FireRed hack: Sword and Shield Ultimate Plus GBA English Version (Complete 1.1.8)

[phantonomy]

Original Post:

"Hi Everyone!

I've been obsessed with the idea of GBA demakes for later games for a little while now. I stumbled across PCL.g and Jean star's Sword and Shield GBA game.

There are a few versions of this game floating around online. The regular version and an ultimate version. The regular version is in both Portuguese and English, while the Ultimate version is only in Portuguese.

While very cool in concept, these games all suffer from compatibility issues. They can only be played on specific emulators with specific settings. I did a deep dive into all of these roms in order to try to gain functionality on real hardware (ie, flashable repro. carts). The non-ultimate versions have a bug which will not allow you to progress past the title screen and will crash. I have had no success in fixing that version.

That left me with the Ultimate version. The Ultimate version worked...kinda. It contained game breaking bugs which caused crashes when you try to view either your bag or your party. This makes it impossible to catch Pokemon, use items, and many other issues which you could conceive.

I have fixed those bugs and now the game is playable on all emulators I have tested (mGBA, VBA-M, and no$gba) and functions on reflashed reproduction cartridges as well as on the Analogue pocket's openFPGA.

The game was still only in Portuguese. As a native English speaker, I wanted to play in my own language. I have faithfully translated the Ultimate version into English.

Here I am sharing a .ups patch which you can patch to a base Fire Red ROM which you may use to play on any medium of your choosing!

I want to again emphasize. I take no credit for the creation of this ROM hack, I merely translated it to English and fixed some bugs to make it compatible with real hardware. I asked PCL.G for permission to distribute this version and he approved my request."

A brief history of the SWSH Demake:

There have been 6 versions of this hack released by 4 developers.

1. Swsh GBA (Portuguese) - PCLG (2020)
2. SwSh GBA (English) - AStartGaming (2022)
3. SwSh Ultimate GBA (Portuguese) - Jeanstars (2023)
4. SwSh Ultimate GBA (English) - Phantonomy (2024)
5. SwSh Ultimate Plus GBA (Portuguese) - Pclg (2024)
6. SwSh Ultimate Plus GBA (English) - Phantonomy (2024)

This hack was originally created and released by Pclg in 2020. Jeanstars remade it, adding CFRU, dubbing it SwSh Ultimate which was released in 2023. I translated this version to English. Pclg released an overhaul of SwSh Ultimate, and dubbed it, SwSh Ultimate Plus. I then translated that version to English as well.

SwSh Ultimate Plus English version is available on this page. I have removed the patches of older versions as they are outdated.

The final version of SwSh Ultimate English version is 3.1.5.

The current version of Ultimate Plus is 1.1.8.


Credit:
Full credit to PCL.G and Jean stars, and various other members of their team who helped bring this rom to life originally!

Credit to hyo for Victor Front sprite!

Credit to KingTapir for Tiles!

See something that you made in the game and want to be credited? Please reach out to me so I can properly credit. As the translator, i don't know where the assets were sourced from, so I don't know who to credit.

Features:
- Full Gym Challenge.
- Full Sword and Shield Story.
- Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra post-game.
- Auto-run by pressing L.
- Dexnav in the menu.
- Dynamax by pressing Start on a move in battle when Dynamax is possible.
- Gigantimax
- Mega evolution
- Z-moves
- Ultra beasts



Screenshots:

Known Bugs:

• Running Up and Down in the pokecenter (front to back) will cause a memory issue, which makes it so talking to Nurse Joy or the PC freezes the game. If you do this, please exit the pokecenter and all will be ok!
• Fly map doesn't work/is messed up in certain areas.
• On some emulators, some text boxes may be invisible or missing (Marnie after beating piers, just mash A).
• After beating Opal, the event in Hammerlocke may cause a crash, please put down a save after beating Opal. I think i have resolved this in the latest update, but better safe than sorry.
• changing the Button Mode in game option to anything but "help" will cause the menu to be slow. Please leave it set to "help

Wyndon Gift Codes:

"3211" - Zacian (shiny)
"4092" - Zamazenta (shiny)
"4284" - Eternatus (shiny)
"4418" - Eevee lvl 5 (shiny)
"4493" - Machamp (shiny)
"5377" - Corviknight (shiny)
"5563" - Alcremie (shiny)
"7060" - Victini
"7268" - Meloetta
"7877" - Diancie
"7909" - Hoopa (with "prisonbottle" item)
"7950" - Marshadow
"8033" - Zarude
"8992" - Melmetal (shiny)
"2023" - Charizard (shiny)
"oizber" - 2 x Calyrex (shiny)
"ufhgdz" - Ash Pikachu (shiny)
"jsvmru" - Rayquaza (shiny)
"uhqyek" - Deoxys (shiny)
"bluestars4" - Mewtwo (shiny)

UPDATE:

I am releasing my translation and bug fix patch of PCL.G's latest update, Sword and Shield Ultimate Plus. I will leave version 3.1.5 of Ultimate up in case anyone doesn't want to play this updated version.

