Pokémon: Iridium Version (ROM Hack)

*SUBJECT TO CHANGE AS IT IS IN BETA*

Pokemon Iridium Version is a ROM hack featuring a brand-new story set across two custom regions. Built to push the boundaries of NDS ROM hacking, it offers a fresh experience beyond typical enhancement hacks of Platinum, HeartGold, or SoulSilver. If you’re burned out on Johto, this one’s for you. Aiming for high-quality design and storytelling, the first demo is expected by the end of May—barring any last-minute issues.

Features

A Brand-New Region: East Iridia

Forget Johto, Sinnoh, or Kanto—Iridium isn’t a rehash of existing maps. This is an entirely original world, beginning in East Iridia, a diverse region with unique biomes, towns, and cultures. The graphics have been a major focus, featuring Gen 5 and 6 assets, special camera angles, and countless ripped and custom-made sprites. Visual fidelity is one of Iridium’s biggest draws, with mapper Silast (known for Gen 5 Platinum overhauls) contributing extensively to the tilework and artistic direction.

A Custom Storyline with Familiar Faces

With a new region comes a fresh narrative. Iridium blends classic Pokémon themes—rivals, evil teams, and a sense of exploration—while avoiding over-the-top edginess. The tone is mature but accessible, steering clear of excessive darkness. Expect returning characters from past games reimagined in new roles, especially members of Team Plasma and Team Galactic, who both feature as antagonist groups—similar to how Emerald used both Aqua and Magma.

A Modernized Pokédex

With support from hg-engine (HeartGold’s version of the CFRU), over 800 Pokémon sprites have already been integrated. The final game will include most, if not all, Pokémon across generations. Custom learnsets have been handcrafted by a five-person team, but types and base stats remain vanilla to ensure intuitive gameplay. No overcomplicated documentation needed—just play.

Updated Moves, Abilities & Mechanics

Thanks to the hg-engine, Iridium brings modern features to the Gen 4 engine:

Dynamic speed calculation

Elemental terrains (Grassy, Electric, Misty, Psychic)

Fully animated, generation-accurate moves

Modern items like Loaded Dice

Mega Evolutions (fully implemented)

Tera and Dynamax are not planned, due to balance and feature bloat concerns.

Custom UI

Thanks to ROM hacker Avatar, Iridium boasts overhauled UI screens:

Updated bag interface

Enhanced summary screens

Mirror Battles (New Battle Mode)

A unique battle feature developed by Mixone, Mirror Battles pit you and the opponent against each other using identical teams, with only the lead Pokémon varying. These puzzle-style encounters are peppered across both regions, offering tactical challenges that test your strategic depth. Each one has multiple possible solutions and is extensively tested.

Adjustable Difficulty Settings

Iridium supports two tailored modes to satisfy all types of players:

Elite Mode: For experienced players and nuzlockers. Inspired by difficulty hacks like Run & Bun, it features:

Hard level caps

Weather/terrain-based team builds

Competitive-grade team balancing

Encounter/trainer documentation

Optional external damage calculator

Casual Mode: A smoother experience just above vanilla difficulty. Optional level caps are included, making it more forgiving for casual play.

Overhauled Battle AI

After two months of dedicated work and nearly 9,000 lines of code, Iridium’s AI has been rebuilt from scratch. It doesn’t cheat or pull gimmicky tricks—it simply thinks. The AI evaluates:

KO potential

Field conditions

Stat advantages

Status move timing

Setup opportunities

Each major trainer encounter is designed with a unique strategy that you’ll need to outsmart.

Music and Audio

With contributions from HD125D, Iridium features over 100 custom music tracks, many created from scratch or ported from various Pokémon titles. These are implemented at the sequenced audio level, using accurate .sseq and MIDI data with carefully mapped instruments. Expect a rich audio landscape across battles and overworld scenes.

Quality of Life Enhancements

Modern ROM hacks need to play smooth, and Iridium delivers:

Porta-PC: Press L to access the PC from anywhere

Porta-Move Relearner: Press R to relearn moves on the go (like Legends Arceus)

Note: Disabled during gauntlet fights for balance

Instant Text Printing: All dialogue prints in one frame—great for speed-readers

Transparent Text Boxes: Minimal and clean UI

Level Cap Candy: Instantly level up to the cap—no more mashing rare candies

Hard Level Caps: Enforced in Elite Mode; toggleable in Casual Mode (demo will not include this toggle yet)

IV/EV Viewer: Check your stats directly in the summary screen using L/R/Start

60 FPS Battles: Enjoy silky-smooth battles and fast HP bar animations—no more Blissey slogs