Mario Quits 2

Hey guys,

For those who care (and probably played Mario Quits 1), I have been working on Mario Quits 2 for quite some time now. Progress is slower than ever because I am a father now. Freetime is reduced to early morning sessions. But anyway that's where I stand:

Gameplay: 40-50%
Created about 8 full levels. Missing about the same amount plus a final boss and maybe some other stuff. Parts of the stuff I created has only cement blocks and floating munchers which leads us to...

Level Graphics: 15%
I have 3-4 levels with pretty finished graphics. A lot to do.

Story: 5% (Yes, that's a thing)
I only got a vague idea of the story.

Story Graphics: 0%
I already collected a lot of pixel art on the internet. So, Mario will meet a lot of strange characters again. But I still need a story and a plan which ones to use.

Music: 5%
I have one title chosen that I am definetly going to use. Other than that I have a huge list of songs here on SMWC and a list of songs that I am going to request at some point.
 Ahrion promised to help me out with a few ports. He is the best!

I want to mention that I learned a lot from the critique I received for my first hack. So, I hope the levels are better to a certain extend. Style will be the same as MQ1.
That's it for now. No screenshots at this time. But there will be, once I made a bit more progress.

Expected release date: TBD (not before end of 2023)

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My hack in progress: Mario Quits 2

Gameplay: 70-75%
Created 11.5 levels

Level Graphics: 25-30%
6 of the levels have pretty complete graphics. A lot to do.

Story: 10% (Yes, that's a thing)
I bit more ideas, but still a long way to go.

Story Graphics: 0%
Same status as before.

Music: 5%
Same status as before.


My most recent level uses the Coin Boost which is still waiting to be moderated in the UberASM section.
Since I think a lot of people are going to use that for their kaizo hacks I want to be the first that at least releases a video of the cool stuff you can do with this ASM. So, I decided to post a video of that level. I guess it is pretty obvious that this is one of the levels that have no proper graphics yet. All the strange looking blocks are death blocks that are not solid for sprites.

VIDEO
https://imgur.com/a/WcXIFmF

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My hack in progress: Mario Quits 2

that is indeed a neat asm, I might just try and make a level with that as well great to see you´re still actively working on this. And after that amazing story you made up for the first hack, how would we not expect you to invent an even better one this time ^^

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C3 stuff: http://www.smwcentral.net/?p=viewthread&t=67626 HDMA-Codes and Custom Music included!

1 Island Of Vanilla Feeling: http://www.smwcentral.net/?p=section&a=details&id=5988

MaSeHiHa World 1: http://www.smwcentral.net/?p=section&a=details&id=6055

DINGS Demo: https://www.smwcentral.net/?p=section&a=details&id=12147

Working on it!

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My hack in progress: Mario Quits 2

Gameplay: 90%
About 15 levels done; I have to create a couple more 1-screen levels and a boss.

Level Graphics: 50%
Half of the levels have (pretty much) finished graphics. Some levels have at least an idea. Still a lot to do.

Story: 25% (Yes, that's a thing)
I have a rough idea and some details.

Story Graphics: 5%
Created first NPC! Yeah!
Still no overworld which is probably the most annoying point.

Music: 15%
Got one exclusive song from Ahrion and hope for 1 or 2 more. I decided for a few songs and have a long list of potential music.

So far so good but I have to admit: I am stuck.
First of all, since I became a father the time I have for this decreased by 80-90%. While I am writing this, it is 6 in the morning on a Saturday and I have a little time until my son and wife wake up. I don't (really) want to complain, just a fact.
Second, the little time I have I use in such an unefficient way, it is amazing. I have made more or less no progress for the last 2-3 months besides some details.
I procrastinated from time to time during the making of part 1 but man, I really am stuck at the moment.

I am still super paranoid that people steal my stuff (for some reason). But anyway, here are a few screenshots of stuff that is completed. I hope it gives me some motivation to (efficiently) work on the hack.






I want to mention that I am very proud of some of the graphics I created. Besides the Gameboy one, every single level has layer 3 and/or parallax shenanigans and I think looks very cool.

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My hack in progress: Mario Quits 2

This is getting really good, and I was really surprised you managed to do Gameboy graphics! It's simply amazing!

But I have a note:



On the trees (more specifically on the Layer 2 Background), they are cutting off their trunks, which ends up not connecting them very well. The solution is very simple, just pick up the trunks that fit part by part.

Good luck with the project, and success for your family!

Oh boy, it took two and a half months to even see what you mean. I am just stupid. I adjusted it.
Thanks for your nice comment and thanks for your graphics... I love them!

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My hack in progress: Mario Quits 2

Gameplay: 90-95%
Created 16 exits. 14 full levels and 2 secret exits which are only "half" levels. Missing a boss fight.

Level Graphics: 85-90%
10 exits have completely finished graphics. The rest has BG, FG and palettes pretty much done. But I need to find/make some death block graphics and some misc. stuff. Quite a lot of progress lately. A few weeks of work left.

Story: 30%
Still no groundbreaking progress. I am planning on really working on the story and OW once the levels are out for playtesting. By the way... If anyone at high kaizo intermediate level or above is interested in playtesting, let me know. Probably in March or so. But I don't want to promise anything.

Story Graphics: 25%
A while ago I created a bunch of graphics for the stupid story ideas I have. Not much yet. But I like what I got so far.

Music: 15%
A few more decisions made. Planning to request a few songs when I am a little closer to releasing. Still no music added to the rom.

In general I reeeeaaallly like what I created so far. I have a feeling that this hack is much better than the first. But still quite a way to go.
So, to keep things interesting, here are a few screenshots of stuff that I have not shown so far.

