Pokémon Ultra Violet
The Complete Kanto Adventure, Expanded.
Pokémon Ultra Violet is a finished ROM hack of Pokémon FireRed that allows players to catch, train, and evolve more Pokémon while experiencing the Kanto adventure. It keeps FireRed’s main story, regions, Gym challenge, and general progression, but expands Pokémon availability, removes the need for link-trade evolutions, adds new events, and includes extra content for completing the Generation 1–3 Pokédex.
What Is Pokémon Ultra Violet?
Pokémon Ultra Violet is a Game Boy Advance ROM hack of Pokémon FireRed created by LocksmithArmy. It is an improvement-style hack rather than a complete remake: the Kanto story, most locations, route progression, Gym Leaders, Elite Four, and core FireRed gameplay remain recognizable.
The main difference is Pokémon availability. Ultra Violet makes it possible to obtain species that were originally locked behind LeafGreen, another Generation 3 game, a Nintendo event, or a trade evolution. It also adds new encounters, revised events, and an extra island for Generation 3 Pokémon.
Pokémon Ultra Violet Gameplay Features
Pokémon Ultra Violet changes the collection side of FireRed while preserving its familiar adventure. The hack’s main features are designed to let one player complete a much larger Pokédex without moving Pokémon between several different games.
FireRed & LeafGreen Exclusives Together
In the original Generation 3 games, some Pokémon could only be found in either FireRed or LeafGreen. Ultra Violet removes much of that split by placing catchable FireRed and LeafGreen Pokémon in their normal or logical locations. For example, a route that had Oddish in FireRed and Bellsprout in LeafGreen can include both species in Ultra Violet. This helps players complete their collection without needing to restart in another version or trade with another save file.
Both Fossils & Both Fighting Pokémon
Ultra Violet changes two well-known FireRed choice points. In standard FireRed, players choose one fossil in Mt. Moon: Helix Fossil for Omanyte or Dome Fossil for Kabuto. In Ultra Violet, you can collect both fossils, so neither fossil Pokémon is permanently missed. The same applies to the Fighting Dojo in Saffron City. Instead of choosing between Hitmonlee and Hitmonchan, players can take both Pokémon after defeating the Karate Master.
Starter Pokémon Become Catchable Later
Starter Pokémon can be found later in the game. Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle are not permanently locked to Professor Oak’s choice in Ultra Violet. They are placed in rare but logical locations, allowing for easier Pokédex completion and greater freedom in selecting your starting partner.
Safari Zone-Style First Encounter
Instead of solely choosing a classic starter, players can enter a special starter area equipped with Safari Balls to capture their first Pokémon directly from the wild. This provides a fresh, personalized early game experience while preserving traditional choices.
Evolve Pokémon Without Trading
Pokémon Ultra Violet changes several evolution methods so players can complete their team without external trading. The hack does not use one identical replacement for every species, so always check the exact Pokémon before preparing an evolution.
Pokémon such as Kadabra, Machoke, Graveler, Haunter, and other trade-evolution species can evolve through revised in-game methods. You do not need to connect with another player to evolve them. This is especially helpful if you play on an emulator, a mobile device, or a single-player handheld setup.
Some Pokémon normally evolve only when traded while holding a specific item. Ultra Violet adjusts those evolutions so they can happen without a trade, using levels, Evolution Stones, or logical alternatives.
In original FireRed, Espeon and Umbreon cannot evolve normally because the game has no built-in clock. Ultra Violet changes this so both Pokémon can be obtained in-game without requiring a day-and-night system.
Discover the Starter Area in Ultra Violet
In Pokémon Ultra Violet, the journey begins with total freedom. You can pick Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle just like standard FireRed, or decline Oak’s Poké Balls to venture into a dedicated starter area with Safari Balls to catch your first partner in the wild. Whichever path you choose, all starter Pokémon can be encountered later in the game, giving you complete flexibility when building your team.
Provides an advantageous early gym matchup path with reliable status utility and steady progression.
Provides a different early gym approach requiring smart early support catches, rewarded by offensive power.
Provides balanced offensive and defensive stability across early routes and Kanto Gym challenges.
