Pokémon Emerald Version: Emerald: Essence 
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Pokémon Emerald: Essence is a ROM hack for Game Boy Advance that enhances the original Pokémon Emerald experience by allowing players to obtain all Pokémon from Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald without trading. This version includes quality-of-life improvements, such as reusable TMs, evolutions based on levels instead of trading, and added Johto Pokémon. It aims to streamline gameplay while preserving the core essence of the original game.
The goal of this ROM hack is to preserve the essence of the original game, while making it possible to obtain every Pokémon that was meant to be caught in Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald. All Pokémon are found where they normally are, eliminating the need to look at a README file to find out where they are located. If you want to catch all 386 Pokémon, then this hack is not for you. If you want to play through Emerald with the ability to catch every Pokémon present, regardless of version exclusivity or trading requirements, then this hack IS for you!
The changes can be divided into 2 groups; changes that allow for the completion of the Hoenn Dex and quality of life changes/modernizations.
Changes that allow for the completion of the Hoenn Dex:
1. Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald exclusives present in all areas
-For example: in Ruby, Zangoose is present in route 114. In Sapphire/Emerald, Seviper is present in route 114. In Emerald Essence, Both Zangoose and Seviper are present in route 114. This is true for every area in the game.
2. Pokémon that normally evolve by trading now evolve at level 37
-For example: Graveler, Machoke, and Kadabra.
3. The starters you did not pick can be found in Desert Underpass
-There will be two Pokeballs in Desert Underpass containing the two starter Pokemon you did not pick.
4. An NPC in the Battle Frontier Pokémon Center will reward you for completing the Hoenn Dex
-If you complete the Hoenn Dex and receive your Diploma from Lilycove City, you will receive Jirachi as a reward.
5. Dragon Scale, DeepSeaTooth, and DeepSeaScale can now evolve Pokémon by using them.
-This will allow Seadra to evolve into Kingdra, Clamperl to evolve into Huntail, and Clamperl to evolve into Gorebyss.
6. An NPC in the Battle Frontier Pokemon Center will give you the Mystic Ticket, Aurora Ticket, Eon Ticket, and Old Sea Map
-This will allow you to travel to Navel Rock, Birth Island, Southern Island, and Faraway Island.
Quality of life changes/modernizations:
7. TMs are reusable
-Just like in later Pokémon games, you are free to use TMs as many times as you want.
8. HMs are now forgettable
-Now HMs can easily be replaced by other moves.
9. The running shoes are available from the beginning of the game and you can run indoors
-This makes the beginning of the game less tedious and makes the later game more convenient when indoors.
10. Stats that are affected by natures are color-coded on the summary screen
-Just like in later Pokémon games, the increased stat will be red while the decreased stat will be blue.
11. The Everstone now passes down natures 100% of the time regardless of gender
-This works like in later Pokémon games, instead of only passing down natures 50% of the time and only working with females and Ditto.
12. Egg moves can now be passed down by both parents
-This works like in later Pokémon games, instead of only male parents being able to pass down egg moves
13. When a repel wears off, you will be immediately asked if you would like to use another one
-This works like in later Pokémon games and makes using repels much less tedious.
14. Instead of choosing between the Mach and Acro bikes, Rydel now gives you both
-This makes traversal much easier and require less backtracking. If you are starting this hack from a previous save file, Rydel will give you the bike you are missing.
15. Move tutors are reusable
-Move tutors can now be used as many times as you want.
16. The Move Reminder no longer requires Heart Scales
-The Move Reminder on Fallarbor Town will now help you relearn moves for free.
17. The TMs for Flamethrower and Double Team can be bought in Lilycove Department Store
-Previously, the only way to get these TMs was through the Mauville Game Corner.
18. Cut content from Altering Cave has been added
-Altering cave was originally supposed to contain various Johto Pokémon that would alternate based on a mystery gift. This never made it into the final game and instead, the cave had nothing but Zubats. Now, the cave contains all the Johto Pokémon that would have been available to catch. These Pokémon are: Mareep, Aipom, Pineco, Shuckle, Teddiursa, Houndour, Stantler, and Smeargle.