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My hack in progress: Mario Quits 2

The graphics and palettes of these levels (judging by the screenshots) are very good!

Keep it up!

Seems like painful fun, can't wait for it!

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Meow.

Thanks, buddy! I put (too) much effort in it.


Hey, your first post. I feel honored.
Unfortunately, it still is going to take a lot of time. Thanks!

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My hack in progress: Mario Quits 2

Another level with (almost) completed graphics:

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My hack in progress: Mario Quits 2

I love what I see here! I'm hoping for a similarly hilarious story for this one ;D

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C3 stuff: http://www.smwcentral.net/?p=viewthread&t=67626 HDMA-Codes and Custom Music included!

1 Island Of Vanilla Feeling: http://www.smwcentral.net/?p=section&a=details&id=5988

MaSeHiHa World 1: http://www.smwcentral.net/?p=section&a=details&id=6055

DINGS Demo: https://www.smwcentral.net/?p=section&a=details&id=12147

OK. Just for you a sneak peek of the story.

Besides a lot of other crazy stuff, Mario will travel to another dimension:

(Text missing)

... and he will have to collect a bunch of cool items:

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My hack in progress: Mario Quits 2

Looking for playtesters here.
That thread also contains a lot of new screenshots if you are interested.

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My hack in progress: Mario Quits 2

Gameplay: 90-95%
First playtesting was quite good. I still will have to make some minor changes. The one element missing is the final boss fight. That sucks.

Level Graphics: 90-95%
Only 1 level left to do plus, of course, some little adjustments here and there.

Overworld: 80%
Main OW map almost finished. 2 of 3 submaps almost finished.

Story: 50%
Main concept exists. Detailing will be a pain. I can say for sure that this will be the last hack I ever create that has something like a story that goes beyond "the princess was kidnapped".

Music: 75%
Still nothing added to the rom but for most levels I know what song I want.

Overall I'd say 75-80% done. I hope that I find some time in the near future to make more progress. Unfortunately, I cannot work too much on this at the moment.

Here is a picture of the main OW I created myself (partially copied from some mobile game I found screenshots of). Details to be added. Water is animated in game.

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My hack in progress: Mario Quits 2

Gameplay: 95-99%
16 exits. Mini adjustments and final boss missing.

Level Graphics: 99%
Last level graphics done (see below). Only mini adjustments left to do.

Overworld: 90%
Main OW almost done, last details to be added, see below. 2 of 3 submaps almost finished.

Story: 80%
The story is "written". Created a lot of graphics already, but still some things to do. It will be epic.

Music: 85%
I added the first couple songs to the hack and I am pretty satisfied with my selection so far, also for the story parts.

Overall 85% done.
Unfortunately, I have not much time to work on this. I hope to release somewhere around the end of 2024.

Here is an update of the main OW, only last details missing (I know those clouds look shitty), as well as a screenshot of the last missing level.

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My hack in progress: Mario Quits 2

Gameplay: 99%
Only last adjustments on the final boss. Maybe minor changes after final testing.

Level Graphics: 99%
Only in the final boss level there are some things to do. Today I created the graphics for the final boss. I love it.

Overworld: 99%
Main OW and 3 submaps are done. Almost all events and animations done.

Story/Misc.: 95%
Only few graphics are missing. Almost all texts are written down in a document. I have to add most of it to message boxes and/or level graphics. Also the credits level needs to be filled with names.

Music: 95%
Many songs added to the ROM. Need to add the last few songs and SFX, and make the volume adjustments.

Overall 95-99% done.
I am pretty confident to complete the hack in my Christmas vacation. But who knows. There is always something.

Since nobody likes a post without pictures, here is a little teaser...

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My hack in progress: Mario Quits 2

This means: I just played through the whole hack for the first time and everything worked fine! I am a very happy hacker today.

Gameplay: 100%
Level Graphics: 100%
Overworld: 100%

Story/Misc.: 99%
I only have to add a few more texts to message boxes and levels.

Music: 98%
3-4 songs missing. Volume adjustments to be done.

Overall: 99,9% done.
Until the end of this week, I will send out the hack for the last round of testing and I really hope I don't get too much (negative) feedback. I think I can release in late January or latest in February.

I wish you all the best for 2025!

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My hack in progress: Mario Quits 2

Progress: 100%
Release Date: 05th of March 2025

After almost 2.5 years in the making, Mario Quits 2 is finished. I am going to release the hack on March 5th. On that day, you can follow the (expectedly) first stream of the hack on twitch.tv/whoisdoopu (Doopu).

Here is the release text:
After the events of Mario Quits, Peach and Mario live the perfect life at Peach’s Castle, but Mario feels there is something wrong. Follow him on his search for truth.
Mario Quits 2, like its predecessor, is a hack full of action, tight platforming and precision elements. It features fresh set-ups, inventive as well as classic levels, beautiful graphics and a ton of pixel art to tell an epic story (*cough*).
The difficulty is definitely in the higher intermediate range. This game is difficult, but sections are relatively short.

16 exits
Kaizo: Intermediate

Here is the set of screenshots I prepared for the release:






I hope some of you give it a try. It will be a challenge, but hopefully a fun one.

Most of the time, I had a lot of fun making this hack, but the last steps were a nightmare. Also, during the making of this, I became a father... twice. I pretty much worked on this only one evening per week and whenever I woke up at 4AM and couldn't sleep anymore. So, this is definitely the last hack I create with this size and this amount of story telling, at least until my children move out.

Not sure if anyone followed this thread very closely, but anyway, thanks for joining in.
All the best!

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My hack in progress: Mario Quits 2