Pokemon Pure Gold GBA ROM Hack – Detailed Game Overview
Game Information
Hack Name: Pokemon Pure Gold
Original Game (ROM Base): Pokémon Ruby Version (AXVE)
Hack Status: Unfinished / Possibly Abandoned
Language: English
Release Type: Fan-made ROM Hack
Content: G/S/C remake, Johto adventure, FireRed/LeafGreen graphics
Table Of Contents
About This ROM Hack
Pokémon Pure Gold is a Generation 2 remake project built on the Game Boy Advance using Pokémon Ruby as the base ROM.The hack aims to recreate the Gold, Silver, and Crystal experience with FireRed & LeafGreen–style graphics, modern systems, and extensive ASM hacking.
While the project showed strong technical ambition and innovation, development appears to have stalled, and no official completed version has been released. As a result, the hack is generally considered unfinished and possibly abandoned.
Story Overview
One day, you awaken to find your neighbor, Professor Elm, searching for you. After meeting him, you are sent to visit his acquaintance, Mr. Pokémon, where you finally receive your first Pokémon.
Given a Pokédex by Professor Oak, you begin your journey across Johto with familiar goals:
- Explore the region
- Face challenging battles
- Meet allies and rivals
- Discover secrets tied to Johto’s lore
The story follows the structure of Pokémon Gold, Silver & Crystal, adapted to the GBA engine.
Key Features
Johto Remake on Game Boy Advance
- A full remake concept inspired by Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, recreated on the GBA engine.
- Retells the Generation II Johto storyline
- Recreates classic Johto locations and progression
- Designed to feel like a Gen II experience using Gen III mechanics
- The game uses Pokémon Ruby as its base but visually resembles FireRed & LeafGreen.
- Custom tilesets replacing Ruby’s original graphics
- Reworked towns, routes, caves, and interiors
- Modified menus, text boxes, and user interface
- Cleaner and more modern visual presentation overall
- A heavily modified Real-Time Clock system that affects gameplay.
- Multiple time periods: Morning, Day, Afternoon, Evening, and Night
- Wild Pokémon encounters change depending on time
- Background music varies by time of day
- Certain events are influenced by in-game time
- Gameplay systems inspired by Generation II’s time features.
- Apricorn collection tied to specific time periods
- Berry growth influenced by real-time progression
- Planned seasonal changes using RTC
- Time-based event triggers
- Original Generation II music recreated for the GBA.
- Classic Johto themes restored
- Area-specific background music
- Time-based music variations for immersion
- Assembly (ASM) hacking used to overcome Ruby engine limitations.
- Custom mechanics not possible with standard tools
- Engine-level modifications
- Foundation for complex Gen II systems in Gen III
- Several iconic Gen II features were planned or partially implemented.
- Phone call system
- Ruins of Alph–style puzzles
- Money savings system
- Clothing customization
- National Pokédex support
- Pokémon Ruby was heavily altered to support remake functionality.
- Core systems rewritten to fit Johto design
- Visual, audio, and gameplay changes combined
- Highly ambitious Ruby-based ROM hack
- The hack is not fully completed and development may have stopped.
- Some planned features remain incomplete
- Missing content or unused systems may exist
- Bugs or instability are possible
- Best experienced as a work-in-progress remake
Known Bugs & Issues
At the time of the last public update:
- No officially documented bugs
- Incomplete systems may behave inconsistently
- Save states are not recommended
Screenshots
Download Links
Download: Mediafire
Developer Information
Developer / Team: ZodiacDaGreat
Credits:
Major Contributors:
- HackMew
- Mastermind_X
- Interdpth
Additional Credits:
Aminex, ash2000, Nitram, ~Teh Panda~, Matt, Cearn, Zel, G/S/C Platinum team, and the ROM hacking community.
Source & References
Official Thread / Website: pokecommunity
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pokémon Pure Gold completed?No. The hack is not fully completed and is considered possibly abandoned.
Is this a playable Johto remake?
Parts of the game are playable, but the full Johto experience is not finished.
Why was development stopped?
No official reason was publicly stated by the developer.
Can I finish the game?
There is no confirmed completed build, so full progression may not be possible.
What game is Pokémon Pure Gold based on?
Pokémon Ruby Version (AXVE), heavily modified using ASM hacking.
Why does the game show a white screen?
Set your emulator save type to 128K, and ensure a clean Ruby ROM was used.
How to Play
Requirements
- A Game Boy Advance emulator
- A compatible ROM base
- Patch file (IPS / UPS / BPS)
Legal Disclaimer
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This site does not host or distribute copyrighted game files.
Any content will be removed upon request by the rightful owner.
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