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[[File:rijonAdventures Piracy Warning.png|thumb|A warning to users about bootleggers included in Pokémon rijonAdventures]]
{{redirect|Pokémon Prism|the {{Trading Card Game}} mechanic|Prism Star (TCG)}}
'''ROM hacks''', also known as '''hack games''' or '''ROM patches''', are video games that have been edited or altered by enthusiasts. The hackers achieve this by changing the code of the '''R'''ead-'''O'''nly '''M'''emory of a published video game to create something new.
[[File:rijonAdventures Piracy Warning.png|thumb|A warning to users about [[Bootleg|bootleggers]] included in Pokémon rijonAdventures]]
A '''{{wp|ROM hacking|ROM hack}}''' is a modified version of a published game created by changing the code of the {{wp|read-only memory}} (ROM) to create something new. ROM hacks are popular among certain communities within the [[Pokémon fandom]]. Many Pokémon ROM hacks are {{pkmn|fan games}} created by modifying ROM dumps, disassemblies, or decompilations of the official [[Pokémon games]]. ROM hacks are typically considered distinct from [[bootleg]]s, which are unauthorised copies of published games sold to consumers.


The [[core series]] Pokémon game system is considered very versatile and lends itself well to modification, giving hackers a lot of creative freedom together with a solid, well-tested game engine. These factors, as well as Pokémon’s notable popularity throughout the world, has lead to the creation of thousands of different games spanning multiple generations, ranging from minor adjustments to additional new features and, more and more frequently, entirely new fan-made Pokémon games. Though the core-series is by far the most popular series to hack, there are also many fan-created Pokémon games that do not use these as basis, and instead are, for example, modified versions of the [[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series]] and [[Pokémon Conquest]].
==Overview==
The [[core series]] Pokémon game system is considered very versatile and lends itself well to modification, giving hackers a lot of creative freedom together with a solid, well-tested game engine. These factors, as well as Pokémon's notable popularity throughout the world, has lead to the creation of thousands of different games spanning multiple generations, ranging from minor adjustments to additional new features and, more and more frequently, entirely new {{pkmn|fan games}}. Though the [[core series]] is by far the most popular series to hack, there are also many fan games that do not use these as a basis, and instead are based on {{spin-off games}} such as the {{g|Mystery Dungeon series}} and {{g|Conquest}}.


There is a distinction between ROM hacks and "bootleg games". These are unauthorised copies of published games which are sold to consumers, often flashed onto after-market game paks or game cards and lacking the official Nintendo Seal. However, since ROM hacks are often distributed over the Internet for free, they are regularly sold as bootleg games, usually against the hacker’s wishes. The reliability of these bootlegs are often poor, and has become such a problem that hackers have started to introduce warning screens into their games, cautioning users that if they paid for it, they may have been scammed.
There is a distinction between ROM hacks and [[bootleg]] games. Unlike most ROM hacks, bootlegs are unauthorised copies of published games which are sold to consumers, often flashed onto after-market game paks or game cards and lacking the official Nintendo Seal. However, since ROM hacks are often distributed over the Internet for free, they are regularly sold as bootleg games, usually against the hacker's wishes. The reliability of these bootlegs are often poor, and hackers have started to introduce warning screens into their games, cautioning users that if they paid for it, they may have been scammed.  
 
[[Nintendo]] is against the practice of ROM hacking and has taken action against it in the past, issuing {{wp|Digital Millennium Copyright Act|DMCA}} takedowns to some ROM hacks.<ref>https://kotaku.com/another-pokemon-fan-game-says-nintendo-shut-them-down-1790360365</ref><ref>https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20150911/06482132220/nintendo-hates-you-massive-takedowns-youtube-videos-featuring-mario-bros-fan-created-levels.shtml</ref><sup>[''better sources needed'']</sup>


==History==
==History==
[[File:Pokemon Brown.png|thumb|Pokémon Brown's title screen]]
[[File:Pokemon Brown.png|thumb|Pokémon Brown's title screen]]
Early Pokémon ROM hacks date back to the late 1990s with modified editions of {{game3|Red and Blue|Pokémon Red|s}}. These were often relatively minor adjustments such as sprite or dialogue changes, and would generally follow the flow of the original game. These early ROM hacks were infamous for being particularly crude in nature, ranging from swapping Pokémon and human sprites around to replacing the dialogue with obscene text.
Early Pokémon ROM hacks date back to the late 1990s with modified editions of {{game|Red and Blue|s|Pokémon Red}}. These were often relatively minor adjustments such as sprite or dialogue changes, and would generally follow the flow of the original game. These early ROM hacks were infamous for being particularly crude in nature, ranging from swapping Pokémon and human sprites around to replacing the dialogue with obscene text.


This trend continued until the release of Pokémon Brown by user Koolboyman in the early 2000s, one of the most notable Pokémon hacks in history. This was the first hack to completely re-invent the game, with a brand new region and completely new plot. Later editions included an expanded [[Pokédex]] (including Pokémon from Generations II, III and IV), additional dungeons and additional plot tweaks. It is one of the few completed hack games and was successful enough to warrant a sequel (Pokémon Prism, [[Pokémon Crystal|a Pokémon Crystal-based hack]]) and a Generation III version (Pokémon rijonAdventures) based on {{game3|FireRed and LeafGreen|Pokémon FireRed|s}}.
This trend continued until the release of Pokémon Brown by user Koolboyman in the early 2000s, one of the most notable Pokémon hacks in history. This was the first hack to completely re-invent the game, with a brand new region and completely new plot. Later editions included an expanded [[Pokédex]] (including Pokémon from Generations II, III, and IV), additional dungeons and additional plot tweaks. It is one of the few completed hack games and was successful enough to warrant a sequel (Pokémon Prism, a {{game|Crystal}}-based hack) and a Generation III version (Pokémon rijonAdventures) based on {{game|FireRed and LeafGreen|s|Pokémon FireRed}}.


Since Brown, Pokémon hacking’s notoriety has expanded exponentially, with developers creating many software tools for desktop operating systems to help create maps, edit sprites, graphics and even developing scripting languages specifically for the Pokémon game engine. It has also inspired many hackers to learn how to edit the games' assembly code directly (known as ASM hacking). Numerous hacks have been released, often using FireRed as a base, such as Pokémon ShinyGold, Pokémon Naranja and the Pokémon Ruby Destiny series, just to name a few.
Since Brown, Pokémon hacking’s notoriety has expanded exponentially, with developers creating many software tools for desktop operating systems to help create maps, edit sprites, graphics and even developing scripting languages specifically for the Pokémon game engine. It has also inspired many hackers to learn how to edit the games' {{wp|source code}} directly (known as ''{{wp|Assembly language|ASM}} hacking''). Numerous hacks have been released, often using FireRed as a base, such as Pokémon ShinyGold, Pokémon Naranja and the Pokémon Ruby Destiny series, just to name a few. While directly editing the binary data of one of the games was previously necessary to create a ROM hack, it's now far more common to work from community decompilations of the games, as source code ({{wp|Zilog Z80|Z80}} assembly for [[Generation I|Generations I]] and [[Generation II|II]], {{wp|C (programming language)|C}} thereafter) is far easier to write and debug.


