Last reviewed: June 2026
Pokemon This Gym of Mine is a standalone fan game built with RPG Maker XP and the Pokémon Essentials engine. You play as a gym leader — not a trainer chasing badges. You are the gym.
The hook is simple but it changes everything: instead of traveling a region and challenging leaders, you land in Umbal City and you are the leader everyone challenges. You pick your gym type, build your team around it, manage a city on the verge of collapse, and defend your title against a stream of trainers who want to prove they can beat you.
It is the kind of idea that should have existed a long time ago. The fact that a fan made it — and made it well enough that people are still downloading it years after release — says something.
Quik info
| Language | English |
| Creator | Bluhman (original) / Omegas (current updates) |
| Version | v4.2.3 stable — Rank Up Edition demo (in development) |
| System | RPG Maker XP (PC — Windows) |
| Updated | July 30, 2023 (v4.2.3) |
| Status | Original: Completed — Rank Up Edition: In Development |
What Is Pokemon This Gym of Mine?
Pokemon This Gym of Mine (abbreviated PTGOM or TGOM) is a fan-made RPG game originally created by Bluhman and later continued and updated by Omegas. It runs on RPG Maker XP with the Pokémon Essentials engine — meaning it is a standalone PC game, not a GBA ROM hack.
You do not need to patch a base ROM. You do not need a GBA emulator. You download the ZIP, extract it, and run the game file directly on your PC.
The latest stable version is v4.2.3 (updated July 2023). A separate remake called the Rank Up Edition is in active development by Omegas, with an early demo available. The setting is Umbal City — a town that has fallen into disrepair because its previous leader was dismissed. You arrive as the replacement, with very little trust from the local population and a lot of work ahead of you.
Why Pokemon This Gym of Mine Feels Different
Most Pokémon games give you the same starting point: a small town, a starter, and a journey that ends with you becoming champion. Your goal is always to beat gym leaders, not be one.
This Gym of Mine flips that. You choose a type specialization from the start, build a team around it, and defend your gym against challengers who show up wanting to earn your badge. Win enough battles, build enough of the city, earn enough reputation — and you progress.
That one change makes team-building feel genuinely different. Your mono-type choice is not a fun personal challenge you impose on yourself. It is the actual mechanic. If you pick Fire, you build a Fire team and deal with the weaknesses that come with it. You cannot just switch to a Water type because it would help — that is not your gym.
There is also a reputation and city management layer that ties into progression. As you win battles and spend resources on buildings, your reputation grows. As your reputation grows, challengers get stronger. As challengers get stronger, the rewards get better. The loop gives the game a genuine sense of building something rather than just grinding battles. The interesting part is that Umbal City actually visually reflects your progress — empty lots fill in as you build.
Download Pokemon This Gym of Mine
The game is distributed as a ZIP file for Windows PC. No emulator is needed, and no ROM patching is involved. The latest stable version is v4.2.3, released in 2023.
For the most current build and Rank Up Edition demo, check the official site first.
Download mirrors (v4.2.3):
Rank Up Edition (Early Demo):
The Rank Up Edition is a rebuilt version of the game with expanded features, new Pokémon, better graphics, and additional mechanics. As of the latest demo, it only covers up to Rank 1. If you want a complete experience, stick with the original v4.2.3 for now.
Useful Resources:
How to Install and Play on PC
Step 1: Download the ZIP file from one of the links above.
Step 2: Extract the ZIP using WinRAR, 7-Zip, or Windows’ built-in extractor. Avoid deeply nested folder paths — your Desktop or Documents folder works fine.
Step 3: Open the extracted folder and run the main Game.exe file. There is no installer. Just double-click and start playing.
Step 4: When starting a new game, you will choose your gym type. Take your time — this decision shapes your entire run.
Save file tip: Your save file is stored inside the game folder. Before updating to a new version, back up that save folder. Save files from v4.2.3 are not compatible with the Rank Up Edition — they are effectively separate games at this point.
If you get a DLL error on launch: Try downloading and installing the free RPG Maker XP RTP (Runtime Package) from the official RPG Maker website, then try launching again.
