The Introduction

NetHackDS is a port of the game NetHack to the Nintendo DSTM video game system. For those unfamiliar with the game NetHack, it might be best to first familiarize yourself with the basic game itself. You can find detailed information on NetHack, the game, at the project home page: http://www.nethack.org.

NetHack is typically referred to as a roguelike game. In this sense, it features a hero wandering around in a virtual world, acquiring equipment, items, and money, in the hopes of completing some goal or quest. In the case of NetHack, the goal is to retrieve the Amulet of Yendor from the depths of the dungeon, whereupon you must return and sacrifice the amulet to your god. It sounds simple on the surface, but the path to ascension is a long and arduous one, frought with many perils. Not the least of which is the destructive nature the game often has on grades, job performance, and so forth.

Traditionally, NetHack is played on a computer, and as such, makes extensive use of the keyboard as a vehicle for user interaction. This makes translating the game to a portable device particularly challenging as compared to other game porting efforts. However, I hope I have succeeding in creating something that is both easy and enjoyable to play, both for experienced NetHack players, as well as neophytes.

Brett Kosinski 2008-01-08