Introduction

Welcome, and congratulations on discovering this document! By doing so, you are not only contributing to a renewed sense of hope for humanity but also sparing countless puppies from an unfortunate fate. More importantly, you are taking your first step toward mastering the art of hacking EarthBound using CoilSnake.

This guide aims to provide you with all the foundational knowledge needed to begin hacking one of the greatest games in modern history. The only prerequisites are basic computer skills and a willingness to learn. Let’s dive in!

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How Can EarthBound Be Hacked When It's a Console Game?

Like other console games, EarthBound can be modified by extracting its data and editing it on a computer. Specialized tools allow users to retrieve the game’s ROM (Read-Only Memory) from its cartridge, containing all programming and graphical assets. Once extracted, the ROM can be run on an emulator, which replicates the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) environment, enabling you to play EarthBound on a personal computer.

Getting Started

To begin, you’ll need two essential items:

1. The ROM file: Obtain this from the game cartridge.
2. An emulator: Recommended options include:
   • Mesen: Ideal for Windows and Linux, featuring robust functionality tailored for game hackers.
   • Snes9X: A reliable choice for macOS users.
   • Additional options are available on the wiki homepage.

Once you have the ROM and emulator, you can start experimenting. You can either:

• Edit the ROM’s hexadecimal values manually (ideal for research and customizations not supported by other tools), or
• Use specialized tools, like CoilSnake, which automate and simplify many processes. This guide focuses on CoilSnake and other tools widely used by the community.

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What About Mother and Mother 3?

While EarthBound Beginnings (Mother) and Mother 3 have also been hacked to some extent, they are less explored compared to EarthBound. Reasons include:

• Mother: Its NES-based engine is less appealing for modders. (There's been some progress lately though!)
• Mother 3: Its ROM structure is challenging to modify.

For resources and tools related to these titles, visit the PK Hack board’s tool index. These tools are not covered in this guide.

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What Do I Need to Start Hacking?

1. Operating System:

   • CoilSnake and EarthBound Patcher are cross-platform and compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux.
     • See the DEVELOPMENT.md guide for Mac/Linux instructions for CoilSnake.
   • EBProjEdit (old map editor) requires Java and works across platforms.
   • EBME (new map editor) is cross-platform and there are binaries available for Windows and Linux. macOS users can run it from source.
   • EBMusEd, PSI Animation Editor, and EarthBound Save State Editor are Windows-only but run fine on Linux and macOS with Mono or Wine.

2. Text Editor:
   Use a modern editor like:

   • Notepad++
   • VS Code
   • Atom (Linux users might prefer Gedit).

   Note: Word processors like Microsoft Word are unsuitable.

3. Image Editor:
   Recommended options include:

   • Photoshop (industry standard, but costly)
   • GraphicsGale (free, ideal for pixel art)
   • Aseprite (popular but paid - you can compile it yourself for free though!)
   • Libresprite (a free but slightly older version of Aseprite)
   • GIMP (free alternative to Photoshop)

   Tip: Ensure you use the latest version of GIMP to avoid compatibility issues with CoilSnake.

4. Dependencies:
   Some tools have third-party dependencies or require interdependencies. Consult each tool’s documentation for details.

5. Your Brain: Preferably not in a jar.

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Acknowledgments

This tutorial draws heavily from Lyrositor's EB Hacking 101 guide, used with permission. While the original guide is outdated, it served as a valuable foundation for this resource.

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Additional Resources

• EarthBound Savestates for Testing
• Custom Overworld Sprite Palettes
• CCScript Command Reference
• CCScript Language Reference
• ebasm
• DataCrystal’s EarthBound Page