Request For Zero Wing (Genesis) GG Code

[PPK]

I am aware of the code ANRA-AAA0 that Tony Hedstrom discovered (in fact I discovered the tractor beam trick for the code ATLT-AA8C) but that code doesn't fully power up the weapons. There's a hidden forth level to the weapons that the current code doesn't go to. Can someone find the code that either updates Tony Hedstrom's code or a new code that gives you the forth level on the weapons? Thank you.

[Tony H]

If you can make a save state using Gens (compatible with version 2.10) right before you get the 4th level weapons, I'll see if I can make the code for you. I tried modifying the code I made earlier (ANRA-AAA0), and I got some weird/interesting results, but I don't think any of them were the hidden 4th level weapons.

[PPK]

I never thought it'd be you Tony. Anyway here's the save state.

[Tony H]

PPK, I'm having a hard time finding the RAM address I need to help me make that code. I read the FAQ over at GameFAQs.com, but am still unclear on how the weapon level-up thing works. Is there any way to tell what level of power your weapon is? I know there are different types of weapons (lasers, homing type, etc), but can each of those different weapons have different levels of power? Any weapon info you can give me would help.

[PPK]

Well I know very little about code making (most I have ever done is use a a Gameshark Pro) but could the address be located near one of the other power ups like the speed up unit or even the bomb seeing as how it's connect to the bomb and everything. As for the weapons having different levels I personally feel the laser (Blue) to be the most powerful with the homing (green) being the weakest but that's based on just really lax observation. We can all assume what you start out with is the weakest but I don't know if the first red power up that gives you the two side ships increases the fire power or it just ,as it appears, gives you two more equally powerful guns. I don't know if any of this will help or if it's just a weak attempt to look smart by me but that's all I can see and think of to help.

P.S.
I just thought of some in game ways to test out weapon strength so I'll do that and post any results I get.
P.S.S.

So I've went to the boss at the end of level one and using the score I've found each shot is 10 points and killing it is 20,000 points this is what I have found out that it takes to kill it.

Results (so far):

Starting weapon (Red Level 1) - 200 Hits
Laser (Blue) Level 1 - 400 Hits but each laser hit is 8 hits of the starting weapon so it only takes 50 shots to kill the boss

Just discovered something, the first power up of any weapon is the twin helpers not just the first red power up so all weapons go just ship weapon be it red shot, laser shot, or homing shot, than the side ships while retaining the starting weapon level i.e. it still takes 50 laser shots to kill the end boss even with the two helpers and all of the shots hit, level 2, and than level 3. I hope you understand this and that it helps.

Found out something else, regardless of the power level the boss still takes the same amount of hits (at least for the laser, 400 hits) but normal enemies do die faster at higher power levels. So now I have no idea if anything I've found means anything for you or if it can help .

[Tony H]

Some good news, and some bad news... The bad news is I'm giving up on the "level 4 weapon" code. I'm hoping someone else on these forums can figure it out. I made an assembly trace with the save state you provided, but without a RAM address, it's pretty difficult to find. There are several hackers here that are better than me, so maybe one of them can find the code.

The good news is that while looking for your code, I found another useful code...

Zero Wing (E)


DTYA-AACA
Makes your ship move faster.


FAYA-AACA
Makes your ship move much faster.


---------------------

Zero Wing (J)


DTYA-AACW
Makes your ship move faster.


FAYA-AACW
Makes your ship move much faster.


Keep in mind that these codes are completely adjustable (IE. you can make you ship move as fast or as slow as you want just by modifying the code).

[PPK]

OK Tony. Thank you for trying and thank you for your time.

[Tony H]

One other question... Which version are you playing... E or J ?

[PPK]

Zero Wing (E) [!] is the name of the ROM I'm using.

Just thought something, instead of a code that instantly powers up the level of the weapons what about a code that changes the contents of the first upgrade dropping ship from a red power up to the big purple super upgrade? Just a thought because it may not even be connected to the other weapon power ups, it might just be a power up all it own like the speed booster and the bomb.

[Tony H]

I don't think I've seen that upgrade before. Can you make me a save state with that big purple super upgrade on the screen? Try to make it so the ship isn't too close to the upgrade (I want to have a little time before I touch the upgrade so I can do some RAM searches).

I already made some codes that change which color upgrade you get, but I think it only works on the regular red, blue and green upgrades (although I haven't tested it much yet).

[PPK]

The upgrade should be on screen in the save state I upload previously. Are you saying you don't see it?

Here's a screen shot of the save state I uploaded earlier:

[Tony H]

Oops... not too familiar with this game. In the guide from GameFAQs, it says you have to be carrying a bomb, and then detonate an object that would yield another bomb power up, and then you'll get the purple power up. Do you know if it matters what level your weapons are at?

[Tony H]

Making some progress...

P2NT-BJ16
First power-up is blue, then green, then speed-up, then a funny looking red power-up that gives you the elusive level 4 weapon! Only problem is that it's only a single shot. Getting closer. Back to the lab. :-)

[Whipon]

Here you go ^^:

Allways Have Level 4 Weapons,
BTYA-A6ER
TTMA-BA4A
TAMA-BACC
Note: Blue laser will show as level 1, but in fact you have level 4.

Start With Weapons at Level 3,
A2YT-AABA

Weapon Powerups Worth Max Level,
ANRA-AAA0
Note: Blue laser will show as level 1, but in fact you have the max level.

[Tony H]

Thanks Whipon. I had already made/posted the ANRA-AAA0 code, but I'm sure PPK will be happy to see the others.

Here's another code that gets you level 4 weapons with a single code, but has not been tested much (may have side effects)...

A2NT-AAH0
The 5th power-up you see/collect (a funny looking red power-up) will give you full level 4 weapons. May have unknown side effects.

EDIT: Whipon, what was the RAM address for the 4th level weapons? I was having a hell of a time finding it. I ended up taking a different route for the code above (I changed which power-ups show up on the screen).