Pokémon Red Mega Trio Version is a Fire Red hack that holds closely to the original Pokémon Fire Red story and the classic Red/Blue feel. The nostalgia of the original journey is part of what makes those games special to me. However, there has always been a few features that I wish were present and a few things that I wish were a little different. So, I started this project and slowly over the last few years I reworked alot of the features that control the battle system, Pokémon balance, progression, strategy, and overall gameplay experience.
This hack will give you everything you ever wanted from the originals. Every change that you would of made, now being a reality. There are a huge number of quality-of-life upgrades, balance changes, and new features throughout the game. Also, there are a few secrets in this game. Secrets we always hoped were true but unfortunately ended up not being in the originals— two famous playground rumors from the original Red/Blue games are finally real in this version!
Features
Pokémon
- All 151 original Pokémon are obtainable.
- Trade evolutions now evolve using the link cable or other items(a Shellder in a Pokéball to evolve Slowpoke). This takes away the need to trade to complete the Kanto Dex. The link cable can also be used to supercharge certain Pokémon in their pre-evolved stages, giving them a slight power boost so you can keep using them without evolving.
- New wild Pokémon encounters have been added in most areas while still keeping many of the familiar faces in each area.
- Select Pokémon from Generations 2, 3, and 4 as well as some Alolan forms appear later in the Sevii Islands
- Mega evolution
- Only available for the 3 starters- Charizard, Venusaur, and Blastoise
- Fishing Rods are obtainable much earlier to provide more Water type options during early gameplay. Also, Old Rod encounters were changed to include a few additional fish Pokémon depending on the area.
New Battle & Stat Systems
- The Physical/Special split has been fully added.
- Forced Set Mode for all battles
- Most Items can no longer be used during battle. This forces more move and ability strategy to be able to heal, prevent status etc.
- Berries can still be used if you want to throw your Mon a berry during battle.
STAB Changes
Same Type Attack Bonus (STAB) was reduced:
This reduces excessive OHKOs and encourages more diverse movesets.
Critical Hits
Critical hit damage was reduced as well to reduce OHKOs and to help make the damage fall in line with the rebalanced system.
Type Effectiveness
- Type effectiveness has been redesigned into a range system instead of the standard multipliers of x2.0 and x0.5
- The battle text now displays the exact effectiveness multiplier after an attack along with the Super Effective or Not Very Effective text.
Super Effective Attacks
Multipliers:
Not Very Effective Attacks
Multipliers
- x0.3(replaces 0 damage effectiveness)
- x0.6
- x0.7
- x0.8
Updated Typings
- The Fairy type has been fully added and assigned to Pokémon.
- Many Pokémon received new typings for better balance and variety. Examples: Gyarados- Water/Dragon, Gengar- Ghost/Dark
- Normal type has been added to almost all single type Pokémon. This gives a second typing to gain the STAB Bonus.
Completely Rebalanced Stats
- Pokémon base stats were completely redesigned for a more strategic and competitive experience.
- Most base stats now fall within the 20–80 range, with only a few exceptions.
- Because of this rebalance, IVs, EV training, and battle strategy matter far more than simply choosing a powerful species.
Happiness Bonus
- A Pokémon’s happiness now increases its final Speed stat up to a max of 10% when at 100% happiness.
Speed Accuracy System
- Speed now has additional strategic value other than just deciding which side goes first.
- A faster attacking Pokémon gains an accuracy bonus against slower defending Pokémon, while a slower attacking Pokémon receives accuracy penalties against faster defending Mon.
- This works based on the Speed difference between the two Pokémon. For example a small final speed difference in battle will only yield a +/- 5% accuracy change while a huge speed difference in battle (80+) will yield the max difference of +/- 25%.
IVs and EVs
Wild Pokémon IV Display
At the start of wild encounters, the text now displays:
- The Pokémon’s IVs directly beneath the “Wild Pokémon appeared!” text.
- Whether the Pokémon NEEDs to be caught, or is already CAUGHT in your Pokédex.
- No more questioning whether you already caught a species or not when encountering one in the wild.