19. All evolution items can be bought in the Battle Frontier Poke Mart
-This includes: Fire, Water, Thunder, Leaf, Moon, and Sun Stones, as well as Dragon Scale, DeepSeaTooth, and DeepSeaScale
20. Minor dialogue alterations to be consistent with changes
-For example: Roxanne now says that TMs have infinite uses instead of saying they can only be used once.
New in v1.2:
21. Running is now possible in Pacifidlog Town and in the treehouses in Fortree City
22. Fishing now only takes one round to reel in a Pokémon instead of 2 or 3
23. You can see Pokémon's IVs and EVs in the summary page after you beat the game
-Once you get to the Battle Frontier and speak to the Legendary Top Pokémon Breeder in the house behind the Pokémon center, he will upgrade your Pokémon menu. On the stats page, press L to see your EVs, R to see your IVs, and START to see your stats.
24. Pokémon hatched from the daycare will now inherit 5 IVs from their parents instead of 3
-This works similarly to the destiny knot in modern Pokémon games, only the destiny knot item does not exist here. Pokémon will just naturally inherit 5 IVs in the daycare.
New in v1.3:
25. Bug fixes and typo fixes. This includes fishing glitch (credit to Krickis for finding the bug)
26. You now receive all 3 Johto starters when completing the Hoenn Dex
-Normally Professor Birch lets you choose between Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile. Now after completing the Hoenn Dex, he gives you all three
Thank you for downloading Emerald Essence! The goal of this ROM hack is to preserve the essence of the original game, while making it possible to obtain every Pokemon that was meant to be caught in Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald. All Pokemon are found where they normally are, eliminating the need to look at a README file to find out where they are located. If you want to catch all 386 Pokemon, then this hack is not for you. If you want to play through Emerald with the ability to catch every Pokemon present, regardless of version exclusivity or trading requirements, then this hack IS for you!
The changes can be divided into 2 groups; changes that allow for the completion of the Hoenn Dex and quality of life changes/modernizations.
Changes that allow for the completion of the Hoenn Dex:
1. Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald exclusives present in all areas
For example: in Ruby, Zangoose is present in route 114. In Sapphire/Emerald, Seviper is present in route 114. In Emerald Essence, Both Zangoose and Seviper are present in route 114. This is true for every area in the game.
2. Pokemon that normally evolve by trading now evolve at level 37
For example: Graveler, Machoke, and Kadabra.
3. The starters you did not pick can be found in Desert Underpass
There will be two Pokeballs in Desert Underpass containing the two starter Pokemon you did not pick.
4. An NPC in the Battle Frontier Pokemon Center will reward you for completing the Hoenn Dex
If you complete the Hoenn Dex and receive your Diploma from Lilycove City, you will receive Jirachi as a reward.
5. Dragon Scale, DeepSeaTooth, and DeepSeaScale can now evolve Pokemon by using them.
This will allow Seadra to evolve into Kingdra, Clamperl to evolve into Huntail, and Clamperl to evolve into Gorebyss.
6. An NPC in the Battle Frontier Pokemon Center will give you the Mystic Ticket, Aurora Ticket, Eon Ticket, and Old Sea Map
This will allow you to travel to Navel Rock, Birth Island, Southern Island, and Faraway Island.
Quality of life changes/modernizations:
7. TMs are reusable
Just like in later Pokemon games, you are free to use TMs as many times as you want.
8. HMs are now forgettable
Now HMs can easily be replaced by other moves.
9. The running shoes are available from the beginning of the game and you can run indoors
This makes the beginning of the game less tedious and makes the later game more convenient when indoors.
10. Stats that are affected by natures are color-coded on the summary screen
Just like in later Pokemon games, the increased stat will be red while the decreased stat will be blue.
11. The Everstone now passes down natures 100% of the time regardless of gender
This works like in later Pokemon games, instead of only passing down natures 50% of the time and only working with females and Ditto.
12. Egg moves can now be passed down by both parents
This works like in later Pokemon games, instead of only male parents being able to pass down egg moves
13. When a repel wears off, you will be immediately asked if you would like to use another one
This works like in later Pokemon games and makes using repels much less tedious.
14. Instead of choosing between the Mach and Acro bikes, Rydel now gives you both
This makes traversal much easier and require less backtracking. If you are starting this hack from a previous save file, Rydel will give you the bike you are missing.
15. Move tutors are reusable
Move tutors can now be used as many times as you want.
