Pokémon Emerald 386 (GBA) – The Complete Solo Gen 3 Pokédex Experience
Game Information
Table Of Contents
About This ROM Hack
Pokémon Emerald 386 is a vanilla-faithful completion hack whose sole purpose is to allow players to naturally obtain every Pokémon available in Generation 3—all 386—within a single save file, without trading, events, or connectivity to other games.
This project deliberately avoids modern design trends. It does not rebalance difficulty, add post–Gen 3 Pokémon, introduce newer mechanics, rewrite lore, or “fix” perceived balance issues. Instead, it preserves the original Pokémon Emerald experience as closely as possible while carefully expanding Pokémon availability and access to essential resources so the Hoenn Pokédex can be completed solo.
In short, this is Pokémon Emerald as you remember it, only finally completable on its own.
Story Overview
The core story of Pokémon Emerald remains entirely unchanged. You journey through Hoenn, challenge Gym Leaders, confront Team Aqua and Team Magma, and ultimately face the Pokémon League exactly as in the original release.
What has changed is what becomes available along the way. Legendary Pokémon, version exclusives, trade evolutions, fossils, and event Pokémon are all woven into the existing world through restored events, added NPCs, and carefully placed encounters. These additions are designed to feel natural and discoverable, often hinted at directly through NPC dialogue or Pokédex data, so players are encouraged to explore and interact rather than rely on external documentation.
Key Features
- Complete Gen 3 Pokédex: All 386 Pokémon can be obtained in a single playthrough without trading, events, or other games.
- Restored Special Events: Original event tickets and maps are properly reimplemented, allowing access to previously unobtainable Pokémon.
- Legendary Pokémon Integration: Gen 1 and Gen 2 legendaries are given appropriate in-game events, with respawn safety to prevent permanent loss.
- Trade Evolution Helper: A special NPC allows trade-evolution Pokémon to evolve while remaining yours—no trading required.
- Expanded Fossil System: The Fossil Regenerator now supports all fossil Pokémon, not just the originals.
- Unlimited Core Resources: All TMs can be repurchased, Move Tutors can be reset for repeated use, and evolution items are obtainable repeatedly.
- Pokédex-Friendly Design: NPC teams and optional rival record-mixing events help trigger “seen” data, guiding players toward newly available Pokémon.
- Deoxys Improvements: Deoxys’ learnset has been expanded to include all version-exclusive moves from FireRed/LeafGreen and Ruby/Sapphire.
- Quality-of-Life Restorations: Missing decorations, rare berries, and overlooked encounters (such as the cable-car Zigzagoon) have been restored or fixed.
- RTC Reset Option: Players using emulators with faulty real-time clocks can reset RTC functionality in-game.
- Guided Discovery: New NPCs hint at added content, in-game trades, and Pokémon locations, reducing the need for external guides.
Known Bugs & Issues
- No major bugs are currently documented.
- The hack prioritizes stability and preservation of the original Emerald experience. Any changes are carefully implemented to avoid unintended side effects.
Screenshots
Download Links
Documentation
Developer Information
Developer / Team: Razormime
Credits:
Core Resources & Community
- The Pokéemerald Disassembly team and the wider pret community, including Discord servers and RH Hideout, for tools, documentation, and ongoing support.
- Wiki contributors, forum walkthrough authors, and Team Aqua’s Hideout for tutorials and technical guidance.
Technical Help & Tutorials
- Mgriffin, Jaizu, Sbird – project setup & Porymap support
- Zatsu – NPC movement scripting
- Lunos – Script Specials, Overworld & UNOWN expansions
- ShinyDragonHunter – UNOWN encounter troubleshooting
- TheXaman – in-game self-trading tutorial
- DD – Roaming Beast Expansion
- Louroboros – RTC-changing tutorial
- Alex D, daniilS, Samu – snow effect updates
- ghoulslash – Surf dismount fix
- devolov – pre-evolution move tutor
- Goppier – Mt. Chimney cable car documentation
- Cawt – berry issue troubleshooting
Beta Testing
- JAYVEE1473, Tellz
Reviews & Feedback (Previous Hacks)
- Crystal 251: Arindur, SteRossetto, Incantator, ThegreatBen, Aizumi, KevCfcNo1
- Yellow 151: Vomer, Greenknight9000, Pudupuda, NordicNugz
- Blue 151: KennieJim, ClaudeDixon, headfallsoff, Pokemonfan98
Reference & Documentation
- Bulbapedia, Serebii
- Project Pokémon (special thanks to VictorV111)
- GameFAQs (verbalillusion – Berry FAQ)
Final Thanks
- And thank you to everyone who downloaded, played, reviewed, or supported the project. Your time and trust mean more than you know.
Source & References
Official Thread / Website: https://www.romhacking.net/hacks/8787/
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is this hack for?
A: This hack is for players who love classic Pokémon Emerald and want to complete the entire Gen 3 Pokédex without trading or external events.
Q: Does this increase difficulty or rebalance the game?
A: No. Difficulty, trainer teams, mechanics, and balance are intentionally left close to vanilla Emerald.
Q: Are modern mechanics or later-generation Pokémon included?
A: No. Only Generation 1–3 Pokémon, items, and mechanics are present.
Q: Can I miss Pokémon permanently?
A: No. Legendary Pokémon and key encounters include respawn safety where appropriate.
Q: Are TMs reusable?
A: TMs are not infinite-use, but all TMs can be repurchased, allowing unlimited access over time.
Q: Do I need a guide to find new Pokémon?
A: Generally, no. NPC dialogue, Pokédex hints, and in-game events guide players toward new encounters naturally.
Q: Is this meant to replace modern Emerald hacks?
A: No. This is not a modernization—it’s a faithful Emerald experience made fully completable for solo players.
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