There are many websites dedicated to Pokémon ROM hack development. Notable examples include Skeetendo, PHO and [[PokéCommunity]]’s ROM Hack section, the largest known English-language Pokémon ROM hacking community. Many of these sites hold award nominations and ceremonies to showcase some of the best talents of their community.
There are many websites dedicated to Pokémon ROM hack development. Notable examples include Skeetendo, PHO, and [[PokéCommunity]]’s ROM Hack section, the largest known English-language Pokémon ROM hacking community. Many of these sites hold award nominations and ceremonies to showcase some of the best talents of their community.
 
==Legality==
[[Nintendo]] is against the practice of ROM hacking and has taken action against it.<ref>https://kotaku.com/another-pokemon-fan-game-says-nintendo-shut-them-down-1790360365</ref><ref>https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20150911/06482132220/nintendo-hates-you-massive-takedowns-youtube-videos-featuring-mario-bros-fan-created-levels.shtml</ref>


==Game types==
==Game types==
Pokémon ROM hacks tend to fall into five vague categories, though due to the huge versatility of the Pokémon engine, some hacks will transcend several categories at once.
Pokémon ROM hacks tend to fall into five vague categories, though due to the huge versatility of the Pokémon engine, some hacks will transcend several categories at once.


===Dex hacks===
===Pokédex hacks===
[[File:Pokémon Blaze Black 2.png|thumb|Pokémon Blaze Black 2, a popular 649 hack]]
[[File:Pokémon Blaze Black 2.png|thumb|An NPC that gives a {{season}}-dependent first partner Pokémon in Pokémon Blaze Black 2, a popular 649 hack. He can only give one first partner Pokémon per game, and the evolved forms of the rest are to be caught in [[Hidden Grotto]]es.]]
These hacks are designed to make all Pokémon available in-game, including [[starter]]s, [[event Pokémon]], [[game-exclusive Pokémon]], and Pokémon that can only be obtained or
{{DL|Methods of evolution|Evolution via trading|evolved}} through [[trade|trading]]/migrating, thus allowing the [[Pokédex]] to be fully completed in a single playthrough of the game. They are often though not always named by simply appending the size of the National Pokédex (depending on the [[generation]]) to the end of the base game's name, as in "Pokémon Red 151" or "Pokémon Emerald 386". Such hacks will often not deviate too far from the official game story, and are often used in [[Nuzlocke Challenge|Nuzlocke]] runs and, more notably, for several runs in [[Twitch Plays Pokémon]].
{{clear}}


===Hard Mode hacks===
These hacks are designed to make all Pokémon available in-game, including [[first partner Pokémon]], [[event Pokémon]], [[version-exclusive Pokémon]], and Pokémon that can only be obtained or [[trade Evolution|evolved through trading]], thus allowing the [[Pokédex]] to be fully completed in a single playthrough of the game. More advanced hacks will include Pokémon from later generations, often also adding the {{type|Fairy}}, newer moves and abilities, and other quality of life features to older games as well. They are often, though not always, named by simply appending the size of the National Pokédex (depending on the [[generation]]) to the end of the base game's name, as in "Pokémon Red 151" or "Pokémon Emerald 386". Such hacks will often not deviate too far from the official game story, and are often used in [[Nuzlocke Challenge|Nuzlocke]] runs and, more notably, for several runs in [[Twitch Plays Pokémon]].
These hacks, such as Pokémon FireRed: The Hard Version and Pokémon Expert Emerald, also differ little from official game in terms of story. They instead have a significantly higher difficulty than usually experienced in regular Pokémon games. These types of games too are popular amongst Nuzlockers as an additional challenge on top of Nuzlocke rules. Many fans see Pokémon Black and White 2’s [[Key System|Challenge Mode]] as an acknowledgement of these hacks, though no official link has been made.
 
===Difficulty hacks===
These hacks, such as Pokémon Radical Red and Pokémon Expert Emerald, also rarely differ from official game in terms of story. They instead have a significantly higher difficulty than usually experienced in regular Pokémon games. They often include extended Pokédex availability and other quality of life features, much like Pokédex hacks. These types of games too are popular amongst Nuzlockers as an additional challenge on top of Nuzlocke rules. Many fans see Pokémon Black 2 and White 2’s [[Key System|Challenge Mode]] as an acknowledgement of these hacks, though no official link has been made.


===ROM bases===
===ROM bases===
[[File:Day and Night Mode in Liquid Crystal.png|thumb|Late evening in Pokémon Liquid Crystal as a result of the fan-developed Day/Night System]]
[[File:Day and Night Mode in Liquid Crystal.png|thumb|left|Late evening in Pokémon Liquid Crystal as a result of the fan-developed Day/Night System]]
These hacks are often designed to be used as a base for other ROM hacks, and often include major revisions to the game’s base code through ASM hacking to add new features such as additional types or a completely re-vamped tileset. Notable features include the introduction of genders into Pokémon Gold, the addition of a Physical/Special split and the real-time clock into Pokémon FireRed, which gives way to a full Day/Night system, a feature that was missed by many fans in Generation III.
These hacks are often designed to be used as a base for other ROM hacks, and often include major revisions to the game’s base code through ASM hacking to add new features such as additional types or a completely re-vamped tileset. Notable features include the introduction of a playable female character into Pokémon Gold, the addition of a Physical/Special split and the real-time clock into Pokémon FireRed, which gives way to a full Day/Night system, a feature that was missed by many fans in Generation III.