Mac users: This game does not run natively on macOS. There is no official Mac build. Some players have tried Wine or CrossOver with mixed results, but this is not officially supported.
Can You Play Pokemon This Gym of Mine on Android?
There is no official Android version of Pokemon This Gym of Mine.
Some players have successfully run it on Android using JoiPlay — a third-party RPG Maker interpreter for Android. JoiPlay support varies by device and version, and smooth performance is not guaranteed.
To attempt it on Android:
- Download JoiPlay and the RPG Maker Plugin for JoiPlay from the Play Store.
- Download the TGOM ZIP file and extract it on your Android device.
- Open JoiPlay, tap the + icon, browse to the game folder, and select Game.exe.
- Launch through JoiPlay.
Performance depends on your device. Mid-to-high-end phones from 2021 onward generally handle RPG Maker XP games better, but results vary. If Android compatibility is a priority, check the official TGOM Discord for current community guidance.
The Gym Leader Gameplay Loop
Here is what a typical session in This Gym of Mine looks like:
You start your shift. A trainer shows up wanting to earn your gym badge. You battle them. If you win, your reputation goes up and you earn money. If you lose too many battles, your standing as gym leader gets threatened — and if it drops far enough, you get dismissed.
With your earnings, you buy blueprints and construct buildings in Umbal City. Buildings generate revenue and raise the city’s status. As the city improves, your reputation improves. Better reputation means tougher challengers, which means bigger rewards.
Trainer difficulty is partially random — you might face a weak youngster or a serious challenger in the same session. Some early trainers even get stronger if you leave them alone too long. There are also battles outside the gym in the surrounding areas (including the Badlands) where you can earn additional experience and money. There is no level barrier on areas, so be careful exploring early.
Choosing Your Gym Type
Your type choice happens at the very beginning of the game and it sticks for the whole run.
The choice shapes team composition. You build a mono-type team with some flexibility for coverage moves. The Pokémon available per type vary — Bug and Steel have been noted by players and the developer as having a smaller pool in the current version.
Coverage moves help. Do not build a team without thinking about your weaknesses. A Grass gym is going to struggle against Flying types. Find Pokémon in your roster that can learn off-type coverage moves and use them.
Replay value comes from switching types. Running a Fighting gym versus a Water gym is a genuinely different experience. Most players who do multiple runs pick a completely different type each time.
Some community notes on specific types:
- Fighting — solid Pokémon pool, though some players reported spending extra time in training areas early on to level up enough for city progression
- Grass — Flying-type weaknesses can be a challenge early on; look for good coverage options
- Bug / Steel — smaller Pokémon pool; acknowledged by the developer as slightly underpowered and targeted for improvement in the Rank Up Edition
Beginner Tips Before You Start
Choose a type you actually like. You are building a team around it from beginning to end. Picking something purely for meta reasons and then not enjoying those Pokémon makes the run feel like work.
Do not ignore coverage moves. Mono-type teams have predictable weaknesses. Scout your available Pokémon early and look for ones that can learn off-type moves to cover the gaps.
Save often and back up your save. The game stores save files inside the game folder itself. Keep a backup copy before updating to new versions.
Talk to Mayor Dalton and read in-game prompts. The reputation system and city management are not always explained clearly up front. NPCs give you the context you need to understand how progression actually works.
Explore outside your gym — but carefully. There is no level gate on areas. You can walk into zones with very strong Pokémon right from the start. The Badlands and surrounding areas have battles worth taking on for experience and money, but pick your timing.
Some trainers get stronger if you ignore them. The game randomizes who challenges your gym, but some early trainers will power up if you avoid them. You can only fight each trainer once, so make it count.
Do not expect a deep narrative campaign. There is a story — Umbal City’s recovery, Mayor Dalton, the Rough Riders — but the real game is the battle management and city-building loop. Come in with that expectation and you will enjoy it much more.
Is Pokemon This Gym of Mine Worth Playing?
If you have ever wanted to play as the gym leader instead of the challenger, this is one of the only fan games built around that idea from the ground up — and it does it well enough that people are still downloading it years after release.
