The Lost Levels 2.0

[The-Red-Bayron]

This is just a quick update on the Lost Levels 128K, version 1.2 is out with the help of Daniel from JSW Central fixing the ending.

When putting this together I went back to the Original DS version as originally I used low res screen grabs from the intro video. Now I have RetroPie and have a full DS emulator and the NDS ManicMinerLL ROM files, as you play through the Lost Levels it unlocks an additional 20 Bonus levels. Once you have completed the Lost Levels it unlocks a new game "WillyWood" with another 10 levels.

Most of the Bonus Levels are either from the Original MM or the Sam Coupé port but there are some new ones.

HORACE IN THE MYSTIC WOODS
BLAGGER COULD SMELL A ‘RATT’
COSMIC CAUSEWAY
LOGO OF THE YEAR
THE FINAL CONFLICT
IT'S CHRISTMAS, CHARLIE BROWN!
JUMP FOR JOY

Here some screen shots;

       
 

From "WillyWood" they are all new and are based on popular films.

“I’M A DRUNKARD” SAID RICK
BRIGHT LIGHT, BRIGHT LIGHT
HELLO GUYS, I’M MR PERKINS
WE DON’T NEED ROADS!
WE’VE SUCH SIGHTS TO SHOW YOU!
HE SLIMED ME!!
BLONDES ARE SCARCE ROUND HERE
I’LL BE BACK
I HAD A HUNCH!
DO YOU KNOW HOW TO MADISON?

Here some screen shots;

   

So I would like to convert these 17 levels and add them to the Lost Levels 128K and just wanted some feedback to see who is interested.

I am planning to update this post with additional screen shots and Level conversions.

The only potential spanner in the works is that I have been unable to contact the DS game creator as I would like the OK to be able to put it out for Download.

If anyone in the community has any suggestions as who I could ask please let me know.

All the best,

Byron

[jetsetdanny]

9 hours ago, The-Red-Bayron said:

So I would like to convert these 17 levels and add them to the Lost Levels 128K and just wanted some feedback to see who is interested.

I'm definitely interested! 🙂

Thanks for developing this project, Byron! 👍

[Jet Set Willie]

Yes, please! 🙂 

According to the screenshots, you have used some of my ideas.... you... you... you... you great MM game designer!  😉 🙂      

I must say when I read one of those room names, I thought you had used Shaun Southern game there, but it wasn´t. 🙂 Maybe I should make few new games 🤩so I could use that game at least in one of those games, as I have had an JSW/MM idea about that game...

 

I suppose you have written to the any DS related forums asking help to contact that developer? I am suggesting to write the same message to several gaming forums, but probably you have done that already.

Edited August 20, 2025 by Jet Set Willie

[The-Red-Bayron]

Thanks for the encouragement !! 

Just an update someone in the JSWMM community knows the programmer "flash" and is going to check with them to see if I can make the port available, they are confident that this will be OK.

And So it Begins !!

Using the "Central Cavern" as a template, sketch out the level against the DS original (luckily I have the level screen without the background);

     

The Spectrum game screen is 16 x 32 while the DS is 18 x 32 so some alterations will need to be made.

The next step is to change the Room Graphics to be as close as possible to the DS (luckily I have the sprite files as well).

Then the Guardians, Death Objects, Keys and Exit. Test play the level in emulation and compare against the DS. Add next level and repeat !!

Will keep you updated on the progress.

Byron

[jetsetdanny]

Great stuff, Byron! I wish you excellent progress in this interesting and valuable work and do keep us updated! 🙂 

[Jet Set Willie]

Good to hear! I wish they will bring OK! 🙂 

[The-Red-Bayron]

Progress so far 👍

So the first 5 levels of "WillyWood" are basically done, in that they are playable, all the keys can be collected and you can exit to the next level. The next step is to refine all the Room Graphics, tyring to get them to give the same game play as the NDS within the limitations of a 128K Spectrum.

The first level is pretty close;

  

 

One major restriction is that the Spectrum play area is 2 rows shorter than the DS so with a level that uses the full screen a little careful tinkering is needed;

  

So this is the 3rd level 18 rows high on the DS and now 16 rows high on the Spectrum. At the moment the guardians are just being used to check the gameplay.

 

Next step is to take a colour sprite and convert it to monochrome;

Then repeat for every frame of the animation.

So a lot more to do but it is definitely getting there 😁

All the best,

Byron 

[The-Red-Bayron]

So have now played the DS version all the way through and unlocked all the 20 bonus levels, this makes the conversion much easier as you can go to any of the new levels and check the flow, sprite positions traps, etc.

Now working on Level 8 "I'll be back".

A lot of tinkering but it is playable, just need to change the guardians.

Only 2 more levels in WillyWood then the 7 bonus 😁

And Job done !!

[The-Red-Bayron]

Now the 10 levels from WillyWood have been converted;

They have been test played all the way through and any minor glitches corrected.

The levels with a green border are about finished, the yellow minor changes and red mostly the graphics for the guardians.

But they are all playable 👍

Next to finish the correction and move onto the 7 bonus levels 😁

[The-Red-Bayron]

The first locked level from the NDS "WillyWood" is all done, this is an addition 10 levels, just finished test playing it;

  

There are now 20 bonus levels but only 7 are unique to the DS.

Will update as these are done, hope to have it ready for download in September 👍