Pokémon Sigma Σmerald (GBA) – Modernized Emerald Demake with Updated Mechanics & Full Pokédex
Game Information
Hack Name: Pokémon Sigma Σmerald
Original Game (ROM Base): Pokémon Emerald
Hack Status: v1.914
Language: English
Content Type: Vanilla+ Enhancement, Mechanical Overhaul
Original Game (ROM Base): Pokémon Emerald
Hack Status: v1.914
Language: English
Content Type: Vanilla+ Enhancement, Mechanical Overhaul
Table Of Contents
About This ROM Hack
Pokémon Sigma Emerald was originally created by Tlachtli, then picked up and expanded by DraconianWing, who pushed it further than it originally went.
The concept is straightforward: what if Emerald had modern mechanics? The story and region stay untouched. Hoenn is still Hoenn. What changes is everything under the hood — battle systems, move mechanics, abilities, learnsets, and Pokémon availability all get brought closer to where the series is now.
The Fairy type is in. The physical/special split is in. TMs are reusable. Learnsets are updated with ORAS as the reference point. The goal isn't to reinvent Emerald, it's to make it feel like it belongs in a more recent era without losing what made it worth revisiting in the first place.
Because it's built on top of an earlier project and has changed hands, some of the development history isn't fully documented. A few planned features are still being worked on, so it's the kind of hack that may continue to evolve. What's there already reflects both the original vision and the improvements that came after.
Key Features
- All 386 Pokémon from Generations 1–3 are obtainable within the game without requiring external trading.
- Physical/Special Split: Moves are categorized by their function rather than type, significantly improving battle strategy and aligning with modern mechanics.
- Reusable TMs: Technical Machines can be used infinitely, removing the need to carefully ration powerful moves.
- Fairy type fully implemented
- New moves and abilities from newer generations + updates to existing ones with new mechanics
- Updated learnsets consistent with OR/AS
- Updates to battle mechanics + held item effects
- Updated Pokemon sprites and cries
- New NPCs (Hyper Trainer, EV Checker, and more)
- Revised NPC rematches (Rivals, PokeNav, Leader, League Steven, etc.)
Major NPCs
- Updated Match Call rematch teams that closely resemble ORAS's
- - Gym rematches except for Liza and Tate are in singles format
- Like the E4 and Champion, Gym Leader matches show mugshots before the battle
- Steven can be re-battled daily**
- Elite Four + Champion have new dialogue and upgraded teams upon a rematch
Engine
- Animated DS-style sprites
- Updated cries consistent with Gen 6 onwards (excluding Pikachu)
- Physical/Special split implemented (with indicating icons on the stats screen)
- Colour coding of stat bonuses based on nature
- All 386 Gen 1-3 Pokemon are available in-game
- The Player now starts with the National Pokedex
- Modernized trainer battle dialogue
- Reusable TMs
- Running Shoes work indoors
- Sitrus Berry restores 25% of the holder's max HP
- A glitch involving Pomeg berry fixed
- Glitch allowing PRNG to be easily abused fixed
- Gen 6 critical hit mechanics and multiplier
- Poison status heals at 1HP and displays dialogue
Pokemon Abilities
- Several abilities from Gen 4+ have been assigned to their respective Pokemon
- In conjunction with new abilities, some Pokemon with one standard ability have their hidden ability as their secondary (eg. the Torchic line having Speed Boost)
- Rough Skin reduces the attacker's HP by 1/8 upon contact
- Flash Fire remains active even when the wielder is frozen
- Volt Absorb covers Thunder Wave
- Grass-type Pokemon no longer trigger Effect Spore
Pokemon Typing
- Fairy-type added
- The following Pokemon are now pure Fairy-type: Cleffa, Clefairy, Clefable, Togepi, Snubbull, Granbull
- The following Pokemon are now part Fairy type: Togetic (Fairy/Flying); Igglybuff, Jigglypuff, Wigglytuff, Azurill (Normal/Fairy); Mr. Mime, Ralts, Kirlia, Gardevoir (Psychic/Fairy); Marill, Azumarill (Water/Fairy); Mawile (Steel/Fairy)
Pokemon Evolutions
- Trade evolutions can now also happen by using a Trade Sim the same as an Evo stone
- The following Pokemon evolve by Trade Sim: Kadabra, Machoke, Graveler, Haunter, Poliwhirl, Slowpoke, Onix, Seadra, Scyther, Porygon
- Currently held items (eg King's Rock) not needed when using a Trade Sim
- Eevee now evolves to Espeon by Sun Stone
- Eevee now evolves to Umbreon by Moon Stone
- Clamperl now evolves at level 36 to either Huntail or Gorebyss randomly
Pokemon Stats
- Hyper Training; maximizes one Pokemon's IVs for three Heart Scales
- New EV and IV judges give more detailed descriptions regarding a Pokemon's stats
