Pokémon Blackened Night (GBA) – A Dark Story-Driven Adventure with Shadow Pokémon
Game Information
Original Game (ROM Base): Pokémon Emerald (GBA)
Hack Status: Final Alpha 3.1, development discontinued
Language: English
Content Type: Original story-driven hack with new region, mechanics, and expanded Pokémon roster
Table Of Contents
About This ROM Hack
Pokémon Blackened Night is a dark, story-focused ROM hack created by Joexv, marking one of his earliest major projects. Built on Pokémon Emerald, the hack introduces a completely new region, an expanded Pokémon roster including Gen 4 and 5 Pokémon, and custom gameplay systems such as Shadow Pokémon and new typings.
The game features overhauled graphics, custom sprites, side quests, and post-game content. It also includes modern mechanics like the Physical/Special split and enhanced audio. Despite its ambition, the project remains unfinished, ending at an alpha stage with significant bugs and incomplete areas.
Blackened Night serves as the foundation for later projects like A New Dawn, establishing its darker tone and experimental mechanics.
Story Overview
Pokémon have long lived peacefully alongside humans—until one day, everything changes.
Without warning, Pokémon begin attacking humans for no apparent reason. Towns are filled with screams, chaos, and bloodshed. Eventually, a mysterious Pokémon appears and massacres nearly half of a town’s population.
One year later, driven by vengeance and unanswered questions, you begin your journey.
Along the way, you encounter Team Midnight, a dangerous organization attempting to revive Giratina and Darkrai. Their goal is clear: to shroud the world in eternal darkness.
Will you stop them—or will the night consume everything?
The story begins in Southfalls City, where mysterious Pokémon attacks have devastated the area. A powerful unknown Pokémon appears and destroys much of the city, killing many of its inhabitants.
One year later, the player sets out on a journey not only to become a Pokémon Master, but also to uncover the truth behind the tragedy and seek revenge for their lost family.
During the adventure, players encounter an evil organization known as Team Midnight, whose goal is to plunge the world into eternal darkness using the power of legendary Pokémon such as Giratina and Darkrai.
As the story unfolds, players explore a new region, face increasingly dangerous threats, and uncover deeper mysteries tied to darkness and corrupted Pokémon. However, due to the game’s unfinished state, the full storyline is not completely realized.
Key Features
- Expanded Pokémon Roster: Includes Pokémon from Generations 4 and 5, significantly increasing variety.
- New Region + Post-Game Area: Explore a completely original region with an additional area planned for after the main story.
- Shadow Pokémon System: Introduces Shadow Pokémon as a core gameplay mechanic tied to the game’s darker theme.
- Custom Types: Adds Fairy and Shadow types, expanding battle mechanics.
- Overhauled Graphics: Features new tilesets, sprites, and visual improvements over the base game.
- Custom Sprites: Includes unique Pokémon sprites and overworld designs.
- Physical/Special Split: Implements the modern battle system with move category separation.
- HGSS Music Integration: Enhanced soundtrack using HeartGold/SoulSilver music and HQ sound patches.
- Side Quests & Post-Game Content: Additional missions beyond the main story (partially implemented).
- New Eeveelutions: Adds new evolutions for Eevee (details not fully specified).
Known Bugs & Issues
- The game contains major bugs due to its alpha status.
- Crashes may occur when encountering certain glitch Pokémon (e.g., “????” in Western Mountains).
- Experience system issues for certain growth rates beyond level 16.
- Missing battle backgrounds in some areas.
- Trainer glitches and scripting errors are present.
- Minor text and tile errors throughout the game.
- Some previously reported bugs were fixed in later alpha versions, but not all issues are resolved.
Screenshots
Download Links
Developer Information
Developer / Team: Joexv
Credits:
- Chaos Rush – Custom Pokémon sprites
- ipatix – HQ sound patch
- 1158 (scripting, tiles, sprites – earlier versions)
- Annonyboy & Avaramoon (overworld sprites)
- ipatix (HQ sound patch)
- Various community tool and resource creators
- Nintendo, Game Freak, Creatures Inc.
Source & References
Official Thread / Website: pokecommunity
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is this hack/game for?
A: This hack is for players who enjoy darker Pokémon stories, experimental mechanics, and don’t mind playing an unfinished alpha version.
Q: Is Pokémon Blackened Night completed?
A: No, the game was left at Alpha 3.1 and is not fully finished.
Q: What Pokémon generations are included?
A: The game includes Pokémon from Generations 4 and 5 in addition to earlier ones.
Q: Are there new gameplay mechanics?
A: Yes, including Shadow Pokémon, new types, and the Physical/Special split.
Q: Is the game stable?
A: Not fully. There are major bugs, including crashes and broken mechanics in some areas.
Q: Does the game have a post-game?
A: Some post-game content is planned, but it may not be fully implemented due to the unfinished state.
Q: Is there a new region?
A: Yes, the game features a completely original region.
Q: How far can I play in the current version?
A: The game progresses through several areas and gyms, but does not reach a complete ending.
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