16. The Move Reminder no longer requires Heart Scales
The Move Reminder on Fallarbor Town will now help you relearn moves for free.
17. The TMs for Flamethrower and Double Team can be bought in Lilycove Department Store
Previously, the only way to get these TMs was through the Mauville Game Corner.
18. Cut content from Altering Cave has been added
Altering cave was originally supposed to contain various Johto Pokemon that would alternate based on a mystery gift. This never made it into the final game and instead, the cave had nothing but Zubats. Now, the cave contains all the Johto Pokemon that would have been available to catch. These Pokemon are: Mareep, Aipom, Pineco, Shuckle, Teddiursa, Houndour, Stantler, and Smeargle.
19. All evolution items can be bought in the Battle Frontier Poke Mart
This includes: Fire, Water, Thunder, Leaf, Moon, and Sun Stones, as well as Dragon Scale, DeepSeaTooth, and DeepSeaScale
20. Minor dialogue alterations to be consistent with changes
For example: Roxanne now says that TMs have infinite uses instead of saying they can only be used once.
New in v1.2:
21. Running is now possible in Pacifidlog Town and in the treehouses in Fortree City
22. Fishing now only takes one round to reel in a Pokemon instead of 2 or 3
23. You can see Pokemon's IVs and EVs in the summary page after you beat the game
Once you get to the Battle Frontier and speak to the Legendary Top Pokemon Breeder in the house behind the Pokemon center, he will upgrade your Pokemon menu. On the stats page, press L to see your EVs, R to see your IVs, and START to see your stats.
24. Pokemon hatched from the daycare will now inherit 5 IVs from their parents instead of 3
This works similarly to the destiny knot in modern Pokemon games, only the destiny knot item does not exist here. Pokemon will just naturally inherit 5 IVs in the daycare.
New in v1.3:
25. Bug fixes and typo fixes. This includes fishing glitch (credit to Krickis for finding the bug)
26. You now receive all 3 Johto starters when completing the Hoenn Dex
Normally Professor Birch lets you choose between Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile. Now after completing the Hoenn Dex, he gives you all three
Database match: Pokemon - Emerald Version (USA, Europe)
Database: No-Intro: Game Boy Advance (v. 20210227-023848)
File/ROM SHA-1: F3AE088181BF583E55DAF962A92BB46F4F1D07B7
File/ROM CRC32: 1F1C08FB
The changes can be divided into 2 groups; changes that allow for the completion of the Hoenn Dex and quality of life changes/modernizations.
Changes that allow for the completion of the Hoenn Dex:
1. Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald exclusives present in all areas
-For example: in Ruby, Zangoose is present in route 114. In Sapphire/Emerald, Seviper is present in route 114. In Emerald Essence, Both Zangoose and Seviper are present in route 114. This is true for every area in the game.
2. Pokémon that normally evolve by trading now evolve at level 37
-For example: Graveler, Machoke, and Kadabra.
3. The starters you did not pick can be found in Desert Underpass
-There will be two Pokeballs in Desert Underpass containing the two starter Pokemon you did not pick.
4. An NPC in the Battle Frontier Pokémon Center will reward you for completing the Hoenn Dex
-If you complete the Hoenn Dex and receive your Diploma from Lilycove City, you will receive Jirachi as a reward.
5. Dragon Scale, DeepSeaTooth, and DeepSeaScale can now evolve Pokémon by using them.
-This will allow Seadra to evolve into Kingdra, Clamperl to evolve into Huntail, and Clamperl to evolve into Gorebyss.
6. An NPC in the Battle Frontier Pokemon Center will give you the Mystic Ticket, Aurora Ticket, Eon Ticket, and Old Sea Map
-This will allow you to travel to Navel Rock, Birth Island, Southern Island, and Faraway Island.
Quality of life changes/modernizations:
7. TMs are reusable
-Just like in later Pokémon games, you are free to use TMs as many times as you want.
8. HMs are now forgettable
-Now HMs can easily be replaced by other moves.
9. The running shoes are available from the beginning of the game and you can run indoors
-This makes the beginning of the game less tedious and makes the later game more convenient when indoors.
10. Stats that are affected by natures are color-coded on the summary screen
-Just like in later Pokémon games, the increased stat will be red while the decreased stat will be blue.
