Welcome to the (formerly) secret page!
Alas, Metroid 2 DX was never released and thus Metroid 2's nicely detailed
graphics have become hard to look at through the years. Oh sure, the Game
Boy Color and Game Boy Advance include a custom setting that gives
Metroid 2 a fairly nice eight color palette, but when compared to the colorful
graphics of Super Mario Bros. DX and Link's Awakening DX it's hard not to
feel like we Metroid fans got gipped. Well, fret no more for there is a way to
give Metroid 2 a great color upgrade, all thanks to a wonderful program
If you've been here before you'll notice that the procedure for adding color to Metroid 2 is now different than it was. The Game Boy Colorizer program is no longer needed since the patching is now done via an IPS file, which basically means a much smaller download and an easier procedure. (However, budding artists who'd like to add color to their old Game Boy favorites would still do well to check out the excellent GBColorizer.) Here's what you need:
-A Metroid 2 ROM. (Do not write asking for ROM images or for places to obtain them! All such requests will be ignored! You're on your own with this one.)
-The Metroid 2 Color Patch - You can download it as an IPS.exe here, which means you don't need a separate IPS patcher. (If you can't run the IPS.exe or are already familiar with and/or prefer regular IPS files you can also download one here, but you'll need a separate IPS patching program to use it.) This is basically an updated version of Dan Davis' already excellent color file from the Game Boy Colorizer homepage. There are too many individual changes to list, but in general terms here are the changes in the updated version:
-All inadvertently revealed secrets are once again secrets!
-All mismatched tiles now match!
-Small changes to a few sprites.
-Very small color changes to a few background elements.
-A Game Boy Color Emulator - You'll need this to play the patched ROM.
There are many around the net, so search around until you find one that
suits your needs.
Okay, then. If you've gotten those three things you're ready to go. Here are the simple steps to injecting color into Metroid 2.
1- Extract the Metroid 2 Color Patch into whatever directory you choose.
2- Put your Metroid 2 ROM (or a copy of it if you want to keep your original) into the same directory as your color patch and rename it as Metroid2Color.gb. If you prefer you can also just use the browse button to find your Metroid 2 ROM when you run the Metroid2Color.ips.exe file.
3- Now just run the Metroid2Color.ips.exe file and click the 'patch' button.
That's it! You now have a brand new colorized Metroid 2 ROM that you can use in your favorite Game Boy emulator! There are some known glitches you'll stumble upon while playing:
-The fading effect between some level areas is missing, replaced by
temporary tile distortion.
-Creatures frozen by the ice beam will not change color.
-The 'pulsating' effect on some items is missing.
-The image flickers heavily and distorts during the final boss battle.
(You can still complete the game.)
These glitches are most likely due to Metroid 2 relying on particular tricks
unique to the original Game Boy's four color palette to render its graphics.
I think you'll find that the advantages gained from the use of color far
outweigh these small drawbacks.
I hope you've enjoyed Metroid Evolution's secret. Have fun exploring the newly colorful SR388!
Metroid Evolution does not provide or distribute Nintendo game ROMS. Metroid Evolution does not condone piracy and wishes to cooperate with Nintendo and the ISDA by avoiding the illegal distribution of such copyrighted material. Metroid, Metroid Prime, the Metroid logo, Metroid games and related items, all names, photos, and scans of these Metroid games or items are registered trademark and/or copyright Nintendo of America, Inc., and Nintendo Co., Ltd. The author of this page is not affiliated with Nintendo, Retro Studios, or any of their licensees. No copyright infringement in these pages is intended. All such content is protected by intellectual property laws and any use other than for private, non commercial purposes is strictly prohibited.