Another noteworthy feature is the development of the UPS format, which allows the expansion of Game Boy Advance ROM hacks from their original 16MB format to 32MB. This has the advantage of effectively doubling the space available for new maps and graphics, but means the game is only playable under emulation and will crash when played on official Nintendo hardware.
Another noteworthy feature is the development of the UPS patch format, which allows the expansion of Game Boy Advance ROM hacks from their original 16MB format to 32MB. This has the advantage of effectively doubling the space available for new maps and graphics, but means the game is only playable under emulation and will crash when played on official Nintendo hardware.
{{clear}}
{{-}}


===Language hacks===
===Language hacks===
[[File:Pokémon Emerald Chinese.png|thumb|A Chinese fan-translation of [[Pokémon Emerald]]]]
[[File:Pokémon Emerald Chinese.png|thumb|A Chinese fan-translation of {{game|Emerald}}]]
Since the core series games prior to [[Generation VI]] were regularly released first in Japan, sometimes months ahead of their international releases, amateur enthusiasts would often translate Japanese-language Pokémon games into English and other languages so they could be played by international audiences. Since the translation was often performed by one or a small group of people, the quality of these translations were often dubious to say the least, the most humorous example being Pokémon Vietnamese Crystal. Nonetheless, these hacks were generally translated well enough to be played and were very popular amongst {{wp|YouTube|YouTubers}}.
Since the core series games prior to [[Generation VI]] were regularly released first in Japan, sometimes months ahead of their international releases, amateur enthusiasts would often translate Japanese-language Pokémon games into English and other languages so they could be played by international audiences. Since the translation was often performed by one or a small group of people, the quality of these translations were often dubious to say the least, the most humorous example being Pokémon Vietnamese Crystal. Nonetheless, these hacks were generally translated well enough to be played and were very popular amongst [[YouTube]]rs.


In recent years, the core series games have begun releasing simultaneously around the world in more languages and as a result the need for language hacks has somewhat diminished. It does still happen for languages that the Pokémon games are not yet available in, most notably [[Pokémon in Greater China|Chinese]] prior to [[Generation VII]].
In recent years, the core series games have begun releasing simultaneously around the world in more languages and as a result the need for language hacks has somewhat diminished. It does still happen for languages that the Pokémon games are not yet available in, most notably {{pkmn|in Greater China|Chinese}} prior to [[Generation VII]].


===Full/complete hacks===
===Full/complete hacks===
These hacks are complete overhauls of the games, with new characters, plots, regions and features. They often overhaul the game’s graphics, incorporating those seen in later generation games including battle backgrounds, sprites and map tiles. They will regularly include Pokémon, moves and types from later generations, and will sometimes include brand new ones created by the hacker. Some hacks, such as ShinyGold and LiquidCrystal, are remakes of entire previously-released games, in the same way that FireRed and LeafGreen were remakes of Red, Blue and Yellow.
These hacks are complete overhauls of the games, with new characters, plots, regions, and features. They often overhaul the game’s graphics, incorporating those seen in later generation games including battle backgrounds, sprites, and map tiles. They will regularly include Pokémon, moves, and types from later generations, and will sometimes include brand new ones created by the hacker. Some hacks, such as ShinyGold and Liquid Crystal, are remakes of entire previously released games, in the same way that FireRed and LeafGreen were remakes of Red, Blue, and Yellow.


Because of the extraordinary amount of work involved by a voluntary hacker or hacking team, few of these games are finished in their entirety and are usually playable in the form of a beta. Most of the notable hacks below are considered to be part of this category.
Because of the extraordinary amount of work involved by a voluntary hacker or hacking team, few of these games are finished in their entirety and are usually playable in the form of a beta. Most of the notable hacks below are considered to be part of this category.


==Notable core series hacks==
==List of notable core series ROM hacks==
With the release of easy-to-use hacking tools for the core series games, there are thousands of ROM Hacks available. What follows is a few notable examples, each with a brief explanation. <!--RPG Maker created games and fan games do not count as hacks, please double check games before adding in the future-->
With the release of easy-to-use hacking tools for the core series games, there are thousands of ROM Hacks available. What follows is a few notable examples, each with a brief explanation. <!--RPG Maker created games and fan games do not count as hacks, please double check games before adding in the future-->
===Pokémon Quartz===
Pokémon Quartz, created by Baro, is considered one of the first complete overhauled ROM Hacks. Though its story is very similar to the original Pokémon Ruby's story, it does have its own original story, locations, and characters. It was also one of the first to include custom tilesets, as well as a completely custom Pokédex of 368 [[Fake Pokémon|original Pokémon]] (though they often reused canonical Pokémon's stats).
{{-}}


===Pokémon ShinyGold===
===Pokémon ShinyGold===
[[File:Barksh.png|thumb|The player at his house, in [[New Bark Town]]]]
[[File:Barksh.png|thumb|The player at his house, in [[New Bark Town]]]]
"Pokémon ShinyGold" was a [[Generation III]] [[remake]] of {{2v2|Gold|Silver}} using the {{game3|FireRed and LeafGreen|Pokémon FireRed|s}} engine, echoing how FireRed is a remake of {{game3|Red and Blue|Pokémon Red|s}}. Whilst not the first of its kind, it is amongst the most well-known Generation III hacks, despite it never leaving the beta stage. It is also one of the most illegally sold ROM hacks, with many bootleg versions of ShinyGold available as pre-patched ROMs or flashed game paks. ShinyGold's creator, username Zel, included a warning in later editions warning users about this problem and to demand their money back if they had paid for it.
Pokémon ShinyGold was a [[Generation III]] [[remake]] of {{game|Gold and Silver|s}} using the {{game|FireRed and LeafGreen|s|Pokémon FireRed}} engine, echoing how FireRed is a remake of {{game|Red and Blue|s|Pokémon Red}}. Whilst not the first of its kind, it is amongst the most well-known Generation III hacks, despite it never leaving the beta stage. It is also one of the most illegally sold ROM hacks, with many bootleg versions of ShinyGold available as pre-patched ROMs or flashed game paks. ShinyGold's creator, username Zel, included a warning in later editions warning users about this problem and to demand their money back if they had paid for it.
 
ShinyGold is one of a number of [[Generation II]] remakes developed by hackers. Other examples include Pokémon Liquid Crystal and Pokémon CrystalDust, both of which include expanded areas and features, amongst others.


ShinyGold is one of a number of [[Generation II]] remakes developed by hackers. Other examples include Pokémon LiquidCrystal and Pokémon CrystalDust, both of which include expanded areas and features, amongst others.
===Pokémon Ruby Destiny series===
{{clear}}
[[File:Ruby Destiny LoG.png|thumb|left|200px|[[Surfing]] cinematic in Life of Guardians, an example of the 'side-scrolling' perspective sometimes used in hack games]]
Pokémon Ruby Destiny is a popular series of games based on the {{game|Ruby and Sapphire|s|Pokémon Ruby}} engine created by [[PokéCommunity]] user destinedJaGold. The series consists of three completed games: Reign of Legends, Rescue Rangers, and Life of Guardians. This series is of particular note, as it is one of the longest running completed hack series available, particularly for its in-depth gameplay and plot. It, like other popular hacks, has even drawn interest from Let's Play creators. The series is also known for incorporating the {{t|Fairy}} type into the Generation III game engine, as well as a user-created "Chaos type", alongside several user-created Pokémon.