The reputation system gives every battle a real consequence. Losing is not just a setback in experience — it threatens your position. That tension is something most standard Pokémon games do not have, and it makes ordinary battles feel more meaningful.
The city management layer is simple but satisfying. Watching Umbal City fill in as you build is genuinely rewarding. Most players who complete a run describe the core loop as more engaging than they expected.
Where it falls short: the Pokémon roster per type can feel thin in less-represented types. The dialogue sometimes needs polish. The developer Omegas has acknowledged these points and is addressing them in the Rank Up Edition.
This works best for players who enjoy team-building and tactical Pokémon gameplay and want something that plays with the gym leader concept seriously. It may frustrate players who need a wide Pokémon selection from the start or a rich narrative to stay engaged.
Screenshots
Similar Pokemon Fan Games Worth Trying
Pokemon Blooming Beast — Another RPG Maker XP fan game where you play as a gym leader. It takes a more story-focused and conversation-driven approach. If you want a gym leader experience with more narrative depth, this is the next logical game to try.
Pokemon Anil — A different type of fan game (a Kanto remake with modern mechanics and Android support), but popular with the same audience. A natural follow-up after finishing This Gym of Mine.
Pokemon Quetzal — A GBA ROM hack of Emerald with full online multiplayer and all 1,025 Pokémon. A great pick if you want a GBA-style experience while the Rank Up Edition is still in development.
Looking for more? Browse the full collection of Pokemon fan games on Pokemerald.
FAQs
What is Pokemon This Gym of Mine?
A standalone fan-made Pokémon RPG game built with RPG Maker XP and Pokémon Essentials. Instead of playing as a trainer who challenges gym leaders, you play as the gym leader yourself, defending your title in Umbal City.
Is Pokemon This Gym of Mine a ROM hack or a fan game?
It is a standalone fan game. It does not require a base ROM, a GBA emulator, or any patching process. Download the ZIP, extract it, and run Game.exe directly on your PC.
Where can I download Pokemon This Gym of Mine?
The download links are in the Download section above. Check the official site for the most current build before downloading.
Is Pokemon This Gym of Mine free?
Yes — it is a free fan-made game.
Can I play Pokemon This Gym of Mine on PC?
Yes. It runs natively on Windows with no emulator needed. Download the ZIP, extract, and launch Game.exe.
Can I play Pokemon This Gym of Mine on Android?
There is no official Android version. Some players use JoiPlay (an RPG Maker interpreter for Android) to run the game on mobile, but results vary by device and this is not officially supported.
What is the latest version of Pokemon This Gym of Mine?
The latest stable version is v4.2.3, updated in July 2023. A Rank Up Edition remake is in development with an early demo available, but it is not yet a complete release.
Do you play as a gym leader?
Yes. You take over a struggling gym in Umbal City and defend your title against challengers, while also managing the city’s recovery and building its reputation.
Can you choose your gym type?
Yes. At the start of the game, you choose your gym’s Pokémon type. This determines which Pokémon you can use and shapes the entire run.
Is Pokemon This Gym of Mine completed?
The original version (v4.2.3) is a complete playable experience. The Rank Up Edition is in early demo stages — only Rank 1 content is available so far.
Does Pokemon This Gym of Mine have Mega Evolution?
No. Mega Evolution is not included in the current version.
Is Pokemon This Gym of Mine worth playing?
Yes, especially if you enjoy the gym leader concept and want a fan game that takes it seriously. The city management and reputation loop are genuinely engaging. Some rough edges are expected from a fan project, but the core idea is well-executed.
Credits
- Pokemon Essentials 18.1 – Maruno, Poccil, and Flameguru
- Smogon XY/SM/SS Sprite Projects
- Project: Generation 6
- Jumping Gen 6 Pokemon Icons – Pikachumazzinga
- ShinxHero’s Pokemon XYORAS Cries
- Generation 8 Project for Essentials
- Additional Sprites – OpalSparks
Sources & References
- Official site — thisgymofmine.com
- Eevee Expo developer thread — developer posts by Omegas on Rank Up Edition
- Fandom Wiki
- PokéCommunity thread — Rank Up Edition
Last reviewed: June 2026. Check download links for the most current build before installing.
