Pokemon Chari & Zard GB ROM – Detailed Hack Overview
Game Information
Table Of Contents
About This ROM Hack
Pokémon Chari & Pokémon Zard is a fully completed Generation 1 ROM hack built on Pokémon Red and Blue, designed as both a parody and a surprisingly deep gameplay overhaul. Inspired by a meme about “Charizard favoritism,” the hack transforms every single Pokémon into a Charizard-themed variant, while also introducing major quality-of-life changes, Pokédex expansion, and optional mechanics that make solo completion fully possible.
Despite its joke premise, the hack is technically ambitious, touching nearly every system in Gen 1 while preserving its nostalgic feel.
The project began as a meme posted on Reddit, joking about future Pokémon games where every Pokémon would be a Charizard variant. Community interest quickly turned that joke into a real request for a ROM hack—similar in spirit to novelty hacks like Bidoof Version.
Already familiar with the Pokémon Red disassembly by pret, the developer decided to turn the idea into a full ROM hack. The result is Pokémon Chari (Red-based) and Pokémon Zard (Blue-based), two versions mirroring the original Red/Blue split.
Story Overview
The story follows the original Kanto storyline from Pokémon Red and Blue, but everything—from Pokémon names to dialogue and Pokédex entries—has been “Zardified.”
While the plot itself is unchanged, the tone is heavily altered by Charizard-themed humor, modified mechanics, and expanded Pokémon availability, creating a fresh and absurd reinterpretation of classic Kanto.
Key Features
- Charizardification of All Pokémon: Every Pokémon has a Charizard-themed name, sprite, and Fire typing influence.
- Custom Zard Sprites: Each Pokémon uses a unique or shared Charizard-inspired sprite, including fossils and Ghosts.
- Fire-Type Standardization: All Pokémon gain Fire as their secondary type, fundamentally changing battle dynamics.
- Universal Fire Moves: All Pokémon know Ember at Level 1, learn Flamethrower at Level 35, and can learn Fire Blast (TM38).
- Fire/Fighting Charizard Line: The Charmander line is reworked into Fire/Fighting, learning Fighting-type moves naturally.
- Extra Charizard Evolution: Charizard gains an additional evolution via Fire Stone.
- Zardified World Elements: Dialogues, menus, Pokédex entries, items, and tutorials are rewritten with Charizard humor.
- Preserved Party Sprites & Cries: Original cries and party icons are retained to help distinguish Pokémon visually and audibly.
- Super Game Boy Support: Shared sprites are color-differentiated in SGB mode for better clarity.
- Expanded Kanto Dex: The Pokédex now contains 186 Pokémon, including Gen 2+ evolutions and baby Pokémon tied to Gen 1.
- Added Pokémon: Includes Pichu, Blissey, Mime Jr., Magmortar, Sylveon, Sirfetch’d, Heracross, and more.
- Stone-Based Evolutions: Most new Pokémon evolve using stones due to Gen 1 limitations.
Custom Evolution Paths:
- Ditto evolves into Mew at Level 30
- Cubone can evolve into Kangaskhan
- Eeveelutions can evolve into each other using stones
- New Evolution Stones: Ice, Sun, Moon, and Shiny Stones added and purchasable in-game.
- Fairy, Dark, and Steel Types Added: Includes two moves per type with limited distribution.
- Fixed Ghost vs Psychic Interaction: Corrects a long-standing Gen 1 oversight (mostly affecting Lick).
- Full Solo Dex Completion: Version exclusives, trade evolutions, and fossils are all obtainable in one playthrough.
- Trade Evolutions Reworked: All trade evolutions now occur naturally at Level 42.
- Reusable TMs: TMs can be reused and sold, costing more to balance convenience.
- Buyable Moon Stones: Removes unnecessary grinding or RNG.
- Buyable Master Balls: Available late-game at Indigo Plateau for a high price.
- Wild Encounter Transparency: Pokédex shows where Pokémon can be found in the wild.
- Early Map Access Option: Starting PC includes a Lemonade, enabling early Saffron City access if desired.
- Optional Exploits Preserved: Most classic Gen 1 glitches (including Trainer-Fly) still function.
Known Bugs & Issues
- Some trainers may incorrectly “spin” and detect the player through walls.
- Certain bonus Pokémon appear grey in the status screen (battle sprites unaffected).
- Rare menu sprite persistence issues, fixable by reopening menus.
- Some stone evolutions do not show “ABLE” but still function correctly.
- Occasional glitched Level 0 movesets on select Pokémon.
Screenshots
Download Links
Developer Information
Developer / Team: coeurdhiver
Credits:
Disassembly Base: pret’s Pokémon Red disassembly
Sprite Contributors:
- r0bojack
- axel-comics
- monnotonnouspixels
- fexiled
- leparagon
Source & References
Official Thread / Website: pokecommunity
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is this a joke hack or a serious game?A: It is both. While the premise is comedic, the hack includes extensive mechanical changes and QoL improvements.
Q: Can I complete the Pokédex without trading?
A: Yes. The hack is specifically designed for full solo completion.
Q: Does this change the story?
A: The core Kanto story remains intact, but dialogue and flavor text are heavily modified.
Q: Is the game balanced?
A: No, intentionally. Everything being Fire-type creates exploitable scenarios by design.
Q: Are Gen 2+ Pokémon fully implemented?
A: They are added with simplified evolution methods and inherited movesets.
Q: Does this work on original hardware?
A: Yes, it is compatible with real Game Boy hardware and emulators.
Q: Will there be future updates?
A: Unlikely. The developer considers the project complete.
How to Play
Requirements-
Game Boy emulator (or real hardware)
- Pokémon Red or Blue ROM
- IPS patching tool
- Obtain a clean Pokémon Red or Blue ROM.
- Apply the Pokémon Chari or Pokémon Zard IPS patch.
- Load the patched ROM in a Game Boy emulator.
- Enjoy the most Charizard-filled version of Kanto ever created.
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