Pokemon Obsidian Emerald GBA ROM – Detailed Hack Overview
Game Information
Table Of Contents
About This ROM Hack
Pokémon Obsidian Emerald is a PvE-focused Double Battle ROM hack designed specifically for fans of the VGC (Video Game Championships) format. Unlike traditional single-battle Pokémon games, Obsidian Emerald delivers a fully Doubles-based experience, requiring strategic team building, synergy, and competitive planning throughout the entire adventure.
Built on Pokémon Emerald, the hack modernizes the battle engine, mechanics, and quality-of-life systems while significantly increasing difficulty. Every major encounter is crafted to challenge players in a way similar to competitive VGC play, making it ideal for players who enjoy high-level strategy rather than grinding.
Story Overview
The core Pokémon Emerald storyline remains intact, following the traditional Hoenn journey from Littleroot Town to becoming Champion.
However, progression has been heavily redesigned around Doubles combat, with altered pacing, gauntlet-style routes, stricter level caps, and Gym challenges that emphasize competitive rules and battlefield control. The story is currently complete through the Champion battle, with a fully reworked post-game planned for version 2.0.
Key Features
- Full Double Battle Campaign: Every trainer battle is designed around 2v2 combat, inspired by competitive VGC play.
- Expanded Pokémon Roster: All non-legendary, non-mythical Pokémon up to Gen 8 are obtainable, including Gen 9 evolutions of earlier Pokémon.
- Modern Battle Engine: Updated Gen 9 mechanics, including modern abilities, moves, typings, and interactions.
- DexNav System: Fully implemented DexNav for efficient Pokémon searching and team building.
- Mega Evolution: Mega Evolution returns, including custom Mega forms for select Pokémon.
- Minimal Grinding Mode: All Pokémon have 31 IVs and 0 EVs, removing breeding and EV grinding.
- Candy Mode: Infinite Candy item instantly raises Pokémon to the current level cap.
- Nuzlocke Mode: Hardcore Nuzlocke rules enforced by the game, with Hall of Fame recognition upon completion.
- Pokédex+: In-depth Pokédex showing base stats, abilities, learnsets, evolution methods, and more.
- Advanced AI: Doubles-focused AI with improved decision-making and synergy awareness.
- Gym Leader Field Effects: Each Gym Leader has a unique battlefield effect that enhances difficulty and theme.
- Party Size Restrictions: Gym challenges enforce Pokémon League rules, limiting party size to match the Gym Leader.
- Gauntlet Routes: Long trainer gauntlets replace traditional routes, resetting if you leave mid-challenge.
- Hard Level Cap: Prevents overleveling and enforces fair, competitive battles.
- Streamlined Team Customization: Early access to Exp. Candies, Vitamins, Nature Mints, Ability Capsules, Ability Patches, and Feathers.
- Move Relearning Anywhere: Moves can be relearned directly from the party menu.
- Field Move Freedom: HMs and field moves can be used by any Pokémon capable of learning them, even if they don’t currently know the move.
Known Bugs & Issues
- Not compatible with MyBoy! emulator
- Save states may break between patches
- Minor balance tweaks ongoing based on community feedback
Screenshots
Download Links
Download: Mediafire
Developer Information
Developer / Team: Skolgrahd
Credits:
- Skolgrahd and Speaker: Main creators, devs and designers for Obsidian Emerald
- pret: This project, and many others like it, would be impossible without the Pokémon Emerald Decomp/Disassembly project, pokeemerald. Thank you for your work!
- RHH: Likewise, the modernization of pokeemerald is due to the hard work of the team at the Rom Hacking Hideout. Thank you!
- IridescentMirage: Custom sprites
- Archie: Gen 5 Party Screen
- TheXaman: Pokédex+ (main dev), TM Case (main dev)
- RavePossum: Gen 5 Summary Screen (main dev), Pokédex+ (dark theme)
- Againsts: Gen 5 Summary Screen (tiles)
- Sphericalice: Gen 5 Summary Screen (grade sprites)
- Vexx: Gen 5 Summary Screen (move description formatting)
- Buffelsaft: Gen 5 Summary Screen (IV/EV viewing code)
- Dizzyegg: Gen 5 Summary Screen (nature color code)
- Zeturic: Gen 5 Summary Screen (wrapping)
- Greenphx9: Gen 5 Summary Screen (provided reference code)
- Ghoulslash: DexNav (base code)
- Pokabbie: Reference code for additional menus in party screen and overworld
- Winter, JustMonikaThings, Dathobbitfrodo, Rosalynn, CluelessLemon, Thunder, James Blackthorn, Rentoid: Playtesting
- Alex, Lunos, Griffin, RavePossum, Archie, and AsparagusEduardo: Truly, thank you for answering the many questions I had over the course of the past year, no matter how silly. Engaging with a new ROM Hacker and sharing your love for this community has really allowed this project to become a reality for me. I really appreciate it.
Source & References
Official Thread / Website: pokecommunity
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the entire game Double Battles only?Yes. Obsidian Emerald is designed entirely around 2v2 battles.
Is post-game content available?
Only limited secret fights currently. A full post-game overhaul is planned for v2.0.
Which emulator should I use?
mGBA is strongly recommended. The game is not compatible with MyBoy!.
Are legendaries available?
No. Legendary and mythical Pokémon are excluded.
Can I update without losing my save?
Yes, as long as you patch a clean Emerald ROM and keep the same filename.
Does Nuzlocke Mode disable healing and encounters?
Yes. The game enforces Hardcore Nuzlocke rules automatically.
How to Play
Requirements-
Pokémon Emerald Version (clean ROM)
- UPS patch file
- Compatible emulator (mGBA recommended)
-
Patch a clean Pokémon Emerald ROM with the UPS file
- Load the patched ROM in your emulator
- Choose your preferred mode (Standard, Minimal Grinding, Candy, Nuzlocke)
- Prepare competitive Doubles teams and begin your VGC-style journey
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