Pokémon Altair English Translation – Hoenn Meteor Disaster Adventure with Fakemon, High Difficulty & Massive Post-Game Content
Game Information
Table Of Contents
About This ROM Hack
Pokémon Altair is one of the earliest projects created by the mysterious Vega Development Team, a Japanese ROM hacking group best known for eventually creating Pokémon Vega. This English translation, led by Dr. Akimbo, makes the full experience accessible to English-speaking players while preserving the original content and challenge.
Set three years after a devastating meteor disaster known as the Hoenn Catastrophe, Altair presents a dramatically altered version of Hoenn. Entire areas have been destroyed, ecosystems have collapsed, and numerous Pokémon species have vanished. In their place, strange new creatures known as Meteoric Pokémon have emerged.
Unlike many enhancement hacks that simply add new Pokémon, Altair introduces a largely original experience featuring 83 Fakemon, custom moves, custom music, modified trainers, new regional lore, and a substantial post-game adventure. The game follows the traditional Hoenn progression structure while telling a completely new story involving rival organizations, legendary Pokémon, artificial Pokémon experiments, and the mysteries surrounding the Meteoric Pokémon.
The hack is also known for its high difficulty, making it considerably more challenging than the official Game Boy Advance Pokémon titles. Players looking for an easy casual playthrough may find themselves struggling against stronger trainers, tougher Gym Leaders, and more demanding team-building requirements.
As a counterpart version to Pokémon Sirius, the primary difference between the two games lies in their available wild Pokémon.
Story Overview
Three years before the start of the game, Hoenn was struck by an enormous meteor disaster known as the Hoenn Catastrophe. The event reshaped the region, devastated major locations, destroyed the Battle Frontier, and caused countless Pokémon species to disappear. Shortly afterward, mysterious creatures known as Meteoric Pokémon began appearing throughout the region.
The adventure begins when you move to Littleroot Town and receive a request from Professor Birch to help document the newly changed ecosystem by completing the Pokédex. Along the way, you meet several new allies and rivals, including April or Gordon, Billy, and the eccentric prankster Mosmero.
As your journey progresses through the familiar Hoenn Gym Challenge, you become entangled in the conflict between two opposing organizations. Team BH, led by Wallace, seeks to create order through absolute control and plans to capture Rayquaza to rule the world. Opposing them is Team WH, led by Steven, who initially appears to be fighting for justice.
As the story unfolds, neither side proves trustworthy. Team BH awakens Groudon using an artificial Pokémon named Aldina, while Team WH later reveals its own darker motives by awakening Kyogre. The conflict escalates into a race to control Rayquaza while Hoenn faces another potential catastrophe.
Eventually, the truth emerges. Both Wallace and Steven had their minds manipulated by a powerful Meteoric Pokémon called Nemea, one of three legendary creatures responsible for widespread chaos during the aftermath of the meteor disaster.
After defeating the Pokémon League and becoming Champion, the story continues into an extensive post-game chapter set in Alto Mare, the famous city from Pokémon Heroes. There, players uncover the tragic history of Aldina, explore hidden ruins, battle additional challenges, and discover connections that ultimately lead toward the events of Pokémon Vega.
Rather than ending after the credits, Altair uses its post-game to expand the world significantly, revealing some of its most important lore and character moments after the League has been conquered.
Key Features
- 83 Original Fakemon: Discover dozens of entirely new Pokémon species designed specifically for the Altair and Sirius universe.
- Meteoric Pokémon Storyline: Experience a unique narrative centered around meteor-created Pokémon and a transformed Hoenn region.
- Expanded Hoenn Setting: Explore a version of Hoenn altered by a catastrophic meteor impact and its long-term consequences.
- Custom Pokédex: Features a completely reworked regional Pokédex containing Fakemon alongside selected Pokémon from later generations.
- Custom Moves: New attacks have been added, including moves inspired by newer Pokémon generations.
- High Difficulty Challenge: Trainers, Gym Leaders, and major battles are significantly tougher than in the original Pokémon Emerald.
- Custom Music Soundtrack: Features impressive custom music that helps distinguish Altair from standard Pokémon adventures.
- Revised Trade Evolutions: Trade-dependent evolutions have been adjusted to improve accessibility for single-player users.
- Multiplayer Compatibility: Supports multiplayer functionality while retaining its custom content.
- Extensive Post-Game Adventure: Continue exploring after the Pokémon League with a large amount of additional content centered around Alto Mare.
- Rematches with Major Trainers: Many important trainers can be battled again, providing additional challenge and training opportunities.
- Pokémon Vega Prequel Story: Serves as the narrative foundation for Pokémon Vega and introduces several important concepts and characters.
- Altair and Sirius Version Exclusives: Different wild Pokémon encounters encourage players to experience both versions.
Known Bugs & Issues
- Players should be aware that Altair was originally developed many years ago, and some design decisions reflect older ROM hacking standards. The game is also intentionally difficult, which some players may mistake for balancing issues.
Download Links
Documentation
Pokémon Altair & Pokémon Sirius Walkthrough by Olivia R.Developer Information
Developer / Team: Pokemon Vega Team
- Translation: Dr. Akimbo
- Pokemon Names: Dr. Akimbo, Pokemon Vega Team, Asfia, Bevan7, Doesnt, Ganon's Error, Hawkfire, kisekisfir, LightningLord2, Lucis, Mighty Revenant, quiggles, Silphver, SilverStrangequark, Toyotasomi no Miko, Z-nogyroP
- Move Names: Dr. Akimbo, Wizards of the Coast, Doesnt, Ketsuban, Mighty Revenant
- Title Screen Logo: kisekisfir
- Text Hacking: Dr. Akimbo
- Graphics Porting: Dr. Akimbo, Doesnt, Chrunch, El Diabeetus, Tailes
- Music Porting: Dr. Akimbo
- Map Porting: Dr. Akimbo, Doesnt
- Mechanics Porting: Doesnt, Tailes, Dr. Akimbo
- Compatibility Patch: Diegoisawesome
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this hack/game for?
This hack is best suited for players who enjoy difficult Pokémon games, Fakemon-heavy adventures, and story-driven ROM hacks with substantial post-game content.
Is Pokémon Altair the same game as Pokémon Vega?
No. Altair is a prequel to Pokémon Vega and takes place before the events of Vega's story.
What is the difference between Altair and Sirius?
The main difference is the available wild Pokémon. The storyline and overall progression are largely the same.
How many new Pokémon are included?
The game introduces 83 original Fakemon alongside selected Pokémon from newer generations.
Is Hoenn the same as in Pokémon Emerald?
No. The region has been heavily altered by the Hoenn Catastrophe, changing both locations and the overall lore.
How difficult is Pokémon Altair?
It is significantly more difficult than the official Game Boy Advance Pokémon games and is considered one of the more challenging classic Fakemon hacks.
Does the game have content after becoming Champion?
Yes. The Alto Mare storyline adds a large amount of post-game content, lore, exploration, and battles.
Are there new moves in the game?
Yes. The hack includes several custom moves as well as moves inspired by later Pokémon generations.
Why is Altair considered important among Pokémon ROM hacks?
It was one of the foundational projects of the Vega Development Team and helped establish the universe later expanded in Pokémon Vega, Sirius, Procyon, and Deneb.
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