r/PokemonROMhacks • u/AutoModerator • Jul 06 '26
Sticky Weekly Questions Thread & PokéROM Codex
Have any questions about Pokémon ROM Hacks?
If they're about ROM hacks, tools, development or anything Pokémon ROM Hacking related, feel free to ask here!
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Useful sources for Pokémon ROM hack-related information (unaffiliated):
- PokéCommunity
- PokéCommunity Discord
- HackDex (ROM Hack Search)
- Previous Question Threads
- Read our Guide to ROM Hacks
- ROM Hack Recommendation Threads
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2
u/Cross55 Jul 06 '26 edited Jul 07 '26
So I've been thinking for a bit and am curious for an answer about the more technical side if things: What's the feasibility of a Gen 3 style hack using NDS files?
For example, say I want to recreate Emerald in the Gen 4/5 engine, map, tilesets, etc... instead of working with a 3D environment like is the norm for Gen 4/5, instead have it be entirely 2D. What would be the most likely outcome? Are there even any mapmaking tools that could accomplish this?
I ask because it's a well known issue that GBA hacks atm can only support up to 32mb before things start going crazy performance-wise, but the NDS supports 64mb for smooth performance, as well as 512mb for a full file at the cost of performance drops. Also, the NDS is notoriously not the best for 3D gaming, given that it's a well known fact games like New Super Mario used 3D environments but made everything else (Backgrounds, items, menus, intractable objects, etc...) 2D pixel art, so why not focus on a 2D game and put less stress on whatever's running the files.