GBA
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Pokémon Heart & Soul
Category: GBA
Author: lildill01
Date: 2026-01-18
Description
Pokémon Heart & Soul brings the classic Johto Region and its iconic story to the world of modern GBA decomp hacking. Built on the Modern Emerald decomp, this project offers a fresh take on the GSC/HGSS experience, blending key aspects of the Gen 2 and Gen 4 games, while incorporating many modern QoL features, as well as some familiar Gen 3 mechanics. Not only is Heart & Soul (HnS) a first-of-its-kind, fully completed, playtested, and largely faithful GSC remake / HGSS demake, it's also completely open source, and is intended to be a base for a new generation of Johto rom hacks.
Features
- A Complete & Faithful Johto GBA Experience: This is a full remake of the Johto story and Kanto post-game, blending elements from both GSC and HGSS, including the Eusine and Kimono Girls questlines. It is a complete, playtested game from start to finish.
- Open Source Decomp Base: A first-of-its-kind, this hack is built on the Modern Emerald decomp and is completely open source, intended to be a base for future Johto ROM hacks.
- Toggleable Modern Mechanics: You can choose your experience. The Physical/Special Split and the Fairy Type are both in the game and can be toggled on or off at any time.
- Following Pokémon: Your lead Pokémon will follow you on your adventure through Johto and Kanto.
- No HM Slaves Needed: HMs do not need to be taught to a Pokémon to be used in the overworld.
- Expanded Pokédex (Gen 1-3+): The game features Pokémon from the first three generations, plus their later-generation evolutions (like Magnezone, Electivire, etc.).
- Vastly Improved Level Curve: The infamous and frustrating level curve of the original Johto games has been greatly improved for a smoother gameplay experience.
- Day/Night System with Dynamic Encounters: The game features a full day/night system with changing overworld palettes and different Pokémon encounters depending on the time of day.
- HGSS Music & Unique Surf Sprites: The game features the beloved soundtrack from HeartGold and SoulSilver, as well as custom overworld sprites for different surfing Pokémon.
- Customizable Shiny Rate: You can choose and set your own shiny encounter rate.
- Quality of Life Upgrades: Includes toggleable AutoRun and FastSurf, a quick-run button combo for wild battles, and ball prompts for faster catching. ➡️Overworld Encounter Previews: Overworld Pokémon sprites appear on routes to show you the notable wild encounters in that area.
- Progression-Based Events: Timekeeping is based on story progression, not real-world days of the week, so you never have to wait for specific events.
- 16 Gym Leader Rematches: You can re-battle all 16 Gym Leaders from Johto and Kanto.
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GBA
Pokémon Heart & Soul
By lildill01
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CompletedExp ShareFairy TypeNew RegionQoL
PlatformGBA
Authorlildill01
PostedJanuary 18, 2026
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Game Description
Pokémon Heart & Soul brings the classic Johto Region and its iconic story to the world of modern GBA decomp hacking. Built on the Modern Emerald decomp, this project offers a fresh take on the GSC/HGSS experience, blending key aspects of the Gen 2 and Gen 4 games, while incorporating many modern QoL features, as well as some familiar Gen 3 mechanics. Not only is Heart & Soul (HnS) a first-of-its-kind, fully completed, playtested, and largely faithful GSC remake / HGSS demake, it's also completely open source, and is intended to be a base for a new generation of Johto rom hacks.
Original Creator
Original Creator
Visit Source / Author Website
https://www.pokecommunity.com/threads/pok%C3%A9mon-heart-soul-completed-johto-gba-decomp-hack.538287/
Current Version: 1.2.1: (December 01, 2025)
Key Features
A Complete & Faithful Johto GBA ExperienceThis is a full remake of the Johto story and Kanto post-game, blending elements from both GSC and HGSS, including the Eusine and Kimono Girls questlines. It is a complete, playtested game from start to finish.
Open Source Decomp BaseA first-of-its-kind, this hack is built on the Modern Emerald decomp and is completely open source, intended to be a base for future Johto ROM hacks.
Toggleable Modern MechanicsYou can choose your experience. The Physical/Special Split and the Fairy Type are both in the game and can be toggled on or off at any time.
Following PokémonYour lead Pokémon will follow you on your adventure through Johto and Kanto.
No HM Slaves NeededHMs do not need to be taught to a Pokémon to be used in the overworld.
Expanded Pokédex (Gen 1-3+)The game features Pokémon from the first three generations, plus their later-generation evolutions (like Magnezone, Electivire, etc.).
Vastly Improved Level CurveThe infamous and frustrating level curve of the original Johto games has been greatly improved for a smoother gameplay experience.
Day/Night System with Dynamic EncountersThe game features a full day/night system with changing overworld palettes and different Pokémon encounters depending on the time of day.
HGSS Music & Unique Surf SpritesThe game features the beloved soundtrack from HeartGold and SoulSilver, as well as custom overworld sprites for different surfing Pokémon.
Customizable Shiny RateYou can choose and set your own shiny encounter rate.
Quality of Life UpgradesIncludes toggleable AutoRun and FastSurf, a quick-run button combo for wild battles, and ball prompts for faster catching. ➡️Overworld Encounter Previews
Progression-Based EventsTimekeeping is based on story progression, not real-world days of the week, so you never have to wait for specific events.
16 Gym Leader RematchesYou can re-battle all 16 Gym Leaders from Johto and Kanto.
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