Pokemon Radical Red is a GBA ROM Hack by Yuuiii based on Pokemon FireRed in English. And it’s now available for download. It was last updated on August 6, 2023.
Download Pokemon Radical Red GBA Rom
| Creator | Yuuiii |
| Version | v4.0 |
| Based on | Pokemon FireRed |
| Updated on | August 6, 2023 |
Intro
I’ve been playing Pokémon ROM hacks since I was a kid, starting with Pokemon Quetzal, Ruby Destiny Reign of Legends, and Shiny Gold, all of which fueled my obsession and made me a lurker of the community for a long time. I tried to make one myself, but I just didn’t have the knowledge or dedication. Now about 10-12 years later I have seen how far ROM hacking has progressed and I have gained more confidence in my abilities that I have decided to create my own ROM hack.
There are a plethora of fiery red expansion hacks out there these days, so you’re probably wondering what this one has to offer. I personally prefer difficult hacks, which is why I consider Clover and Vega to be the best ROM hacks out there.
Also, be sure to try out Pokemon Shiron Castle.
Description
This hack is essentially a difficulty hack with added features; much like Drayano60’s expansion hacks, giving access to almost all Pokemon while adding relevant buffs to make all possible Pokemon and playstyles possible, and with an insane amount of quality of life features that also make many gruesome tasks far less of a chore make.
This is a joint project by me and my friend koala4. While I handled most of the technical aspects, he was invaluable for balancing, suggestions, most wild Pokemon, testing, and more.
Features
This hack utilizes the Complete FireRed Upgrade engine (!!!!) and Dynamic Pokemon Expansion built by Skeli789, Ghoulslash, and others. It’s responsible for most of the significant features in the hack; I’ll list the important ones below.
Provided by CFRU & DPE
- Physical/Special split + Fairy Typing
- All Pokémon up to Gen 9 are obtainable (with some exceptions, see further down)
- Moves up to Gen 9, including some of the Isle of Armor DLC moves!
- Updated Pokémon sprites
- Mega Evolution
- Abilities up to Gen 9
- All important battle items (with some exceptions)
- Raid Battles
- Reusable TMs
- Expanded TM list
- Additional move tutors
- EV Training Gear
- Ability popups during battle
- Gen 8 Exp Share
- Hidden Abilities
- Day and Night
- DexNav allows you to search for Pokemon with hidden abilities and other neat things!
- Even faster turbo speed (!!!)
- Abilities like Magma Armor have field effects like recent Gens
- Destiny Knot, and Everstone have updated breeding mechanics
- … and more!
Additional Features
Do keep in mind many of these are also provided by CFRU.
- Much higher difficulty
- Bosses have max IVs with proper EV spreads (barring the early bosses), along with optimized movesets/hold items
- Improved AI
- Battle style forced to Set
- Can’t access bag against Gym Leaders and other select bosses
- Similar to Pokemon Clover, there is a soft level cap based on the next boss battle. Many “challenge” hacks can easily be beaten by simply spamming turbo boost and overlevelling. This prevents you from doing so, instead allowing you to reevaluate your team and strategy to defeat bosses.
- Bosses near the end will randomly choose between 1 of 3 teams
- Elite Four Members each have a Legendary
- Gym Leaders have access to Mega Evolution before you do
- Some optional side bosses will have their levels scale according to your team
- Johto Gym Leaders as additional side bosses(Some mandatory, but mostly optional)
- Brendan as an additional Rival
- Archer and Ariana present as Admins
- Thief/Magician won’t steal from trainers
- An additional Team Rocket event right before the 8th gym
- My own curated buffs to a lot of deserving Pokémon, including Megas!
- May include type changes, stat changes, ability changes, an additional learnsets
- Brand new abilities (Some taken from Clover, others exclusive to this game)
- A revamped Game Corner
- No more coins/Coin Case, just exchange with regular Pokecoins
- Sells pseudo legends for a steep price, with options to upgrade to Shiny
- Sells even more TMs
- IV grade and colored natures on Summary Screen
- An IV perfecter in Celadon for a very steep price
- EV checker/reducer in Saffron
- An ability swapper also in Saffron, along with an option to swap to Hidden Ability in exchange for an item
- EV training areas with its corresponding EV training gear
- Move relearner moved to Cerulean
- Move tutor that teaches Egg moves
- Additional Legendaries obtainable before the Elite Four:
- Virizion, Cobalion, Terrakion, Keldeo.