IV Grades on Summary Screen
The original summary screen now displays color coded IV ranges:
- S = 31–30
- A+ = 29–28
- Down through lower grades all the way to…
- E- = 1–0
Expanded EV/IV Screen
Pressing A on the stat page opens an additional detailed stats page displaying:
- IVs
- EVs
- Base Stats
- Happiness
- Hidden Power information
- And more
EV System Changes
- EV yields from battle have been reconfigured.
- Many Pokémon now reward EVs that counter their natural strengths.
- Example: Onix now gives Attack EVs instead of Defense EVs. This emphasizes,that to defeat a Mon with a strong stat, you must work out the counter to that stat.
- Vitamin usage cap increased from 10 to unlimited but EVs for each stat are capped at 252.
- An EV Resetter NPC is available on Route 12.
Updated Moves & Effects
- Many moves were redesigned and implemented to fit the games rebalanced strategy.
- Several completely new moves and move effects were added.
- Be sure to read all moves descriptions and look at their power as most are not the same as vanilla.
Example:
- Blast Burn still requires recharge but now also has a chance to burn the opponent.
Lower Overall Move Power
Move power across the game has been scaled down:
- The strongest moves are now around 100 BP or lower.
- Most standard moves fall within the 40–60 BP range.
This makes battles more strategic and less dependent on simply selecting the strongest move available.
Status Moves Can Deal Damage
Many previously,non-damaging status moves, now inflict minor damage alongside their effects.
Examples:
- Poison Powder now deals slight damage while poisoning the opponent.
Updated Move Animations
- Numerous move animations were replaced or enhanced.
TMs & HMs
- TMs now have unlimited uses.
- Some TM selections were changed for balance and nostalgia purposes.
- All HMs are more useful in battle and can be forgotten.
Move Relearner
- A Move Relearner is now available in Fuchsia City.
- Some Pokémon can learn moves from the move relearner, that are not normally available in their level-up learnsets.
Type & Move Immunity Changes
Certain moves and effects no longer affect specific types.
Examples:
- Electric paralysis moves can not paralyze Electric and Ground types.
- Electroweb can not trap Electric and Ground types.
- Fire Spin can not trap Fire and Water types.
- Whirlpool can not trap Water and Grass types.
- Leech Seed can not seed Fire and Grass types.
- Powder move effects fail on Grass and Bug types.
- All Trapping moves can not trap Ghost types.
- Poisoning move effects fail on Bug, Poison, Steel, and Rock types.
Gameplay & Progression Changes
- Sevii Islands are now necessary to complete the game and are part of the progression later in the game.
Faster Leveling Curve
- Experience curve was adjusted for all Pokémon to reduce grinding.
- Reaching higher levels throughout normal gameplay is far more practical.
Evolution Level Changes
- Many evolution levels were adjusted to better fit the new experience curve.
Gym Leader Rematches
- Every Gym Leader is battled twice during the game.
- Secondary Gym Leader battles are significantly more difficult.
Route Encounter Signs
- Most routes now include signs showing how many Pokémon species can be found in the area’s grass or caves.
- Surfing and fishing encounters are not included in those counts.
Vs. Seeker Changes
- The Vs. Seeker is obtained much later with more fitting competition to improve level-up ability later in the game.
Poison Survival
- Poison no longer causes Pokémon to faint outside of battle.
- Pokémon will survive at 1 HP instead.
National Dex Unlocked Immediately
- The National Pokédex is available from the start.
- This allows access to later-generation evolutions of Kanto Pokémon immediately.
Battle Backgrounds
- Added some different palettes for the backgrounds to make them match the surroundings better but still kept the classic Fire Red look.
Shiny Pokémon
- Shiny odds are increased to approximately 1/250 encounters.
- Most players will most likely encounter at least one shiny during gameplay if not multiple.
- Several Pokémon received entirely new shiny color palettes.
Legendary Reward
- Completing the original Kanto Pokédex is now worth it as you can collect more than just a silly certificate.
- unlocks 3 possible legendary encounters.
- Be sure to return to Celadon City and claim your completion certificate after finishing the Kanto Dex.
- Another Secret surprise or 2 may be waiting as well
Known Bugs
- Static ability still paralyzes other electric Pokémon.
- If you do not store your Mon in the PC after using the EV resetter, the game sometimes freezes up.
Useful Links
