Micro Mages (NES / PC)
A downloadable game for Windows
Includes:
- native PC version (Windows)
- NES ROM, playable on a variety of platforms via emulation
- NES ROM of Micro Mages Second Quest
- Colorful PDF manual in the style of classic NES instruction booklets
Micro Mages is a platform game developed for the original 8-bit NES console. Now available as a ROM file and native Windows PC version.
You can play also on your NES! Physical version is available by our partner:
Get the cartridge, box and manual (including ROM file)
Micro Mages
Slip into your wizard robes and enter the Demon Fortress, home of great treasure and ghastly creatures alike. Shoot and wall-jump your way up the fortress's towers and battle the evil bosses lurking at the top.
Play solo or join forces with your friends. This game supports up to 4 players. Will you help each other overcome the dangerous traps built to stop nosy adventurers or will you turn on your comrades to snatch the high score? No downtime: If you die while at least one other player is still alive, you will turn into a ghost and can help by freezing enemies. Try to open crates and treasure chests to find a Fairy or Feather that will bring you back to life.
- 1 to 4 players simultaneous
- Cooperate or compete for score
- 26 spooky levels (normal + hard modes)
- Dangerous traps, monsters and bosses
- Ancient secrets
- Password function allows you to continue your game - in classic NES fashion
Bonus included
If you prefer to get the Steam version, you will not miss out on the ROM file, it is included in the installation folder.
For support, consider joining our Discord Server.
PC version update (1.0.1); 2019-06-26
- fixed bug that caused the game to get stuck in the menu
Morphcat Games
Follow us on twitter: @morphcat
Code and audio: @miau6502
Graphics and level design: @NicolasBetoux
Status | Released |
Platforms | Windows |
Rating | Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars (229 total ratings) |
Author | Morphcat Games |
Genre | Platformer |
Made with | Allegro |
Tags | 2D, 8-Bit, Co-op, Homebrew, Local Co-Op, Local multiplayer, NES (Nintendo Entertainment System), NES ROM, Pixel Art |
Average session | About an hour |
Languages | English |
Inputs | Keyboard, Gamepad (any), Joystick |
Accessibility | Configurable controls |
Multiplayer | Local multiplayer |
Player count | 1 - 4 |
Links | Steam, Discord Server, Twitter/X, Homepage, YouTube, Steam, Soundtrack |
Mentions | itch.io Recommends: Old-but-new |
Purchase
In order to download this game you must purchase it at or above the minimum price of $9.99 USD. You will get access to the following files:
Comments
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Ciao,
Bellissimo e divertentissimo.
Assolutamente non può mancare alla proprio collezione di un appassionato.
Super consigliato
https://youtu.be/tjAvzajP8tg?si=cCwT5ZxgO3nIbHVQ
At least a demo file no ?
The nes rom runs very good 60 fps constt on my android LGLV Running Android7.0 Nougat The nesrom is the way to go with this game also check out my game Jam DS Delight I'm challenging all developers to make their best Nintendo DS ROM within 5 days time
dont advertise in comment sections
I'm still in awe with this game, going back to it and to the making of video basically every year. Back in the day Super Mario Bros. was considered to be a technological marvel, fitting so many levels and mechanics into a 40 kb game. But this game shows what was actually possible, and every decision is beautiful. For instance, all the devs on NES tried making characters bigger and bigger, while Micro Mages feature one 8x8 px sprite characters and showing that good artist can make characters look good even in 8x8 px. But what this gave is the ability to make much richer animations, and compared to Micro Mages, Mario's characters look like stagnant paper figurines. M.M.'s just feel so much more alive. Not only that, but making characters 4x smaller consequently makes the world 4x bigger! More things to see, explore and interact with. And also it allows the 4 players multiplayer mode to be a full-fledged game mode.
Then we have levels. They're packed with content both horizontally and vertically, and have lots of graphics in the backgrounds as opposed to just blank sheets. And the giant bosses at the end of each world provide much needed sense of scope, which again is multiplied in power by the small size of the player's character. They're well done and this spectacle rewards the player for finishing yet another world, while in S.M.B. there's really only one boss.
And if that's not enough, there's twice as much levels due to hard mode being the second half of the game! Which again features not only new challenges and harder enemies, but new graphical palettes as well, making it feel new (for instance 130 KB Ghosts'n'Goblins didn't feature new palettes in the second hard half of the game, and this 40 KB game does).
And the best part is that the game is not just a technical demo on a demo scene, but a finished super fun game! The challenges are fair, not too hard to feel obliged to quit but also not trivial. The controls and sounds give satisfaction from just playing the game. The levels are designed to be beatable wether the player has power ups like flying or lost them all. And of course they are designed to work in the hard half as well. So there's a lot of good game design there.
This is no doubt one of my absolutely favourite NES games, it turned my phone into a much loved game console and gives me joy even when lying on a bed. And I just like going back to this marvel again and again, which gives me game development inspiration. Love your work, guys!
Nice review im gonna follow u
i agree with everything you have said. this game is a masterpice
The game is a blast. It's been a long time since I've enjoyed playing it so much. When you end up with cramps in your hands it's good shit. Thank you so much for bringing it to life.
Is posible to play it in real machine nos?? Thanks.
Yeah! We released the game on cartridge for NES!
Micro Mages physical is available via our partner Broke Studio.
If you wanna play Micro Mages: Second Quest on NES console, you can get it with our other games via our Kickstarter campaign that will end tomorrow.
Thanks 😉
SHADO WISSERD MONY GANG WE LOVE CASTING SPELLS
Demo version ?
playing the game with gamepads on the tv is delightful! wish I could give 5 stars again
I'v got the physical release and i love it! Thanks alot for this cool game!
