Crystal hack: Pokémon Polished Crystal (update 3.1.1!)

[Maxim]

I drafted this layout yesterday, based partly on Lilycove Museum:

Spoiler:

1F:

2F:

2F alternate:

It's dedicated to "Art and History", so yes, the glass cases could hold things like an old Apricorn Ball. The second floor has a couple paintings, the Big Pearl from the manga, Lilycove's tablet (not sure what to do with it, but it looks cool), and four exhibits for the solved Unown puzzles. The rock on the first floor could be a bit of local color, like "the very first rock unearthed to make way for the Magnet Train".

This looks promising. Keep up the great work.

Spoiler:

Where are you getting this info? I raised the level to 35 in non-Faithful because it's part Dragon. In data/evos_attacks.asm:

FlaaffyEvosAttacks:
if DEF(FAITHFUL)
	db EVOLVE_LEVEL, 30, AMPHAROS
else
	db EVOLVE_LEVEL, 35, AMPHAROS
endc

Oh, I'm an idiot. I thought that "DEF" refers to "Defense". I'm not into programming stuff, sorry.

Anyway, it still means that something strange happened to me because my Flaafy didn't evolve until like Level 39. And when I stuffed it with Irons, it did.

Magic? A bug?
Another possibility is that I was simply stopping the evolution due to habitually pressing X (which stands for B in my emulator) and I didn't even notice that due to speedup. If it's the case, then nevermind.

I reserved the 1925 trivia for one of the Pokémon Journals. And I was unimpressed by the TCG music; it's clearly composed for a slower, more sedate card battle.

Maybe. But in this case it'd be a nice touch. Or a remix of that theme. I think such a characteristic character deserves that.

How about (a) reducing the wild encounter rate, and (b) adding a Nurse who heals your team after you beat her? (Yeah, I changed my mind and added that class after all. There are a few locations where they'd be useful, like on that long Route 12+13+14+15 stretch.)

Maybe, although I think that the access to Mt. Moon Square could be a bit easier.

I like the fact that you added the Nurse class, which I assume represents the nurses from the Pokemon Center. It's a nice reference to SM then, where they also can be found as Trainers (although only in Battle Royal and Battle Tree). A more correct name for the class would be "Pokemon Center Lady" but we're on the GBC, so I guess "Nurse" will do.

Google it and you'll see that it's the real-world channel crossing Tokyo Bay.

Ah, sorry for the lack of research, then. I didn't expect a straightforward reference to the real world.

It's just a silly idea I had. Set the trendy phrase in Shamouti to "Lucky".

Oh, I'll give it a try. I'm not on Shamouti yet.

The Dark Cave theme was used for too many caves in my opinion. If you think there's a better theme from another game, please suggest it; check out the Music Player for what's already being used.

But the Union Cave theme is overused as well.
But okay, it's just a matter of taste, anyway.

That sign is now on an actually-for-sale house in Fuchsia.

Oh yeah. I noticed that.

Cool, Neesha and Corey are in the new movie? Anyway, he has six canon Pokémon already; I don't know who I'd replace.

I guess Rhydon or Sandslash, so that he doesn't have two Ground guys.

By the way, speaking of Corey, there is also a Burglar named Corey who appears on S.S. Aqua (Vermillion to Olivine). You might want to change his name, unless you're not concerned with the "one Steve limit" rule. I may look for other name repeats of this type.

Yeah, I assumed "Principal" was his official title. Calling him "Dean" was an excuse for a gratuitous Community reference anyway, so I may just leave it as-is.

Ah, nevermind then.

Also, one more thing that I think could be included would be the Shaymin Stone in Kanto (mentioned in DPPt). Even if you can't put any more Pokemon in the game, I think it's worth including.

 

[Rangi]

Also, one more thing that I think could be included would be the Shaymin Stone in Kanto (mentioned in DPPt). Even if you can't put any more Pokemon in the game, I think it's worth including.

Where is this? I can't find it in the Platinum text dump. Anyway, I'll probably put that off until Shaymin is actually in the game (4.0 maybe).

 

[JasonPK]

Where is this? I can't find it in the Platinum text dump. Anyway, I'll probably put that off until Shaymin is actually in the game (4.0 maybe).

I'm pretty sure I linked it properly so it starts right where Oak begins talking to you.


https://youtu.be/WTSjweP6DB8?t=153

Unfortunately, for some reason, they decided to not do anything with this tidbit of info for HG/SS.

 

[sonic65101]

Are the tracks from Pokémon Prism used anywhere in the game or are they only in the Music Player?

 

[PkmnTrainerElio]

Are you going to add Pokémon Tower?

 

[papacitoloko111789]

Man, I am just loving everything about this hack. I've been taking my time exploring every little thing so far. Pikachu is definitely one of my favorite pokemon but is this like a changed form or will Light Ball work by raising the SP Attack of this Pikachu too if I give it as a held item?

Spoiler:

 

[Rangi]

Man, I am just loving everything about this hack. I've been taking my time exploring every little thing so far. Pikachu is definitely one of my favorite pokemon but is this like a changed form or will Light Ball work by raising the SP Attack of this Pikachu too if I give it as a held item?

Spoiler:

Yes, that's the same species with different forms.

Are the tracks from Pokémon Prism used anywhere in the game or are they only in the Music Player?

Just the Music Player.

Are you going to add Pokémon Tower?

The Lavender Radio Tower will be explorable.

I'm pretty sure I linked it properly so it starts right where Oak begins talking to you.

https://youtu.be/WTSjweP6DB8?t=153

Unfortunately, for some reason, they decided to not do anything with this tidbit of info for HG/SS.

Thanks!

 

[Unown Seer]

What is the reasoning behind changing Brass Tower to Gong Tower? So that it corresponds to Bell Tower better? In that case, why not keep Tin Tower?

