Pokémon Emerald: Johto Edition

Gohan's Tips

Aug 31

2 min read

Author: riddley.

PROGRESS: Project Version 1.1 (23/07/2026) - Complete full-game release covering the entire Emerald storyline, Hoenn League, updated Battle Frontier, and post-game content.

A complete Emerald ROM hack based on the pokeemerald-expansion decompilation, where original game Pokémon have been replaced with those from the Johto region (Generations 1 and 2) alongside their cross-generational evolutions, creating a refreshed experience while maintaining the core feel and difficulty curve of a mainline Gen 3 game.

🛑Features:

➡️Johto Pokedex replacement: All non-legendary Pokémon from Gen 1 and 2 (Bulbasaur to Celebi) replace Hoenn Pokémon, along with cross-generational evolutions and pre-evolutions added in Gen 3 through Gen 9 (e.g., Leafeon, Magnezone, Kleavor).

➡️Thoughtful habitat placement: Pokémon are placed in wild encounters and trainer battles according to logic, flavor, and difficulty progression.

➡️Story legendary retention: Kyogre, Groudon, Rayquaza, and the Regi-trio retain their roles in the storyline in place of Gen 1 and 2 legendaries.

➡️Updated battle mechanics: Features the Physical/Special split, Fairy type, updated damage calculations, and Generation 9 learnsets with updated typings.

➡️Full day and night cycle: Visible in the overworld, with different wild Pokémon encounters appearing depending on whether it is day or night.

➡️HM move combat rebalances: Cut is now a 40 BP Bug move; Flash is a 65 BP Fairy move; Rock Smash is a 40 BP Fighting move; Strength is a 40 BP move that raises Attack.

➡️PokéCenter HM move deleters: An HM move deleter is present in every PokéCenter next to the PC for easy move management.

➡️Trade evolution items: Trade evolutions can be triggered using the Linking Cord, and trade-evolution items (like Metal Coat) can be used directly from the bag like evolution stones.

➡️Reusable TMs and extra TMs: TMs are fully reusable, and 3 additional TMs for Ice Punch, Thunder Punch, and Fire Punch are available at the Mauville Game Corner.

➡️Reusable move tutors: Move tutors can be reused for a fee after the initial free visit.

➡️Starter Pokémon movepool tweaks: Customized starter learnsets, such as the Totodile line learning Aqua Jet, Aqua Cutter, and Wave Crash, and Chikorita learning Growth.

➡️Badge-scaled move relearner: The move relearner adjusts available moves to teach based on your current badge count to complement Gen 9 learnsets.

➡️Optional Johto Gym Leader battles: Take on optional battles against Johto Gym Leaders (unlocked by defeating Bugsy in Petalburg Woods) for extra challenge.

➡️Post-game regional formes: Regional formes of Gen 1 and Gen 2 Pokémon become available during the post-game.

➡️Updated Battle Frontier and Tents: Battle Tents and Battle Frontier facilities are updated to utilize valid Gen 1 and Gen 2 Pokémon.

➡️Ability-changing items: Ability Capsules (2 total) and Ability Patches (2 total) are obtainable via in-game puzzles and challenges.

➡️Quality-of-life enhancements: Includes an HGSS-style Pokédex, nature colors, Gen 5+ Repel system, updated overworld sprites, and running indoors.

SCREENSHOTS