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Head-to-head · ROM Hacking Tools

Lazy Shell vs DSVEdit

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Lazy Shell #5 in ROM Hacking Tools 7.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Lazy Shell
DSVEdit #7 in ROM Hacking Tools 6.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 3 features Visit DSVEdit

Lazy Shell leads on 0 checks, DSVEdit on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreLazy Shell · 7.0/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresLazy Shell · 3 of 3

Lazy Shell scores higher on our rubric for rom hacking tools: 7.0 against 6.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #7.

On game scope, DSVEdit gives you Multiple games where Lazy Shell offers Specific game.

Lazy Shell is the better fit for editing Super Mario RPG ROM content. DSVEdit is the better fit for editing supported NDS and GBA Castlevania ROMs.

  • Lazy Shell fits best

    Editing Super Mario RPG ROM content

  • DSVEdit fits best

    Editing supported NDS and GBA Castlevania ROMs

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Lazy Shell 7.0/10 Visit ↗ DSVEdit 6.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 7.0 6.8
Ranking #5 in ROM Hacking Tools #7 in ROM Hacking Tools
Best for Editing Super Mario RPG ROM content Editing supported NDS and GBA Castlevania ROMs
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows Windows
Built for Solo, Small business Solo
Features Lazy Shell 3/3 · DSVEdit 2/3
ROM editing ✓ ✓
Tile/sprite editing ✓ ✓
Hex editor ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Patch formats Not checked yet Not checked yet
Supported platforms Windows Windows
Game scope Specific game Multiple games
Our review
Pros
  • Edits maps, NPCs, exits, event fields, and map layers.
  • Combines sprite, palette, script, audio, and hex editors.
  • Previews levels and scripts through SNES9X or ZSNES.
  • Edits rooms, maps, entities, graphics, sprites, and text
  • Builds modified ROMs from edited game files
  • Can launch an emulator for modified-ROM and room testing
Cons
  • Focused on the US version of Super Mario RPG, not multiple games.
  • Requires Windows and Microsoft .NET Framework 4.0 or higher.
  • Previewing depends on SNES9X or ZSNES.
  • Supports only five specified Castlevania games
  • Requires Windows
  • Does not document patch-format creation or a hex editor
Our verdict

Lazy Shell is a free Windows desktop editor for modifying elements in the US version of the Super Mario RPG ROM. Its audience is hackers working on that game who want a single application for maps, graphics, scripts, audio, and other ROM…

Read the review →

DSVEdit is a free Windows desktop editor for modifying data in five Castlevania games on Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance. It is aimed at solo ROM hackers working with Dawn of Sorrow, Portrait of Ruin, Order of Ecclesia, Aria of Sorrow, or…

Read the review →
  1. Lazy ShellROM Hacking Tools 7.0Free plan
  2. DSVEditROM Hacking Tools 6.8Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Lazy Shell — where it wins

    • Edits maps, NPCs, exits, event fields, and map layers.
    • Combines sprite, palette, script, audio, and hex editors.
    • Previews levels and scripts through SNES9X or ZSNES.

    Where it doesn't

    • Focused on the US version of Super Mario RPG, not multiple games.
    • Requires Windows and Microsoft .NET Framework 4.0 or higher.
    • Previewing depends on SNES9X or ZSNES.

  • DSVEdit — where it wins

    • Edits rooms, maps, entities, graphics, sprites, and text
    • Builds modified ROMs from edited game files
    • Can launch an emulator for modified-ROM and room testing

    Where it doesn't

    • Supports only five specified Castlevania games
    • Requires Windows
    • Does not document patch-format creation or a hex editor

More comparisons

All ROM hacking tools comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update