11. The Everstone now passes down natures 100% of the time regardless of gender
-This works like in later Pokémon games, instead of only passing down natures 50% of the time and only working with females and Ditto.
12. Egg moves can now be passed down by both parents
-This works like in later Pokémon games, instead of only male parents being able to pass down egg moves
13. When a repel wears off, you will be immediately asked if you would like to use another one
-This works like in later Pokémon games and makes using repels much less tedious.
14. Instead of choosing between the Mach and Acro bikes, Rydel now gives you both
-This makes traversal much easier and require less backtracking. If you are starting this hack from a previous save file, Rydel will give you the bike you are missing.
15. Move tutors are reusable
-Move tutors can now be used as many times as you want.
16. The Move Reminder no longer requires Heart Scales
-The Move Reminder on Fallarbor Town will now help you relearn moves for free.
17. The TMs for Flamethrower and Double Team can be bought in Lilycove Department Store
-Previously, the only way to get these TMs was through the Mauville Game Corner.
18. Cut content from Altering Cave has been added
-Altering cave was originally supposed to contain various Johto Pokémon that would alternate based on a mystery gift. This never made it into the final game and instead, the cave had nothing but Zubats. Now, the cave contains all the Johto Pokémon that would have been available to catch. These Pokémon are: Mareep, Aipom, Pineco, Shuckle, Teddiursa, Houndour, Stantler, and Smeargle.
19. All evolution items can be bought in the Battle Frontier Poke Mart
-This includes: Fire, Water, Thunder, Leaf, Moon, and Sun Stones, as well as Dragon Scale, DeepSeaTooth, and DeepSeaScale
20. Minor dialogue alterations to be consistent with changes
-For example: Roxanne now says that TMs have infinite uses instead of saying they can only be used once.
New in v1.2:
21. Running is now possible in Pacifidlog Town and in the treehouses in Fortree City
22. Fishing now only takes one round to reel in a Pokémon instead of 2 or 3
23. You can see Pokémon's IVs and EVs in the summary page after you beat the game
-Once you get to the Battle Frontier and speak to the Legendary Top Pokémon Breeder in the house behind the Pokémon center, he will upgrade your Pokémon menu. On the stats page, press L to see your EVs, R to see your IVs, and START to see your stats.
24. Pokémon hatched from the daycare will now inherit 5 IVs from their parents instead of 3
-This works similarly to the destiny knot in modern Pokémon games, only the destiny knot item does not exist here. Pokémon will just naturally inherit 5 IVs in the daycare.
New in v1.3:
25. Bug fixes and typo fixes. This includes fishing glitch (credit to Krickis for finding the bug)
26. You now receive all 3 Johto starters when completing the Hoenn Dex
-Normally Professor Birch lets you choose between Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile. Now after completing the Hoenn Dex, he gives you all three
Thank you for downloading Emerald Essence! The goal of this ROM hack is to preserve the essence of the original game, while making it possible to obtain every Pokemon that was meant to be caught in Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald. All Pokemon are found where they normally are, eliminating the need to look at a README file to find out where they are located. If you want to catch all 386 Pokemon, then this hack is not for you. If you want to play through Emerald with the ability to catch every Pokemon present, regardless of version exclusivity or trading requirements, then this hack IS for you!
The changes can be divided into 2 groups; changes that allow for the completion of the Hoenn Dex and quality of life changes/modernizations.
Changes that allow for the completion of the Hoenn Dex:
1. Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald exclusives present in all areas
For example: in Ruby, Zangoose is present in route 114. In Sapphire/Emerald, Seviper is present in route 114. In Emerald Essence, Both Zangoose and Seviper are present in route 114. This is true for every area in the game.
2. Pokemon that normally evolve by trading now evolve at level 37
For example: Graveler, Machoke, and Kadabra.
3. The starters you did not pick can be found in Desert Underpass
There will be two Pokeballs in Desert Underpass containing the two starter Pokemon you did not pick.
4. An NPC in the Battle Frontier Pokemon Center will reward you for completing the Hoenn Dex
If you complete the Hoenn Dex and receive your Diploma from Lilycove City, you will receive Jirachi as a reward.
