Homebrew game BULB! (GameBoy Color Homebrew)

[KimKong]

BULB! (v1.6)
Sorry to anyone who downloaded or played my game these last days..
There was a game-breaking bug that made it kind of unbeatable.. I have been fixing it and a few other minor stuff today. And I just uploaded the new version! Hope you enjoy it now that you can beat the final boss without breaking your GameBoy in half! lol

 

[KleinesSinchen]

Finished the game on real hardware.
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Was fun. Good level design. There is room for improvement in the audio department… and not supporting SRAM saving feels a bit too retro (not a big deal since the game is not that long and the level select option solves this more or less).

Thanks for the free homebrew game! Game Boy represents the few better parts of my childhood.

Any specific reason for BULB! being GBC exclusive? It looks like if it would work out on the DMG-001 quite well.

 

[KimKong]

Finished the game on real hardware.
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Was fun. Good level design. There is room for improvement in the audio department… and not supporting SRAM saving feels a bit too retro (not a big deal since the game is not that long and the level select option solves this more or less).

Thanks for the free homebrew game! Game Boy represents the few better parts of my childhood.

Any specific reason for BULB! being GBC exclusive? It looks like if it would work out on the DMG-001 quite well.

Thanks you for the good vibes!

I am not finished with the music yet. Far from it actually.. I am working on it tho, but just had to release a new update at this point! It's been too long since the last version.

And I choose not to use saving because I wanted to preserve that arcade type feeling. Like you said, the game isn't really that long, and the player really benefits from replaying levels because of remembering the level design makes it a bit easier for each time you play it.

The reason this game is GBC exclusive is that I'm using color palette switching to simulate the light turning on and off. This would not work on DMG, and the light would just always be on.. But maybe in the future, a DMG exclusive version could be made?

I will be selling cartridges of this game very soon!
So stay tuned for the final release, and maybe you or your friends could pick up a cart?

 

[KimKong]

So I finally settled on this sticker for the game. Any feedback is appreciated!

 

[KimKong]

I released a new version (BULB! v2.1)

Also made new sticker art, and will be focusing on getting the music just right for the next month!

The new version includes:
- 2 new boss fights
- More music
- Some additional graphics
- Better pacing and flow of the game


As usual - any feedback is much appreciated!

 

[KimKong]

Alright... I'm really getting close to finishing this thing!
Just need a liiiiiiiittle more time to get the music just right.. Due to the lack of propper feedback, I'm having a little hard time narrowing it down. But I think I'm just going to wing it and set the mood my own way! Please take the time and let me know what you think about the soundtrack - It's my final bump on this whole journey!

https://skrap-klan.itch.io/bulb/devlog/305678/almost-final-release-closing-in-on-itself

 

[Jayro]

This is badass! You should post it in my Gameboy group: https://gbatemp.net/forums/gameboy-modding.421/

 

[KimKong]

New version is up - BULB! v2.3
Get it here while you wait for the cartridge release to drop!

 

[KimKong]

Somebody made a review of my game! Pretty cool to see people are interested!

 

[KimKong]

I just uploaded the ROM file for Anaogue Pocket!
If you got the hardware, go check it out!

https://skrap-klan.itch.io/bulb/devlog/343086/analogue-pocket-version-is-up-for-grabs

 

[KimKong]

The cart is getting ready!
It will get a special LED light inside that will flash up when you turn on the light inside the game!
Proof of concept:

 

[KimKong]

Shop listing is up, but game is still not available! Coming very soon tho! Stay tuned..
https://shop.insidegadgets.com/product/bulb-gbc-game/

 

[Jayro]

Very nice! Can just anyone put their stuff on the InsideGadgets shop? o.o

 

[KimKong]

Very nice! Can just anyone put their stuff on the InsideGadgets shop? o.o

Thanks! This special cart is developed and manufactured in-house by InsideGadgets. So I'm not sure if they are willing to sell outside developed carts, but it never hurts to ask around?

 

[KimKong]

Alright - everything is as good as ready now! Final version (BULB! 2.5 is up)
Cart is done, sticker and box art is done, and I just did some final stuff on the ROM to make it all up to date with the InsideGadgets collaboration!

https://skrap-klan.itch.io/bulb/devlog/382811/final-game-release-and-cart-is-up-on-shop

 

[KimKong]

BULB! - Special LED Cart and Box Available on the Shop
The game is sold on a special GBColor cartridge with a built in LED light that turns on when the in-game light is turned on. You can also choose between 4 different box variations (glossy, gold, holographic & floral). And the game is also available without a box at a lower price for those who prefer it.

The digital versions of the game is available for purchase as a GBC ROM and a Analogue Pocket ROM. But if you buy the physical copy of the cartridge you will get both versions of the digital release for free.

Big thanks to the GBS community and GBS Central for the awesome support! And much love and gratitude to InsideGadgets for making the special PCB and building the carts and boxes!

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Physical cartridge and box is available here:
https://shop.insidegadgets.com/product/bulb-gbc-game/

Digital versions are available here:
https://skrap-klan.itch.io/bulb

 

[hippy dave]

The game is now available on the shop! There are a few different types of box designs if you want something a little special. Enjoy!

Congrats on the physical release! Awesome stuff.

 

[KimKong]

Here is the special LED cart in action!

 

[KimKong]

A friend of mine made a whole bunch of cool achievements for my game over at RetroAchievements. If you are into speed running or achievement hunting - check it out here:
https://retroachievements.org/game/19793

 

[KimKong]

Somebody made a playthrough video series about my game!
(He got the company name wrong tho, but the video is really cool!)