Pokémon Spades & Clubs (GBA) – A Story-Driven Emerald Hack Set in the Reviving Senta Region (Demo)
Game Information
Table Of Contents
About This ROM Hack
Pokémon Spades & Clubs is a narrative-focused ROM hack built on Pokémon Emerald, aiming to recapture the feeling of setting out on a meaningful journey in a region with history, decline, and renewal. The project is currently in an early demo stage and is actively being developed, with mechanics, assets, and design choices subject to refinement.
The hack emphasizes a grounded start to your adventure, personal motivations, and regional lore over spectacle. While many long-term features are not yet fully implemented, the available content is designed to feel cohesive and intentional rather than placeholder-heavy. Any elements not yet present or fully explained are due to the demo nature of the release.
Story Overview
The story takes place in the Senta Region, an island known for its lively trainer culture and competitive spirit. In the past, Senta’s Pokémon League represented prestige, attracting skilled trainers from all over. However, after a series of unclear events, the league was officially shut down, and Senta gradually lost its status as a trainer’s paradise. Recently, rumors have started to spread that the Senta League has quietly reopened to rebuild itself and reclaim the region’s former glory. This news travels fast and catches the interest of many hopeful trainers, including you and your close friend. Both of you are sixteen years old and live in the quiet Lotus Town.Key Features
- League Progression Demo: The current demo allows progression up to earning the second Gym Badge, providing a structured early-game experience.
- Evolution Level Lock: Evolutions beyond level 20 are intentionally locked in the demo to control balance and pacing during early development.
- Living, Developing World: Mechanics, assets, and design ideas are not final and may change as the region and story are expanded.
- Ongoing Demo Support: The demo will receive updates focused on bug fixes, balance adjustments, restored or omitted features, and refinement of existing content.
- Single-Version Structure: No meaningful differences between “Spades” and “Clubs” currently exist, making Pokémon Clubs unnecessary to distribute at this stage.
Known Bugs & Issues
- As of Demo version 0.2.1, there is no publicly maintained, detailed bug list. Information on specific bugs is currently limited.
- Players are encouraged to report issues, but only if they are clearly described, reproducible, and tested on supported environments. Due to the project’s early state, minor glitches or balance inconsistencies may still be present.
Screenshots
Download Links
Developer Information
Developer / Team: Capuden
Credits:
- Remove Warp Fadescreen – ghoulslash
- Move horizontally while holding Up/Down – cbt
- Adding the Fairy Type – Lunos
- Day & Night System – Sierraffinity
Source & References
Official Thread / Website: https://x.com/KmiE_821
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is this hack for?
A: Pokémon Spades & Clubs is best suited for players who enjoy story-driven Pokémon hacks, slower narrative build-ups, and following a project through its development rather than only playing fully completed games.
Q: How much of the game is currently playable?
A: The demo allows progression through the early story and up to the second Gym Badge.
Q: Is this a complete game?
A: No. The project is currently in an active demo state and is still progressing.
Q: Why are evolutions locked past level 20?
A: Evolution limits are in place for balance and pacing during the demo phase and may be adjusted or removed in later versions.