Wreck-It Ralph Arcade game? What’s this all about, such a thing never existed… A member on the BYOAC forums started a fresh Nintendo build, which is always fun to see, but even more exciting when he revealed his theme. He decided to make it a “Wreck-it Ralph” theme machine. That’s something new. We all know about the Fix-it Felix cabinets (heck I’ve built one) but nobody has given Ralph his own machine before. It makes some sense though, it’s a little like making a Donkey Kong cabinet (the bad guy is the name of the game, for example).

His woodwork looks fantastic but he was going to settle on the software side by just replacing a single sprite in the loading screen to say Wreck-It Ralph. A completely custom themed arcade cabinet needs a matching game, in my opinion. So, I might as well make it myself!

Goals and Specs for Wreck-It Ralph Arcade Game

I had some specifications and goals for this software.

• Same graphic style and feel as Fix-It Felix (it should look and play like it was made by the same company)
• MAME controls
• Game perspective is from Ralph’s point of view. I want it to feel like a reverse Fix-It Felix
• Include a few new gameplay elements
• Customized settings and a saveable high score table.

The game will be made in Gamemaker Studio 2, primarily using their Drag N Drop tools but also straight code to accomplish things the DnD tools can’t.

I’m also very much taking inspiration by the community contributed, Sjaak made, Fix It Felix arcade software.  Mine won’t be nearly as well-built as his (I’m new to this stuff) but I do want it to be authentic as a potentially “real” arcade game. I won’t be widely distributing this game for obvious reasons.

Gameplay

In this game, you play as Wreck-It Ralph attempting to destroy the building. You start on top, making your way to the bottom, breaking windows along the way.  Eventually, you come across Fix-It Felix and have to stop him too! Slowing you down are cranes swinging and dropping wrecking balls, nicelanders attacking, and bulldozers. After reaching the bottom, the level completes, and you start all over again (the building gets taller and more difficult though).

Video of the Finished Arcade Software

The game is now in a late finished. I finished it up with a way to customize controls and save scores. You can see a video of it in action below. A few fellow forum members helped me test it out so I’ve been lucky enough to have this thing run on other Felix cabinets and even an original Donkey Kong cabinet with CRT!

If you enjoy stuff like this,  I encourage you to visit or join the BYOAC forums.  It’s filled with people who enjoy the arcade hobby and specifically like to build their own controls, software, or cabinets.

If you’re curious about the code for the game, it’s available on GitHub