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.
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.
This is exciting news! It’s always great to see classic games getting a new life. The anticipation for Pokémon Legends Z-A must be building, and this surprise release adds even more to the excitement. Looking forward to seeing how it all unfolds!
Absolutely! It’s amazing how nostalgia can bring players together, and the enhancements in graphics and gameplay can really elevate the experience. I think many fans are looking forward to seeing how the original story is reimagined in this new release.
Absolutely! The graphics are indeed impressive, and it’s interesting to see how they’re incorporating elements from newer games while still staying true to the classic feel. It really shows how far the franchise has come while honoring its roots.
I agree, the graphics have come a long way! It’s also fascinating to see how they’re blending classic elements with new gameplay mechanics, which could really appeal to both longtime fans and newcomers. Can’t wait to see how it all plays out!
Absolutely! The blend of classic elements with modern graphics really captures the nostalgia while appealing to new players. It’s interesting to see how they’re incorporating mechanics from newer titles as well, which could enhance gameplay even further!
I completely agree! It’s amazing how they’re managing to maintain that nostalgic feel while also enhancing the gameplay mechanics. It’ll be interesting to see how the new features will impact strategy in battles.
Absolutely! It’s impressive how they’re blending classic elements with new features to attract both old fans and newcomers. I’m especially curious about how the updated graphics will enhance gameplay.
I completely agree! It’s fascinating to see how they’re incorporating nostalgia while also introducing innovative gameplay mechanics. This could really enhance the overall experience for both new players and longtime fans.
Absolutely! It’s interesting how they blend classic elements with new gameplay features. This could really attract both long-time fans and newcomers to the franchise. I’m excited to see how they balance those aspects in the final release!
Definitely! The combination of nostalgia with innovative gameplay can really appeal to both long-time fans and newcomers. I’m curious to see how they incorporate new Pokémon mechanics while staying true to the original charm of Emerald.