EDIT: i am removing 3.1.5 of Ultimate. It seems to be causing some confusion. Ultimate Plus will remain up as it is the latest version.

Save files from 3.1.5 seem to be compatible with version 1.1.8 of SWSH Ultimate Plus. You'll just need to grab the fly map from Sonia on Route 3 and revisit the cities to fly to them.

New Features:

• New sprites
• New music
• New battle backgrounds
• Some new graphics
• Corviknight Taxi system replaced with a more convenient Fly Map key item.
• New side quests
• Reworked Maps
• Diving to quickly get around
• Reworked Dynamax Adventures
• shop system reworked.
• some general bug fixes

and more!

Modifications from the Portuguese version:

• Bag graphics modified to white background
• Text boxes now have a slight grey border.
• Karrablast/Shelmet evolution method corrected, evolves via link cable item
• Umbreon and Espeon can now be obtained via Moon and Sun Stone for those who dont have RTC. Normal time based methods can still be used
• Rockruff can be evolved via Moon, Dawn, and Dusk stone for Midnight, Midday, and Dusk form Lycanroc for those who don't have RTC. Normal time based methods can still be used.
• Poliwhirl evolves to Politoed via link cable.
• Pikachu evolves to Alolan Raichu via water stone.
• Dusclops evolves via Reaper Cloth like a stone.
• Added Hisuian Typhlosion, Decidueye, and Samurott, evolve from 2nd stage using Link Cable.
• Added Archeludon, Evolve from Duraludon using Link Cable.
• Added Dipplin and Hydrapple, evolves from Applin via level up at level 30 and 44 respectively.
• Split evolution regionals like Exeggcute, Cubone, Koffing, and Mime Jr. evolve into their kanto forms by default. Use a link cable to evolve to Alolan/Galar form, or use an ice stone on Mime Jr. for ice type Mr. Mime.
• Fixed Jynx abilities.
• NPC in the Crown Tundra will sell Rusty Sword/Shield, costs 1 pokedollar,
• G-corsola now spawns on the left side of Wild Area 6 (Ice)
• NPCs now block progression to Ballonlea until you have completed the mural event!
• Battle UI now says "HP" instead of "PS"
• Fishing spawns by Magnolia's house revamped to make Arrokuda accessible in the early game.
• Oaks parcel description updated to make logical sense with the story
• When using a key item when not supposed to, Sonia will give you advice rather than oak.
• Water Bike graphic brought from ultimate rather than the standard surf.
• Snover and Team Yell NPCs to block route 9 to prevent a freeze.
• Move tutor on Isle of Armor will teach the same moves that she gives you as options.
• Friendship checker NPC added to Motostoke.
• Disable the EXP share by interacting with NPC in Sonia's lab.
• Pseudo-Randomizer! Enable it by interacting with the notice at the top of the stairs of your bedroom!
• Mashing A in fast forward during the opal event in hammerlocke no longer causes freezing (still put down an in game save after beating Opal just in case)
• Music Reworked to primarily be new music!
• Pokedex is 100% completable. Sonia will give you a reward for having 898 mons registered!

Credit to thedarkdragon11 on pokecommunity for Hisuian sprites, Archeludon, and Dipplin. Credit to DegelAlex on deviantart for the basis of the Hydrapple back sprite, and https://twitter.com/EBaruON on twitter/X for the basis for the Hydrapple Front sprite. I did modify the Hydrapple sprite myself to properly downsize it to 64x64 for use in this rom.

RetroAchievements:

This Hack now has supporting RetroAchievements! This means that if you are playing on version 1.1.8, the base version or the performance patch, you can log into your RetroAchievements account and start earning achievements (on supported emulators)! Special thanks to RyCuLe for generating this set.

Note: The casual patches are not supported for RetroAchievements, as RA has leaderboards and extra masterballs and rare candies would ruin the spirit of the leaderboards. There are also two features which will permanently disable earning achievements:

1. Enabling the randomizer.
2. Receiving a mon from the Wyndon Mystery Gift.

There are in game warnings before use in the supported patch. Check out the RA page here!


Support:
I have created a discord server to support this version:

Join the Sword and Shield Ultimate Plus GBA English Demake Discord Server!

Check out the Sword and Shield Ultimate Plus GBA English Demake community on Discord - hang out with 13446 other members and enjoy free voice and text chat.

discord.gg

Additionally, I have created a Wiki page! It is a work in progress but check it out for Pokémon locations! Thanks to the Dev of Wikigen!

Sword and Shield Ultimate Plus Wiki

This is a Wiki page for the Sword and Shield Ultimate Plus English GBA ROM hack, developed by PCL.G and and Jeanstars, translated by Phantonomy

ddaretrogamer.github.io

Download:
Download from the discord server [new releases go there first!] or

Download SWSH Ultimate Plus version 1.1.8.bps below:

Patch using Rom Patcher JS. Patching tutorial available on the discord.

Rom Patcher JS

An online web-based ROM patcher. Supported formats: IPS, BPS, UPS, APS, RUP, PPF and xdelta.

www.marcrobledo.com

NEW To this page:

I have added a "Casual Patch", which adds 2 NPCs to Wedgehurst who sell EV items, Rare candies, Masterballs, Shiny Charm + more for 1 dollar to aid in a more casual play through as this is a story driven hack. Apply this patch on top of your SWSH rom.