- Whether the Pokémon learns useful attacking moves early
- How quickly it gains experience and evolves
- Matchup suitability against early Gym Leaders
- Balancing team weaknesses before the mid-game Gym challenge
How to Download and Play Pokémon Ultra Violet
Patching Pokémon Ultra Violet requires a clean Pokémon FireRed ROM and the Ultra Violet IPS patch. The patch changes the FireRed ROM into the Ultra Violet version, after which the resulting .gba file can be loaded in a compatible emulator.
01 — Get the Required Files
You need a clean Pokémon FireRed (USA) 1.0 ROM and the Pokémon Ultra Violet IPS patch. Keep both files available before starting the patching process.
02 — Extract the Patching Tool
Extract the downloaded patch archive to a folder on your computer. The folder should contain the Lunar IPS patching application and the Ultra Violet .ips file.
03 — Open Lunar IPS
Run Lunar IPS and choose the option to apply an IPS patch. When prompted for the patch, select the Pokémon Ultra Violet .ips file.
04 — Select Your FireRed ROM
Lunar IPS will then ask you to choose the FireRed ROM that will receive the patch. Select your clean Pokémon FireRed 1.0 ROM and allow the patching process to finish.
05 — Save the Patched ROM
Once the patch has been applied, you will have the modified .gba file. Rename the file if you want, then keep it somewhere easy to find for your emulator.
06 — Open Ultra Violet
Load the patched .gba file in a compatible GBA emulator and start a new game. If the patch was applied correctly, the game should load as Pokémon Ultra Violet rather than the original FireRed version.
07 — Need a Ready-to-Play Version
If you don’t want to patch the ROM yourself, you can use the latest pre-patched Pokémon Ultra Violet version available on our download page.
Pokémon Ultra Violet v1.22
The final commonly listed release is Pokémon Ultra Violet v1.22. Version 1.21 was presented as the project’s final content update, and version 1.22 later added the save-related Elite Four adjustment to resolve save state conflicts.
Before Beginning a Long Save File:
What Makes Pokémon Ultra Violet Different?
Pokémon Ultra Violet is an ideal choice for players who enjoy FireRed but want more Pokémon, fewer collection restrictions, and greater team-building freedom. It keeps the familiar Kanto story, Gyms, Team Rocket events, and Pokémon League while making it possible to work toward catching and evolving all 386 Pokémon from Generations 1–3 in one save file.
Features such as revised trade evolutions, expanded event access, both fossils, both Fighting Dojo rewards, and 4-Points Isle make the journey more complete for solo players. Use the Pokédex, evolution, walkthrough, and legendary-location guides on this site whenever you need help during your adventure.
FAQs
Verified answers to common community and gameplay questions.
Is Pokémon Ultra Violet based on FireRed?
Yes. Pokémon Ultra Violet is a hack of Pokémon FireRed. It preserves the original game’s general story and design rather than replacing it with a completely new region or plot.
What is the latest Pokémon Ultra Violet version?
The final commonly listed release is v1.22. It includes the completed v1.21 content and adds a way to bypass the post-Elite Four reset for players who cannot use in-game saving properly.
Can you catch all 386 Pokémon in Pokémon Ultra Violet?
That is the main goal of the hack. Pokémon Ultra Violet is designed so one player with one save file can catch and evolve all Pokémon from Generations 1–3, although some Pokémon still require special events, in-game trades, or specific locations.
Where are Generation 3 Pokémon in Pokémon Ultra Violet?
Generation 3 Pokémon are housed on the added 4-Points Isle area. Speak to the girl in the southernmost house in Vermilion City to reach the island.
Can you choose a different starter Pokémon?
Yes. You can select Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle normally. You can also decline Oak’s Poké Balls and use a one-time catch-your-first-Pokémon option in a special starter area.
Can Pokémon Ultra Violet be played on an emulator?
Yes. It is a Game Boy Advance ROM hack and can be played through compatible Game Boy Advance emulators. Your exact patching and save-file process may differ depending on whether you play on a computer, phone, handheld emulation device, or modified console.
Is Pokémon Ultra Violet a new story?
No. Pokémon Ultra Violet does not replace Kanto with a new region or completely rewrite FireRed’s plot. It keeps the original game’s general design and story structure. Its biggest changes focus on how Pokémon are found, evolved, collected, and accessed. This makes it a good option for players who enjoy FireRed but want fewer collection restrictions.