SA-1 Pack -> SA-1 Root: The Alternative Plan

When I released the Gradius III SA-1 mod, some people asked me why did I name it SA-1 Root and not SA-1 Pack. The explanation is reasonably logic: the Super Mario World SA-1 version was made thinking on the ROM hacking, not for playing. It would not make sense releasing a SA-1 version of Gradius III that does only gives the speed boost but does not include any development tool together a SMW speed boost version that has a huge API and a gigantic load of development options.

However, as soon as I made SA-1 Root into a thing, I wanted to all SA-1 Pack releases (which contains only Super Mario World right now) have as well a SA-1 Root version. Basically the SA-1 Pack version would be the same as the SA-1 Root version except with the development features that are not necessary for who only wants to play the original game.

The advantage is the SA-1 Root version will be a simplified patch compared to the SA-1 Pack version, which allows for me reducing the amount of SRAM required (Super Mario World requires 128 kB of external memory) and even include some additional speed ups that would not work on ROM hacking because they would easily conflict with other resources, such as custom music and custom sprite inserters.

Since I recently got a new laptop and I'm still installing part of the new softwares and getting used to the new keyboard, which is pretty different from the one was used to, I'm gonna go ahead and start producing the SA-1 Root version of the Super Mario World though the next weeks.

With that also, I have plans in making a video showing the differences between the original Super Mario World and the SA-1 Root/Pack version of it. Although the slowdown differences are pretty smaller compared to the Gradius III version, there is a couple of places in the game that radically changes to the better because of the SA-1 chip and probably not all people will notice without a proper comparison video. So that's my plan for the next weeks. Stay tuned in!

Thoughts?