Pokémon PureRGB (PureRed, PureGreen, PureBlue) - Vanilla-Plus, Faithful Enhancement Hack
Game Information
Table Of Contents
About This ROM Hack
Pokémon PureRGB aims to be the definitive replayable version of Generation I. The project enhances accessibility, balance, and usability without importing later-generation ideas such as new Pokémon, abilities, natures, Dark/Steel types, or the physical/special split. Instead, it improves what already exists: underused Pokémon are made viable earlier, useless moves are reworked into practical options, and the original battle engine’s quirks are intentionally preserved when they can be used strategically by the player. Many enhancements are optional and can be enabled or disabled through in-game menus or NPCs.
Key Features
Purist Enhancement Philosophy: No mechanics, Pokémon, moves, sprites, or type systems from later generations are introduced; all changes operate strictly within a Generation I framework.
Improved Pokémon Availability & Balance: All 151 Pokémon are obtainable in all versions, with improved early-game availability, better level-up learnsets, and more balanced stats to ensure every Pokémon is usable.
Move Rebalancing: Many previously useless or redundant moves have been redesigned to be viable, with expanded Bug-, Poison-, and Ghost-type move pools to improve type representation.
Optional Type Adjustments: Some Pokémon gain additional typings (e.g., Ninetales as Fire/Ghost), all of which can be reverted individually or globally via an NPC on Route 23.
MOVEDEX System: A brand-new Pokédex mode that records detailed data on moves encountered. The MOVEDEX is unlocked in Viridian City.
Bug Fixes Without Removing Exploits: Hundreds of genuine bugs are fixed, while iconic Gen 1 quirks (such as Hyper Beam no-recharge on KO and the Toxic/Leech Seed bug) are intentionally preserved.
Restored & New Areas: Includes CINNABAR VOLCANO, a new optional area based on unused map data, accessible from Route 21 and fully toggleable via the PC.
Postgame Content: Gym Leader rematches, Champion-only secret areas, Bill’s Garden, Team Rocket and Mewtwo lore expansions, and more.
Quality-of-Life Improvements: Deletable HMs with softlock prevention, earlier access to Lapras and fossil Pokémon, NPC-based Cut tree removal, Dig-based fast travel between towns, smoother animations, faster menus, and numerous small usability tweaks.
Known Bugs & Issues
- No major game-breaking bugs are currently known. Minor visual quirks may still occur depending on selected color modes or hardware (especially on Super Game Boy), but these are largely cosmetic. The project is considered highly stable.
Screenshots
Download Links
Documentation
Developer Information
Developer / Team: Vortiene
Credits:
- Jojobear13 - Tons of code snippets and help via the shinpokered romhack codebase, direct support regarding the pokemon yellow gbc enhancements porting
- Danny-E 33 - Larger back sprites code snippets, EXP Bar code snippets, various support regarding game audio, and questions about rgbasm/gbz80 answered
- Mechanicalpen - enhanced menu icons code
- LJSTAR - Most of the work creating the type icons used in the movedex
- Mord - Most of the work creating LT.Surge and Erika overworld sprites
- pret discord and pret in general for their original disassembly work on Red / Blue
Source & References
Official Thread / Website: https://github.com/Vortyne/pureRGB
Community Link: Pokecommunity
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is this hack for?
A: Players who love Generation I and want the most polished, feature-rich, and faithful version possible—without turning it into a modern-generation remake.
Q: Are there gameplay differences between PureRed, PureBlue, and PureGreen?
A: No. The differences are purely visual.
Q: Does this add Gen 2 mechanics like Dark/Steel types or the physical/special split?
A: No. The game intentionally preserves Gen 1 mechanics.
Q: Are glitches like MissingNo removed?
A: No. MissingNo still exists, is catchable, and is now safe to interact with.
Q: Is this harder than the original games?
A: Difficulty can be customized. Optional Trainer EVs, smarter AI, and move changes can increase the challenge.
Q: Can I transfer an old save file?
A: Yes. A built-in save updater allows original saves to be converted.
Q: Is this a remake or a modernization hack?
A: Neither. It is a refinement and preservation project.