A downloadable game for Windows, macOS, and Linux

Buy Now$9.99 USD or more

Classic literature meets classic gaming in Jane Austen's 8-bit Adventure! This 2D platformer stars Jane Austen, English novelist, who finds herself in an 8-bit video game. The game runs on real NES hardware from the 1980s, and on modern PCs - Windows, Mac, and Linux.

  • Battle characters from Jane Austen's novels!
  • Explore 8-bit England!
  • Defeat enemies with a quill!
  • Restore Miss Austen's books to the 8-bit library!


Join on us on Discord to discuss this game!

If you are coming here from the nesdev compo page for this game, ongoing work is happening under Bitwise Reprise LLC, and updates will be posted right here.

StatusReleased
PlatformsWindows, macOS, Linux
Rating
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars
(2 total ratings)
AuthorBitwise Reprise LLC
GenrePlatformer
Tags2D, 8-Bit, Homebrew, NES (Nintendo Entertainment System), NES ROM, Pixel Art, Retro
LinksSteam

Purchase

Buy Now$9.99 USD or more

In order to download this game you must purchase it at or above the minimum price of $9.99 USD. You will get access to the following files:

Jane Austen's 8-bit Adventure - NES 537 kB
Jane Austen's 8-bit Adventure - Windows 1 MB
Jane Austen's 8-bit Adventure - MacOS 2 MB
Jane Austen's 8-bit Adventure - Linux 640 kB

Also available on

Download demo

Download
Jane Austen's 8-bit Adventure (demo) - NES 508 kB
Download
Jane Austen's 8-bit Adventure (demo) - Windows 1 MB
Download
Jane Austen's 8-bit Adventure (demo) - MacOS 2 MB
Download
Jane Austen's 8-bit Adventure (demo) - Linux 609 kB

Comments

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Hey, I just wanted to say, "great job."  I'm always on the look-out for great new NES roms.  I almost passed this one by because it just didn't look like something that great, but because of the Valentine's sale, I decided to try it.  I'm glad I did: it really plays very well and is a lot of fun.  It certainly would have been a classic back in the early 90's.  You captured that era very well while still keeping it fun.  I like how it's not frustratingly difficult the way so many title were back at that time.  It's well balanced, controls very well, feels good: great job!  On another note, GOG might be a good platform to consider.  It's what I use and was hoping it would be there so I could leave a review.  (I couldn't figure out how to create a review on Steam).  Thanks for another great NES game!

Thanks so much for the feedback and taking the time to share your thoughts! Very glad to hear you enjoyed it.

Does the ROM come with a digital manual?

(+1)

Yes, the itch download of the ROM includes the NES manual as a PDF file, and the PC manual is included with the other versions. The PC manual is downloadable from Steam too.

Awesome thanks 

"Emma waited the result with impatience, but not without strong hopes." - Jane Austen

The wait is over - Jane Austen's 8-bit Adventure is now available on NES cartridge! Learn more at https://www.8bitjane.com/

Thanks to everyone who downloaded Jane Austen's 8-bit Adventure

FYI - the game is now available on Android too. Get it on Google Play or Amazon Appstore - for phones, tablets, and TVs. Play with a controller or touchscreen.

There's a new update today! Here's what's changed:

Notes for v1.0.546 (update 2)

  • Increased boss defeat message minimum display time
  • Writer's block decrements hit points from most bosses
  • Entering downward stairs is easier
  • Credits updated and have longer display time
  • Small adjustments to item placements

We've just posted an update! Here's what's changed:

Notes for v1.0.542 (update 1)

  • Updates to the ending
  • Updates to the credits background
  • New boss dialog on subsequent encounters
  • Improved interior background art
  • Fix bugs where message box hides non-overlapping sprites
  • New demo build based on current code
(+1)

All welcome, this is the game that will make you a Speedrunner.

It would be nice if people joined soon so that the speedrun.com site becomes the first fullrun for your game.
https://www.speedrun.com/8bitjane

The site is now only set up for the demo, but I will change this in the next few days.
https://www.speedrun.com/8bitjane

Love it.

Thanks for setting this up! I'm looking forward to seeing what speedruns can be accomplished. 

Note that the game offers 4 levels of difficulty now, so I'd expect that to impact how quickly the game can be completed. For example, there's a "Casual" mode where the player doesn't take damage from enemies, and at the other extreme there's a "Dire" mode where the player only has a max of 1 health point.

The full release of Jane Austen's 8-bit Adventure is here! This includes versions for NES, Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Will you be releasing carts of this game?

Yes! Still working on the details. I hope to have more to share soon.

saw this article and thought of you!

https://newsroom.loc.gov/news/library-of-congress-launches-video-game-challenge-...

(+1)

Interesting! Thanks for sharing.

What's new in demo build 0487?

  • Fix memory usage issues in Windows version

What's new in demo build 0486?

  • Windows version
  • New jump physics
  • New graphics
  • New animations
  • New music
  • New player abilities: air dash, fireball
  • Updated maps
  • Boss life bars
  • New music and sound effects
  • New sound engine features
  • New title screen & ending screen
  • Credits
  • Options screen
  • Fading between screens
  • Larger NES cartridge size
  • Start with all abilities (demo only)
  • A bunch of bug fixes

I'm really impressed with the PC version! It's written from "scratch" (not emulated) right?

Thanks! That's right - it isn't emulation. The PC version is written in C, and uses a custom NES-like API, which in turn uses SDL2 for cross-platform I/O abstraction. I've been working on the NES and PC versions in parallel from the start.