Pokemon Quarantine Crystal GBC ROM – Detailed Hack Overview
Game Information
Table Of Contents
About This ROM Hack
Pokémon Quarantine Crystal is a full Fakédex Pokémon Crystal hack built on the pokecrystal disassembly, featuring over 200 completely original Fakémon with unique sprites, cries, icons, and Pokédex entries. What began as an art-driven project during the global quarantine evolved into a massive collaborative ROM hack with new regions, mechanics, music, and systems—while retaining the soul of Generation II.
The current demo includes all of Johto and a large portion of Kanto, with 12 Gyms available, making it one of the most content-rich Gen 2 hacks currently in development.
Story Overview
Set in an alternate version of the Johto–Kanto world, Quarantine Crystal replaces the entire Pokémon roster with an original Fakémon ecosystem inspired by the “QuarantineDex” art project. Rather than retelling the original Crystal narrative, the hack reimagines the adventure around discovery—learning unfamiliar creatures, adapting to reworked mechanics, and exploring newly designed areas woven naturally into the Gen 2 world.
With expanded Kanto content now underway, the journey extends well beyond the Elite Four, encouraging exploration, side quests, and experimentation with the new Fakémon roster.
Key Features
- Full Fakédex: 200+ brand-new Pokémon with original designs, cries, icons, and Pokédex entries.
- Expanded World: Complete Johto and a significant portion of Kanto, including new areas like Tidal Cave, Garden Glade, and Taiko Festival Grounds.
- Revamped Visuals: Entirely new tilesets, updated overworld sprites, redesigned trainers, and Gen 1.5–style blue NPC palettes inspired by Spaceworld demos.
- Mechanical Overhaul: Physical/Special split, increased level curve, rebalanced battles, no in-battle revives, and major move changes.
- HM Rework: HMs are now TMs and no longer required to be learned for traversal.
- Quality-of-Life Improvements: Reusable TMs, Gen V+ repel system, EXP for catching Pokémon, expanded bag space, proper Apricorn Ball functionality, move reminder, and more.
- New Content Systems: Trading Cards collectibles, new trainer classes, and an expanded action system for overworld interactions.
- Audio Enhancements: Several original tracks composed specifically for the hack.
- Battle Facilities: A Kanto-based battle area inspired by an updated Fighting Dojo.
- Super Game Boy Border: Available when played on the BGB emulator.
Known Bugs & Issues
- Incorrect time-of-day palettes on certain dark maps.
- Lucky Number ID gift currently gives the wrong doll.
- Retroglyph Dex icons may appear scrambled.
- Visual glitch involving Lance in the Underground Rocket Base.
- Poké Ball sprite may persist briefly after leveling up from a catch.
Screenshots
Download Links
Download: MediafireDeveloper Information
Developer / Team: GiantPigeon
Credits:
Art:
- op/kaijuanon/daz for the mon designs and sprites. The heart and soul of this project.
- Varmintz for trainer sprites and some new tiles
- Gojee for Lamseed line designs
- Autumnraptor for Nyalley line designs
- beatrix cromwell for Todescool's design
- Varmintz and anonymous contributor for Unown fossil tiles.
- Many anonymous contributors, Varmintz, TC, gueso and Emi Monserrate for menu icons.
Music:
- Toothpaste for new music except for the "legend" theme, which was done by MelonadeM.
Coding:
- pret pokecrystal wiki and its many contributors for teaching me how to do .asm and doing 90% of the heavy lifting.
- CoralDev and pfero for more than I could reasonably list here. Thank you both so much.
- Ragni and TPP Anniversary Crystal Devs for Move Reminder code.
- Electro for help with added evolution methods.
- Cam with project management help.
- Seatree for Hyper Beam code.
- Soup/SourCrystal's dev for move animations.
- Gojee for many, many mon cries.
ETC:
- CaptainAhab and gojee for promo art.
- All the anonymous contributors for their design prompts, icons, flavor text, dex entries, and ideas.
- /rheg/ and the rheg + pret + rhh discords for their support and help
Source & References
Official Thread / Website: https://www.pokecommunity.com/showthread.php?t=436807
Community Link: https://discord.gg/wcDNGg4RmA
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a complete game?
No. Quarantine Crystal is currently a large demo, but it already includes all of Johto and a substantial portion of Kanto, extending well past the Elite Four.
Does it use real Pokémon?
No. Every Pokémon in the game is a Fakémon with original designs and mechanics.
Why are NPCs blue?
This is an intentional stylistic choice inspired by the Gen 1.5 Spaceworld demos.
Which emulator should I use?
BGB is strongly recommended. VBA is known to cause issues.
How do I update my save?
Always patch a fresh Pokémon Crystal 1.1 ROM, then rename your .sav file to match the new .gbc filename. Save inside a Pokémon Center before updating.
Where is the Move Reminder?
Cherrygrove City. Payment is required in the form of Poké Dolls.
How to Play
- Obtain a clean Pokémon Crystal 1.1 (.gbc) ROM.
- Apply the Quarantine Crystal patch to the ROM.
- Use the BGB emulator for best compatibility.
- Save inside a Pokémon Center before updating between versions.
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Any content will be removed upon request by the rightful owner.
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