I have also added a "Performance Patch" which removes many of the overworld sprites, which greatly reduces the burden on the memory. This leads to better performance and far fewer dropped frames and slowdown.

I also have a patch which combines the two previous patches.

 

[Venipederivative]

cool!!

 

[Battlecub]

thank you for this

 

[RarelyRandom]

Doesn't work for me. Tried two different versions of Fire Red, Squirrels and USA. Both are saying incompatible. Any ideas?

 

[Blablafiets]

Same here, got errors for both

 

[phantonomy]

Doesn't work for me. Tried two different versions of Fire Red, Squirrels and USA. Both are saying incompatible. Any ideas?

What patcher are you using? I used squirrels to create the patch. I can upload different versions of the patch as well. Tested with Rom Patcher JS.

 

[phantonomy]

Same here, got errors for both

Doesn't work for me. Tried two different versions of Fire Red, Squirrels and USA. Both are saying incompatible. Any ideas?

I have uploaded an additional version of the patch, to Fire Red (USA, Europe) (Rev1). Let me know if this works. If not I have one more version I can create the patch to.

 

[phantonomy]

I have uploaded an additional version of the patch, to Fire Red (USA, Europe) (Rev1). Let me know if this works. If not I have one more version I can create the patch to.

Ok i have two working versions of the patch, the reason you probably got an error is that the last 4 hex values in the rom i created the patch from were changed. The patch still would work, but i have since update the patches.

 

[Skyfer]

Is the 1.5 update was only on Portuguese version?

 

[phantonomy]

Is the 1.5 update was only on Portuguese version?

The 1.4 is my own internal versioning, completely separate from the Portuguese version. I had released a 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, and now 1.4 on my discord. My version 1.4 is built on top of the game called "espada e escudo v1.5"

 

[Rafian]

Hello I am new but can I get which Pokemons can be found on which routes? I am having trouble finding Pokemon for trades.

 

[phantonomy]

Hello I am new but can I get which Pokemons can be found on which routes? I am having trouble finding Pokemon for trades.

I'll attach PCL.g and Jeanstars documentation here, but it's in Portuguese. They did a good job of making it very visual, so you should be able to find your answers here. I'd also advise you check either my or their discord server for this info.

 

[Inner Rhymes]

This is phenomenal! Thank you for translating this into English. Have you considered translating other completed foreign language hacks?

 

[RarelyRandom]

It works now! Thank you so much!

 

[ThamTvMaster]

Update:

Download these versions! I have fixed a few bugs and translation issues.

Heres the list of changes::
- Untranslated text for if you selected a female character.
- Names of pokemon with regional forms do not have period in front of them.
- When you recieve the rotom phone, the description is now in english.
- If you try to enter the route to magnolias house before you talk to leon at the lab, he will now tell you to go talk to leon instead of to go and get a potion.
- Portuguese text after loosing to Hop at magnolias house
- Portuguese text at the desk in the Motostoke Stadium
- Portuguese text during the initial bike encounter at the bridge.
- Portuguese text when looking at the "tapestries" for the darkest day story
- EV / IV checker desription modified, Item sprite changed to a Carbos (seemed fitting)
- Evolution items descriptions translated to english
- League card item names and descriptions translated
- Other various key items descriptions modified
- Quiz in Opals gym should be mostly in english, it may have some portuguese text if you answer wrong.
- Changed the trainer on route 2 to say Squirtle instead of caterpie.
- Added a note to Sonias dialogue when she gives you rotom phone to let you know it's also a PC.
- Battle tower now fully translated
- Mystery gift translated
- tart and sweet apple now work correctly
- various translation and grammer corrections.

I try to trade but I got this massage I hope we can trade soon
Hoever I can battle with Pokemon Ubound

 

[phantonomy]

I try to trade but I got this massage I hope we can trade soon
Hoever I can battle with Pokemon Ubound

I haven't looked into making trading compatible. I don't know much about that. I can look into it. Cool that you can battle with unbound!

 

[phantonomy]

This is phenomenal! Thank you for translating this into English. Have you considered translating other completed foreign language hacks?

I have, I even thought about making an auto patcher, but it wasn't going to be worth the trouble as the translation would probably be poor. If someone wants to help me out with this project, it would probably make many currently untranslated roms playable to many languages!

Personally, I don't see myself manually translating another rom unless I find a passion project. Would be more likely to make my own Demake of sun and moon, or scarlet and violet. something along those lines.

 

[ThamTvMaster]

Discord Link Expired

 

[Inner Rhymes]

I have actually been keen on wanting to learn how to translate ROM hacks from foreign languages into English. I have been asking around but barely found any information. Would you be down to guide me? Thank you!

 

[phantonomy]

I have actually been keen on wanting to learn how to translate ROM hacks from foreign languages into English. I have been asking around but barely found any information. Would you be down to guide me? Thank you!

Yeah. Definitely. Shoot me a pm on discord