Download Pre-Patched Pokemon Palimpsest GBA ROM Hack
- Creator: KittyPBoxx
- Version: 1.2
- Hack of: Emerald
- Released: October 21, 2025
- Language: English
- Status: Completed
Pokemon Palimpsest is a GBA ROM Hack by KittyPBoxx based on Pokemon Emerald in English. And it is now available to download. It was released on October 21, 2025.
Also, be sure to check out Pokemon Ruby Renev
This hack was a submission for the TARC 2025 contest (theme MYTH).
Story
In a world where gods run startups, star in blockbuster movies, and even campaign for presidency, ambitious trainers chase power, glory, and—if they’re lucky—a minimum-wage internship.
But disaster strikes: on the morning of the Ascendancy Exam, you oversleep. Your punishment? A Pokémon that can’t level up, knows no moves, and a divine curse of horrible luck in every battle.
With the gods watching and fate itself laughing at your misfortune, your only hope is to defy destiny, and pray.
Gameplay
This is a short, strategy-focused hack built around battle puzzles that test your understanding of Pokémon mechanics. Each encounter is designed to challenge your creativity and problem-solving skills rather than raw power.
Expected playtime: around 1–4 hours, depending on how familiar you are with Pokémon battle mechanics.
However, these battles have a slight twist:
- You will only ever have one pokemon.
- It will never gain experience.
- You will receive terrible luck in every battle. There is no RNG outside wild battles.
- You can always see your opponents moves, abilities and items in battle.
- Each turn, instead of moving, you can perform one of four prayer moves.
These allow you to:
- Permanently copy an opponents move
- Permanently copy an opponents species
- Permanently switch abilities with an opponent
- Permanently switch items with an opponent
The effect of all prayers continue after the battle (on your pokemon).
Features
- Unique Maps and Puzzle battles
- Battle prayer system
- QOL: Speedup, Inst text, Hold2Mash, Inst Save, Autosave, Multiple Save Slots
Notes
- (START) in the fight menu can be used to terastallize in battle.
- (SELECT) in the fight menu can be used to change the order of moves.
- Hold (R) to speedup the game while keeping original music speed. (Speedup amount will vary depending on how many object are currently on screen)
- Auto saves happen at the end of every battle and whenever a new area is unlocked.
- Battle mechanics are Gen 9.
- (L + R + B + START) opens the debug menu, with the BATTLES section giving the intended setup for each battle. A full cheatsheet is available for those who need a little more divine inspiration.
- Puzzle solutions, Game Info and Debug Settings can be found at the following link (all hidden by default so you won’t spoil yourself)
https://github.com/KittyPBoxx/tarc2/blob/main/README.md
⚠️ NOTE: Some effects use frame-blending. If you’re on emulator or have a screen mod then enabling the frame blend mode (aka interframe blending, ghosting, lcd blur) is recommended to avoid flicker.
Changelog – What’s NEW in v1.2!
- Puzzle battles have been updated
- Warp menu now shows your current mons info
- Some bug fixes in the bad luck system
- R now speeds up the game
- All battle music now loops properly
- Examiner mugshot updated and various overworld sprite tweaks.
- New tiles and animation effects in most areas
Screenshots
Downloads
Credits
KittyPBoxx (Creator)
- Programming KittyPBoxx
- Battle Puzzles Sabata/KittyPBoxx
- Powered by Pokemerald Expansion
- Base Isometric tiles – Raou
- Battle UI / Background – RavePossum/Ruki
- Original Diagonal Movement – Lactozilla / Zatsu
- Battle Speedup – AlexOn1ine / Pokabbie
- Comfy Anims – Huderlem
- Sliding Puzzle – Sphericalice
- Name Boxes – Mudskip
- BW Music – Aichiya
- Original Test Suit – PikalaxALT/RevoSucks/Endrift
- With assets adapted from from Emerald / HGSS / BW / Ranger / Conquest / Boktai
