Question about the ORIGINAL metroid ..

ericuf · 04-02-2009, 01:03 PM

I never played in on NES. Can someone explain how the password system works? In other words, it's not like a save where you start in the EXACT spot you quit/died ... so what is it then?? Thanks!

bradleyd · 04-02-2009, 05:35 PM

Basically the password system is written into the game. Each password tells the game to start from a certain point. Generally there is a password for each level, where you are 'awarded' the password for the next level after completing the previous. The reason for this was because when cartridges were used, there was no memory resident on the console to save your game, and the cartridges only contained ROM (read only memory) which stored the game. Some NES games did have actual save features (like the original Zelda), but those cartridges were more expensive to produce (because of the specialized memory and battery to keep the memory powered so the stored information is not lost on shutdown), so they were not used extensively. Eventually we started to see systems using memory expansion packs for saving (like N64 and Playstation) and the password system went away. Now consoles include hard drives or flash memory for saving, so memory expansion packs have disappeared as well (except for playing Gamecube games on the Wii).

Bodine · 04-02-2009, 05:40 PM

Thanks ericuf for making me feel old.

You can really tell your generations the old one when the yougins don't know how passwords work.

04-02-2009, 01:03 PM	#1
ericuf WiiChat Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 31 Friends: 0	Question about the ORIGINAL metroid .. I never played in on NES. Can someone explain how the password system works? In other words, it's not like a save where you start in the EXACT spot you quit/died ... so what is it then?? Thanks!

04-02-2009, 05:35 PM	#2
bradleyd WiiChat Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 181 Friends: 0 0000-0000-0000-0000	Basically the password system is written into the game. Each password tells the game to start from a certain point. Generally there is a password for each level, where you are 'awarded' the password for the next level after completing the previous. The reason for this was because when cartridges were used, there was no memory resident on the console to save your game, and the cartridges only contained ROM (read only memory) which stored the game. Some NES games did have actual save features (like the original Zelda), but those cartridges were more expensive to produce (because of the specialized memory and battery to keep the memory powered so the stored information is not lost on shutdown), so they were not used extensively. Eventually we started to see systems using memory expansion packs for saving (like N64 and Playstation) and the password system went away. Now consoles include hard drives or flash memory for saving, so memory expansion packs have disappeared as well (except for playing Gamecube games on the Wii). Last edited by bradleyd; 04-02-2009 at 05:40 PM.

04-02-2009, 05:40 PM	#3
Bodine I AIN'T FRAID'AH NO GHOST Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,663 Friends: 24 1234-1234-1234-1234	Thanks ericuf for making me feel old. You can really tell your generations the old one when the yougins don't know how passwords work. __________________ HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode


Wii News Wii Forum Wii Friend Codes Wii Groups Wii Blogs Wii Arcade

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)