 

[papacitoloko111789]

OML what are the chances of a legendary dog being your first encounter after catching Suicune at the Bell Tower? <3 This was in the field outside Mt.Mortar next to Mahogany Town.

Spoiler:

 

[Rangi]

What is the reasoning behind changing Brass Tower to Gong Tower? So that it corresponds to Bell Tower better? In that case, why not keep Tin Tower?

In Japanese, スズのとう suzu no tō could translate to 錫 "tin" or 鈴 "bell". GSC used the former translation, but HGSS corrected it. (This interview with translator Nob Ogasawara (via) mentions other Gen 1+2 translation issues.)

The Burned Tower's original name was only mentioned in Crystal, so HGSS did not update it. かねのとう kane no tō could translate to 金 "brass" (lit. "copper", "metal", "gold") or 鉦 "gong". Given that shōrō, Buddhist bell towers, are a real thing, whereas tin or brass towers make no sense, I've corrected this translation. (3.0 will also have a couple other translation updates, inspired by that interview.)

 

[sonic65101]

Pokémon Polished Crystal is amazing! You're doing things I've never thought possible. Are you planning on adding Brendan or May from Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald as a cameo, since they moved to Hoenn from Johto? Keep up the good work!

 

[uchihamadada]

Pokémon Polished Crystal is amazing! You're doing things I've never thought possible. Are you planning on adding Brendan or May from Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald as a cameo, since they moved to Hoenn from Johto? Keep up the good work!

It is a good idea, but chronologically speaking it is not possible, because the story of Brendan and May in Pokemon Ruby/Saphire occurs simultaneously to the beginning of Red's adventure during 1 Gen, so it happened three years before the events of Crystal version

 

[papacitoloko111789]

Just finished the game!! Thank you so much, I enjoyed playing through the Johto and Kanto regions with added difficulty, pokemons, moves, typings, trainers!! I could go on lol :). Only bug I encountered so far was in the PC Box when I tried to get the Surfing Pikachu. Since I had caught the other 2 types of Pikachu during the same time, the Pikachu's in the same box all had the same sprite while I was browsing. Just a minor/graphical bug as when I previewed the stats the correct sprite showed up.

 

[Ziko577]

Just finished the game!! Thank you so much, I enjoyed playing through the Johto and Kanto regions with added difficulty, pokemons, moves, typings, trainers!! I could go on lol :). Only bug I encountered so far was in the PC Box when I tried to get the Surfing Pikachu. Since I had caught the other 2 types of Pikachu during the same time, the Pikachu's in the same box all had the same sprite while I was browsing. Just a minor/graphical bug as when I previewed the stats the correct sprite showed up.

That's awesome but I can't seem to beat the E4 the first time. :( I can't find anywhere to grind my beauties to at least level 50 so I will stand something of a chance.

 

[papacitoloko111789]

Have you tried grinding on the route towards the e4? I remember seeing Rapidash in the morning and Noctowl at night, and outside the Cianwood Gym there is like a safari zone in a cave, if you get to the patch of grass in that area there are Tauros and Miltank which are worth a good amount of EXP. I beat the e4 at around lvl 55 the first time. I used Typhlosion, Surfing Pikachu, Scizor, Donphan, Ursaring, and Azumarill. The Play Rough on both Ursaring and Azumarill were life savers in the end.

 

[Unown Seer]

It is a good idea, but chronologically speaking it is not possible, because the story of Brendan and May in Pokemon Ruby/Saphire occurs simultaneously to the beginning of Red's adventure during 1 Gen, so it happened three years before the events of Crystal version

They could always come back to Johto, but it would be pointless for 3.0 since they wouldn't have any Hoenn Pokemon. I am not sure what they could do other than battling.

 

[Ziko577]

Have you tried grinding on the route towards the e4? I remember seeing Rapidash in the morning and Noctowl at night, and outside the Cianwood Gym there is like a safari zone in a cave, if you get to the patch of grass in that area there are Tauros and Miltank which are worth a good amount of EXP. I beat the e4 at around lvl 55 the first time. I used Typhlosion, Surfing Pikachu, Scizor, Donphan, Ursaring, and Azumarill. The Play Rough on both Ursaring and Azumarill were life savers in the end.

Thanks for the help! I may have to do more grinding before I challenge Lance again.

 

[blaziken662]

Hi there again! I just want to ask about the ROM compatibility with real hardware via flashcard with either RTC support or without it, as I remember that some graphical updates generate problems in emulators like bgb so, is the issue addressed?

Thanks a lot!

 

[Rangi]

Hi there again! I just want to ask about the ROM compatibility with real hardware via flashcard with either RTC support or without it, as I remember that some graphical updates generate problems in emulators like bgb so, is the issue addressed?

Thanks a lot!

I've seen people playing it on a 3DS, and presumably GBC flash cartridges work too. If you don't have RTC support there's the no-RTC build with an in-game clock.

 

[AceTrainerMisty]

I just downloaded this last night and I am already loving it! Crystal was my favourite Pokemon game growing up, and playing through it again with all the new features is going to be so much fun!

I also discovered something while trading with vanilla Crystal - if the Pokemon on vanilla is holding a Great Ball, the item turns into a Master Ball on this new version! (Trade back and forth for an hour for extra Master Balls, am I right?) I then read on the thread that some of the items have been moved around so this oddity now makes complete sense! Other than held items sometimes not matching up, provided you visit the Name Rater and rename the Pokemon so their names aren't all in caps I haven't found any problems trading with vanilla GSC (yet! I'm not very far into the game so I still need to experiment with this.)

Anyways, great job Rangi for making this!! It's gonna be awesome to go back to this game again!