Byte-Off VI

The NESmaker Byte-Off is an annual, month-long game development competition where users of the NESmaker software platform, designed to create NES games, build a new playable demo for the original Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) based on a specific theme, culminating in an awards show celebrating the community's creations. It's a fun, community-driven event open to all skill levels, encouraging new ideas and fostering collaboration, with some demos eventually becoming full games.

You (yes you) should plan to make the pilgrimage to be part of this year's event!

Want to attend this year's Byte Off Awards at Midwest Gaming Classic? You're invited! Anyone who is a current NESmaker user with a finished game or even one that is in development is welcome to join us, as part of the community or with your own booth in the Future Classics section at Midwest Gaming Classic!

If you want to attend but are worried about the cost, please contact us to discuss options anyway!

Head to this page to see how you can attend!

Up for helping sponsor a dev?

Many developers have no way of traveling to attend the awards show, but for some, the only thing stopping them is financial hardship. We get it, completely!

If you are in a position and want to help sponsor a developer who is interested in attending, please contact joe@TheNew8bitHeroes.com to let me know how you can help!

The Sixth Annual Byte-Off Awards

Friday, April 24th, 7pm.

Live in Milwaukee as part of the Midwest Gaming Classic

This year, we are taking the Byte-Off awards to another level. The awards show itself will be an integral part of the opening ceremony for the 25th Anniversary Midwest Gaming Classic. We will be celebrating not just this year's entry, but the entire catalog of NESmaker games, with a lot of planned pageantry.

The Basics

(details subject to change)

PREP PERIOD: Begins Feb 15th - Feb 28th - during this two week time, we will help get every prepared on a technical and aesthetic level, providing support, tutorials, encouraging collaborations, and getting everyone properly signed up.

BYTE OFF PREP CALENDAR

Most of the steps in this prep calendar are not *necessary* to participate in Byte-Off, however let's have a nice, fun build up to the event and make sure that when the theme is finally revealed, you're fully prepared to jam!

SUNDAY, FEB 15TH

On Sunday, Feb 15th, we will be making the entirety of A Bit Of Mystery, the frame story based on last year's theme Find the Reason, free for all to watch for 24 hours. This will be a great opportunity to close the books on Byte-Off V, finally get answers to *who dunnit*, and be properly prepared for Byte-Off VI's pageantry. You will be able to watch it on The Retroverse at this link.

MONDAY, FEB 16TH

If you haven't yet made a Creator Account on The Retroverse, this would be a good time to do it. It's easy to do, but you'll need your activation code in order to become a Creator who can upload games. If you need to retrieve your license code, you can do so at this link via the activation portal.

Once you have retrieved your code, register your account on The Retroverse and get set up as a creator! Once you are, navigate to EVENTS -> ByteOffVI and register for the event!

This is a good day to take care of any confusion you might have, and contact us if you have problems. If you're registered for the event, you'll see your avatar on the page. That means you're in!

TUESDAY, FEB 17TH

It is highly advisable to download a fresh copy of NESmaker for the project if you've messed with any scripts. Head to the downlaods page on The New 8-bit Heroes website and get yourself a fresh folder for a fresh project. Note: You can have as many project folders on your computer as you want! Set one up and call the folder NM_ByteOffVI. Either way, though, open up NESmaker and make sure there are no activation issues, lockouts, or any other issues running the software. If you do have any activation issues, use the contact page to let us know, and we can get it resolved right away!

WEDNESDAY, FEB 18TH

Well, Wednesday is WedNESday, right? So let's use it to play some previous games. You can see on TheRetroverse that there are collections, and there are three years of Byte Off games to play. I recommend giving them all a play, or as many as you can!

THURSDAY, FEB 19TH

You know what? Let's take the evening to watch how this whole thing began, and check out the very first Byte-Off video. It's a great reminder of how far all this has come (and how much more gray my beard has become...)!

