Pokemon - The New Kanto ROM

Pokemon – The New Kanto is a GBA ROM Hack by Regulone328 based on Pokemon Fire Red in English. It was last updated on August 20, 2025.

Also, be sure to check out Pokemon Emerald Relax.

Description

Features

EARLY GAME CHANGES – “Shadows at the Start”

• Pallet Town seems normal, but subtle anomalies exist.
• You receive Riolu instead of a standard Kanto starter.
• Route 1 contains strange wild Pokémon.
• Route 2 has a shortcut to Pewter City—find a scientist with HM05 (Flash).
• Brock is missing from Pewter Gym—find him in Viridian Forest.
• Route 3: An Aerodactyl ambush drops you in an unknown area.
• Defeat the Aerodactyl and find its lair to return.
• Route 4: A scientist gives the Dynamax Band (requires Flash).
• Mt. Moon: Survive a wild ambush and battle—win to get the DexNav.

CERULEAN & ROCK TUNNEL – “The First Fracture”

• Brendan ambushes you at the Cerulean gate.
• Misty is replaced by Phoebe as Gym Leader (Water-type).
• Nugget Bridge resets if you leave mid-challenge.
• Route 5 is blocked. Progress through Rock Tunnel.
• Inside Rock Tunnel:
  • Encounter a Flash Pikachu,
  • Battle in a Sandaconda Dynamax Den,
  • Discover the Odd Keystone, hinting at Spiritomb.

MID-GAME EVENTS – “World Without Order”

• Lavender Town Gym is led by Roxanne—she gives the Mega Ring.
• Defeating Roxanne opens the Celadon Underground.
• In Celadon, find Brendan to clear access to Saffron City.
• Saffron: Giratina appears and reveals Arceus is sealed.
• Vermilion City becomes the new route forward.
• Wattson replaces Lt. Surge as Gym Leader.
• Defeating Wattson unlocks Rider Town.

WORLD EXPANDS – “Echoes of Power”

• Arriving in Vermilion triggers roaming legendaries:
  Rayquaza, Groudon, Kyogre, Dialga, Palkia, Virizion, Terrakion, Cobalion.
• Dynamax Dens appear across Kanto.
• Mega Evolutions are found only inside Dark Rifts.
• Genesect appears in Fuchsia, locked until Koga is defeated.
• Starter unlocks:
  • Fuecoco (early)
  • Sprigatito (after Flash)
  • Quaxly (after Brock)
• New variant: Toddit, a Ditto that transforms into a random Pokémon before battle and stays that way.

MAJOR STORY TWISTS – “The Broken Truth”

• After all badges, Dark Brendan appears at Route 23—a disguise for MissingNo.
• Defeating him clears a path on Cinnabar Island.
• A Dive Spot leads to a cave with the real Brendan, now aged and dying.
• Brendan leaves behind money, Reveal Glass, and Prison Bottle.
• Human-form MissingNo.now roam Kanto:
  • Unavoidable, uncatchable battles.
  • Respawn after defeat.
• Mt. Ember contains Light, Dark, and Magma Stones.
• Use them to summon Reshiram and Zekrom on Island 3.
• Four Island: DNA Splicers explained by a doctor.
• SS Anne Healing Room: Silver Wing and Rainbow Wing guarantee shiny Lugia or Ho-Oh (one-time).

FRACTURE POINT – “The Final Rift”

• PokéPhone features unlock after finding the Mega Leash.
• Route 2 NPCgives 10 Gen 1 Pokémon.
  • If delayed until Route 4, you can get all Gen 1 at once.
• Silph Co., Pokémon Tower, and SS Anne scale with your team.
• After defeating Eternatus, you’re sent back to your room…
  • But wild Pokémon are different.
  • Trainer AI shifts.
  • The world has changed again.
• Entering the Dark Rift begins the final arc.
• This fractured timeline can only be repaired—or destroyed.

RIDER TOWN & SIDE CONTENT – “Shadows of Peace”

• Apricorns grow daily—check bushes, trees, and pots.
• Dyna Cave south of town holds events and rare battles.
• Rider Town blends Kanto and Hoenn cultures.
• Professor Birchlives here:
  • Won’t recognize you until you speak to the intro NPC
  • Gives the Eon Ticket afterward
• Captain Briney:
  • Speaks cryptically before the Eon Ticket
  • Afterward, sails you to Southern Island
  • Later appears in Pallet Town if ticket is held

OTHER FEATURES & HIDDEN EVENTS

• Support NPCs in Pewter, Route 10, and Lavender give daily Rare Candies and Revives.
• Sacred Ash is found daily on Cinnabar Extension Island.
• SS Anne Pier Dive Spot holds a legendary surprise.
  • Completing it triggers Eternatus at Cinnabar’s Dark Rift.
• Wishing Wells scattered across Kanto hint at time-based secrets and rare events.

Changelog

28-07-25

• Added a ton of new features
• Added new NPC guides
• Added new shops, warp options
• Added new elite trainers,
• Added more story updates — including access to Rider Town after Vermilion Gym and fresh legendary mechanics!

21-07-25

• Added Legend Stone
• Pixie Plate unlocks Hoopa Unbound
• Crafter NPC for Link Cable
• Exp Share
• Sprigatito and Quaxly unlocked after Brock
• Aurora Ticket and Mystic Ticket now at Diglett Cave
• Time-based events reworked NPC dialogue hints for story progression
• Warning signs for cheats and their effects
• Trainer parties rebalanced

Useful Links

Pokecommunity

GBA Temp

Discord

Walkthrough Story Summary