We are all still awaiting the next upcoming Pokémon game with bated breath. Sure, Nintendo has given us quite a good look at what we can expect when the Switch 2 exclusive launches sometime in 2027, but, beyond that, fans have been left twiddling their thumbs, wondering what to play next. There are plenty of other Pokémon games, but it feels like support for Scarlet and Violet is winding down in the wake of Winds and Waves, and Legends: Z-A, for all its strengths, doesn’t quite offer the same kind of experience as the classic mainline series.
Fortunately, there are other options when it comes to playing Pokémon during the downtime between releases. There are, of course, fan-made Pokémon projects better than the originals, as well as re-releases of said originals, such as the recent Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Nintendo Switch ports. However, few manage to combine the very best aspects of the series’ history like the latest entry in the Pokémon series, FireEmerald.
Pokémon FireEmerald is a fan-made ROM hack that combines both Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon Emerald, much like the name implies. This ostensibly does for FireRed and Emerald what HeartGold and SoulSilver did for Silver and Red. It brings together both complete games and puts them side by side, allowing players to experience the adventures of both in one complete package. Rather than having to boot up two separate games, you’re ostensibly just playing the one.
Of course, this comes with some tweaks to get the whole thing working. You can’t travel to Hoenn until you’ve beaten the Champion in Kanto and once you reach Hoenn, you can’t go back until you’ve beaten its Champion. Additionally, as all Pokémon collected and items gathered, while in Kanto can be brought over to Hoenn, trainers and Pokémon in the second region are given a boost in level to help keep things balanced. Some additional dialogue has been added to smooth over the transition, as have several other key changes that are listed on the game’s official Hackdex page.
It is worth noting that this ROM hack is still in the early stages of development. While it is fully playable, the developer considers it to be active development and has plans to add additional features at a later date.
Considering that the rumored Ruby and Sapphire Switch ports are likely quite far away, this offers a comprehensive way to experience those games with a few modern tweaks all while enjoying the excellent story of their predecessor. To get it to work, one needs to legally obtain a working Pokémon Emerald ROM, as FireEmerald is merely a patch for said ROM. However, once the aforementioned Emerald ROM is acquired, the patch is easy to download and install.
While Pokémon FireEmerald isn’t quite as transformative as other fan-made ROM hacks, it does provide an experience that is frankly sorely lacking in the main series. HeartGold and SoulSilver was the only official combination of two prior experiences, and it worked flawlessly at delivering a cohesive combination of two beloved games. Nintendo needs to do more releases like this, but, until it does, it’ll be up to fan projects like Pokémon FireEmerald to pick up the slack.
- Video Game(s)
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Pokemon Red and Blue, Pokemon Yellow, Pokemon Gold and Silver, Pokémon Crystal, Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire, Pokemon Sapphire, Pokemon Diamond and Pearl, Pokemon Platinum, Pokemon Black and White, Pokemon Black and White 2, Pokemon X and Y, Pokemon Sun and Moon, Pokemon Sword and Shield, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, Pokemon Winds and Waves, Pokemon Legends Arceus, Pokemon Legends Z-A
- First TV Show
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Pokémon
