This game's super well done! I ordered the physical copy of the game for my bro (since he started collecting NES games to play), so I'm playing the ROM file that came with the receipt in the meantime. I'm seriously blown away by how good this game looks considering the NES's hardware, so props to everyone who worked on this! This definitely seems like it would be much more fun in multiplayer, which I haven't tried yet, but it's totally fine in single-player.
Oh by the way Mac gang, yes you can play this. The ROM works beautifully with OpenEmu, which is built specifically for Mac computers. You're welcome in advance!
This was actually a really fun experience! It feels exactly like an NES game should, and it's really fun with friends. It might get chaotic with four friends though!
4 player can get a bit chaotic at times, but you eventually develop a flow and rhythm as a group. Proof is going back to the start of the game and realizing just how much easier it is with everyone in sync.
Hey! I got your game in a bundle a while back. I downloaded it but realized it's on Steam :D. The download page didn't have a Steam key request. Any way you could teach me to activate it on Steam?
you mean the racial justice bundle? I'm fairly sure that the indie developers didn't offer activation keys for steam because they were already offering their own copies for almost nothing.
Heya - look up OpenEmu, it's a Mac-specific emulator that can run all sorts of console games, including NES. Just drop the Micro Mages ROM into the thing and have fun!
Is there any way I can pay for the source code so I can see how you did a lot of this stuff? I know there is a video but I'm really interested in what you did and want to see how they were done in assembly. Also did you write the Windows version in assembly too or C?
I assume the Windows version is just bundling the ROM with a NES emulator.
Even without the source code, you can use a NES debugger/visualizer tool such as Mesen to see what’s going on in the CPU and PPU. Great for ROM hacking too. Read the Mesen docs for more info.
Played this on stream recently, fantastic work! It's honestly shocking how far you've pushed the NES here, and it comes together into an addictive, blast of a game, too! I'll definitely be getting more than a few screens into this one on my own time.
You can download it by pressing the “Install” button in the Itch client, but pressing the “Launch” button just opens a folder containing the installer.
This game is so fun! Even without the super interesting optimisation and design within the limitations, the platforming feels great and it's been great to play with four friends for some hectic co-op fun. Thanks so much for making this!
In theory yes. They made actual game cartridges i believe forthis game as an option for early backers. the game is built within the limitation of the nes and the rom works with nes emulators. I played it on an nes emulator on my psp in fact and it works great
So, this is... uhm... genuinely great. Its not only a throwback to NES games, its an actual NES game made with the limitations of the 40k cartridge in mind. And despite that has a ton of varied environments that incrementally challenge your seemingly simple navigation possibilities further, cool boss fights/animations, simple, but very, very smart level design and cool features for a coop adventure that elevates its excellent single player content even further. Add some coop specific power ups, cool nostalgic callbacks and a hard mode on top of the perfectly snappy controls and you have a winner. 5/5
Been incredibly interested in this project ever since I saw the video of the creator explaining working through the technical limitations to create this game. After playing for a bit, it's honestly insane how much this feels this thing came right out of the 80s. Definitely check this out.
Seems like a cool game, but once the Installer-1.0.1.exe is installed on the itch.io desktop app it doesn't lauch the game but just opens up this page in a web browser. Am I doing something wrong? Or do you have to open it outside of the itchi.io desktop app?
Sorry, I'm still confused, it says "Includes: - native PC version (Windows)" but when I download all the versions on this page, click on "manage" and find the folder there is only the ROM (which you explain in the .txt file requires emulation). Unless I'm missing something, is there a "native PC version" available on itch? Could I play it on Steam instead? I would prefer not to do emulation if the native PC version is possible. Thanks!
You can also buy the game on Steam, but that's a separate purchase.
When you navigate to the download page on your PC, you don't see these four downloads?
If you download the installer, you should open it to install it on Windows.
If you instead download the portable version, just unpack it anywhere and run the game from it, without needing to install anything.
I believe the PC version is also effectively emulation, since the game is made for the NES. The PC version is probably just another emulator conveniently wrapped around the NES ROM.
Yes, I finally got it to work. You have to go to your web page not on the itch desktop app, download, then run the .exe file. Somehow I missed a step earlier. Great game!
