# Solomon's Key: byte-identical source reconstruction of three NES releases

> Solomon's Key NES source reconstruction rebuilds the USA, European, and Japanese releases from shared ca65 assembly. The build extracts private CHR data from a user-supplied ROM, then compares rebuilt revisions byte for byte with the originals. Documentation covers the game architecture, RAM map, data formats, and subsystem behavior.

- Type: Case study
- Targets: Game
- Category: Independent reconstruction cases
- Relationship: Independent reconstruction project
- Sources reviewed: 2026-11-06
- Added to the catalog: 2026-11-08
- Original resource: <https://github.com/RetrolariumLab/solomon_no_kagi_src>
- Primary source: <https://github.com/RetrolariumLab/solomon_no_kagi_src/blob/7e5c5b1d418c4c11efe97be3ff9e5c328509483b/README.md>
- Catalog page: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/solomons-key-nes-reconstruction-case/>
- Record JSON: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/solomons-key-nes-reconstruction-case/record.json>
- Chinese version: [简体中文](https://awesomerea.org/zh/resources/solomons-key-nes-reconstruction-case/index.md)

## Requirements & limits

- **Prerequisites:** Python 3.11 or later, GNU Make, and Retrolarium Kit with ca65 and ld65.
- **Prerequisites:** A user's own USA, European, or Japanese Solomon's Key NES ROM is required for assets and comparison.
- **Limits:** The MAME-based attract-mode check covers the first demo only.
- **License:** No licence file in the repository.

## Primary sources

1. <https://github.com/RetrolariumLab/solomon_no_kagi_src/blob/7e5c5b1d418c4c11efe97be3ff9e5c328509483b/README.md>
2. <https://github.com/RetrolariumLab/solomon_no_kagi_src/blob/7e5c5b1d418c4c11efe97be3ff9e5c328509483b/Makefile>

## More in Games

- [som-decomp: reconstructing Secret of Mana from a cartridge ROM](https://awesomerea.org/resources/som-decomp-case/index.md) · Case study
- [Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles: a byte-identical source reconstruction fork](https://awesomerea.org/resources/sonic3k-source-reconstruction-case/index.md) · Case study
- [Sonic Advance 1 & 2: a matching GBA decompilation with widescreen ports](https://awesomerea.org/resources/sonic-advance-1-2-decomp-port-case/index.md) · Case study
- [Sonic Advance 3: an AI-assisted match of one enemy module](https://awesomerea.org/resources/sa3-marun-ai-decomp-case/index.md) · Case study
- [Sonic Adventure decomp: rebuilding the Dreamcast executable from a local disc](https://awesomerea.org/resources/sonic-adventure-decomp-case/index.md) · Case study
- [Sonic Adventure DX: an early matching decompilation of the 2014 Steam release](https://awesomerea.org/resources/sonic-adventure-dx-steam-decomp-case/index.md) · Case study

## About this entry

The description was reviewed against primary sources.
Original editorial content: MIT. Linked projects, papers and assets retain their own rights and licenses.