Applying multiple patches to one rom file in specific order❓

[fooness]

I just read through the patching docs and wondered if it’s possible to apply multiple patches to one rom file, and—in addition—in a specific order; it seems there’s some patches (two examples below) that come with a multitude of different alternative and/or optional patches.

A Link to the Past Redux via Romhacking.net

Link's Awakening Redux via Romhacking.net

As for .ips patches we have to add the CRC32 checksum to the filename, maybe we could also add an opt (or something similar to indicate additional or optional) keyword and incrementing index/number to the filename, like the examples below.

Legend of Zelda, The - The Minish Cap (USA) abcebbb1.ips # this would be the main patch (already implemented)
Legend of Zelda, The - The Minish Cap (USA) abcebbb1_opt_1.ips
Legend of Zelda, The - The Minish Cap (USA) abcebbb1_opt_2.ips
Legend of Zelda, The - The Minish Cap (USA) abcebbb1_opt_3.ips

What do you think? Or maybe there already is some feature/solution for achieving this?

[emmercm]

I'm wondering if users might be better off patching this way manually with Lunar IPS or similar.

I don't tend to make use of a lot of patches, personally. Have you found this multi-patch approach to be somewhat common? Usually, I come across simpler patches such as translations, or entire overhauls that are unlikely to be compatible with other patches such as the Pokemon Crystal or Fire Red reworks.

[fooness]

I tend to agree with you, and I myself also don’t do that much patching; in the past, when using RetroArch or similar, I rather often made use of the “soft patching” feature, which is not really a thing on MiSTer FPGA, and probably Analogue Pocket, too. That’s why I was rather happy to read about the patching feature in igir.

Maybe one day this feature will be wished for by many users; until then, the concept could exist as only a discussion. 😋