I know I haven't really been around (well, posting anyway) in two years or so, but Deadly Towers for the NES has earned the rank within (and on one site even the #1 position) in the top 10 worst games of all time.

A couple of years ago, I uploaded a lot of data on the game to datacrystal.org. Here's the direct link for the ROM map:
http://www.datacrystal.org/wiki/Deadly_Towers:ROM_map

I have a few ideas to make the game more playable for the average gamer. I'm open for any other suggestions. I do have ASM experience, so nothing is really out of the question (well, the basics anyway, not like anything like completely re-programming enemies).

Easier changes
1) Lessen the number of hits for "weaker" enemies (20 hits for an early enemy is unreasonable)
2) Increase the speed of the sword (find a different use of the gauntlets by increasing the length it flies instead)
3) decrease the distance an enemy knocks the character back
4) remove the ledges through level editing (not necessary)
5) improve color selections
6) improve graphics

More difficult
5) make shop entrances viewable (may take a lot of time to track down the sprite that activates it)
6) modify some enemy movement properties (speed)
7) re-assemble graphics (difficult to explain this one)

The re-assembling of graphics is possible, but takes quite awhile to document and figure out how to use them effectively. I have documented a lot of data on Super Mario Bros. 2 that deals with this type of information, so it shouldn't be too much trouble.

Anyway, if these changes were made to make it easier, would anyone be interested in playing it? What other changes should I attempt to make this game better?

I have internet on a weekly basis instead of daily, so I will only be able to check it that often.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

This will be a project I will be working on for the next few months, mainly compiling the data I need to search for. This is a game that I played a lot while growing up... mainly just figuring out how the dungeon maps worked by mapping them out.

Well, giving the character the benefits of items at the beginning of the game is not a problem at all, and that will allow the said item that would give that upgrade different possibilities.

1) Sword - Have the maximum speed possible at the beginning of the game, use the gloves to increase the length of a shot (shouldn't be too much trouble) and the sword upgrades still increase strength

2) Hidden Entrances - I will check it out; it is definitely sprite related, as I didn't see it anywhere in level data. The only problem would be with the "parallel zones" when in a tower (those are meant to be hidden to make it more challenging). Of course, the parallel zone could be eliminated altogether and just have the tower made larger (that actually will take a lot of time, maybe too much just to make the game easier for the average gamer); I'm not too sure what to do on that one. Getting lost in the maze dungeon will still be a problem, but there is an item that can be used to remove you from that dungeon and return to the beginning. Would it be fine to hack that as being a permanent item to select (sort of like the magical rope in Secret of Mana)?

3) Walking speed - I forgot about that problem, I'll check into that and make it the default speed for all directions, and use the upgrade to make the character move even faster (or possibly to increase defense stats)

4) Knockbacks - I forgot that the direction for knockback was mostly down. I'll check into the invincibility after a hit as well as the direction. I remember the dungeon maze, in the room where the balls line up and one flies in a circle, if you enter the room from the top, the column of balls will pull you toward the bottom as you are hit multiple times on the way down (a very easy way to die). Those columns being moved should solve that problem (To be honest, sprite placement is one of the hardest things for me to track down in data, but it will be necessary for this game just to solve that major problem).

5) Enemy Health - I may not be able to do much with it (I looked into it whenever I was gathering data before and was unable to locate a table for it in the data... but I will try again)

6) Shops & Items - There's a reason the items are not identified. There are cursed items (are those really needed? the game is hard enough already... I can try to dummy the cursed items out so that will get rid of some of the problem or change the cursed items to what their uncursed equivalent would be) I could check about the pallet that is loaded for the items... may be able to fix it. If not, memorization of price and item may be here to stay, but at least I could make the prices cheaper.

This game had a lot of potential, but apparently beta testers were either unavailable or actually were the developers that knew everything about the game.

Thanks for the advice for what needs changing, gives me a lot better idea of how and what to fix on it. If any of the ideas I have are questionable, let me know. I do most hacking for myself, but I do like to keep an audience in mind. Getting rid of the ledges looks like it is still a possibility to me. Instant death for a slip up is pretty demanding.