Changelog
Complete version history, design philosophy, and development roadmap for Pokémon Polished Crystal
Author: via Polished Crystal Development Team's Github
Last updated: January 30, 2026
"There are many ways to create games but the way we work at Game Freak may be a little different from other companies... we constantly change and tweak what we have come up with. To make a fun game even more fun and polish it up, we take what we have made and start thinking about it from scratch."
- Junichi Masuda, "HIDDEN POWER of masuda No. 7"
This philosophy of iteration and polish inspired Pokémon Polished Crystal. The project's creator states:
"I've always wanted to make a Pokémon game. Not just any game, but the best Pokémon game possible. What does that mean? I think a great Pokémon game should be like Gen 5: always offering new ideas and not being afraid to make changes. But it should also respect the player's time and make quality-of-life improvements. And most importantly, it should be fun!"
Modernization Without Losing Identity:
- Implements Gen VI+ mechanics (Abilities, Fairy type, Physical/Special split)
- Preserves Gen II's aesthetic and charm
- Offers both "Polished" (enhanced) and "Faithful" (conservative) builds
Respect Player Time:
- Infinite TMs
- Trade evolutions accessible without trading
- Running from the start
- Streamlined menus and bag organization
Balanced Challenge:
- Badge-based level scaling for optional content
- Improved trainer AI
- No arbitrary badge stat boosts
- Set battle style as default
Content Expansion:
- New areas (Hidden Grottoes)
- Enhanced post-game
- Additional evolution methods
- Modern move tutors
Polished Crystal offers two build variants at game start:
The enhanced experience with modern improvements:
Gameplay Changes:
- Physical/Special split (Gen IV+)
- Fairy type fully implemented
- Abilities system enabled
- Modernized evolution methods
- Type changes to many Pokémon and moves
- Improved stat distributions for weaker Pokémon
Quality of Life:
- Infinite TMs
- Trade evolutions via level-up or Linking Cord
- Running from start
- Modern bag system
- Badge-based level scaling
Battle Mechanics:
- Set battle style default
- No badge stat boosts
- Improved trainer AI
- Strategic held items on opponents
Closer to vanilla Crystal while retaining essential improvements:
Preserved Mechanics:
- Original type chart (no Fairy type)
- Original type assignments
- Gen II Physical/Special system
- Traditional evolution requirements
Retained Improvements:
- Quality-of-life features
- Infinite TMs
- Running from start
- Bug fixes
- Some balance adjustments
v3.0.0:
- Fairy type implementation
- Abilities system refined
- Badge-based level scaling introduced
- Faithful build variant added
v2.0.0:
- Physical/Special split implementation
- Modern evolution methods
- Expanded Kanto content
- Move tutor additions
v1.0.0:
- Initial release
- Core quality-of-life improvements
- Infinite TMs
- Trade evolution alternatives
For detailed version-by-version changes, see the Full Changelog page.
While Polished Crystal aims for the best possible Pokémon experience, some features are intentionally not included:
Mega Evolution / Z-Moves / Dynamax:
- Too complex for Gen II hardware limitations
- Would unbalance existing gameplay
- Focus remains on Gen I-VI core mechanics
Gen VIII+ Pokémon:
- Polished Crystal includes all Pokémon through Gen IV (plus Sylveon)
- Adding newer generations would exceed cartridge limitations
- Current roster of 253 species is considered complete
Online Trading/Battling:
- Hardware limitations of GB/GBC platform
- Focus on single-player experience
- Local link cable trading/battling still works
Following Pokémon:
- Significant sprite work required
- Technical implementation challenges
- Not core to the gameplay experience
Difficulty Modes (Easy/Hard):
- Badge-based scaling already provides adaptive difficulty
- Gameplay preferences cover casual vs. competitive needs
- "Faithful" vs. "Polished" builds offer different experiences
New Areas:
- Additional optional dungeons
- Expanded post-game content
- Sevii Islands-style bonus areas
Move Tutors:
- More Gen III/IV move tutor moves
- Location-exclusive moves
- Egg move alternatives
Battle Facilities:
- Battle Tower enhancements
- Additional battle formats
- Rental Pokémon tournaments
Rangi42:
- Project creator and lead developer
- Engine programming
- Feature implementation
- Balance design
Chamber:
- Beta testing
- Balance feedback
- Documentation
Rainchu:
- Sprite work
- Graphics improvements
- UI enhancements
Blue Emerald:
- Assembly code contributions
- Bug fixes
- Feature development
Polished Crystal is built on the work of many community members:
- Pokémon Crystal disassembly team: Foundation project
- pret community: Tools, documentation, support
- ROMhacking community: Resources and guidance
- Beta testers: Countless hours of testing and feedback
- Game Freak: Creating Pokémon
- Nintendo: Publishing and platform
- Disassembly contributors: Making this project possible
- Players: Feedback, support, and enthusiasm
For complete credits and technical acknowledgments, see the project's CREDITS.md file.
