A vibe-port experiment converting Jill of the Jungle from MS-DOS to Sega Master System, using Arena by Haroldo-ok
Jill of the Jungle (Sega Master System Port)
Github repo: https://github.com/haroldo-ok/jill-of-the-jungle-sms
We have successfully taken the classic 1992 PC game Jill of the Jungle and built a working prototype that runs on the Sega Master System (SMS). We moved from a basic proof-of-concept to a game that you can actually play, walk around in, and test.
🛠️ What We Did
-
Converted the Original Files: We wrote a custom tool that takes the graphics, maps, and level data from the original MS-DOS version and converts them into a format the Sega Master System can read.
-
Fixed the Visuals: Early versions had messy graphics and corrupted character models. Jill now animates properly, the background colors look correct (using an adapted Retro color palette), and items like gems and keys appear exactly where they should.
-
Smoother Gameplay (Scrolling): Initially, moving around caused the game to stutter terribly. We rewrote the camera system to copy by the Sega Master System port of Commander Keen, making the screen scroll much smoother when you walk.
-
Improved Controls & Physics: We adjusted Jill’s jumping so it feels less floaty. You can now do a “variable jump” (hold the button to jump higher, let go to stop going up).
-
Combat & Exploration: You can now pick up weapons, shoot projectiles, and defeat simple enemies. If an enemy touches you, you take damage and flicker with invincibility instead of instantly dying. Keys and jewel gates also function to let you progress through levels.
-
Level Transitions: When you finish a level, the game properly remembers where you were on the main world map instead of throwing you back to the very beginning.
⚠️ Current Limitations (What’s Still Missing)
While the game is heavily functional, it is still a Work in Progress. The following features are not yet finished:
-
🎵 Audio: There is currently no sound or music.
-
🦎 Shape-Shifting: Jill’s ability to morph into different animals is not yet programmed.
-
⚙️ Level Mechanics: Moving platforms, elevators, switches, bridges, and swimming are either highly simplified or missing.
-
👾 Enemy Behavior: Enemies move in simple patterns and don’t yet match the smart behavior of the original PC game.
-
🖥️ Menus & UI: There is no main menu, high-score screen, or health bar (HUD) displayed on the screen yet.
📊 The Bottom Line
The game currently builds perfectly into a 336 KB Sega Master System game file (jill.sms). It uses just under half of its allocated memory space, leaving plenty of room for us to add the missing features, sounds, and polish in future updates!
Download, here
