How to Randomize Pokemon Games

Pokemon series veterans might want to create a new experience by randomizing their games. However, you cannot easily randomize a Pokemon game on the fly while playing the game. You will need to use a PC application. And once done, you can only run them on an emulator, a hacked console, or a console that supports one. If you need to know how to randomize Pokemon games, this guide will tell you all the steps and tools you need.

How to Randomize Generation I-V Pokemon Games

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1. Download the Pokemon Universal Randomizer Tool

Head over to the Pokehacks.dabomstew.com/randomizer website and download the Universal Randomizer application. Grab the EXE version if you’re on a Windows PC. Click on the Download for all other platforms if you use Mac or Linux. To install it on Windows, simply open the downloaded ZIP folder and extract the files. Meanwhile, if you’re on Mac, you will have to install Java JDK first if you haven’t yet.

Just to remind you, the Universal Randomizer only supports Pokemon games from Generation I to V. Check the table below for all games counted into each Generation.

Pokemon Generation	Games
Generation I	Pokemon Red Pokemon Green Pokemon Blue Pokemon Yellow
Generation II	Pokemon Gold Pokemon Silver Pokemon Crystal
Generation III	Pokemon Ruby Pokemon Sapphire Pokemon Emerald Pokemon FireRed Pokemon LeafGreen
Generation IV	Pokemon Diamond Pokemon Pearl Pokemon Platinum Pokemon HeartGold Pokemon SoulSilver
Generation V	Pokemon White Pokemon Black Pokemon White 2 Pokemon Black 2

2. Use It to Randomize the Game

1. Open the Universal Randomizer application
   1. It’s a .exe file for Windows.
   2. A .jar file for other OSes.
2. Click on the Open ROM button in the top right corner of the window.
3. Search for your Pokemon game file then open it.
4. The Pokemon game files are now loaded into the Universal Randomizer. Tweak and randomize it according to your liking.
   • For example, you can make the starter Pokemon selection and their evolutions completely random in the Starters, Statistics, and Trade tab.
   • Wild Pokemon spawn can be randomized in the Wild Pokemon tab
   • Trainers’ Pokemon, Classes, and names can be randomized in the Trainer Pokemon tab, etcetera.
   • You can also download someone else’s .rndp randomization seed file on the internet by using the Premade Seed menu.
5. Click the Randomize (Save) button in the top right corner of the window to save your ROM edits.

3. Play the Randomized Game

Now you can play a randomized Pokemon game just like running any other ROM on an emulator. Open your preferred emulator, open your new file, and play it!

Related:
Classic Pokemon Game Joins Nintendo Switch Online

How to Randomize Generation VI and VII Pokemon Games

Credits: GameFreak, The Pokemon Company, Nintendo/Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon

The process of randomizing Generation VI and VII Pokemon games is slightly more involved. Because you have to unpack the Pokemon game files first before the randomizer can edit them. But it’s not that hard. Also, this time around, the randomizer only works on Windows PC. Again, you can check the table below for all Pokemon Generation VI and VII games.

Pokemon Generation	Games
Generation VI	Pokemon X Pokemon Y Pokemon Omega Ruby Pokemon Alpha Sapphire
Generation VII	Pokemon Sun Pokemon Moon Pokemon Ultra Sun Pokemon Ultra Moon

1. Unpack the Game Files

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1. Download the PackHack tool from HackingToolKit9DS in GitHub. Click the PackEnglishV12.rar to download it.
   • This is the unpacker tool needed to unpack your games’ files.
2. Extract the PackEnglishV12.rar. Then open the PackHack folder.
3. Run the SetupUS.exe file to install the application.
4. Copy your 3DS game file inside the PackHack folder.
5. Run the HackingToolkit9DS.exe.
6. When the command window is opened, press the:
   • D key if your Pokemon game file is a .3ds file.
   • Write CE if your Pokemon game file is a .cia file.
   • As seen in the window, doing so will extract game files.
7. Write the file name without the extension and press Enter.
   • Note: Make sure your file doesn’t have spaces or weird characters. For example, type PokemonUltraMoon if that’s the name of your game file.
   • Extension is the file type. For example, it could be a .3ds or .cia file.
8. Press any key to go back to the first screen.

2. Download the Randomizer Tool

via The Nerd Stash

1. Download the pk3DS editing tool from Azure DevOps.
   1. Below the Pipelines text, click on the Runs text.
   2. Click on the top most Stages.
   3. Below the Related text, click on the published; consumed text.
   4. Hover over the pk3DS selection. On the right side, look for the three dots icon. Click the icon.
   5. Click on the Download artifacts option from the drop-down menu.
2. Extract the pk3DS.zip.
3. Run the pk3DS.exe.
4. Click File > Open and open the HackingToolkit9DS folder.
5. Select and modify the Pokemon attributes you want to randomize in the application.
6. Save your changes and close the pk3DS application.

3. Rebuild The Game Files

1. Run the HackingToolkit9DS.exe.
2. When the command window is opened, press the:
   • R key if your Pokemon game file is a .3ds file.
   • Write CR if your Pokemon game file is a .cia file.
   • As seen in the window, doing so will rebuild or repack the game files.
3. Give the new file a new, one-word name without space.
4. Wait until the rebuilding process is finished.

3. Play the Randomized Game

Now you can play a randomized Pokemon game just like running any other file on an emulator or a hacked console!