Pokémon Beyond Red and Blue (GB) – Kanto Reimagined Through Beta History
Game Information
Table Of Contents
About This ROM Hack
Pokémon Beyond Red and Blue is a fan-made ROM hack of Pokémon Red and Blue (Game Boy) that blends multiple eras of Kanto into a single, cohesive experience. Developed with a strong focus on authenticity, this hack draws from retail releases, later Kanto reinterpretations, and a large amount of unused beta content uncovered through the Gigaleaks.
Rather than reinventing Generation I, Beyond Red and Blue carefully expands it—introducing modern conveniences, restored concepts, and historically significant ideas—while preserving the unmistakable feel of classic RBY. The project’s core design philosophy is restraint: additions are deliberate, thematically consistent, and rooted in Kanto’s legacy.
Key Features
- Beta Steel, Dark, and Fairy Types: Early beta-inspired versions of modern types are implemented, offering a unique take on familiar mechanics.
- Unused and Expanded Pokémon Roster: Includes unused Pokémon from beta builds, future-generation evolutions, and Kanto-exclusive species from GSC such as Houndour, Murkrow, and Slugma.
- Version-Exclusive Accessibility: New NPCs and in-game trades help players obtain Pokémon that were previously version-locked or limited to one per save file.
- Tradeback NPC: A dedicated Tradeback NPC is available in Celadon City.
- FRLG-Style Oak’s Aide Rewards: Professor Oak’s aides now offer rewards similar to FireRed and LeafGreen, including an Everstone and Amulet Coin.
- Move Deleter and Relearner: The Move Deleter is located in Fuchsia City, while the Move Relearner can be found at the Indigo Plateau.
- Hoax References: Classic Pokémon myths such as Bill’s Garden and Mew under the truck are acknowledged through in-game references.
- Tougher Boss Trainers: Major Trainer learnsets are improved, drawing inspiration from Pokémon Yellow for increased challenge.
- Post-Game Gym Rematches: Gym Leaders can be challenged again after completing the main game.
- Modern Exp. All System: Uses a modern experience-sharing formula, unlocked after catching 50 Pokémon, preserving progression balance.
- Quality of Life Improvements: Includes BW-style reusable Repels and HMs usable directly in the overworld.
- Enhanced Daycare: The Daycare now includes a PC, and Pokémon have a chance to produce an Egg, making a Living Dex potentially achievable in a single save file.
- Improved Items: Vitamins are enhanced, PP Ups are purchasable, and rare TMs and Evolution Items can be repurchased in Celadon Mart during the post-game.
- Hyper Training: Late-game Hyper Training is fully implemented.
Known Bugs & Issues
- A major PC item-handling bug present in earlier versions—where depositing or withdrawing items would incorrectly select the last item—has been addressed in version 1.4.1.
- Any additional known issues, fixes, and ongoing development notes are documented through the project’s GitHub releases and associated documentation.
Screenshots
Download Links
Documentation
Developer Information
Developer / Team: Sandmeister
Credits:
- Helix Chamber - For documenting a ton of beta RBY content and some custom sprites/designs relating to it.
- The Cutting Room Floor - For documenting all of the Spaceworld demos.
- Pokered and their Discord for the disassembly and help figuring out how to navigate it!
- Kanto Expansion Pak
- RainbowMetalPigeon's Extreme Yellow
- Vortyne's PureRGB
- Jojobear13's Shin Pokémon Red
- JustRegularLuna's Pokémon Red++, and David Volovskiy's fork of R++
- Melthelesbian's Pokémon Amaranth
- PokefanMarcel's Pokémon Yume
- Kagnusdev's Status Screen Refactor
- 4tlog's Pokerefracted
Source & References
Official Thread / Website: https://github.com/Sandingo/beyondrb
Community Link: Pokecommunity
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is this hack for?
A: This hack is ideal for players who love Generation I, Pokémon history, and beta content, and who want a refined RBY experience without modern gimmicks.
Q: Does this change the core Red and Blue gameplay?
A: No. The core mechanics and feel of Generation I are preserved, with thoughtful expansions layered on top.
Q: Are later-generation moves included?
A: Only selectively—when needed to support new types or serve as signature moves.
Q: Can I complete a Living Dex in one save file?
A: Yes, potentially. The enhanced Daycare and added NPCs make this feasible.
Q: Is this hack difficult?
A: The difficulty is slightly increased compared to vanilla RBY, particularly in boss battles, but remains fair and balanced.
Q: Where can I find full mechanics and stat changes?
A: Detailed documentation, including base stats, learnsets, and the type chart, is available via linked Google Sheets.
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