D-Pad Hero

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Getting Started

We recommend playing D-Pad Hero 2 on the Nestopia emulator. Mac users, we recommend getting the Emulator Enhancer (for fullscreen mode and USB gamepad support). D-Pad Hero 2 has also been tested on FCEUX and NESticle (!).

We strongly recommend playing D-Pad Hero 2 with a proper controller (e.g. “Retrolink NES controller”). Warning: Playing with a keyboard is likely to cause great aggravation and stress. The emulator’s default keyboard layout has the D-pad mapped to the arrow keys on the right side of the keyboard, whereas the D-pad on a NES controller is on the left side. Either swap the sides mentally in realtime, or change the emulator settings.

How To Play

Please refer to the D-Pad Hero 2 manual. Inspired by Ubisoft’s green decision to ditch paper manuals, we will not be offering printed manuals. Oh yeah, that’s also why we’re not producing a cartridge.

Here are some video demonstrations:

D-Pad Hero 2 gameplay (1 player)

D-Pad Hero 2: Free Man - Expert - 98%

D-Pad Hero 2: Whip Man - Expert - 99%

Features

Whew, a lot has happened since the first game. We’ve tried to incorporate as many of your suggestions as possible. We’ve tried to make a game that’s richer and longer lasting. In short, we’ve tried to make a game that we would have loved to play had it been released when we were kids (we don’t think it’s too shabby to play as grown-ups either, mind you!). Here are the 8 most notable additions and improvements:

• More songs. D-Pad Hero 2 has 50% more songs than the first game.
• Difficulty levels. You have the choice between Beginner, Normal and Expert.
• Challenge-based. In addition to playing a song till the end and aiming for the high score, there’s much more to do.
• Special items / power-ups. POW blocks, stars, and clocks can help you out in tricky spots.
• Slicker visuals. D-Pad Hero has gone 3-D (glasses sold separately). We hope you too find this view more lucid than the old one.
• Improved presentation. Menu screens and status screens have a cohesive design and interaction.
• Two can play. New exciting modes for two players: Co-operative and Versus. It’s possibly the coolest new feature; give it a try if you have a friend!
• Multiple endings. If you get a sub-par ending, you should try to complete more challenges on your next play.

Artists and Inspirations

Obviously we owe a lot to the artists whose music we’ve remixed and sprinkled with 8-bit flavor. Like with the first game, we’ve chosen artists and songs that we hold in the highest regard, and we’ve done our best to do them justice on the NES. Similarly, there are several games (old and new) that have inspired us in achieving the look, style and elements of the game. We recommend that everyone support the work of the following artists and companies (in alphabetical order):

• Activision (Guitar Hero)
• Capcom (Mega Man)
• Elvis Presley , Spotify
• Konami (Castlevania)
• Led Zeppelin
• Megadeth , Spotify
• Metallica
• Michael Jackson , Spotify
• Nintendo (The Legend of Zelda, Mario Bros, Punch Out!, Super Mario Bros, Super Mario 64, …)
• Queen , Spotify
• Van Halen , Spotify
• Åge Aleksandersen , Spotify

Feedback

We’ve worked hard to ensure that there are no issues with this release. If you do find a bug or something else you think we should know about (e.g. glitches on certain emulators; experiences with other input devices; game is too easy), please let us know, so that we may consider making corrections in a future release.

Thanks to everyone who has supported us in one way or another. We hope you will get much enjoyment from the game!

- Kent and Andreas