Pokemon Modern Crystal ROM

Pokemon Modern Crystal is a GBC ROM Hack by AmmonRoberts based on Pokemon Crystal in English. It was last updated on April 26, 2026.

Description

Pokemon Modern Crystal is a quality-of-life focused ROM hack of Pokémon Crystal with built-in randomization options and challenge mode features for increased replayability. Inspired by Modern Emerald, this hack aims to enable challenge runs with a nice array of configurable options while keeping the game mostly vanilla.

Features

When starting a new game, you can now configure:

• Wild Encounters – Standard or Randomized
• Starters – Standard (Chikorita/Cyndaquil/Totodile) or Randomized
• Trainer Battles – Standard or Randomized (preserves levels)
• TM Mode – Standard (consumable) or Unlimited use
• Poison Survival – Standard (can faint) or Safe (stops at 1 HP with “poison faded” message)

• Always walk at bike speed – No need to constantly use the bike in towns
• Shorter Nurse Joy interactions – Faster Pokémon Center healing
• Smarter Mom dialogue – No more phone tutorials if you say you know how to use it
• Modern shiny odds – Shiny Pokémon now appear at 1 in 4096 odds (matching Generation VI+) instead of the original 1 in 8192
  
  • Note: Due to Gen II’s DV-based gender system, shiny starters have a 50% chance of being female instead of the normal 12.5%

The following features are planned for future releases:

• Nuzlocke mode rules enforcement
• Randomized items and held items
• Randomized nicknames
• Randomized cries
• Randomized movesets and learnsets
• Buy all TMs (possibly expensive)
• No-heal Pokémon Center challenge mode
• Access PC from phone
• Proper sprint button (instead of always walking at bike speed)
• Enhanced Pokédex with movesets and learnsets
• Improved FIGHT menu
• Improved MOVE menu

Changelog

V0.1.4

New Features

• Added descriptions to each new game menu item
• Added an option for making HMs unnecessary
• Added a held item randomizer
• Added an option for an overhaul of held items
• Added a static encounter randomizer
• Added an enemy damage multiplier
• Added a player damage multiplier
• Added debug menu to main ROM
  • Press SLECT + B on the main menu screen to enable the menu, then press START + SELECT in the overworld to open the menu

Fixes

• Fixed some graphical issues with the new type matchup Pokegear card
• Fixed DUDE’s tutorial counting as Route 29’s first encounter
• Fixed some rendering issues with evolving using RARE CANDY repeatedly without closing the party menu

V0.1.3

New Features

• Added a MOVE menu link to the in-battle party screen so you can view move details without leaving battle

• Added an option for a TM vendor NPC in Blackthorn City

• Added an option for wild Pokémon to drop their held items after battle

• Added a money multiplier option

• Split a boss randomizer out from the trainer randomizer so they can be toggled independently

• Added a first encounter rule option for Nuzlocke runs, with a few different modes to choose from

• Improved the flow for learning a new move in battle

  • Now the player is shown the move details for the new move and can press START to see details for the existing moves

• Added wraparound scrolling to the PACK and the party menu now stays open while using items

• Pressing START during the credits now skips to the title screen

• Added a type matchup randomizer

  • Includes a BALANCED mode that ensures a maximum of 2 ineffective matchups per type

• Added a new Pokegear card replacing the MAP CARD with type matchup info

  • Includes a BALANCED mode that ensures a maximum of 2 ineffective types

  • Technically this is a breaking change, but I kinda doubt too many people are using the MAP CARD, so I’m not counting it

• Added a TOWN MAP key item to replace the now-removed MAP CARD

• Added evolution stones to the pool of items MOM can buy for you

Fixes

• Fixed a bug with the gender-change option in the debug menu

Cleanup

• Standardized new game option values and cleaned up the new game menu layout a bit

V0.1.2

• Fixed TMs and HMs not doing anything when you use them

Useful Links

Github

Reddit