Pokemon Contemporary Emerald

Pokemon Contemporary Emerald is a Completed GBA Rom Hack made by Spearmintz. Explore a modernized Emerald ROM hack with Gen 9 mechanics, new visuals, expanded Pokemon roster, and QoL upgrades.

Pokemon Contemporary Emerald Completed GBA Rom Hack

• Author: Spearmintz
• Hack Off: Emerald
• Language: English
• Released On: July 29, 2025
• Latest Version: v1.1
• Last Updated: July 30, 2025
• Status: Completed

Description

This project is based on the pokeemerald and pokeemerald-expansion decompilation efforts, with the aim of offering a fresh visual and gameplay experience for Pokemon Emerald. It features a new tileset inspired by the ORAS style, originally created by leob0505, providing a distinct look compared to the original game.

In addition to visual updates, the project incorporates a selection of approximately 125 additional Pokemon families from later generations, integrated into the Hoenn region to diversify team-building options and encounters. Various quality-of-life improvements made possible by the decomp, such as ability and nature changing, are also included.

For those who prefer a more traditional experience, a VANILLA version is available. This version retains all quality-of-life and mechanical improvements but preserves the original Pokemon Emerald encounter data without adding new Pokemon. Both versions feature the same enhancements outside of the encounter changes.

Features

• A redesigned, high-quality tileset inspired by ORAS, created by leob0505
• Modern battle mechanics up to Generation 9
• A wide selection of new Pokemon from across Generations 1–9 added to the Hoenn region (not included in the VANILLA version)
• Updated learnsets based on Generation 9 data
• Following Pokemon functionality
• Physical/Special move split implemented
• Pokemon types and effectiveness indicators shown during battle
• Move Relearner accessible from any Pokemon’s Summary screen
• All trade evolutions made obtainable through alternate methods
• Level caps implemented for each Gym to maintain balanced progression
• Nature and Ability modifiers available via in-game items
• Free Rare Candies (unsellable) available to ease grinding
• Various quality-of-life improvements, including:
  • Indoor running
  • Improved fishing mechanics
  • On-pickup item information
  • No overworld poison damage
  • Ability pop-ups in battle
• Toggle-able Generation 6-style Exp. Share
• Minor balance adjustment: Archen and Archeops have had their abilities changed from Defeatist to Rattled, Tangled Feet, or their Hidden Ability Tough Claws, as a design choice to improve their viability

Changelog v1.1

• Fixed Oldale Mart bug, special items should be buyable whenever
• Fixed Fossil bug, now each fossil revives half of the fossil roster
• Changed evo levels for high level evolutions like Hydreigon (See documentation)
• Fixed some tileset issues

Further Notes on Encounters:

• B2F of Granite Cave has now become a frigid subterranian cave, meaning some early-game ice types are now available for the player
• Similarly, after delivering the letter to Steven, his cave becomes home to some very rare psuedo baby pokemon
• All starters from all gens are catchable after Mauville, in Routes 112, 113, and 117

Known Bugs/In progress

• Few tileset bugs on certain doors. Don’t have time to learn and fix it right now
• Trying to implement new TM’s is proving challenging as pokemon who should learn the TM’s cannot

Screenshots

Also Check Out:

• Pokemon Valiant

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