What does a lesbian-fueled, gender-bent ROM-hacked “Link’s Awakening” have in common with an 80’s dyke zine made of cut-up Playboy magazines? Copying + Pasting! Tracing and re-mixing! These are all techniques utilized in the creation of zines and ROM hacked games! Both mediums share a common ground of DIY modification: reappropriating existing images and materials for the sake of self-expression. This framework of reclamation enabled the expression of underrepresented narratives and preserved otherwise undocumented histories. Despite being around since the 1950s, many of the methodologies for making pixel art and retro games have gone undocumented due to the secretive nature of commercial video game studios. Much of what we’ve recovered of this lost history has been passionately preserved through ROM-hackers and forum-based communities. These creators have even developed their own tools for making pixel art and games. These open-source and low-budget tools have enabled a new generation of passionate creators to modify images and games as their own. For this beginner-friendly workshop, participants will learn to modify existing sprites or make their own pixel art and gameboy games using various free or open-source tools. After creating their own “pixel zines” or game experiences with GB Studio, these projects will then be flashed onto actual gameboy cartridges. Participants will be invited to modify existing assets or create their own pixel art. No previous coding, animating, or art experience is required for this workshop.