===Pokémon Ruby Destiny Series===
A fourth game in the series, Broken Timeline, was in development and would've involved the Eon duo, Latias and Latios, but development for the game has since been cancelled due to destinedJaGold losing interest after going through several plot changes to the story and never getting past the beta stage, and since been done with ROM hacking in general.
[[File:Ruby Destiny LoG.png|thumb|200px|[[Surfing]] cinematic in Life of Guardians, and example of the 'side-scrolling' perspective sometimes used in hack games]]
{{-}}
"Pokémon Ruby Destiny" is a popular series of games based on the {{game3|Ruby and Sapphire|Pokémon Ruby|s}} engine created by [[PokéCommunity]] user destinedJaGold. The series consists of three completed games: Reign of Legends, Rescue Rangers and Life of Guardians. A fourth, Broken Timeline, is currently under development. This series is of particular note, as it is one of the longest running completed hack series available, particularly for its in-depth gameplay and plot. It, like other popular hacks, has even drawn interest from Let's Play creators. The series is also known for incorporating the [[Fairy (type)|Fairy type]] into the Generation III game engine, as well as a user-created "Chaos type", alongside several user-created Pokémon (known as "Fakémon" among fans).
{{clear}}


===Moemon===
===Moemon===
[[File:Starter Moemon Revival.png|thumb|The Kanto Starters, represented by Moemon]]
[[File:First partners Moemon.png|thumb|The Kanto first partner Pokémon, represented by Moemon]]
"Moemon" (short for "{{wp|Moe (slang)|Moekko}} Monsters", 萌え擬人化 ) is a prominent hack of {{game3|FireRed and LeafGreen|Pokémon FireRed|s}} that changes all Pokémon into {{wp|Moe anthropomorphism|gijinka}}. It is a simple change of FireRed, but with additions such as the ability to catch the three [[starter Pokémon|starters]], {{p|Eevee}}, and a mix of both LeafGreen and FireRed Pokémon (thus making it simpler to obtain all Pokémon). The game still receives a fair amount of attention, as a patch was released solely for the FireRed hack that updated both the sprites of the Pokémon as well as their menu sprites, functioning like DLC would for any game.
Moemon (short for "{{wp|Moe (slang)|Moekko}} Monsters", 萌え擬人化 ) is a prominent hack of {{game|FireRed and LeafGreen|s|Pokémon FireRed}} that changes all Pokémon into {{wp|Moe anthropomorphism|gijinka}}. It is a simple change of FireRed, but with additions such as the ability to catch the three [[first partner Pokémon]], {{p|Eevee}}, and a mix of both LeafGreen and FireRed Pokémon (thus making it simpler to obtain all Pokémon). The game still receives a fair amount of attention, as a patch was released solely for the FireRed hack that updated both the sprites of the Pokémon as well as their menu sprites, functioning like DLC would for any game.


A ROM hack of Emerald has been released as well. Like the FireRed hack, it's a simple change of Emerald, replacing all Pokémon with ginjika counterparts, however, a few aesthetic changes have been applied to both {{rt|101|Hoenn}} and [[Littleroot Town]], adding many [[puddles]] to the town, and the [[Oran Berry]] has, curiously, been renamed the "Weed Berry", possibly for comedic effect.
A ROM hack of Emerald has been released as well. Like the FireRed hack, it's a simple change of Emerald, replacing all Pokémon with ginjika counterparts, however, a few aesthetic changes have been applied to both {{rt|101|Hoenn}} and [[Littleroot Town]], adding many [[puddles]] to the town, and the [[Oran Berry]] has, curiously, been renamed the "Weed Berry", possibly for comedic effect.


Moemon received a short burst of fame when gaming site {{wp|Kotaku}} posted an article about it in late 2007.<ref>[http://www.kotaku.com.au/2007/12/pokemon_dressed_up_in_moe/ Kotaku - Pokemon Dressed Up in Moe]</ref>
Moemon received a short burst of fame when gaming site {{wp|Kotaku}} posted an article about it in late 2007.<ref>[http://www.kotaku.com.au/2007/12/pokemon_dressed_up_in_moe/ Kotaku - Pokemon Dressed Up in Moe]</ref>
{{clear}}


===Pokémon Naranja/Orange===
===Pokémon Naranja/Orange===
[[File:Pokémon Naranja.png|thumb|Battling [[Tracey (anime)|Tracey Sketchit]] in Pokémon Naranja]]
[[File:Pokémon Naranja.png|thumb|Battling [[Tracey Sketchit]] in Pokémon Naranja]]
"Pokémon Naranja" is a {{wp|Spanish}} hack of {{game3|Ruby and Sapphire|Pokémon Ruby|s}} in which the {{player}} plays as either {{Ash}} or [[Misty (anime)|Misty]] and travels around the [[Orange Archipelago]]. Naranja is a Spanish word which means "orange". {{p|Celebi}} appears as this game's [[Game mascot|mascot]]. This game is based on the [[S02|Orange Saga]] in the {{pkmn|anime}}. The game starts after the player had won the [[Indigo League]]. Despite this fact, the player starts with only a Lv. 5 {{p|Pikachu}}. Many characters, plots and events in the Orange Saga are included in the game, such as the [[GS Ball]], Ash's {{AP|Lapras}}, the [[Orange Crew]], the [[Crystal Onix]], the {{p|Golduck}} from ''[[EP091|Bye Bye Psyduck]]'', and [[Ash's Snorlax]]. This game is particularly well-polished and features a completely overhauled graphical system, and well as many hours of playtime.  Other anime-based hacks include the popular Pokémon AshGray, a FireRed-based game depicting Ash's journey through the [[Kanto]] region in the [[original series]].
Pokémon Naranja is a {{wp|Spanish}} hack of {{game|Ruby and Sapphire|s|Pokémon Ruby}} in which the {{player}} plays as either {{Ash}} or {{an|Misty}} and travels around the [[Orange Islands]]. Naranja is a Spanish word which means "orange". {{p|Celebi}} appears as this game's [[Game mascot|mascot]]. This game is based on the [[S02|Orange Saga]] in the {{pkmn|anime}}. The game starts after the player had won the [[Indigo League]]. Despite this fact, the player starts with only a Lv. 5 {{p|Pikachu}}. Many characters, plots and events in the Orange Saga are included in the game, such as the [[GS Ball]], [[Ash's Lapras]], the [[Orange League|Orange Crew]], the [[Crystal Onix]], the {{p|Golduck}} from ''[[EP091|Bye Bye Psyduck]]'', and [[Ash's Snorlax]]. This game is particularly well-polished and features a completely overhauled graphical system, and well as many hours of playtime.  Other anime-based hacks include the popular Pokémon AshGray, a FireRed-based game depicting Ash's journey through the [[Kanto]] region in the [[original series]].
{{clear}}


