VIP and Wall Mix
VIP and Wall Mix (also known as VIP and Wall and Alaska Mix, or just VIP or Mix) is a series of hacks made by japanese communities, mainly 2channel forums and VIP News Board, plus several anonymous people. The hacks are known for being the one of most famous japanese specimen in the hacking scene (among with Brutal Mario) during the 2000's period. There are already 5 finished released hacks, plus with a sixth one still in progress.
Overview
There are several aspects which makes this hacks unique, some of them are:
- References to japanese culture and/or memes, including obscure, edgy and questionable topics.
- Graphical replacement of most sprites (including Mario, Peach and Bowser) to 2channel memes (*).
- Graphical replacement of some global objects (like cement blocks or doors).
- Extremely hard levels in late game (Kaizo borderline in some cases).
- Unusual, Creative or Weird gimmicks (including ASM in various levels).
- Minor relevance of "polishing" aspects (palettes, cutoffs, clashing, glitches, etc.).
- Sequels or references to some levels across all the hacks.
(*) For each hack there is an alternative version which uses all vanilla sprites.
Characters
Boon
Boon is the main character of the VIP and Wall Mix series, and the only playable character in the hacks. He appears to be an anthropomorphous cat dressed as Mario. It can be implied that he has some kind of a relationship with Princess Cindele, as he's the one who always goes to save her (just like Mario and Peach). He has the same moveset, frames and abilities than in the original SMW.
Princess Cindelle
Princess Cindelle is the always-kidnapped princess of the VIP and Wall Mix series (just like Peach in the original SMW and in the majority of its romhacks). She gets kidnapped at the start of every hack, one way or another.
Yoshi
Yoshi (also known as Horse) is a dinosaur-like character that acts as an ally of Boon and Princess Cindelle in the series (just like Peach in the original SMW and in the majority of its romhacks). He has the same alternate forms and abilities than in the original SMW.
VIPPER
VIPPER is the main antagonist of the VIP and Wall Mix series.
Koopalings
The Koopalings are a seven-member clan of recurring enemies in the VIP and Wall MIX series, often seen as bosses in each world final castle. Individually, they are named Larry, Morton, Wendy, Iggy, Roy, Lemmy, and Ludwig. They are presumably VIPPER's minions (just like in the original SMW with Bowser).
Big Boo
Reznor
Notable Contributors
2channel Community
Lufia3.net Community
757 (also known as boldowa)
Anikiti
beyrevia
carol
Initially as an anonymous collaborator, carol started to contribute to VIP hacks since its second release, where he contributed with 4 levels (which were re-used later in his personal hack, Brutal Mario) and the Giko Bowser and Neo VIPdeath bosses. For VIP3, he contributed the Banana Bird crystal minigame, the Mega Man 6 capsule room and the final bosses: Daddy Cool riding Gamma (from Mega Man 3) and Newsoku de Yaruo (based on Zero Two from Kirby 64). For VIP4, he contributed the Yoshi chimera boss and the Seven AA boss (based on The Seven Heroes from Romancing SaGa 2, which he also did for his hack). And finally, for VIP5 he contributed with 2 levels: Red Athletic (the Red Switch Palace) and Little Zonu Lost (one of the stages in World 8). He also made the Tanasinn boss and worked on the coding for the Julius (from Final Fantasy Adventure) boss.
Homing
Nanashi
SIG
SIG is a japanese smw hacker with more than 10 years of experience (2008 to present) and with a vast number of 38 hacks made. He contributed only to VIP and Wall and Alaska Mix 5.
TSC
TSC is known for being the only non-anonymous person who's participated in every hack of the series.[citation needed]
Hacks
VIP & Wall MIX
The first hack of the series. It's known for being largely vanilla and for introducing the level design style of the designers, but also for being the one with less memes/references. It's also the shortest hack in the series.
| Technical Infomation | |
|---|---|
| Known Contributors: | ■ ■, 660, 771, 7shi, 880, Anikiti, Aruarukun, Hakkatsunan, Hikara, Itoiro-sensei Kumema, Nko, Noppo-san, Suibutsu no Sakusha, Teenz, TO-SIRO, TSC, People from Lufia3.net. |
| Release Date: | 2006 |
| Exits: | 78 |
VIP & Wall MIX 2
The second hack of the series. It's known for being, until now, the hardest hack of the bunch, but also for introducing a bit more ASM and Graphics than its predecessor. It's also the first one where carol, the Brutal Mario's author participated (primairly as an anonymous).
| Technical Infomation | |
|---|---|
| Known Contributors: | 112, 660, 864, carol, Mizu ,Nan, Nanashi 50, Nanashi-san, P3, TSC |
| Release Date: | 2006 |
| Exits: | 103 |
VIP & Wall MIX 3
The third hack of the series. This hack is considered a turning point of them, since the polishment and features grew considerably in this one: it was the first hack in the SMW hacking history to have custom music on it.[citation needed] It features a new type of overworld: after defeating World 1 you can choose one of 4 worlds (Worlds 2 to 5) to continue your adventure, instead of following a linear progress (you needed to complete all of those 4 world to continue to World 6, though). The amount of custom resources were increased in this one.
| Technical Infomation | |
|---|---|
| Known Contributors: | 7shi, carol, Esuha, Ippanjin, Iwa, Nan, Nanashi?, Nanashi-san, P3, Pythagoras, Ringo, TSC |
| Release Date: | 2007 |
| Exits: | 100 |
VIP & Wall & Alaska MIX 4
The fourth hack of the series. Everything seen in the first three hacks, but quadrupled: it features more ASM, more custom music and a more polished level design overall compared to their predecessors. One of the most iconic aspects of this hack is that you need to beat all of the special levels in order to reach the final levels and boss, and also for being the first one to have the VIP Coin indicator in the overworld border (right next to the level name).
| Technical Infomation | |
|---|---|
| Known Contributors: | 660, 757, 854, AAA, carol, King Nanashi Salmon, Matomenin, Nan, P3, Pia, Ringo, TSC |
| Release Date: | 2008 |
| Exits: | 114 |
VIP & Wall & Alaska MIX 5
The fifth hack of the series. Known for being, by the vast majority of VIP fans, the best hack of the bunch. It features even more things that its predecessor: custom graphics for all overworld (including sprites and border), more ASM and custom music, and more unique gimmicks.
| Technical Infomation | |
|---|---|
| Known Contributors: | 1PfJGxh2, 660, 757, Akatsuki, Anta, beyrevia, carol, FY61, Homing, IGU, Kaeru, King Nanashi Salmon, Kokunai, Kumo no Naka?, L3Rt, List, Pingu, Pilisa, SIG, Sui, sym, Tima, TSC, Zero |
| Release Date: | 2011 |
| Exits: | 100 |
VIP & Wall & Alaska MIX 6
The sixth hack of the series. Still in development, this hack continues following the quality trail seen since VIP4: ASM, custom music and unique level ideas. It's known for being the hack with the longest development time (2012 to present) without an official release, but also for featuring an interesting multi-path overworld and for being the first hack in which western people have worked in.
| Technical Infomation | |
|---|---|
| Release Date: | Not yet. |
| Exits: | ? |