5. Dragon Scale, DeepSeaTooth, and DeepSeaScale can now evolve Pokemon by using them.
This will allow Seadra to evolve into Kingdra, Clamperl to evolve into Huntail, and Clamperl to evolve into Gorebyss.
6. An NPC in the Battle Frontier Pokemon Center will give you the Mystic Ticket, Aurora Ticket, Eon Ticket, and Old Sea Map
This will allow you to travel to Navel Rock, Birth Island, Southern Island, and Faraway Island.
Quality of life changes/modernizations:
7. TMs are reusable
Just like in later Pokemon games, you are free to use TMs as many times as you want.
8. HMs are now forgettable
Now HMs can easily be replaced by other moves.
9. The running shoes are available from the beginning of the game and you can run indoors
This makes the beginning of the game less tedious and makes the later game more convenient when indoors.
10. Stats that are affected by natures are color-coded on the summary screen
Just like in later Pokemon games, the increased stat will be red while the decreased stat will be blue.
11. The Everstone now passes down natures 100% of the time regardless of gender
This works like in later Pokemon games, instead of only passing down natures 50% of the time and only working with females and Ditto.
12. Egg moves can now be passed down by both parents
This works like in later Pokemon games, instead of only male parents being able to pass down egg moves
13. When a repel wears off, you will be immediately asked if you would like to use another one
This works like in later Pokemon games and makes using repels much less tedious.
14. Instead of choosing between the Mach and Acro bikes, Rydel now gives you both
This makes traversal much easier and require less backtracking. If you are starting this hack from a previous save file, Rydel will give you the bike you are missing.
15. Move tutors are reusable
Move tutors can now be used as many times as you want.
16. The Move Reminder no longer requires Heart Scales
The Move Reminder on Fallarbor Town will now help you relearn moves for free.
17. The TMs for Flamethrower and Double Team can be bought in Lilycove Department Store
Previously, the only way to get these TMs was through the Mauville Game Corner.
18. Cut content from Altering Cave has been added
Altering cave was originally supposed to contain various Johto Pokemon that would alternate based on a mystery gift. This never made it into the final game and instead, the cave had nothing but Zubats. Now, the cave contains all the Johto Pokemon that would have been available to catch. These Pokemon are: Mareep, Aipom, Pineco, Shuckle, Teddiursa, Houndour, Stantler, and Smeargle.
19. All evolution items can be bought in the Battle Frontier Poke Mart
This includes: Fire, Water, Thunder, Leaf, Moon, and Sun Stones, as well as Dragon Scale, DeepSeaTooth, and DeepSeaScale
20. Minor dialogue alterations to be consistent with changes
For example: Roxanne now says that TMs have infinite uses instead of saying they can only be used once.
New in v1.2:
21. Running is now possible in Pacifidlog Town and in the treehouses in Fortree City
22. Fishing now only takes one round to reel in a Pokemon instead of 2 or 3
23. You can see Pokemon's IVs and EVs in the summary page after you beat the game
Once you get to the Battle Frontier and speak to the Legendary Top Pokemon Breeder in the house behind the Pokemon center, he will upgrade your Pokemon menu. On the stats page, press L to see your EVs, R to see your IVs, and START to see your stats.
24. Pokemon hatched from the daycare will now inherit 5 IVs from their parents instead of 3
This works similarly to the destiny knot in modern Pokemon games, only the destiny knot item does not exist here. Pokemon will just naturally inherit 5 IVs in the daycare.
New in v1.3:
25. Bug fixes and typo fixes. This includes fishing glitch (credit to Krickis for finding the bug)
26. You now receive all 3 Johto starters when completing the Hoenn Dex
Normally Professor Birch lets you choose between Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile. Now after completing the Hoenn Dex, he gives you all three
Database match: Pokemon - Emerald Version (USA, Europe)
Database: No-Intro: Game Boy Advance (v. 20210227-023848)
File/ROM SHA-1: F3AE088181BF583E55DAF962A92BB46F4F1D07B7
File/ROM CRC32: 1F1C08FB
Time to Beat
Main Story 30h 10m
Main + Extras 60h 0m
ttb_all 40h 0m
ttb_multi_comp 6h 0m
Speedrun Avg 3h 45m
Release Date
Jun 1, 2023
2 years ago
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Pokémon Emerald Version: Emerald: Essence ROM
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