===Pokémon TPP Version===
===Pokémon TPP Version===
[[File:TPP Red Anniversary Banner.png|thumb|Boxart banner for the physical cartridge release of Pokémon TPP Version]]
[[File:TPP Red Anniversary Banner.png|thumb|left|Boxart banner for the physical cartridge release of Pokémon TPP Version]]
{{main|Twitch Plays Pokémon/Season 2#R01: Pokémon Anniversary Red}}
{{main|Twitch Plays Pokémon/Season 2#R01: Pokémon Anniversary Red}}


"Pokémon TPP Version" is a hack of [[Pokémon Red]] created for the [[Twitch Plays Pokémon#Season 2|Season 2]] opening run of [[Twitch Plays Pokémon]] and developed by users pigdevil2010 and EliteAnax17. The hack was based on an earlier [[ROM_hacks#Dex_hacks|Dex hack]] named "Pokémon Red 151" by PokéCommunity user Blue, which featured significant [[level]] increases across the game as well as making all 151 Pokémon catchable in the wild. On top of the previous changes, Pokémon TPP Version includes additional challenges and features, such as [[legendary Pokémon]] respawns, [[Gym Leader]] and [[Elite Four]] rematches with higher-level teams, and level 100 event battles with [[Professor Oak]] and the original {{ga|Red}} from the first Twitch Plays Pokémon episode. It also includes the Battle Tent, a [[Battle Tower]]-like facility intended for players to earn money without having to repeatedly rebattle the Pokémon League.
Pokémon TPP Version is a hack of {{game|Red and Blue|s|Red}} created for the [[Twitch Plays Pokémon#Season 2|Season 2]] opening run of [[Twitch Plays Pokémon]] and developed by users pigdevil2010 and EliteAnax17. The hack was based on an earlier [[ROM hacks#Dex hacks|Dex hack]] named "Pokémon Red 151" by PokéCommunity user Blue, which featured significant [[level]] increases across the game as well as making all 151 Pokémon catchable in the wild. On top of the previous changes, Pokémon TPP Version includes additional challenges and features, such as [[legendary Pokémon]] respawns, [[Gym Leader]] and [[Elite Four]] rematches with higher-level teams, and level 100 event battles with [[Professor Oak]] and the original {{ga|Red}} from the first Twitch Plays Pokémon episode. It also includes the Battle Tent, a [[Battle Tower]]-like facility intended for players to earn money without having to repeatedly rebattle the Pokémon League.


This hack is notable as the first ever to be specifically designed for live broadcast, as well as the first to be designed for Twitch Plays Pokémon's unique play style. For example, {{p|Mew}}'s cave (a new post-game bonus dungeon accessible from the area of the [[S.S. Anne]] after pushing the infamous [[S.S. Anne#Rumors|truck]]) is filled with numerous [[hole]]s, making it not too difficult to navigate for a single player but extremely challenging with hundreds or thousands of players controlling the game at once. The game took 39 days in total to complete, with the patch only released after the Twitch community's completion. It is also one of the very few hacks that have been released on a physical cartridge with the hackers' permission as part of a community-led project.
This hack is notable as the first ever to be specifically designed for live broadcast, as well as the first to be designed for Twitch Plays Pokémon's unique play style. For example, {{p|Mew}}'s cave (a new post-game bonus dungeon accessible from the area of the [[S.S. Anne]] after pushing the infamous [[S.S. Anne#Rumors|truck]]) is filled with numerous [[hole]]s, making it not too difficult to navigate for a single player but extremely challenging with hundreds or thousands of players controlling the game at once. The game took 39 days in total to complete, with the patch only released after the Twitch community's completion. It is also one of the very few hacks that have been released on a physical cartridge with the hackers' permission as part of a community-led project.
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==Bootleg games==
===Pokémon Prism===
Whilst technically-speaking these are modifications of published games, the ROM hacking community generally considers these more as "bootlegs" rather than ROM hacks. The main difference being these games were likely designed to trick players into thinking they were official for monetary gain, something which most ROM hackers actively try to avoid. These games were often flashed to third party game paks and sold illegally. Below are some notable examples.
Pokémon Prism was a hack of {{game|Crystal}}, created by a team led by Adam "Koolboyman" Vierra over the course of eight years. It is particularly notable for being one of the only Pokémon ROM Hacks Nintendo has issued a DMCA takedown against, merely days before its actual release.<ref>[https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2016/12/nintendo-sends-cease-and-desist-notice-to-pokemon-rom-hacker/]</ref> This DMCA notice caused the hack infamy, leading to the hack's being released by pirates.<ref>[https://kotaku.com/pirates-leak-pokemon-prism-after-nintendo-shuts-it-down-1790598623]</ref>
 
===Pokémon Diamond and Jade===
[[File:KDT Power title GBC.png|thumb|left|Title screen of Keitai Denjuu Telefang: Power Version]]
[[File:Fake Diamond start.png|thumb|Title screen of "Pokémon Diamond", its bootleg]]
[[File:Fake Jade start.png|thumb|Title screen of "Pokémon Jade", its twin]]
Possibly the most well-known bootleg "Pokémon" games are the notorious Pokémon Diamond and Jade (not to be confused with the official [[Generation IV]] games {{game|Diamond and Pearl|s}}). These games are knock-off versions of the Power and Speed Versions of {{wp|Keitai Denjū Telefang}}, respectively, which were only released in Japan for the [[Game Boy Color]] on November 2000, a year after {{game|Gold and Silver|s}} and a month prior to {{game|Crystal}}.


Pokémon Jade is sometimes found on the same cartridge as an illegally produced Pokémon Crystal cartridge but could also be found as a standalone cartridge. It was also mentioned in [http://web.archive.org/web/20030604202427/http://pokemon.com/letters/200324.asp the Pokémon.com mailbag] in 2003 as "the bootleg and illegally produced Pokémon Jade".
===Pokémon Unbound===
{{sectionstub}}


These bootlegs had numerous bugs that the real games did not have, such as the inability to load a save file properly. The game also contains broken English, profanity, and swearing, which is absent from all official [[Pokémon games]] licensed by [[Nintendo]], with the British Gaming Blog describing the additions as "a healthy dose of Engrish and plenty of swear words."<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20080708225438/http://www.britishgaming.co.uk/?p=580 British Gaming Blog » Bizarre Bootlegs - The Lighter Side of Piracy] (archived copy)</ref>
===Pokémon Radical Red===
Pokémon Radical Red is a difficulty hack of FireRed created by a team led by Soupercell and koala4 that increases the difficultly significantly compared to the vanilla version. Radical Red adds mechanics and quality of life features from future games in the series and additionally incorporates Pokémon from Generations IV to IX.


