Hello to all, and a special hello to those who love and enjoy TLOZ.
I am very new to ROMhacking.
I have bought a used computer and intend on uploading the stuffs needed solely for the purpose of modifying the 8 bit NES game "The Legend of Zelda". I want to make this "workstation" as thourough and complete as possible.

I would rather not connect it to the internet, instead I would like to use moveable storages into and out of it. But connecting it once or twice to get what is needed may have to happen.
After viewing this site I realized it can be done relatively easy.
These are the properties on the refurbished I just went out and bought for this project.
PIII 600MHz
512 MB Ram
40 gig Hard Drive
56K modem
Win XP

I have reviewed this site, and am currently going over it again and again. It is very thourough, and rather complete. As well, I am taking notes as I go.

I would be very happy to share whatever progress I make with anyone interested.
My intentions are not to make any modified games overly difficult, instead focussing on them being fast and fun, with some originality to their content, that is for anyone interested in actually playing one or two of them.
I simply have never understood why the sequels to TLOZ did not stay with that original gameboard format, if its not broke why fix it?

Any suggestions as to what tools/utilities I should begin with is welcome.

Are the dedicated TLOZ utilities going to cover everything?
Will Zelda Tech really be all I need? Is it compatible with another editor like Zeldit, or is it solely one or the other?
It says Zelda Improvement requires DOS4GW.EXE to run, what is that?? Some kind of law degree or something? I don't have one of those =(

What about Tile Layer or Tile Layer Pro for me? What is Tile Molestor really all about?

Is my comp fast enough for FCE Ultra Debug (FCEUd) ?

I am sure I will be finding the answers to a lot of these questions (and finding more questions) as I go.
I am going to start setting up this TLOZ fun station now, and thanks so much for being here. I have often dreamed of what it would be like to switch TLOZ around to meet with my fancy, and you are the ones who make that dream possible for people like me.

Should I try to replace the XP then?
Is there any reason for me to have XP on a computer I plan on using for a task like this?
What would be the best OS for a TLOZ fun station?

Will compression be a matter I have to face with TLOZ?

I'm currently doing a complete rewrite of Zelda on XP. If that's what you're comfortable using, I'd say stick with it!

The best OS for a "Zelda Workstation" (beautiful concept, btw) is going to hinge upon what utilities you wish to use to hack the game. That, of course, depends on what changes you wish to make. Do you have a definitive concept yet? What do you wish to change in the game (graphics, music, palettes, overworld layout, underworld layout, etc.)?


I can send you a spankload of information on data locations, how the data itself works, etc. You might want to invest in a few IRL bulletin boards / dry-erase boards. I have, and it makes things MUCH simpler. Zelda is a very multi-layered game when you get behind-the-scenes.


Edit: You won't face any compression with TLOZ, at least not with the graphics. TLP loads them a bit screwy, but you can easily realign them by scrolling down to 38%, then holding down Ctrl while hitting the "+" button precisely 75 times. (You can stop at eleven if you wish, but to align it the way the PPU Viewer sees it requires 75. Oh, and it's the "+" button above the bracket buttons, not that weird fat one off to the side.) When done, the blue "compass room" outlines will comprise the top row of values $6x.