Pokemon Baby Blue ROM

Pokemon Baby Blue is a Game Boy ROM Hack by buggford based on Pokemon Blue. It was last updated on August 19, 2023.

Also, be sure to check out Pokemon Blue Celebrations.

Description

Pokemon Baby Blue gives the trashlocke treatment to Pokemon Blue. It is perfect for nuzlocking, and a unique and challenging way to experience Generation 1. The goal of these changes is to ensure that no gym leader can be solo swept by any encounter. Blaine and Giovanni are still far from terrifying, but even they will put up more of a fight than usual… at least they won’t be swept by Surf spam.

PLEASE NOTE, this game has been designed to be played with strict level caps. Rare candies have been put in the PokeMarts to eliminate grinding. But if you want the intended challenging experience, please refrain from over-leveling the next gym leader.

Features

• All evolutions are cancelled. Only a handful of single-stage Pokemon are accessible.
• Wild encounter locations have been carefully edited. For example, you will not access a ground-type before defeating Surge. Very good Pokemon (think Psychic types) have been delayed until very late in the game.
• StatEXP (the gen 1 equivalent of EVs) has been removed. You will not gain that ridiculous advantage over the AI.
• Access to certain TMs has been restricted or delayed.
• Certain moves have had their PP nerfed. A small group of fundamentally overpowered moves (like Surf) have had their power heavily nerfed. None of these nerfs will impact enemy trainers.
• There have been a few adjustments to level-up learnsets (i.e. delaying certain moves, like leech seed).
• There are minor map edits that make select trainers mandatory. I have not overdone this… otherwise the game would be too grindy. This hack retains gen 1’s usual fast pace.
• Routes 17 and 14 (i.e. the paths to Fuchsia City) have been more heavily edited. They are now hostile environments, designed to discourage you from delaying Erika. You will want to defeat Erika, raise the level cap, and stock up on repels before you traverse these routes. You have been warned.

Changelog

May Update

• Some trainer placement is fixed.
• Porygon learn set edited.

Feb Update

• Fixed route 23
• Rebalances difficulty (somewhat nerfing the currently dominant sleep strats)
• Slightly alters Cerulean Cave postgame