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!
Contact joe@TheNew8bitHeroes.com if you are interested in attending to find out how to get involved.
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. Details to come very soon.
The Basics
(details subject to change)
Theme Reveal: FEB 15th
Submission Deadline: MAR 31st at midnight 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:
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Get a license at www.TheNew8bitHeroes.com
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Learn the tool using resources on the LEARN page of the site
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Learn more by engaging with a few extended tutorials
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Join the NESmakers FB group (don't forget to answer the questions)
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Join the NESmakers forums
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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!