Ultra Violet: one cartridge, one save, every Pokémon
Pokémon Ultra Violet is a FireRed hack by LocksmithArmy (of LSA Development), posted on PokéCommunity in February 2013 as a sort of third title alongside FireRed and LeafGreen. The author kept the story, intro and layout of Kanto intact on purpose; what he changed is the idea that you need a second game and a trade partner to finish your Pokédex.
At a glance
- Based on: Pokémon FireRed
- Created by: LocksmithArmy
- Released: February 2013; final version 1.22
- Genre: Kanto adventure with a solo-completion focus
- What sets it apart: The whole Pokédex on a single save, with no trading required
How it makes that possible
- Both versions' wild Pokémon share the map, so Oddish and Bellsprout appear together on Route 24
- Both fossils and both fighting Pokémon from the Saffron dojo can be taken
- The three starters are scattered around Kanto as rare finds, and later versions let you catch your first Pokémon yourself
- Trade evolutions use stones, levels or other triggers, Eevee's night and day forms included
- Raikou, Entei and Suicune have new events, with the roaming one depending on your starter
- Ho-Oh, Lugia and Deoxys can be caught on the Sevii Islands, as if you had a ticket from an event
How it grew
After the initial release the author updated it several times. Version 1.10 added the option to catch your first Pokémon, 1.20 added an island with every Generation 3 Pokémon, and 1.21 was declared the final update, adding events (including a Celebi encounter) and a player's guide. Version 1.22 later let players without in-game saves skip the reset after the Elite Four and unlocked the National Dex in Oak's lab.
The title screen and default names were changed to match the game's own name, and the rival names mimic a fictional counterpart version.