The real Telefang games do share conceptual similarities with the real Pokémon games. Whereas in the [[core series]] Pokémon games, players take the role of a [[Pokémon Trainer]] who travels through a specific [[region]] of the [[Pokémon world]] to obtain or {{pkmn2|caught|catch}} {{OBP|Pokémon|species}} in [[Poké Ball]]s and send them out for {{pkmn|battle}}s, in the Telefang games, players take the role of a [http://wiki.telefang.net/T-Fanger T-Fanger] who travels through the Denjū World to befriend creatures called [http://wiki.telefang.net/Denjuu Denjū] and have them battle each other using a device called the [http://wiki.telefang.net/D-Shot D-Shot]. However, unlike Pokémon, Denjū themselves have a D-Shot and call each other to battle. Other similarities between the two game series can be seen in the mechanics of each: the creatures in both share common stats such as HP, Attack, Defense, and Speed; both series have moves or attacks in common, like どくばり ({{m|Poison Sting|Pokémon}}, [http://wiki.telefang.net/Poison_Sting_(move) Telefang]), とっしん ({{m|Take Down|Pokémon}}, [http://wiki.telefang.net/Rush_(move) Telefang]), かえんほうしゃ/カエンホウシャ ({{m|Flamethrower|Pokémon}}, [http://wiki.telefang.net/Flamethrower_(move) Telefang]), or じしん ({{m|Earthquake|Pokémon}}, [http://wiki.telefang.net/Earthquake_(move) Telefang]), and both series also have natures for their creatures ([[Nature|Pokémon]], [http://wiki.telefang.net/Personality Telefang]), though the effects of moves are not necessarily the same in every case, and natures work differently.
{{sectionstub}}


===Pokémon Diamond 2 and Jade 2===
==Trivia==
[[File:Pokemon Jade 2 title screen.png‎|thumb|left|Title screen of Pokémon Jade 2]]
[[File:OriginalMN.png|thumb|The original {{MN}} character]]
Similar to the first fake Diamond and Jade games, Diamond 2 and Jade 2 were hacked from [http://wiki.telefang.net/Telefang_2 Keitai Denjū Telefang 2]. Also, like Diamond and Jade, the Power Version of Telefang 2 became Pokémon Diamond 2, and the Speed Version became Pokémon Jade 2. They are in Chinese, and their title screens have been altered to feature official artwork of [[Ethan_(game)|Ethan]] and [[Kris]] from [[Pokémon Crystal]] along with the character Dragon from the film ''{{wp|Shrek}}'' (possibly due to her superficial similarity to a {{p|Charizard}}). The similarities between the title screens of this and the original Diamond and Jade (as well as the fact that they have Pokémon names in the first place) suggest that these may be made by the same people. Diamond 2 crashes after the title screen, making it unplayable without a save state, and Jade 2 has graphical bugs. There is also a poorly translated English version of the Power Version of Telefang 2 called "Pokémon Ruby," which has no relation to the real one.
* The [[Text entry#Generation I|{{MN}} character]] introduced in the English release of {{game|Red and Blue|s}} can be traced back to a partial fan translation patch of {{game|Blue| (Japanese)|the Japanese Pokémon Blue}} from December 1997 and January 1998 that predates [[Nintendo of America]]'s announcement of the game in {{pmin|the United States}}. This has been confirmed by [[Nob Ogasawara]] on {{wp|Twitter}},<ref>[https://x.com/DougDinsdale/status/1262545274225913856 Nob Ogasawara's tweet on the origins of {{MN}}]</ref> although he misremembered it as a bootleg.
{{clear}}
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===Pokémon Vietnamese Crystal===
[[File:GO TO THE ELF'S WORLD.png|thumb|A poorly translated version of [[Professor Oak]]'s opening speech; Pokémon are consistently referred to as "elf(s)" throughout the game]]
"Pocket Monsters Crystal Version" (popularly known as Pokémon Vietnamese Crystal) is a bootlegged version of {{game|Crystal}}. Translated from the original Japanese to Chinese to English (and allegedly sold in Vietnam, giving the bootleg its popular name), the dialogue in the game (now {{wp|Engrish}}) is often nonsensical and unintentionally humorous. All Pokémon, character, and location names are similarly badly translated, often resembling romanizations of Chinese transliterations of the Japanese names. The translation is so poor that the game has achieved a cult status, and is the subject of many popular Internet memes. It was made popular by various "[[Let's Play]]" video series on {{wp|YouTube}}, with the most notable one being by DeliciousCinnamon. Another well-known playthrough is the one by ''[[Twitch Plays Pokémon]]''.
 
===Pokémon Adventure===
[[File:PA hack screen.png|thumb|Screenshot from Pokémon Adventure]]
"Pokémon Adventure" is a bootleg of "Sonic Adventure 7", which itself is a bootleg Sonic game, for [[Game Boy Color]]. Pokémon Adventure is a platformer game in which the player plays as an anthropomorphized version of {{p|Pikachu}}. The only similarities the game has with Pokémon are the main character and the use of [[Pokéball]]s as a point system, similar to rings in the Sonic franchise. Many of the enemies do not resemble any Pokémon at all.


==See also==
==See also==
* [[Fake Pokémon]]
* [[Pokémon fan games]]
 
* [[Bootleg]]
==External links==
* [http://wiki.telefang.net/Wikifang Wikifang - A wiki about Telefang, the game that became Pokémon Jade and Diamond] (includes information on the fakes)


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
{{clear}}
 
{{Project Fandom notice}}
{{Project Fandom notice}}


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Latest revision as of 19:20, 9 September 2024

Pokémon Prism redirects here. For the TCG mechanic, see Prism Star (TCG).
A warning to users about bootleggers included in Pokémon rijonAdventures

A ROM hack is a modified version of a published game created by changing the code of the read-only memory (ROM) to create something new. ROM hacks are popular among certain communities within the Pokémon fandom. Many Pokémon ROM hacks are fan games created by modifying ROM dumps, disassemblies, or decompilations of the official Pokémon games. ROM hacks are typically considered distinct from bootlegs, which are unauthorised copies of published games sold to consumers.

Overview

The core series Pokémon game system is considered very versatile and lends itself well to modification, giving hackers a lot of creative freedom together with a solid, well-tested game engine. These factors, as well as Pokémon's notable popularity throughout the world, has lead to the creation of thousands of different games spanning multiple generations, ranging from minor adjustments to additional new features and, more and more frequently, entirely new fan games. Though the core series is by far the most popular series to hack, there are also many fan games that do not use these as a basis, and instead are based on spin-off games such as the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series and Pokémon Conquest.