However, just a general comment I want to make. I am not putting any blame on you, I think this is an itch problem, but their UI and explanation about issues like this is minimal or non-existent. I know they are a small team but the latest publicity they have received due to bundles and whatnot should hopefully get them some funds to work on this platform. I will continue to use it of course, I really like playing and testing indie games, but if you any influence on them please tell them - FIX and IMPROVE your platform PLEASE!
This game is amazing! And not just amazing for the NES, but amazing in general, lots of fun! It's really built with multiplayer in mind, so try to find some friends and experience the multiplayer mechanics, like bouncing off your fellow mages or being able to float around as a ghost looking for ways to come back to life.
But it's also fun to play on your own! The game isn't very long. A dedicated player can probably finish it in about two hours. It includes a hard mode, which you need to complete in order to see the true ending, kind of like classic NES games like Ghosts N' Goblins. The difference is that the second loop in hard mode has lots of little changes, from level layouts to enemy behaviour, that really are more like just the second half of the game, kind of like the inverted castle in Symphony of the Night. There are also secrets to uncover and lots of little easter eggs and small references to other games, as classic as Space Invaders and as recent as Shovel Knight.
If you like run-and-gun wall-jumping vertical action, definitely give this game a try!
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This game's super well done! I ordered the physical copy of the game for my bro (since he started collecting NES games to play), so I'm playing the ROM file that came with the receipt in the meantime. I'm seriously blown away by how good this game looks considering the NES's hardware, so props to everyone who worked on this! This definitely seems like it would be much more fun in multiplayer, which I haven't tried yet, but it's totally fine in single-player.
Oh by the way Mac gang, yes you can play this. The ROM works beautifully with OpenEmu, which is built specifically for Mac computers. You're welcome in advance!
This was actually a really fun experience! It feels exactly like an NES game should, and it's really fun with friends. It might get chaotic with four friends though!
4 player can get a bit chaotic at times, but you eventually develop a flow and rhythm as a group. Proof is going back to the start of the game and realizing just how much easier it is with everyone in sync.
Hey! I got your game in a bundle a while back. I downloaded it but realized it's on Steam :D. The download page didn't have a Steam key request. Any way you could teach me to activate it on Steam?
you mean the racial justice bundle? I'm fairly sure that the indie developers didn't offer activation keys for steam because they were already offering their own copies for almost nothing.
Ohhhh!! Okay thanks for the info!!
Hi team, any chance to have the game on Switch ?
I don't think thats gonna happen
seems cool
Wow, that’s a great game! The art is really stunning for a NES title and you did a perfect job with the animations.
Well done!
Please try an Mac version of the game
You can just download the NES ROM and use it on an emulator on mac
Heya - look up OpenEmu, it's a Mac-specific emulator that can run all sorts of console games, including NES. Just drop the Micro Mages ROM into the thing and have fun!
Is there anyway we can get a Linux port? Or Source code so I may port it? I want to buy the game, but I want a native Linux port. :)
The rom works in emulators using RetroArch :)
Is there any way I can pay for the source code so I can see how you did a lot of this stuff? I know there is a video but I'm really interested in what you did and want to see how they were done in assembly. Also did you write the Windows version in assembly too or C?
Probably some kind of wrapper / emulator for the NES rom?
I assume the Windows version is just bundling the ROM with a NES emulator.
Even without the source code, you can use a NES debugger/visualizer tool such as Mesen to see what’s going on in the CPU and PPU. Great for ROM hacking too. Read the Mesen docs for more info.
Played this on stream recently, fantastic work! It's honestly shocking how far you've pushed the NES here, and it comes together into an addictive, blast of a game, too! I'll definitely be getting more than a few screens into this one on my own time.
wow! this is awesome, make a demo version pls!!
can i purchase a free version with only the game?
You mean only the ROM? No, it all comes bundled together.
callate mogluardo
You can't install this game from inside the itch.io app, i think because you havent maked the installer or the portable version as for windows.
Is it fixed now? Can you download using the app?
You can download it by pressing the “Install” button in the Itch client, but pressing the “Launch” button just opens a folder containing the installer.
Can't download the rom zip file. Server problem.
Try again. It's working for me at the moment.
This game is so fun! Even without the super interesting optimisation and design within the limitations, the platforming feels great and it's been great to play with four friends for some hectic co-op fun. Thanks so much for making this!
Is this playable on a real NES using a flashcart like Everdrive N8?
