Pokemon Scramble GB ROM – Detailed Hack Overview
Game Information
Table Of Contents
About This ROM Hack
Pokémon Scramble is a difficulty and balance-focused Generation 1 ROM hack designed to completely rethink how Pokémon battles work—without adding new types or changing the original Gen 1 type chart. Instead, the hack “scrambles” expectations by rebalancing Pokémon stats, typings, moves, encounters, and trainer teams from the ground up.
The result is a surprisingly fresh and strategic experience where every Pokémon is viable, team-building matters early, and difficulty ramps up aggressively but fairly.
Story Overview
Pokémon Scramble follows the original Pokémon Red/Blue storyline, but the gameplay experience is entirely transformed. While the narrative remains familiar, battles feel unpredictable, demanding, and strategic from the very beginning.
Rather than relying on grinding or overpowered Pokémon, players must plan carefully, adapt to unusual type combinations, and survive an exponential difficulty curve that culminates in a truly brutal Pokémon League challenge.
Key Features
Radical Stat Rebalancing: All Pokémon stat totals are recalculated from scratch based on defensive typing and moveset quality, making even traditionally weak Pokémon fully viable.
Scrambled Typings: Many Pokémon have new type combinations to reduce redundancy and diversify battle matchups, sometimes in unexpected but logical ways.
Extreme Difficulty Curve: Enemy trainer levels increase exponentially, reaching level 100 by the Indigo League—yet the game is fully beatable around levels 55–60 with smart play.
Early Pokémon Availability: Nearly all 151 Pokémon can be obtained by the time you reach Pokémon Tower, allowing early team planning.
Reworked Moves:
- Move power recalculated from scratch
- High-PP moves remain viable late-game
- More offensive options for underrepresented types like Bug, Ghost, Dragon, Poison, and Fighting
- All HMs are strong and useful, reducing the need for HM slaves
Improved AI Behavior: Non-damaging moves are typeless, making the AI use them more effectively.
Expanded Learnsets: Many Pokémon receive new starting moves to prevent unusable early-game sets.
Balanced Encounters:
- Wild encounter variety increased
- At least four Pokémon appear per area
- Less repetition in caves and routes
Reworked Trainers:
- Trainers use stronger, more diverse teams earlier
- Fully evolved Pokémon appear much sooner
- Legendary birds appear more frequently in trainer battles
Modified Trades & Game Corner:
- All in-game trades are redesigned
- Trade evolutions are handled via trades, but unevolved forms remain equally viable
Competitive Potential: Designed with balanced PvP in mind, although not fully tested.
Visual Patch Confirmation: Parasect appears first on the title screen to confirm successful patching.
Known Bugs & Issues
- Super Effective / Not Very Effective messages still behave incorrectly due to Gen 1 engine limitations
- Mew and Mewtwo are intentionally unbalanced
Screenshots
Download Links
Download: MediafireDocumentation
Developer Information
Developer / Team: PokemonScramble
Source & References
Official Thread / Website: https://www.pokecommunity.com/showthread.php?t=403291
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pokémon Scramble a story hack?
No. The story remains unchanged; the focus is entirely on gameplay balance and difficulty.
Are all 151 Pokémon obtainable?
Yes. Every Generation 1 Pokémon can be found without trading.
Does the hack add new Pokémon types?
No. The original Gen 1 type system is preserved, but many Pokémon have new type combinations.
Is grinding required?
No. Proper team planning allows completion at much lower levels than enemy trainers.
How difficult is the Pokémon League?
Extremely difficult. All Pokémon are level 100, but the challenge is designed to be fair.
Are HMs still annoying?
No. All HMs are strong combat moves, making them useful instead of restrictive.
Is this hack suitable for casual players?
It’s best suited for experienced players who enjoy strategy-heavy and challenging gameplay.
How to Play
Requirements
- A Game Boy Advance emulator
- A compatible ROM base
- Patch file (IPS / UPS / BPS)
Legal Disclaimer
All content referenced on this page belongs to its respective owners.
This site does not host or distribute copyrighted game files.
Any content will be removed upon request by the rightful owner.
){kind=link}