The NES classic retro video game DuckTales has been successfully ported over to the SNES by a talented romhacker.
Retro Dodo readers may already be familiar with the particular romhacker behind this project. It is none other than our friend Infidelity NES, who previously brought us the exceptional project.
Infidelity NES has once again demonstrated his skills by bringing this classic NES game to the SNES console. This opens up exciting opportunities for quality of life improvements and technical enhancements.
Let’s dive in and see what this port has to offer!
DuckTales (1989)
If you are a fan of retro video games and have spent any time exploring the NES library, then you are likely familiar with DuckTales, hailed as one of the .
Originally released in 1989 for the Nintendo Entertainment System, this classic title offered a unique and thrilling platforming experience at the time.
Being developed by the same team as the Mega Man series, DuckTales shared many similarities with it. It boasted smooth gameplay, vibrant visuals, distinctive level designs, responsive controls, and non-linear gameplay.
As one of my personal favorite NES games, DuckTales holds a special place in my heart even to this day. And it seems that Infidelity NES shares the same sentiments.
“[DuckTales is] a childhood favorite of mine, was always going to port this. I port because it’s fun for me.”
– Infidelity NES
DuckTales SNES (2023)
Infidelity NES has previously ported games like The Legend of Zelda and Mega Man II to the SNES. This indicates that he is well-versed in selecting the best titles from the early Nintendo era.
Previous evidence of his romhacking work, such as the Super Mario Bros 3+ project, showcased the incredible quality of his work.
But what exactly does it mean to port a game from the NES to the SNES? I may not be knowledgeable about all the technical details, but in essence, it involves upgrading the source code of an NES title and making it compatible with the SNES. This process also enables the incorporation of visually-enhanced and performance-improved features.
In the case of this DuckTales port, Infidelity has mentioned on Twitter that the port will utilize HiROM technology, allowing the game to access twice the amount of data compared to the original. Additionally, the port will include the remastered soundtrack from 2013, utilizing the MSU1 processor to enable CD-quality lossless audio playback (this feature will be added in August).
In my own experience with the beta version, there was a noticeable enhancement in vibrancy and clarity. The screenshots above don’t truly capture the game’s visual appeal on the SNES.
If you’ve ever wanted to play an enhanced and perfected version of the original NES classic without the use of remakes or remasters, this port might just be the definitive way to experience DuckTales.
How To Get It
The best way to stay updated on the progress of the DuckTales SNES project is by following Infidelity’s Twitter account. He is active on the platform and often responds to comments regarding the project.
The game is currently available in beta form to Infidelity’s Patreon subscribers. It will be released to the public on July 28th.
I personally obtained my copy through Patreon for $5, and I highly recommend supporting independent artists if you have the means. These small contributions go a long way in ensuring the continuation of awesome projects like this.
Once again, we express our gratitude to independent developers who selflessly contribute to the retro gaming community. Your efforts are truly commendable!