In theory yes. They made actual game cartridges i believe forthis game as an option for early backers. the game is built within the limitation of the nes and the rom works with nes emulators. I played it on an nes emulator on my psp in fact and it works great
Thanks. I'll try.
Physical release is still for sale if you want one:
https://www.brokestudio.fr/product/micro-mages/
A Famicom version for your Famicom or Dendy is also about to be released.
FYI. I did try on a real NES using the provided ROM on an Everdrive N8 and it does work! Very nice job!
ooooo thats great. Have fun with that!
Yes the rom is perfectly playable on a real Nes console using an Everdrive N8
(note: if you want to play with four players you will need a Fourscore adapter or a Nes Sattelite)
So, this is... uhm... genuinely great. Its not only a throwback to NES games, its an actual NES game made with the limitations of the 40k cartridge in mind. And despite that has a ton of varied environments that incrementally challenge your seemingly simple navigation possibilities further, cool boss fights/animations, simple, but very, very smart level design and cool features for a coop adventure that elevates its excellent single player content even further. Add some coop specific power ups, cool nostalgic callbacks and a hard mode on top of the perfectly snappy controls and you have a winner. 5/5
More Racial Justice bundle impressions and ranking: https://itch.io/c/915453/quick-impressions-bundle-for-racial-justice
Been incredibly interested in this project ever since I saw the video of the creator explaining working through the technical limitations to create this game. After playing for a bit, it's honestly insane how much this feels this thing came right out of the 80s. Definitely check this out.
Looks awesome but somehow i cant download it? I bought the new Bundle and this was included at a later date, which might be the reason.
No, games added to the bundle after you paid for it should also show up.
From the bundle page,
https://itch.io/b/520/bundle-for-racial-justice-and-equality
click on download at the very top left. That will show you the whole bundle. Then search for Micro Mages by title:
You'll have to go to the bundle downloads link and click on the recently added games individually to get them to associate with your account.
Seems like a cool game, but once the Installer-1.0.1.exe is installed on the itch.io desktop app it doesn't lauch the game but just opens up this page in a web browser. Am I doing something wrong? Or do you have to open it outside of the itchi.io desktop app?
Hi, did you try to download it directly on this page and install it? (not via itch.io app). Normally it will work. Please let us know if it worked.
Sorry, I'm still confused, it says "Includes: - native PC version (Windows)" but when I download all the versions on this page, click on "manage" and find the folder there is only the ROM (which you explain in the .txt file requires emulation). Unless I'm missing something, is there a "native PC version" available on itch? Could I play it on Steam instead? I would prefer not to do emulation if the native PC version is possible. Thanks!
You can also buy the game on Steam, but that's a separate purchase.
When you navigate to the download page on your PC, you don't see these four downloads?
If you download the installer, you should open it to install it on Windows.
If you instead download the portable version, just unpack it anywhere and run the game from it, without needing to install anything.
I believe the PC version is also effectively emulation, since the game is made for the NES. The PC version is probably just another emulator conveniently wrapped around the NES ROM.
Yes, I finally got it to work. You have to go to your web page not on the itch desktop app, download, then run the .exe file. Somehow I missed a step earlier. Great game!
However, just a general comment I want to make. I am not putting any blame on you, I think this is an itch problem, but their UI and explanation about issues like this is minimal or non-existent. I know they are a small team but the latest publicity they have received due to bundles and whatnot should hopefully get them some funds to work on this platform. I will continue to use it of course, I really like playing and testing indie games, but if you any influence on them please tell them - FIX and IMPROVE your platform PLEASE!
This game is amazing! And not just amazing for the NES, but amazing in general, lots of fun! It's really built with multiplayer in mind, so try to find some friends and experience the multiplayer mechanics, like bouncing off your fellow mages or being able to float around as a ghost looking for ways to come back to life.
But it's also fun to play on your own! The game isn't very long. A dedicated player can probably finish it in about two hours. It includes a hard mode, which you need to complete in order to see the true ending, kind of like classic NES games like Ghosts N' Goblins. The difference is that the second loop in hard mode has lots of little changes, from level layouts to enemy behaviour, that really are more like just the second half of the game, kind of like the inverted castle in Symphony of the Night. There are also secrets to uncover and lots of little easter eggs and small references to other games, as classic as Space Invaders and as recent as Shovel Knight.
If you like run-and-gun wall-jumping vertical action, definitely give this game a try!