Pokémon Legends Z-A is set to launch in just under a month, but there is an unexpected Pokémon release that could keep you entertained between now and then.
Pokémon Emerald is a game that plenty of us look back upon fondly - and it’s wild to think that the game is now almost a quarter of a century old.
I still remember picking out my sweet lil Mudkip for the first time; easily the best starter, if you ask me.
Well, if you want to revisit Pokémon Emerald, you can thanks to the world of ROM Hacks.
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In fact, a new ROM Hack for Pokémon Emerald has emerged, welcoming improved visuals and introducing new features to the game.
This was brought to our attention by YouTuber HDveePlays.
Pokémon Contemporary Emerald is a reimagining of the classic Pokémon Emerald by creator spearmintz.
There are two versions of the game, standard and vanilla.
Whilst vanilla keeps the original Emerald’s roster, the standard version introduces new Pokémon and adds updated encounters, which I’d argue is more fun.
As for what those new features are, well, this version utilises modern battle mechanics inspired by Gen 9, plus introduces new Pokémon from across all nine generations.
There’s an updated moveset, also making use of Gen 9 mechanics, and the type and effectiveness of your Pokémon will be shown in battle.
There’s a new tileset, a physical/special split, a move relearner built directly into each Pokémon’s summary screen, and all trade evolutions are obtainable without trading.
There’s soft cap levels for each Gym to maintain challenge and pacing, plus you can find free rare candies to ease the need for grind.
In the quality-of-life department, you can run indoors in this version, and there’s no posion damage outside of battle.
Fishing has been improved, and on-screen item info has been added for when you pick something up.
That’s just the main headliners of the ROM Hack; spearmintz is still updating the release.
If you want to give this one a whirl, you can download it for free from PokéHarbor on PC.
“I have finished this game and I say out of all ‘classic Emerald but modern’ romhack, this one is the most clean,” one player recently remarked.
Sounds pretty good.
I just hope it doesn’t catch the attention of Nintendo or The Pokémon Company as you know how much they like the nuke such fan projects.