Pokémon Crystal Inheritance Takes Players Back To Ancient Johto

Released back in 2000 for the Game Boy Color, Pokémon Crystal was launched as the enhanced version of 1999’s Pokémon Gold and Silver and marked the final instalments in Gen 2 of the beloved Nintendo franchise. Ranked amongst the top-selling Game Boy games, Pokémon Crystal introduced heaps of new features to the Pokémon franchise, including a playable female protagonist, a Battle Tower area, new story elements, and more.

Image shows gameplay from Pokemon Crystal

Despite selling a lot less than was planned, Pokémon Crystal has the benefit of nostalgia and to this day, many Pokémon lovers still return to the 2000 title. However, what if I told you that there was a way to experience Pokémon Crystal in a next-gen format?

It is indeed possible thanks to ROM hack, Pokémon: Crystal Inheritance. Created by user dwg, Pokémon: Crystal Inheritance is a fully complete ROM hack set in the historic, fan-favorite region of Johto. Featuring 285 Pokémon to catch from Kanto, Johto, Sinnoh and Hisui, as well as 5 custom ones, players can also expect crafting, emphasis on overworld puzzles, difficulty options, quality-of-life improvements and much more.

Crystal Inheritance is a time-traveling adventure through Johto! In a twist on the classic Pokemon experience, instead of collecting badges to become champion, you unite Johto against a dark force threatening its future.

Use your knowledge of the world to craft pokéballs from new apricorns, discover Hisuian and Ancestor forms of Johto Pokémon, and explore Johto like never before. In historic Johto, you’ll see the power-hungry Emperor Mejimi and his generals Bobesh, Kensey, and Adrinna use a crisis to consolidate power. In modern Johto, you’ll confront Johto’s wayward gym leaders as they wonder how to cope with a changing world.

Nothing is inevitable – what path will you choose?

With the entire Pokédex being available to catch in just one playthrough, Pokémon: Crystal Inheritance offers hours of content to explore, as players choose between two different endings, as well as a hidden palette system. This system offers a unique mechanic that allows players to vary their Pokémon’s palette. “If a Pokémon has the maximum possible DVs for a given hidden power type, then it will have the corresponding palette,” the creator explains.

Additionally, in Pokémon: Crystal Inheritance, you will be able to meet six new Gym Leaders across the region of Historic Johto: Silas, Sandra, Sybil, Remy, Petra, and Amos. Each with their own stories and abilities on the battlefield, this is just one of many examples of how Pokémon: Crystal Inheritance improves on the original whilst retaining its magic from the early 2000s.

Better yet, Pokémon: Crystal Inheritance is completely free to download and try out yourself right now, making it the perfect game for any Pokémon lover in your life.