- EV limit has been reduced to 252 per stat for consistency with Gen 4 onwards
- Base experience values have been adjusted to their Gen 6 values for the following Pokemon: Abra, Machop, Geodude, Omanyte, Omastar, Kabuto, Kabutops, Dunsparce, Silcoon, Dustox, Lileep, Cradily, Anorith, and Armaldo
- Base stats have been adjusted to their Gen 6 values for the following Pokemon: Butterfree, Beedrill, Pidgeot, Pikachu, Raichu, Nidoqueen, Nidoking, Clefable, Wigglytuff, Vileplume, Poliwrath, Alakazam, Victreebel, Golem, Ampharos, Bellossom, Azumarill, Jumpluff, Beautifly, Exploud
Breeding
- Nidorina and Nidoqueen can now breed in the Monster/Field groups, the same as Nidoran f (in theory will only produce Nidoran f eggs, untested)
- Eggs are now Normal-type
- Pokemon now have their combined Gen 2 to Gen 6 egg move learnsets
- Eggs now hatch to level 1
Moves/Movesets
- All moves are now divided between Physical/Special/Status
- All moves now have their Gen 6 power and accuracy
- New moves from Gen 4+ added
- All Pokemon have ORAS-based level-up learnsets
- Pseudo-legendary lines can learn some moves learned exclusively from future generation move tutors/events (via the Heart Scale Tutor)
- Ghost- and Dark-type moves now have normal effectiveness against Steel
- TMs and Move Tutors have their combined Gen 1 to Gen 6 compatibility
- NPC Tutors will teach their respective moves to compatible Pokemon once a day**
- Waterfall now has a 20% chance to flinch
- Hidden Power has a fixed base power of 60
- Curse is now Ghost-type
- Faint Attack has been renamed to Feint Attack
- Growth now raises Att and Sp Att by +1 each, or by +2 each if in sunlight
- Wrap deals 1/8HP residual damage and has a duration of 4 to 5 turns
- The following moves are now Fairy-type: Charm, Moonlight, Sweet Kiss
- Priority: Detect and Protect moved up to +4; Fake Out moved up to +3; ExtremeSpeed moved up to +2; Roar, Whirlwind moved down to -6
- *Due to naming character restrictions, these moves have shorter names in-game
- **These features require emulators that support RTC (Real-Time Clock)
Items
- Held items offer their Gen 6 stat bonuses (Metal Powder currently excluded)
- New items can be bought in the Battle Frontier's PokeMart
- Trade Sims can be purchased at the Lilycove Dept Store, one-time use to induce trade evolutions
- The original evolution stones can also be purchased at the Lilycove Dept Store
- TMs' values have been increased, and ones that can't be purchased are now unsellable
- Eon Ticket, Aurora Ticket, and Mystic Ticket can be obtained from certain NPCs (check the encounter sheet provided!)
- After visiting the Berry Master's house, two girls at the Slateport Market will begin selling rare/unobtainable berries
Known Bugs & Issues
- Pokédex entry screen may appear glitched when a Pokémon levels up immediately after being captured (visual only, no gameplay impact).
- Brick Break used by Scrappy Pokémon will not hit Ghost-types as expected (mechanical limitation).
- Draining Kiss animation may cause delays depending on emulator performance.
- New moves cannot currently be passed through breeding.
Screenshots
Download Links
v1.914: Mediafire
Documentation
Developer Information
Developer / Team: DraconianWing, Tlachtli
Credits:
- Tlachtli (original Sigma Emerald project)
- The RnD Team (core research and development resources)
- HackMew (tools and Emerald bug fixes)
- Jambo51 (battle scripting and engine tools)
- Chaos Rush (sprite and animation resources)
- DoesntKnowHowToPlay (physical/special split)
- Darthatron (icon inspiration)
- SBird, ipatix (technical contributions)
- MrDollSteak, kleenexfeu, Sky High, KDS (resources and mechanics)
- jirachiwishmker, Le pug, Phenom2122 (documentation)
- diegoisawesome, KhaosKnight, tajaros/Shadowraze (tutorials)
- Artemis64, HidoranBlaze, mamamama, DreamEngine, Spherical Ice (animations)
- Various tool creators and contributors
Source & References
Official Thread / Website: https://www.pokecommunity.com/showthread.php?t=356042
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is this hack for?
A: Players who want a faithful Pokémon Emerald experience with modern mechanics, improved systems, and full Pokédex access.
Q: Does the story change in Sigma Emerald?
A: No, the story remains the same as the original Emerald, with improvements focused on gameplay instead.
Q: Can I catch every Pokémon?
A: Yes, all 386 Pokémon are obtainable within the game.
Q: Are modern battle mechanics included?
A: Yes, features like the physical/special split, Fairy type, and updated abilities are implemented.
Q: Are TMs still single-use?
A: No, TMs are reusable, making team building much more flexible.
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