Level numbering issue

[davidhewett]

This is a pretty weird error, and I'm not sure why it happens. Areas seem to be suffering some sort of off-by-one issue. For instance, if I try to go to what should be World 1-5: It takes me to "World 1-5" that's actually 1-4:

Here's another instance, World 1-3: Interestingly, loading Area 2 loads World 1-2 (Labeled 1-3) by instantly dropping me into the underground area, but loading Area 1 loads World 1-2 (Labeled 1-2) with the traditional cutscene.

Some notes:

• Starting in Area 2 (the incorrectly numbered one), and continuing forward, every future level has the off by one error (World 1-3 is labeled 1-4, etc). Starting in Area 1 and going forward, every future level is correctly labeled.
• I'm using Mesen emulator, but I tried a variety, all with the same issue.
• I obtained a ROM that matched the exact MD5 checksum specified here, and used Lunar IPS patcher on version 1.3 of this patch. I also tested this using Lunar IPS on version 1.2 of this patch, and using romhacking.net's online IPS Patcher (https://www.romhacking.net/patch/) with version 1.3 as well. All had the same issue.

[davidhewett]

Here's the MD5 of the patched ROM: ab320ff71a3e57dac0aa4055299fec7a

[threecreepio]

Hey! Yeah this is intentional but not very clear.

It works this way because you're selecting the area number not the level number, which is how the level data is laid out in the game. The alternative would be skipping over transition areas when loading a level, but since we're usually loading "glitch" worlds that can mean skipping over dozens of interesting transition areas (or possibly just crashing the game) and I felt that it was more fun to let the player see those even if it means transition areas get their own level number.. All it would be doing is removing content from the game for no real benefit, since all the areas are accessible this way.

edit: Noticed I misread a bit of your issue.

[davidhewett]

It's weird, because I downloaded the same version used by Kosmic in his Glitched Worlds Ep. 3 video, and when he did World 0 Area 04 it loaded 1-×. I'm confused as to why my version ended up differently than his if it uses the same ROM and version (well, I tried both version 1.2 and 1.3, and I can't imagine he was using 1.1). Do you know if my patched ROM's checksum (ab320ff71a3e57dac0aa4055299fec7a) matches yours?

[threecreepio]

Ohh, i just watched the video to see what you mean.. If you watch his facecam, he actually cut the video there. :)

The actual stage he enters is world 00, area 28, he just cut right past the menu part.

Your checksum does match mine (AB320FF71A3E57DAC0AA4055299FEC7A)

[yum13241]

Old issue, but it seems that the fifth level in a world is usually just that world's castle.