Pokémon Lazarus (GBA v2.0) – Feature-Rich Pokémon ROM Hack with DexNav, Difficulty Modes, and Ilios Region
Game Information
Original Game (ROM Base): Pokémon Emerald
Hack Status: Complete (v2.0), 13.02.2026
Language: English
Content: Story-driven Pokémon ROM hack with modern mechanics and QoL systems
Table Of Contents
About This ROM Hack
Pokémon Lazarus is a large-scale ROM hack of Pokémon Emerald set in the Ilios Region. It features many modern mechanics, deep customization options, and a focus on exploration. The hack combines Generation 3 elements with mechanics from later generations. These include DexNav, difficulty modes, Mega Evolution, Day/Night encounters, and a completely updated Berry mutation system. The game highlights player choice, preparation, and discovery. Features like University research rewards, side quests, encounter tables based on the time of day, and optional difficulty scaling let both casual players and challenge runners adjust the experience to suit their preferences.
Story Overview
Pokémon Lazarus takes place in the Ilios Region, a land shaped by culture, mythology, and academic pursuit. Pokémon and people live together across cities, islands, and ancient ruins. Acrisia University acts as a key center for regional research and progress. Throughout the adventure, the player faces eight Gym Leaders. Each one represents a Muse and embodies different artistic, philosophical, and elemental ideals. While many Gyms are open, darker forces work behind the scenes. Team Chimera emerges as the region’s main enemy. They take over locations, manipulate power, and even cause the disappearance of a former Gym Leader. As the journey continues, the player helps professors, researchers, and university students. They uncover ancient sites and explore changing ecosystems while piecing together the growing threat over Ilios. The final Gym sits empty, with its former leader missing. This symbolizes the increasing danger and unresolved conflict at the heart of the region.
Key Features
Day/Night Encounter System: Wild Pokémon encounters vary depending on the in-game time. Day runs from 7 AM to 7 PM, creating clean 12-hour encounter segments that encourage planning and exploration.
DexNav System: Unlocked after defeating the second Gym, DexNav functions similarly to Pokémon Emerald Seaglass. Players can sneak up on Pokémon, target specific encounters, and engage in shiny hunting.
Difficulty Modes: Players can switch difficulty modes from the Options menu at any time.
- Normal Mode: Soft level caps, standard Gym teams, suitable for most team compositions.
- Hard Mode: Hard level caps, enhanced Gym Leader teams, and scaling opponent levels reaching up to +5 levels late-game.
Modern Berry System with Mutations: Berry planting resembles Pokémon X/Y mechanics, including Mulch, mutations, and planting milestones. Damage-reducing berries can be created through specific adjacent plant combinations, making preparation critical for difficult battles and Nuzlockes.
Fishing Minigame: Fishing uses a Stardew Valley–inspired minigame with moving bars, treasure chances, and rod-based encounter pools. Pokémon abilities can influence fishing difficulty and rewards.
Mega Evolution: Unlocked after completing Niko’s quest around Gym 4. Mega Stones are purchased from Niko at Acrisia University, with the shop expanding as Gyms are cleared.
University Research System: University Students appear across the region. Completing local Pokédex entries rewards items, outfits, TMs, and unique utilities like the Pokémon Box Link.
Extensive Quality-of-Life Systems: Includes EV/IV editing, outfit system, updated menus, overworld Pokémon encounters, mining and fishing minigames, portable PC access, and expanded UI features.
Known Bugs & Issues
- No major game-breaking bugs are documented.
- Some information regarding rare edge cases or emulator-specific issues may be lacking.
- Visual or legacy bugs from the base engine may still exist, but none are reported as progression-blocking.
Screenshots
Download Links
Documentation
Official Docs: https://ko-fi.com/nemo622
Developer Information
Developer / Team: Nemo622
Credits:
- Feature Branches: Day/Night System (merrp; updated to pokeemerald-expansion by Greenphx9), DexNav (ghoulslash), Name Box (Tustin2121), Different Wild Encounter Tables (Bivurnum), Outfit System / New Shop UI / GSC White Battle Background (mudskip), New Continue Menu UI & Party Menu (Archie), Overworld Encounters (HashtagMarky), GSC/HGSS Ruins of Alph Sliding Puzzles (Spherical Ice), Mining Minigame (Vol), Fishing Minigame (Bivurnum), Pokémon Color Variation (Jaizu), Quest System (PokémonSanFran), EV/IV Editor (Team Aqua’s Hideout), Preferred Follower Selection (Kasen), Swap Poké Ball (LOuroboros), Universal Soundgroup (aichiya).
