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Out of the blue, and without any kind of mention, a mostly complete decompilation project coded in C/C++ from the SNES classic, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, has emerged on GitHub under the MIT license.

The project was released around 9 days ago, on August 14th, and seems to be playable from start to end.
Right now the decompilation is compatible with Windows (compilable with Visual Studio) and Linux (using SDL2 and Python).
At the moment, only keyboard is supported for controls, but those interested in contributing can do so through GitHub.

As with other decompilation projects, the repository doesn't include any of the original game's assets.
The project requires you to previously own and provide your own A Link to the Past ROM to extract all of the game's assets and begin the compilation afterwards.

Link (no pun intended):
https://github.com/snesrev/zelda3​

 

[Cris1997XX]

Hell yeah!! Can't wait for people to make a DS port

 

[Dungeonseeker]

This has all been hashed out in the courts repeatedly. You don't have to "clean room" code something in order for it to be suitably legal.

Has it? Can you show a source for this?

 

[Cris1997XX]

Has it? Can you show a source for this?

The source is that I made it the fuck up

 

[Dungeonseeker]

The source is that I made it the fuck up

AFAIK....

Despite what most believe to be true, IBM actually never sued Pheonix or Compaq over the AT BIOS being decompiled leading to IBM clones.

The most cited case is Intel Vs NEC which is interesting. Intel sued NEC over an alleged 8086 microcode copyright, NEC went on to win but not by using the CR defence, instead they hired an indy dev to write the same code and used this as proof to the judge that the only way to do these functions was the way they had done it by showing similarities between the 2 entirely separate projects. They couldn't use clean room since they were actually licensed by Intel to use the code at the time.

The last case thats often cited is Sony Vs Connectix. Sony tried to sue them for decompiling the PS BIOS, at first they won a preliminary judgement but this was later overturned and when it became obvious they were gonna lose they did what all corps do and threw money at it. Sony ended up just buying Connectix out and no judgement was ever made.

Lets not forget that only last year Take Two shut down all those GTA decomp projects. The problem is nobody wants to be the first to take on a multi billion $ business in court to test it properly.

 

[Pleng]

This is cool!! I'm interested in some sort hd retexture or something to make it look a bit modern.

I wonder if assets from A Link Between Worlds could be used? It shares the same 2 overworld maps. Dungeons may be an issue.

 

[Ajlr]

Wonder what SNES game is next.

 

[Lostbhoy]

I wonder if assets from A Link Between Worlds could be used? It shares the same 2 overworld maps. Dungeons may be an issue.

Id think they could be used, not in 3ds format obviously but converting the textures should be a doddle.

 

[HalfScoper]

yawn, when to do the good games get decompiled.

 

[Bladexdsl]

countdown to DMCA!

 

[godreborn]

after a bit of trial and error, I got it:

 

[ldeveraux]

yawn, when to do the good games get decompiled.

gosh you're stupid

 

[godreborn]

gosh you're stupid

he's probably trolling. he was already on my ignore list for something.

 

[PacBunnyXV07]

Ok whats goin on? Sonic Mania and now this!?!?!?!?!? ...This is gonna be sweet.

 

[JaapDaniels]

Sounds cool, but to accomplish what?
To what i know we already had modding for this game for everything except 16kHD and dolby 9.2 support.
Sure wanna try it though!
lemme know when there's a builder GUI for it.

 

[godreborn]

Sounds cool, but to accomplish what?
To what i know we already had modding for this game for everything except 16kHD and dolby 9.2 support.
Sure wanna try it though!
lemme know when there's a builder GUI for it.

I don't know if there could be a gui, because you do need sdl2.dll in the system32 or sysWOW64 folders depending on which version you're using. they used 2.20 iirc. the other stuff could be done, but that is a requirement.

 

[Kwyjor]

I should add that while Hyrule Magic (the existing ALTTP editor) might leave much to be desired, I have the impression that the sheer complexity of designing good levels seems to have been more of a barrier to new projects.

Has it? Can you show a source for this?

I was reading a really nice summary a while ago, but can't seem to find it at the moment. https://www.internetandtechnologylaw.com/history-fair-use-defense-software/ is pretty close.

ETA: Maybe I'm thinking of https://scholarship.law.ufl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1099&context=jtlp ?

 

[godreborn]

btw, by version, I actually mean x86 or x64. should be obvious which is which. lol, but they do use an older version of sdl, though not much older than the latest.

 

[ShadowOne333]

I'm sure the project itself could benefit a lot from a performance boost if it shifts libraries to OpenGL instead of SDL2.
That'll help it run in a wide variety of devices with decent performance I'm guessing.

 

[Guacaholey]

So... blonde haired Link?

 

[ShadowOne333]

So... blonde haired Link?

Already a thing, mate
https://www.romhacking.net/hacks/2594/