FRIDAY, FEB 20TH - SUNDAY, FEB 22ND

Let's get creating! Just to get into creation mode, why not start plunking through the Learn to Make NES Games Fast tutorial series, which rips apart the maze game module and shows just how much you can do with it in a short amount of time. You might not get it done over the course of a weekend, but it will give you a nice starting point as to where to look for resources if you need some guidance on getting started. Other tutorial series can be found on the LEARN page of The Retroverse, too!

MONDAY, FEB 23RD

Motivational Monday! Spread the word! Share info about the NESmaker Byte-Off on social media, let people know you are participating, let them know where they will ultimately be able to play your game (TheRetroverse), and encourage newcomers to sign up, too!

TUESDAY, FEB 24TH

Make sure you know where to find help when you need it.

If you're on Facebook, join the NESmakers Facebook Group (make sure to answer security questions or you won't be approved).
Sign up for the NESmakers forums - if you have trouble creating an account or logging in to an existing account, let us know on the FB group!
Sign up for the NESmaker Discord group.

WEDNESDAY, FEB 25TH

What?! You haven't booked your trip to the Awards Show as part of the Midwest Gaming Classic?! You know that you can show off your game as part of our NESmaker compound, right? Even if you think it's no good, even if you think you have no chance to win - this whole thing is about camaraderie and community, and we'd love to see you! Look here on how you can be a part! After that, all you have to do is find a way to get to Milwaukee.

THURSDAY, FEB 26TH

Okay, but what if you're not a great pixel artist? Yes, you could absolutely collaborate with others in the community who are, but you could also use this as an opportunity to learn pixel art! You can check out random, general pixel art tutorials, for sure, like...

Or, you can really dive into NES pixel art tutorials, like...

FRIDAY, FEB 27TH

Music is often a sticking point. There are two battles to fight - one, knowing you to make music in the first place, and two, knowing how to use tools that can create music for the NES specifically! Here are some tutorials that can get you started making music with FamiTracker that can be brought into your NES game.

SATURDAY, FEB 28TH

Look back at all you've already done to prepare. Know that now, you're ready to begin. Take a deep breath and rest, because tomorrow, your journey begins.

SUNDAY, MARCH 1st

At noon EST, The theme will be revealed.

Theme Reveal: March 1st

Submission Deadline: MAR 31st at 12noon, EST

Who is eligible: Anyone with a valid NESmaker license

Who judges: Generally, judges exist outside of the group of developers. Every year we find people related to game development or professionals in relevant fields for the category of which they are judging. The NESmaker team only judges "The Wombat" category.

How Can I get ready for Byte-Off?: Well, check out these resources:

Get a license at www.TheNew8bitHeroes.com
Learn the tool using resources on the LEARN page of the site
Learn more by engaging with a few extended tutorials
Join the NESmakers FB group (don't forget to answer the questions)
Join the NESmakers forums
Play some other games on TheRetroverse to get inspiration!

The Award Cateogires

Best Art: Given to the game with the most compelling in-game visuals

Best Narrative: Given to the game with the best in-game storytelling

Best Music: Given to the game with the best in-game soundtrack

Best Package: Given to the game with the best supplemental material (boxes, manuals, posters, commercials, comics, action figures, whatever)

Best Character: Given to the game with the most memorable new character.

The Wombat: Given to the game that most surprised the NESmaker team by creating something wildly different or unexpected.
The Emissary: Given to best project created by a cross-generational team (parent/child, teacher/student, etc)

Audience Choice: Given to best project as rated by the players.

Best Game: This year's best overall game experience.

This year, there are two important new categories:

Best of the Byte-Off: This category is open to every single demo ever created and submitted for any of the past five previous Byte-Off awards. Any games that were submitted for any year are eligible.

The Pantheon Award: This award is open to any developer who has a finished game on cartridge, has ever been commercially available, and is in the hands of at least some audience by MARCH 1st 2026.

MORE DETAILS COMING SOON!