Game Jam Notes:

There is a map at the bottom of this page. If you are unsure where to go, you should grab the image file.

Fixed Bugs:

• A room that connects an area tunnel to a water room with whip hooks would warp a player back into the middle of the (same) room, potentially softlocking the player.

Updates For Next Time:

• Save Rooms in the Dungeon, Library and (2) Devil Paradise now have the proper minimap tile
• Zombies and Ghosts stay on the map.
• Save stations restore HP and MP.
• Minor fixes to 2 maps in the final leg of the game (With the upgrades required to get there, it is merely a nuisance, rather than an actual problem).
• Map will include boss locations, final objective, items, locked doors, etc.

Introduction

Princess Melon has been kidnapped by evil forces. Sir Regal has taken up the challenge to track her down as rescue her.

Navigate a medium-size castle sub-divided into six separate areas. Includes 16 different upgrades, a 24 x 24 map grid, 143 rooms, 4 bosses, and a couple dozen enemy entries.

A map is available in the download section.

Game Details

File Size	233 kb
Genre	Metroidvania Platformer
Console Style	Nintendo Entertainment System
Themes	NES Jam: "Save the Princess" * The main plot of the game is to rescue the princess, but all is not as it seems. Metroidvania Month: "Evolution" * Given I had 4 days notice before the submission deadline for the first jam to complete this game ahead of schedule, there was no time to modify the game. That said, one could argue the various equipment, upgrades and story telling elements evolve as you collect items along the way.
Resolution	256 x 240
Palettes	* 4x 4-colour tile palettes * 4x 4-colour sprite palettes (The game was designed to use an array of 8 palettes that had to be updated as the game progressed, rather than sourcing the master array. There is only one 64-color palette in memory and that serves as a reference for the available colours. It is impossible by design to display any tile or sprite in the game beyond 4-colours.)
Sound/Music	*2 Square channels *1 Triangle channel *1 Noise channel *1 sample channel dominated by sawtooth. (sometimes multiples of a channel are setup, but only one plays at a time)
Input Support	* Keyboard * Touch Screen * Controller (experimental)

How to Play

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Keyboard Set1	Keyboard Set2	Keyboard Set3	Touch Controls	Description
Arrow Keys	WASD	WASD	Directional Pad	* Move the player around.*Down = Crouch * Select options on the menu
Z	X	J	X	A BUTTON * Jump * + Down = Slide or Jump through platform * Execute
X	C	K	O	B BUTTON * Attack. * + UP = Use ability * Cancel
ENTER			+	START BUTTON * Pause game
SHIFT			-	SELECT BUTTON * Switch ability

• Changes to the keyboard set will not take place until after the player leaves the OPTIONS page.

• The default setup when playing for the first time is Keyboard Set 1. If this is an issue, the touch screen buttons can be controlled with a mouse to allow a player access to the OPTIONS page and change the setup to one of the WASD options.

Important Rooms

	Save Room Players can save their progress in these rooms. In a future release, they will also restore HP and MP.
	Warp Room Instant travel can occur with the rooms, allowing the player to quickly return to areas of the castle already explored. The first three rooms are already unlocked (As they all require Jump Boots to reach them).

Upgrades

HEALTH BOX	Increases the number of hearts carried by 1. Maximum Hearts: 12
MAGIC BOX	Increases the number of magic stars carried by 1. Maximum Magic: 12
ATTACK UP	Increases the amount of sword damage by 1 point. Helpful in cutting through enemy armor. Maximum Upgrades: 4
PRINCESS' DIARY	This book details the events of the kidnapping.
SHIELD BASH	Launch into enemies with a shield attack. Provides a speed boost and protection from the enemy when in use.
HAMMER	Smash various walls and enemies in the castle. It is said this can break skeletons, easily.
WHIP	A long-distance weapon, but it lacks real power. It is more useful to grab onto rings and cross over great distances.
FIREBALL	A magical spell that does heavy damage to enemies. his spell can destroy the red doors that appear in the castle.
SUPER FIREBALL	An upgraded fireball that devastates enemies. Can open yellow doors.
GAUNTLET	Basic armor. Helps to reduce incoming damage.
AQUA ARMOR	Suited for underwater environments, this improves underwater jumping and increases defense.
FIRE ARMOR	Blessed with protection, this red armor reduces incoming damage and negates all damage caused by acid and spikes.
SLIDER	Slide around on the floor. Is useful in going through narrow passageways.
WING	Attached to boots, these enable the wearer to jump up to three more times in the air. Fall to quickly and they will not work.
JUMP BOOTS	Can jump much higher and reach new ledges. The many portal rooms scattered through the castle are now accessible.
KEY	Opens a special door marked with it's symbol. Most doors that require this key have something special behind it.

Updates

June 15th, 2025

• Project has been uploaded.