). I wonder why they did that different approach.
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RTADash
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Post by RTADash »

It think it was to make the player more familiar with the caves on the higher levels by not changing the object layout, but by making other changes that would be more noticeable. They probably thought it would be more successful with the style of games that were popular at the time it was released.
I don't have any idea how the last 8 caves came to be, though. Stylistically, they don't fit with the original 16 at all.
Boulders are round.
Fireflies are square.
I need to find
a'way out of here.
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RTADash
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Post by RTADash »

The level 1 caves in NES-BD are also [mostly] a lot easier than the original - here's an analysis

Code: Select all

          DR TL
BD1, A/1  12 150
NES, 1-1  10 120

BD1, B/1  10 150
NES, 1-2   8 150

BD1, C/1  24 150
NES, 1-3  15 200

BD1, D/1  36 120
NES, 1-4  18 150

BD1, E/1   4 150
NES, 2-1   4 150

BD1, F/1   4 150
NES, 2-2   4 150

BD1, G/1  15 120
NES, 2-3  10 200

BD1, H/1  10 120
NES, 2-4  10 200

BD1, I/1  75 150
NES, 3-1  60 200

BD1, J/1  12 150
NES, 3-2   6 200

BD1, K/1   6 120
NES, 3-3   3 200

BD1, L/1  19 180
NES, 3-4  18 250

BD1, M/1  50 160
NES, 4-1  40 200

BD1, N/1  30 150
NES, 4-2  15 200

BD1, O/1  15 120
NES, 4-3  10 200

BD1, P/1  12 150
NES, 4-4   8 220
Boulders are round.
Fireflies are square.
I need to find
a'way out of here.
zaphod77
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Post by zaphod77 »

NES version is a LOT easier.

Good.
1) the layouts match
2) the boulder physics seem to match, BUT.

Bad
1) your character uses smooth motion, and is INVINCIBLE between squares! if you are moving out of or into a square as a boulder is falling, it stops completely! you can run right past a firefly with ease! Magic wall timers are a LOT longer too.

watch here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_SPGJxZ1LM

the antics are particularly obvious on cave F and cave I.

2) timers were increased and diamond count require decreased on many of the old caves.
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