There is a distinction between ROM hacks and bootleg games. Unlike most ROM hacks, bootlegs are unauthorised copies of published games which are sold to consumers, often flashed onto after-market game paks or game cards and lacking the official Nintendo Seal. However, since ROM hacks are often distributed over the Internet for free, they are regularly sold as bootleg games, usually against the hacker's wishes. The reliability of these bootlegs are often poor, and hackers have started to introduce warning screens into their games, cautioning users that if they paid for it, they may have been scammed.

Nintendo is against the practice of ROM hacking and has taken action against it in the past, issuing DMCA takedowns to some ROM hacks.[1][2][better sources needed]

History

Pokémon Brown's title screen

Early Pokémon ROM hacks date back to the late 1990s with modified editions of Pokémon Red. These were often relatively minor adjustments such as sprite or dialogue changes, and would generally follow the flow of the original game. These early ROM hacks were infamous for being particularly crude in nature, ranging from swapping Pokémon and human sprites around to replacing the dialogue with obscene text.

This trend continued until the release of Pokémon Brown by user Koolboyman in the early 2000s, one of the most notable Pokémon hacks in history. This was the first hack to completely re-invent the game, with a brand new region and completely new plot. Later editions included an expanded Pokédex (including Pokémon from Generations II, III, and IV), additional dungeons and additional plot tweaks. It is one of the few completed hack games and was successful enough to warrant a sequel (Pokémon Prism, a Pokémon Crystal-based hack) and a Generation III version (Pokémon rijonAdventures) based on Pokémon FireRed.

Since Brown, Pokémon hacking’s notoriety has expanded exponentially, with developers creating many software tools for desktop operating systems to help create maps, edit sprites, graphics and even developing scripting languages specifically for the Pokémon game engine. It has also inspired many hackers to learn how to edit the games' source code directly (known as ASM hacking). Numerous hacks have been released, often using FireRed as a base, such as Pokémon ShinyGold, Pokémon Naranja and the Pokémon Ruby Destiny series, just to name a few. While directly editing the binary data of one of the games was previously necessary to create a ROM hack, it's now far more common to work from community decompilations of the games, as source code (Z80 assembly for Generations I and II, C thereafter) is far easier to write and debug.

There are many websites dedicated to Pokémon ROM hack development. Notable examples include Skeetendo, PHO, and PokéCommunity’s ROM Hack section, the largest known English-language Pokémon ROM hacking community. Many of these sites hold award nominations and ceremonies to showcase some of the best talents of their community.

Game types

Pokémon ROM hacks tend to fall into five vague categories, though due to the huge versatility of the Pokémon engine, some hacks will transcend several categories at once.

Pokédex hacks

An NPC that gives a season-dependent first partner Pokémon in Pokémon Blaze Black 2, a popular 649 hack. He can only give one first partner Pokémon per game, and the evolved forms of the rest are to be caught in Hidden Grottoes.

These hacks are designed to make all Pokémon available in-game, including first partner Pokémon, event Pokémon, version-exclusive Pokémon, and Pokémon that can only be obtained or evolved through trading, thus allowing the Pokédex to be fully completed in a single playthrough of the game. More advanced hacks will include Pokémon from later generations, often also adding the Fairy-type, newer moves and abilities, and other quality of life features to older games as well. They are often, though not always, named by simply appending the size of the National Pokédex (depending on the generation) to the end of the base game's name, as in "Pokémon Red 151" or "Pokémon Emerald 386". Such hacks will often not deviate too far from the official game story, and are often used in Nuzlocke runs and, more notably, for several runs in Twitch Plays Pokémon.

Difficulty hacks

These hacks, such as Pokémon Radical Red and Pokémon Expert Emerald, also rarely differ from official game in terms of story. They instead have a significantly higher difficulty than usually experienced in regular Pokémon games. They often include extended Pokédex availability and other quality of life features, much like Pokédex hacks. These types of games too are popular amongst Nuzlockers as an additional challenge on top of Nuzlocke rules. Many fans see Pokémon Black 2 and White 2’s Challenge Mode as an acknowledgement of these hacks, though no official link has been made.

ROM bases

Late evening in Pokémon Liquid Crystal as a result of the fan-developed Day/Night System

These hacks are often designed to be used as a base for other ROM hacks, and often include major revisions to the game’s base code through ASM hacking to add new features such as additional types or a completely re-vamped tileset. Notable features include the introduction of a playable female character into Pokémon Gold, the addition of a Physical/Special split and the real-time clock into Pokémon FireRed, which gives way to a full Day/Night system, a feature that was missed by many fans in Generation III.

Another noteworthy feature is the development of the UPS patch format, which allows the expansion of Game Boy Advance ROM hacks from their original 16MB format to 32MB. This has the advantage of effectively doubling the space available for new maps and graphics, but means the game is only playable under emulation and will crash when played on official Nintendo hardware.

Language hacks

A Chinese fan-translation of Pokémon Emerald

Since the core series games prior to Generation VI were regularly released first in Japan, sometimes months ahead of their international releases, amateur enthusiasts would often translate Japanese-language Pokémon games into English and other languages so they could be played by international audiences. Since the translation was often performed by one or a small group of people, the quality of these translations were often dubious to say the least, the most humorous example being Pokémon Vietnamese Crystal. Nonetheless, these hacks were generally translated well enough to be played and were very popular amongst YouTubers.

In recent years, the core series games have begun releasing simultaneously around the world in more languages and as a result the need for language hacks has somewhat diminished. It does still happen for languages that the Pokémon games are not yet available in, most notably Chinese prior to Generation VII.

Full/complete hacks

These hacks are complete overhauls of the games, with new characters, plots, regions, and features. They often overhaul the game’s graphics, incorporating those seen in later generation games including battle backgrounds, sprites, and map tiles. They will regularly include Pokémon, moves, and types from later generations, and will sometimes include brand new ones created by the hacker. Some hacks, such as ShinyGold and Liquid Crystal, are remakes of entire previously released games, in the same way that FireRed and LeafGreen were remakes of Red, Blue, and Yellow.

Because of the extraordinary amount of work involved by a voluntary hacker or hacking team, few of these games are finished in their entirety and are usually playable in the form of a beta. Most of the notable hacks below are considered to be part of this category.

List of notable core series ROM hacks

With the release of easy-to-use hacking tools for the core series games, there are thousands of ROM Hacks available. What follows is a few notable examples, each with a brief explanation.

