Back in 1999, before social media or Discord servers, the internet was a different kind of wild frontier — full of personal pages, webrings, and endless creative energy. One of those hidden corners of the web was Dreamwave Games, a small Tripod-hosted site dedicated to NES ROM hacking, and for a while, it was my online home.
I went by the name Ryu654, a handle I chose partly out of love for Street Fighter and partly because everyone on those boards seemed to have some kind of gaming-inspired alias. That name became my signature as I dove deeper into the world of fan-made hacks, pixel edits, and old-school 8-bit creativity.
Discovering Dreamwave Games
I stumbled upon Dreamwave Games sometime in the spring of 1999. The site was proudly stamped “Last updated: 4/17/99”, a little badge of dedication for anyone running a hobby site back then. It was part of something called the NES Rom Hackers Ring, a webring that connected similar fan sites together. You could jump from one page to another, exploring projects, tutorials, and screenshots from hobbyist developers all over the world.
The layout was classic late-’90s design — a tiled background, bold red and blue text, and maybe an animated GIF or two flashing in the corner. If you were lucky, your browser (preferably Internet Explorer, as the site itself politely reminded you) would load the background correctly. It was charmingly imperfect, yet full of personality — like every site from that era.
The ROM-Hacking Scene
Dreamwave Games had everything a curious NES fan could ask for:
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News about upcoming hacks and releases
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Hacking Utilities to edit sprites, levels, and text
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Tutorials for beginners wanting to learn the ropes
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Screenshot Archives showing off the latest projects
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And, most importantly, “Our ROM Hacks”, a collection of modified NES games created by the community
ROM hacking at the time wasn’t just about changing graphics. It was a creative rebellion — a way to reimagine classics like Super Mario Bros., Metroid, or Mega Man with new levels, enemies, and even stories. Every hack was a love letter to the NES era, crafted with patience and experimentation.
My Role as Ryu654
As Ryu654, I wasn’t a master hacker (at least not yet), but I was eager to learn. I spent hours tinkering with hex editors, reading Dreamwave’s tutorials, and exchanging emails with other members. Sometimes I’d upload screenshots or ideas for potential hacks — nothing too polished, but enough to feel like I was contributing to something bigger.
Dreamwave Games made me realize that game creation didn’t have to come from a big studio. With a few tools, some creativity, and a community willing to share knowledge, anyone could reshape the games they loved. That mindset stuck with me long after the site faded away.
The Spirit of the Late-90s Web
Looking back, what I miss most about Dreamwave Games isn’t just the hacks — it’s the community spirit. There were no algorithms, no “likes,” no social media noise. Just a bunch of passionate fans connected through pure curiosity and creativity.
Tripod pages, Geocities layouts, and webrings might look primitive now, but in 1999, they were the lifeblood of fan communities. You had to find these places, usually by word of mouth or a lucky search engine hit. And when you did, it felt like joining a secret club.
Looking Back Today
It’s amazing how something as small as a Tripod page could leave such a lasting impression. Dreamwave Games, the NES Rom Hackers Ring, and my time as Ryu654 were my first steps into the larger world of game design, modding, and online community-building.
Today, ROM hacking has evolved into full-fledged fan projects and remakes with tools far beyond what we had in 1999. But for me, it all started there — with a slow dial-up connection, a simple HTML page, and a group of dreamers who believed the NES still had untold stories left to share.
Dreamwave Games may be a relic of the past, but for those of us who were there, it was something special — proof that passion and creativity could thrive anywhere, even on a free Tripod site.
Written by: Luis (a.k.a. Ryu654)
Originally part of: Dreamwave Games – NES ROM Hackers Ring (Tripod, 1999)
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