It’s time for a new project and I want to do something special. I want to make a new video game and I’m calling it Super Sonday! It’s always good to set up some perimeters whenever tackling something new, certain goals you want to meet, so let’s take a look.
- 8-Bit style game
- Something for my young nieces to play (who don’t have much experience playing video games)
- A platformer
- Multiple levels and bosses
So there are my goals! Really, the inspiration for making a game was giving something to my two nieces, who this game is named after. these two wild girls have the greatest imaginations. I figured, “Why not make something starring a young girl like them?”
Sonday’s Game Style
I love old-school Nintendo platformers. Of course, Super Mario Bros. is always a classic. But don’t forget Mega Man, Ducktales, or Metroid. All of those games serve as styles. I also want the player character to get more powerful over time, or collect special abilities if the player finds hidden treasures. Thus, an inventory – similar to Zelda, will be needed.
I also watched a movie called Turning Red which I thought was amazing! I loved the idea of a character who could transform into a powerful creature to have more powers. BUT, there had to be advantages to the character’s original form too!
Some ideas I’m taking from those games include a password system, powerups, 8 worlds/bosses, and lots more.
The Story
Super Sonday stars a little girl, part of a mystical family, who holds onto an item called The Sonday Stone. This mystical gem is so powerful, it’s wanted by many monsters of the world. Unfortunately, it was recently stolen and split up amount 8 evil bosses. Super Sonday, as the youngest in the family, is tasked to rescue the stone and save her family’s legacy and heirloom.
Sonday can transform into her mystical beast form for stronger attacks, higher jumps, and the ability to climb walls. But, she can’t stay in that form forever and may need to transform back into a girl to fit in certain areas.
Graphics
Sadly, I am not pixel artist. I am using many open source graphics for this project. The sprites for Sonday (in both forms) are completely original though which I’m quite proud of!
The Sound of Super Sonday
Most sounds in this game are basic beeps, boops, and noises. I do want some original music to help set the game’s mood though. Usually, I would just convert some classical song into midi and go from there. For this project, it was time to write something new!
I am NOT a musician though. Luckily, and fantastically, my brother in law (father of the real-life Sonday girls) is and is helping me out. While I originally hoped for one or maybe two songs, this wonderful human has written several fully-looped songs to go with the game.
Take a listen at just a couple below!
Really, this music makes the game POP and I can’t believe how good it matches the gameplay. It’s worth checking the game out just to hear the rest of the music – I’m personally a big fan of the boss level music.
Gameplay
Ready to see how the game plays? Check out the first level or two in the video below.
The game works equally well with a keyboard or Xbox style controller.
You can learn more closely how to play with this fun instruction manual I’ve created!