Pokémon Quartz

Pokémon Quartz, created by Baro, is considered one of the first complete overhauled ROM Hacks. Though its story is very similar to the original Pokémon Ruby's story, it does have its own original story, locations, and characters. It was also one of the first to include custom tilesets, as well as a completely custom Pokédex of 368 original Pokémon (though they often reused canonical Pokémon's stats).

Pokémon ShinyGold

The player at his house, in New Bark Town

Pokémon ShinyGold was a Generation III remake of Pokémon Gold and Silver using the Pokémon FireRed engine, echoing how FireRed is a remake of Pokémon Red. Whilst not the first of its kind, it is amongst the most well-known Generation III hacks, despite it never leaving the beta stage. It is also one of the most illegally sold ROM hacks, with many bootleg versions of ShinyGold available as pre-patched ROMs or flashed game paks. ShinyGold's creator, username Zel, included a warning in later editions warning users about this problem and to demand their money back if they had paid for it.

ShinyGold is one of a number of Generation II remakes developed by hackers. Other examples include Pokémon Liquid Crystal and Pokémon CrystalDust, both of which include expanded areas and features, amongst others.

Pokémon Ruby Destiny series

Surfing cinematic in Life of Guardians, an example of the 'side-scrolling' perspective sometimes used in hack games

Pokémon Ruby Destiny is a popular series of games based on the Pokémon Ruby engine created by PokéCommunity user destinedJaGold. The series consists of three completed games: Reign of Legends, Rescue Rangers, and Life of Guardians. This series is of particular note, as it is one of the longest running completed hack series available, particularly for its in-depth gameplay and plot. It, like other popular hacks, has even drawn interest from Let's Play creators. The series is also known for incorporating the Fairy type into the Generation III game engine, as well as a user-created "Chaos type", alongside several user-created Pokémon.

A fourth game in the series, Broken Timeline, was in development and would've involved the Eon duo, Latias and Latios, but development for the game has since been cancelled due to destinedJaGold losing interest after going through several plot changes to the story and never getting past the beta stage, and since been done with ROM hacking in general.

Moemon

The Kanto first partner Pokémon, represented by Moemon

Moemon (short for "Moekko Monsters", 萌え擬人化 ) is a prominent hack of Pokémon FireRed that changes all Pokémon into gijinka. It is a simple change of FireRed, but with additions such as the ability to catch the three first partner Pokémon, Eevee, and a mix of both LeafGreen and FireRed Pokémon (thus making it simpler to obtain all Pokémon). The game still receives a fair amount of attention, as a patch was released solely for the FireRed hack that updated both the sprites of the Pokémon as well as their menu sprites, functioning like DLC would for any game.

A ROM hack of Emerald has been released as well. Like the FireRed hack, it's a simple change of Emerald, replacing all Pokémon with ginjika counterparts, however, a few aesthetic changes have been applied to both Route 101 and Littleroot Town, adding many puddles to the town, and the Oran Berry has, curiously, been renamed the "Weed Berry", possibly for comedic effect.

Moemon received a short burst of fame when gaming site Kotaku posted an article about it in late 2007.[3]

Pokémon Naranja/Orange

Battling Tracey Sketchit in Pokémon Naranja

Pokémon Naranja is a Spanish hack of Pokémon Ruby in which the player plays as either Ash or Misty and travels around the Orange Islands. Naranja is a Spanish word which means "orange". Celebi appears as this game's mascot. This game is based on the Orange Saga in the anime. The game starts after the player had won the Indigo League. Despite this fact, the player starts with only a Lv. 5 Pikachu. Many characters, plots and events in the Orange Saga are included in the game, such as the GS Ball, Ash's Lapras, the Orange Crew, the Crystal Onix, the Golduck from Bye Bye Psyduck, and Ash's Snorlax. This game is particularly well-polished and features a completely overhauled graphical system, and well as many hours of playtime. Other anime-based hacks include the popular Pokémon AshGray, a FireRed-based game depicting Ash's journey through the Kanto region in the original series.

Pokémon TPP Version

Boxart banner for the physical cartridge release of Pokémon TPP Version
Main article: Twitch Plays Pokémon/Season 2#R01: Pokémon Anniversary Red

Pokémon TPP Version is a hack of Red created for the Season 2 opening run of Twitch Plays Pokémon and developed by users pigdevil2010 and EliteAnax17. The hack was based on an earlier Dex hack named "Pokémon Red 151" by PokéCommunity user Blue, which featured significant level increases across the game as well as making all 151 Pokémon catchable in the wild. On top of the previous changes, Pokémon TPP Version includes additional challenges and features, such as legendary Pokémon respawns, Gym Leader and Elite Four rematches with higher-level teams, and level 100 event battles with Professor Oak and the original Red from the first Twitch Plays Pokémon episode. It also includes the Battle Tent, a Battle Tower-like facility intended for players to earn money without having to repeatedly rebattle the Pokémon League.

This hack is notable as the first ever to be specifically designed for live broadcast, as well as the first to be designed for Twitch Plays Pokémon's unique play style. For example, Mew's cave (a new post-game bonus dungeon accessible from the area of the S.S. Anne after pushing the infamous truck) is filled with numerous holes, making it not too difficult to navigate for a single player but extremely challenging with hundreds or thousands of players controlling the game at once. The game took 39 days in total to complete, with the patch only released after the Twitch community's completion. It is also one of the very few hacks that have been released on a physical cartridge with the hackers' permission as part of a community-led project.

Pokémon Prism

Pokémon Prism was a hack of Pokémon Crystal, created by a team led by Adam "Koolboyman" Vierra over the course of eight years. It is particularly notable for being one of the only Pokémon ROM Hacks Nintendo has issued a DMCA takedown against, merely days before its actual release.[4] This DMCA notice caused the hack infamy, leading to the hack's being released by pirates.[5]

Pokémon Unbound

Pokémon Radical Red

Pokémon Radical Red is a difficulty hack of FireRed created by a team led by Soupercell and koala4 that increases the difficultly significantly compared to the vanilla version. Radical Red adds mechanics and quality of life features from future games in the series and additionally incorporates Pokémon from Generations IV to IX.

Trivia

The original MN character


See also

References

  1. ↑ https://kotaku.com/another-pokemon-fan-game-says-nintendo-shut-them-down-1790360365
  2. ↑ https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20150911/06482132220/nintendo-hates-you-massive-takedowns-youtube-videos-featuring-mario-bros-fan-created-levels.shtml
  3. ↑ Kotaku - Pokemon Dressed Up in Moe
  4. ↑ [1]
  5. ↑ [2]
  6. ↑ Nob Ogasawara's tweet on the origins of MN
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