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Head-to-head · ROM Hacking Tools

NUPS vs HexManiacAdvance

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score NUPS #2 in ROM Hacking Tools 7.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 3 features Visit Nintenlord
HexManiacAdvance #4 in ROM Hacking Tools 7.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Try HexManiacAdvance

NUPS leads on 0 checks, HexManiacAdvance on 2, and 2 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 scoreNUPS · 7.3/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresHexManiacAdvance · 3 of 3

NUPS scores higher on our rubric for rom hacking tools: 7.3 against 7.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #4.

HexManiacAdvance offers tile/sprite editing; NUPS doesn't. HexManiacAdvance offers hex editor; NUPS doesn't. On game scope, NUPS gives you Multiple games where HexManiacAdvance offers Game series.

NUPS is the better fit for applying or creating UPS patches. HexManiacAdvance is the better fit for broad Pokémon ROM editing and patching.

  • NUPS fits best

    Applying or creating UPS patches

  • HexManiacAdvance fits best

    Broad Pokémon ROM editing and patching

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 NUPS 7.3/10 Visit ↗ HexManiacAdvance 7.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 7.3 7.1
Ranking #2 in ROM Hacking Tools #4 in ROM Hacking Tools
Best for Applying or creating UPS patches Broad Pokémon ROM editing and patching
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows Windows
Built for Solo Solo
Features NUPS 1/3 · HexManiacAdvance 3/3
ROM editing ✓ ✓
Tile/sprite editing — ✓ (best)
Hex editor — ✓ (best)
Specs
Patch formats UPS IPS, UPS
Supported platforms Windows Windows
Game scope Multiple games Game series
Our review
Pros
  • Applies UPS patches to selected files
  • Creates patches by comparing original and modified files
  • Displays details about a UPS patch
  • Combines byte editing with Pokémon data, maps, text, graphics, and scripts
  • Imports and exports PNGs for image and tilemap work
  • Creates and applies IPS and UPS patches
Cons
  • Works with UPS patches rather than multiple patch formats
  • Does not provide tile or sprite editing
  • Does not include a hex editor
  • Focused on Pokémon Game Boy Advance games
  • Supports Windows only
  • Community support may not suit users seeking dedicated assistance
Our verdict

NUPS is a free desktop utility for creating and applying UPS binary patches, including patches for game ROM files. It is aimed at people who need to apply a UPS patch to a file or produce one from an original and a modified file. The tool…

Read the review →

For Pokémon Game Boy Advance ROM projects, HexManiacAdvance brings a hex editor together with specialized tools for game content. Its documented support covers English Ruby, Sapphire, FireRed, LeafGreen, and Emerald, making it relevant to…

Read the review →
  1. NUPSROM Hacking Tools 7.3Free plan
  2. HexManiacAdvanceROM Hacking Tools 7.1Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • NUPS — where it wins

    • Applies UPS patches to selected files
    • Creates patches by comparing original and modified files
    • Displays details about a UPS patch

    Where it doesn't

    • Works with UPS patches rather than multiple patch formats
    • Does not provide tile or sprite editing
    • Does not include a hex editor

  • HexManiacAdvance — where it wins

    • Combines byte editing with Pokémon data, maps, text, graphics, and scripts
    • Imports and exports PNGs for image and tilemap work
    • Creates and applies IPS and UPS patches

    Where it doesn't

    • Focused on Pokémon Game Boy Advance games
    • Supports Windows only
    • Community support may not suit users seeking dedicated assistance

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