A first release for Resident Evil Gaiden on Vita
Resident Evil Gaiden: Recompiled is a native static recompilation of the 2001 Game Boy Color game for PlayStation Vita. Version v.1.0 is distributed as ResidentEvilGaiden.vpk, a 26,043,408-byte package for installation on the handheld.
The port runs the recompiled game code natively on Vita while retaining the original presentation as its default. It starts at 160×144 resolution, uses the Game Boy Color palette and leaves optional enhancements disabled until they are enabled from the in-game settings menu. Settings are saved under ux0:data/regaiden/config.ini.
Optional enhancements expand the original presentation
An optional widescreen renderer extends the visible room beyond the original 160×144 viewport to a 256×144 framebuffer. The original PPU-rendered image remains centred while the port adds extended entity rendering and room-edge handling for the wider view.
Exploration can also use a directional flashlight effect that follows the player's movement. Its intensity and ambient darkness are configurable, and an optional flicker effect can be enabled. Additional post-processing options include a vignette, film grain, CRT scanlines, a CRT phosphor mask and several colour-grading profiles.
Item Sparkles highlight pickable items and zombie drops while they are visible, reducing the need to check every tile manually. The feature is optional, so players can retain the original-style presentation if they prefer.
Texture, music and gameplay customisation
The port supports optional PNG texture replacements for backgrounds, monsters and portraits. These files can be placed in ux0:data/regaiden/hd_pack/, with transparency supported for replacement images. Textures can be reloaded through the in-game settings menu without restarting the game. The included or sample HD pack is described as a proof of concept rather than a finished art direction.
Custom music can be added through ux0:data/regaiden/music_pack/ using .ogg or .wav files named with the relevant music ID, such as track_2.ogg. Missing replacement tracks continue to use the original Game Boy Color audio. Original audio can also be ducked instead of fully muted, keeping sound effects audible alongside replacement music.
The in-game menu includes built-in cheats such as Infinite Health, Infinite Ammo, Unlock All Weapons, Infinite Items, Freeze Combat Reticle / Perfect Hit and One-Hit Kill. Game Boy Color GameShark support is also included, covering standard 01xx codes and WRAM-banked 9Bxx codes.
Savestates and familiar controls
Resident Evil Gaiden: Recompiled supports the original battery-backed saves and RTC persistence alongside 10 savestate slots. L provides a quick save-state shortcut and R loads a state, while persistent data—including saves, states, configuration and user-provided packs—stays under ux0:data/regaiden/.
The Vita controls map the original actions to the handheld: the D-pad handles movement, Cross confirms or performs the Game Boy A action, and Circle maps to Game Boy B and cancel. Square opens the settings menu, Start opens the inventory, Select opens the map and Triangle is unused.
Using the release
The v.1.0 package requires a legally acquired Resident Evil Gaiden (USA) Game Boy Color ROM supplied by the user; the commercial ROM and proprietary game assets are not included. The ROM can be named Resident Evil Gaiden (USA).gbc or rom.gbc and placed in ux0:data/regaiden/. The application validates the ROM before use and expects the USA release with a size of 2,097,152 bytes and the project's specified SHA-256 hash.
After installing ResidentEvilGaiden.vpk on a PlayStation Vita, the writable regaiden directory can be created at ux0:data/regaiden/ if needed. The application can also create its writable directories automatically when possible. The project is an independent port and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Capcom.
