Pokemon Pit of 100 Trials (GBA) – 100-Battle Challenge Hack Inspired by Paper Mario’s Pit System
Game Information
Table Of Contents
About This ROM Hack
Pokémon Pit of 100 Trials is a unique challenge-focused ROM hack inspired by the Pit of 100 Trials concept from Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, translating that idea into a Pokémon battle gauntlet format.
Instead of exploring a region traditionally, the game is built around facing 100 consecutive trainers, each representing different stages of progression from Pokémon FireRed. The hack emphasizes strategy, preparation, and resource management, rather than exploration or story.
Version 1.2 refines the experience with bug fixes, quality-of-life improvements, and additional gameplay conveniences, without altering the core difficulty. Unlike its “Infernal” counterpart, this version is meant to provide a fair but still demanding challenge.
Story Overview
While minimal, Pokémon Pit of 100 Trials does feature a light narrative framework.
You are challenged to conquer a gauntlet of 100 increasingly difficult trainers, representing various stages of a Pokémon journey. These include familiar archetypes such as Bug Catchers, Gym Leaders like Brock, Rocket Grunts, and late-game opponents.
The structure mimics a progression through the FireRed storyline, but condensed into a single endurance challenge.
While the story is intentionally simple, it provides enough context to frame the experience as a test of strength and mastery, rather than a traditional adventure.
Key Features
- Two Playable Versions: Choose between a Normal battle version and a Double Battles version, each balanced separately.
- 100 Consecutive Level 100 Battles: Every trainer uses level 100 Pokémon, with difficulty scaling throughout the run.
- Generations 1–3 Pokémon Pool: Trainers use Pokémon from Generations 1 through 3, with balanced fully evolved species emphasized.
- Instant EV Training System: Max out a stat instantly by using only four vitamins of the same type.
- Near-Unlimited Move Tutor: The Move Tutor can teach almost every non-TM move, including Egg Moves and Tutor-exclusive moves.
- Limited Resources System: Money is finite—items must be purchased wisely before entering the pit.
- Permanent Consequences: Losing a single battle results in an immediate GAME OVER.
- Double Battle Adjustments: The Double version provides extra money to compensate for increased difficulty.
- Special Easter Egg: A hidden surprise is included, fitting the hack’s Easter-themed release window.
Known Bugs & Issues
- Free items can only be purchased one at a time
- Double battle mode may glitch if only one Pokémon remains alive
- Some moves are unavailable due to Move Tutor limitations
- Beta-era oddities may still exist
Screenshots
Download Links
Documentation
How the hacks works- You start by getting 50 Masterballs (check your PC), 1 copy of every TM in the game, and catch yourself a team of Pokemon that you want.
- You can only catch fully evolved Pokemon that are allowed in the Emerald Battle Frontier, others are not available.
- You can then use the Move Tutor and TMs (remember, only 1 copy of each TM) to make their movesets better.
- The Move Tutor can teach your Pokemon any move that they can learn in Fire Red, including egg moves and other Move Tutor moves (except for some useless moves + some Pokemon get elemental punches that they could only get in Emerald otherwise).
- The Dept. Store has access to free Master Balls, free Big Mushrooms (for the Move Tutor), free Vitamins (that can easily max out EVs), and many items that you will need in the pit.
- It is important to buy items wisely since money is limited, or you could not even have a chance of clearing "the pit".
- Once you enter "the pit", you cannot exit.
- Every regular trainer has 2 Pokemon. Trainers that were story important in Fire Red can have more than that.
- You can heal in between battles by using your items.
- If you lose a battle it's game over, and you either have to reload your save or start a new game with a different team and items.
- Anyone can beat this by saving and reloading between each battle, to have a good outcome. But can you beat it from start to finish without reloading? It is possible, however, it probably won't be easily doable on the first try. After about 4 test runs I could memorize what the team for most of the trainers is, so I could prepare accordingly for them and know which tactics work on specific Pokemon (on both single and double versions of the hack). But because I know how short the attention span is these days, you can check out this chart that shows all the Pokemon that the trainers have. Be warned that you still might have to learn which strategies work best on some Pokemon
- Speed and Attack/Special Attack are the most important stats
- Choice Band OP
- You can sell TMs that you won't use for some extra money.
- You can save TMs for the pit and teach them at the point when you actually need them
- Talk to the NPCs. They have some tips on their own
- Having multiple moves with the same STAB can be useful for having more PP for a move type
- Don't teach TMs to Pokémon before you check the Move Tutor. TMs are one-use only; Move Tutor is infinite
- Try to at least have a nature that raises a good stat for your Pokemon
- Having a good mix of Potions, Ethers/Elixirs, and Revives is crucial
- Even if Revives are expensive, they are probably the most important items. Don't be a cheapskate!
- Just because the item is more expensive than others, doesn't mean that you will have a better use for it!
- Return now has 102 base power at all times (Frustration is unchanged)
- Pickup is gone
- Payday gives no money
- Some useless moves cannot be learned by the Move Tutor (that's because the Tutor can only have 18 moves to learn at the same time. Pokémon with very big movesets were otherwise unable to learn some moves that they should have.
- Scyther, Onix, Pikachu, and Clamperl are catchable, along with all the other fully evolved Pokémon.
Developer Information
Developer / Team: Manekimoney
- mgriffin (help with vitamin system implementation)
- Dr. Fuji (indirect inspiration/solution reference)
- Developer (self)
- “My dog” (as humorously credited by the creator)
Source & References
Official Thread / Website: Pokecommunity
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Pokémon Pit of 100 Trials?
A: It’s a challenge ROM hack where you battle 100 trainers in a row using fully optimized teams.
Q: Who is this hack/game for?
A: It’s best suited for players who enjoy strategic battles, challenge runs, and competitive-style gameplay.
Q: Is this hack difficult?
A: Yes, but it is considered fair. The “Infernal” version exists for an even harder experience.
Q: Can I use any Pokémon I want?
A: Yes, most fully evolved and balanced Pokémon are easily obtainable for team building.
Q: How does EV training work in this hack?
A: It’s instant—using vitamins allows you to max out stats quickly without grinding.
Q: What happens if I lose a battle?
A: It’s game over. You must reload or start over with a new strategy.
Q: Are there different gameplay modes?
A: Yes, there are single battle and double battle versions with different difficulty dynamics.
Q: Is there any strategy to beating the pit?
A: Yes, careful planning of movesets, items, and team composition is essential, especially due to limited resources.
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