SHADOW WIZARD MONEY GANG (we love casting spells)
Does the physical version include the second quest?
SHADOW WIZARD MONEY GANG
ඞ
hello Morphcat,
I Hope you are well. We saw your Game, Micro Mages, and we love it. For this reason, we would like to chat with you to introduce you to our platform Unboared. In fact, Unboared is a dedicated platform for local multiplayer games that use mobil phone as a controller and a tv or computer as a support. We really believe that your game perfectly matches our user profiles
If you are interested in more info, don’t hesitate to give us a return so that we can exchange by e-mail or video
See you soon i hope !!!
Aurore Defosse Unboared team
no
did they try to collab... in the comments?
shadow wizard money gang
we love casting spells
This song is brought to you by... THE SHADOW GOVERNMENT
Legalicy Nuclear Bombs... (Explosion sound)
i fucking knew that someone would say that
I promise I searched the comments some before asking this - is 4-palyer co-op possible online on the Steam version? I was impressed with the graphics and music. For what is probably (or looks to be) a simple game, this looks very well done.
You could use netplay using the ROM on your emulator of choice. My personal favorite is mednafen but it requires a bit of setup, Retroarch might be easier but I forget if it allows for 4 player.
That manual is excellent. 👌
I originally got the ROM from the Steam version. It's worth buying again to add the Second Quest to your collection. I didn't know there was a Second Quest until I saw it hare. It's a great addition to an already great game.
You can get the ROM for Second Quest in the latest update of the Steam version.
Thanks, I got the Second Quest NES rom by buying it here several days ago. I've bought this game twice and still feel like it's worth every penny. It's even better on an upscaled NES such as the Analogue Nt Mini or retroUSB AVS. I prefer the 8 bit version to the PC version. Looking back, I wish I had bought the cartridge during pre-order.
Really a great game
Here is my tribute to your brilliant game...
It 100% works on Everdrive N8 and Everdrive N8 pro. If it's not working, then it's user error.
Is there any difference between the NES and PC versions? Or is it a direct port/emulator?
PC version is just an emulator.
Were is the Nes Download? Free?
Please buy it. You won't be sorry. It's worth every penny. You can have it on PC and play on NES.
im not in pc
If you need the NES ROM, it's included with the PC version on itch.io for $10.
That's not much to pay if you really want the game. I expect someone will eventually put an illegal (free) copy out there but I suggest you just buy the PC version to get a legal copy of the game. It's worth every penny.
This game is awesome! I love the pixel style and most, that there is a rom. Thanks for this gem! :)
Hi Morphcat games ! is there a demo file to play and publish your game ? Of course if you wish.
A very well done game. Super fun, super addicting, well worth the money.
Playing this on the NES core of the amazing MiSTer FPGA platform. It only takes a few notes of the title music to draw the whole family in for 4 player co-op fun. The documentary video was so well explained and nothing short of inspirational for our kids.
Same here. It ROCKS
Thanks so much for contributing Micro Mages to the itch.io bundle for racial justice and equality! I've been having fun playing and reviewing games from the bundle, and this one was a gem. Really enjoyed the behind the scenes video too! 40KB is nothing.
In case you're interested in my review, here it is: https://knavegaming.com/micro-mages-review/
...but can it run on the Raspberry Pi 4?...
I have RetroPie set up on my RP4. It was able to run Micro Mages perfectly on the first try.
If it can't I'd be concerned about what is going on with the installation you have set up.
Wow, I just love your stuff guys! ༼ つ ◕_◕ ༽つ
For me, this is a great game. Love those games who have nostalgia blasted on our faces.
this game i remember was free and i had it but now after i reinstalled windows i cant get it now because its for moni :(
I'd like to buy the game for 10 bucks and then later have the option of buying the cartridge... with a 10 bucks discount.
I've searched a bit and it doesn't seem possible. But it would make sense.
it still costs money to produce the cart
Yes of course.
If I bought the ROM for 10$ and then the cartridge for x - 10$, I would have paid full price for the cartridge.
this is actually a good idea
Sorry for the late reply,
Why don't you take directly the physical version, the ROM is include. You can check on the online shop of our official partner Broke Studio: https://www.brokestudio.fr/product/micro-mages-nes/
Every dollar spent on ̶r̶e̶t̶r̶o̶ vintage games, is a dollar that can be spent on awesome indie games like this for classic consoles!
If you haven't seen it, do check out Morphcat games youtube video 'How we fit an NES game into 40 Kilobytes'. Imagine if "AAA" game devs did this? (would love to see what you would do with more space!) *cough Micro Mages 2 ? *cough
I'm ordering both a NES, and FC physical copies to play with my nieces on my AVS. :)
I think i speak for everyone when i say... I CAN'T WAIT FOR Micro Mages 2! *nudge *nudge, *harder nudge
i would love to see it in Nintendo Switch, this is awesome
That kind of game that’s calling you to buy a NES.
Are those animations real? Is the reactivity that good on the NES?
Very well done on many points. Gameplay, gamedesign, pixel art, music and sfx.
Each detail seems to have been set with care. To reach the gamer happiness.
Morphcat games studio bring to us here this feeling of modern mechanics ported back at the time.
Then you have this coop mode. Which looks to be a lot of fun according to YT videos.
You could also find on the web some speed runs that’s showing how good this game can catch you.
For sure Micro Mages is more than a 40KB NES game challenge.
Oh my! You guys even made the cartridge version for NES! This is so great :3
Wishlisting this for when i'm not broke. It's super impressive that you were able to create a game for a console that's been discontinued for 2 decades.