- Graphics
- Tilesets: Basic overworld sprites (Anima_nel, Zaebucca, Arex – itch.io); Pokémon Center/Mart/Gym buildings and some GBC-style houses (TrainerDX); broken pillars (Hek-el-Grande – DeviantArt); coral tiles (Ekat99 – DeviantArt).
- Pokémon Sprites: Sprites credited numerically per the official Pokémon Lazarus Ilios Pokédex image. Contributors include Nemo622, Matdemo159, Supahsanti, MonsterHam, Whack-a-Hack XY Dex, SirWhibbles, COMBOY, Nuukiie, Egg3ggEgg, Enderific, Rojimenez, SageDeoxys, sktndo, Substitube, ESY, Pia Carrot, kesterhenrickpixels, EeVeeEe1999, wittycrow, Coffee (Pokémon Emerald Seaglass Discord), lakeofdance, Koolboyman, N-Kin, SuicidalSushi, Zaebucca, HexTheSpriter.
- “XX, 1” indicates partial sprites by artist “XX” edited by Nemo622.
- Trainer Sprites: Amali & Harper (by Nemo622, based on TrainerDX GBC templates); Johto outfits (Solo993); Kalos outfits (com3tiin, Poketto, Solo993 – DeviantArt); Alolan, Paldean, and Hylian outfits (commissioned from TortleDove – Twitter); Gym Leaders (by Nemo622, using TrainerDX/Substitube/Solo993 assets); Sapphire-based GBC devamps (leesongjae620 – DeviantArt); additional sprites from Pokémon Crystal, Solo993, Substitube, Justin8964 (DeviantArt).
- Overworld Sprites: NPCs adapted from Pokémon Crystal; additional NPCs by Anima_nel and kesterhenrickpixels; Amali & Harper player sprites (by Nemo622); Johto, Kalos, Alolan, Paldean, and Hylian outfits credited as above.
- Overworld Pokémon Sprites: Gen 1–2 (Anima_nel); Spoink & Kleavor (Eeveeee); Wyrdeer (SageDeoxys); Ursaluna (.kedoshim); Applin (Mudskip); Dipplin & Hydrapple (Jaquelion); Gen 3–4 resources (Mano_Emet / Megaman-Omega – Discord); Gen 5–9 icons (EeVeeEe1999, LuigiTKO) converted to overworld sprites by Nemo622.
- User Interface: Title screen pixel art by Nemo622(based on referenced photo); Continue Menu UI & Shop UI (mudskip, with Continue Menu code by Archie); Party icons by Chamber, Solo993, Blue Emerald, Lake, Neslug, Pikachu25, EeVeeEe1999, dragonball253, LuigiTKO; Battle backgrounds primarily by Nemo622(with assets by Zaebucca, AveonTrainer, kWharever); Ilios Region Map (Zezitra); item bag icons (glados11388).
- Music: Tom Sanborn (Title Screen, cities, routes, Pokémon Center/Mart, battle themes); Katsumi No (Surf, Tower of Dioxippus, Port Pello); Baka94 (Myrrini Island, Areios Hideout); EJNorris (Caves, Rival & Legendary battles); Joe Cortez (Underwater); Jordan Bortner (Wakewater Isle); Ingolme (Kalami City); Dogman15 (Fresco Isles); Hastex (Ruins of Ahiyawa); Robert Roff (Marmaro Island); GreatGabite (Sea of Asteri); Takkuri (Sailing on the Delphis); Black_Wing (Pollen Road / Davosi Straits); Zagro (Péntepetal City); Brian Hayden (VS Trainer); Nehochupechatat / Joo “Johnnyz” Buaes (Generic routes, cities, gyms); Spoopy Spary Speletons (Pythios Cemetery).
Source & References
Official Thread / Website: https://ko-fi.com/nemo622
Community Link: https://discord.gg/XACTMjNZgw
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is this hack for?
A: Pokémon Lazarus is ideal for players who enjoy modern Pokémon mechanics, exploration-heavy regions, difficulty customization, and deep side content.
Q: Does this game support multiple difficulty levels?
A: Yes, both Normal and Hard modes are available and can be switched in the Options menu.
Q: Is DexNav included?
A: Yes, DexNav is unlocked after Gym 2 and supports targeted encounters and shiny hunting.
Q: Are Mega Evolutions available?
A: Yes, Mega Evolution is unlocked mid-game through a quest and supported via a dedicated shop.
Q: Does the game include Day/Night encounters?
A: Yes, most outdoor locations feature separate Day and Night encounter tables.
Q: Is this hack Nuzlocke-friendly?
A: Very much so—difficulty modes, berry mutations, encounter planning, and QoL tools support challenge runs.
Q: Are there cheat codes?
A: Yes, optional in-game cheat codes are supported for customization, testing, and alternate playstyles.
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