- Roamers: Raikou, Suicune, Entei, Landorus, Thundurus, Tornadus, Latios, Latias, Victini, Meloetta
- Gym leaders may ask for rematches or side quests for their Mega Stones and other rewards
- Day care south of Cerulean now can hold two Pokemon allowing for earlier breeding
- … and more!
Unobtainable Pokemon as of Version 3.0
- Regigigas
- Lugia Ho-Oh Groudon
- Rayquaza Dialga Palkia Giratina
- Reshiram Zekrom Kyurem-Black Kyurem-White
- Xernas Yveltal
- Zacian Zamazenta Eternatus Calyrex forms
- Deoxys Darkrai
- Arceus Marshadow
- CFRU features (Mega Evolution, Gen 1-8 Pokemon)
- Hisuian Forms
- Dynamax Raid Battles
- Much higher difficulty
- No need for teaching HMs
- Curated buffs to a lot of deserving Pokemon
- Brand new abilities
- A revamped Game Corner
- IV grade and colored natures on the summary screen
- An IV perfecter in Celadon for a very steep price
- An ability swapper also in Saffron
- EV training areas with their corresponding EV training gear
- Move tutor that teaches Egg moves
- Additional Legendaries obtainable before the Elite Four
- Cannot use items during trainer battles
- Gym leaders may ask for rematches or side quests for their Mega Stones and other rewards
- See the official thread for a more detailed list
Changelog v4.0
Note: This is just a brief summary of the actual changelog. If you want to read it in detail in its entirety, you can do so by clicking on the ‘changelog’ button in the useful stuff section.
- New Dex! Check out https://radicaldex.pixelslug.eu/ for the up-to-date pokemon changes!
- Added all Gen 9 Pokemon and Gen 9 Moves/Abilities
- Gym rematches are now required in non-Hardcore mode before fighting Koga
- Route 20 now has permanent snow [Pryce Location]
- TM Changes
- A lot of Pokemon Changes
- A lot of Move/Ability Changes
- Pokemon Evolution Changes
- Raid Changes
- Critical Bug Fixes From 3.1
- Updated, Added & Fixed a lot (a lot) of other stuff (check the full changelog for more info)
Old 3.1 saves are compatible, but you might lose out on some of the new pokemon and items! Progress on your Pokedex can also be reset! It is highly recommended that you start a brand new save from the beginning!
Screenshots
Download
You can easily patch Pokemon Radical Red using our online patcher which Karthik has provided (original patcher from here) . Simply supply a 1636 Pokemon Fire Red Squirrels ROM and choose a version to receive a patched Radical Red ROM. If you don’t see 4.0 on the Radical Red patcher you probably need to clear your browser cache.
Previous Versions
Guide On The Difficulty Options
Hardest to Easiest
- Hardcore Mode goes without saying this is the hardest mode; there is some consideration made for the player (hence the presence of Min Grinding Mode) but it’s filled with a lot of unfair obstacles and silly team compositions.
- Restrict Mode prevents you from using a lot of the broken team compositions/set-up cheese, so it’s a bit harder than normal RR without the Hardcore ridiculousness
- Restrict Mode + Min Grinding much less grindy than the above option while also making the early game-mid game much easier. Probably the preferable option if you’re streaming a nuzlocke.
- Normal RR a little grindy but it’s what I originally envisioned 🙂 and you can use a lot of the broken Pokemon to its full potential, so that’s always fun
- Min Grinding ModeIf you just want to play RR without the grind but still keep a bit of the challenge, then this is it. Another option if you’re streaming a nuzlocke but don’t like the restrictions of Restricted Mode. Game is overall slightly easier than normal RR since you’re on a much more even playing field.
- Easy Mode This is actually potentially easier than Easy Mode + Min Grinding Mode since you can use EVs to your advantage (as Boss pokemon won’t have them), although the early game is slightly more difficult & most people playing this game mode won’t bother with optimizing EVs. I will stress Easy Mode is still more difficult than vanilla games and your traditional ROM hack.
- Easy Mode + Min Grinding Mode Pretty much allows you to play Min Grinding Mode while also being able to use items and Switch Mode. The early game is also a lot easier here as opposed to normal Easy Mode
Credits
Yuuiii, koala4, Noodlewhiz, Ghabra, Khaospire, Daina, mossedUp, Sergio, Gress, moods, Xan