Is Pokémon Heart & Soul finished?

Yes. The official documentation calls it completed, with the full Johto story and Kanto postgame. Its completion list includes the Johto Champion, Kanto Champion and Trainer Red, and optional ISLES and SINJOH content opens from the Kanto postgame.

What ROM do I need to patch it?

Use a legally obtained Pokémon Emerald Version (U) .gba file. The official instructions say not to use a zipped base ROM; they do not name a regional revision beyond (U).

What is the latest version and patch format?

The official documentation lists v2.0.6. It is distributed as a .ups patch through the official GitHub releases page or Hackdex, not as a pre-patched ROM.

Which emulators work?

The team recommends mGBA on PC and Mac, Pizza Boy, Lemuroid or RetroArch with the mGBA core on Android, and Delta, Ignited or RetroArch with the mGBA core on iOS. MyBoy and gpSP are specifically listed as incompatible.

Can I keep an old save after updating?

Pre-2.0 saves are not compatible with 2.0 and later. For compatible updates, save in a Pokémon Center, back up the .sav/.srm/.fla file, rename it to match the new ROM, then leave the Center after loading; save states do not transfer.

GBA Completed Hack of Emerald

Pokemon Heart & Soul

A completed Emerald remake of the Johto and Kanto journey with following Pokémon, variable encounters, rematches, and optional modern battle tools.

Modern mechanics

Status: Completed
Plays on: PC · Android · iPhone (emulator)
Base game: Pokémon Emerald
Version: 1.2.1
Made by: lildill01

Download Install guide

About Pokemon Heart & Soul

Following Pokémon, variable day-and-night encounters, and a full Johto story with Kanto aftergame bring HeartGold and SoulSilver material into Pokémon Heart & Soul. The completed English GBA hack by lildill01 is based on Emerald, version 1.2.1. It includes Pokémon from Generations I through III and later evolutions, varied trainers, Gym Leader rematches, two Safari Zones, and HGSS music. HMs work without teaching them, while the physical/special split, Fairy type, AutoRun, FastSurf, and shiny rate can each be toggled.

What's in it

Includes Pokémon from Generations I through III and their later evolutions, excluding the Regis and Jirachi.
Retells the Johto story and Kanto postgame from HeartGold and SoulSilver, including the Kimono Girls and Eusine.
Pokémon can follow the player.
Overworld Pokémon show notable encounters on each route.
Day and night change encounters.
Overworld palettes change dynamically.
Includes HeartGold and SoulSilver music.
Uses varied trainer teams and encounters based on Crystal Legacy.
Use HMs without teaching them to a Pokémon.
Berries replace Apricorns, and Kurt makes unique Poké Balls from them.
Timekeeping is progression-based rather than tied to weekdays.
Includes 16 Gym Leader rematches.
Includes two Safari Zones.
Uses unique surfing Pokémon sprites.
Customize the shiny rate.
Toggle the physical/special split.
Toggle the Fairy type.
Toggle AutoRun and FastSurf.
Use a button combination to flee wild battles quickly.
Use ball prompts for faster catching.

◆ POKEPATCHED NOTES

A completed GBA rebuild of the Johto story, Kanto postgame and optional extra areas, made from Pokémon Emerald. It is aimed at a traditional Pokémon run rather than a difficulty hack, although version 2 adds extensive optional challenge, randomizer and Nuzlocke settings.

Base ROM: Pokémon Emerald Version (U).

Before you patch

Use the official UPS patch from the project’s GitHub release. The team says GitHub and Hackdex are the only official patch sources.
Patch a legal Pokémon Emerald Version (U) .gba file; do not feed the patcher a zipped ROM.
Use a current emulator. MyBoy and gpSP will not run it; mGBA is the recommended PC/Mac option.
Starting v2.0 means starting fresh if your save came from v1.x. Compatible update saves should be made in a Pokémon Center before being moved; save states are not transferable.

Who it’s for

This is for players who want the full Johto-to-Kanto structure in GBA form, including a Kanto Champion and Red endpoint, then optional ISLES and SINJOH postgame content. It is deliberately not a difficulty hack, so choose its optional difficulty, randomizer or Nuzlocke settings only if that is the run you want.

Version history

v2.0.6 — current official version; fixes battle backgrounds, Ice Ball animation and Synchronize on static encounters.
v2.0 — rebuilt on pokeemerald-expansion; added Gen 1–9 randomization, revised challenge settings and new postgame content.

If you liked it

Pokémon Emerald Johto Edition — another Johto-focused hack built on Emerald.
Pokémon CrystalDust — another GBA remake project based on Pokémon Crystal.

Sources

Notes researched 2026-09-25 from the sources above.

Pokemon Heart & Soul: common questions

Is Pokémon Heart & Soul finished?: Yes. The official documentation calls it completed, with the full Johto story and Kanto postgame. Its completion list includes the Johto Champion, Kanto Champion and Trainer Red, and optional ISLES and SINJOH content opens from the Kanto postgame.
What ROM do I need to patch it?: Use a legally obtained Pokémon Emerald Version (U) .gba file. The official instructions say not to use a zipped base ROM; they do not name a regional revision beyond (U).
What is the latest version and patch format?: The official documentation lists v2.0.6. It is distributed as a .ups patch through the official GitHub releases page or Hackdex, not as a pre-patched ROM.
Which emulators work?: The team recommends mGBA on PC and Mac, Pizza Boy, Lemuroid or RetroArch with the mGBA core on Android, and Delta, Ignited or RetroArch with the mGBA core on iOS. MyBoy and gpSP are specifically listed as incompatible.
Can I keep an old save after updating?: Pre-2.0 saves are not compatible with 2.0 and later. For compatible updates, save in a Pokémon Center, back up the .sav/.srm/.fla file, rename it to match the new ROM, then leave the Center after loading; save states do not transfer.

Screenshots

Pokemon Heart & Soul in-game screenshot 1

Pokemon Heart & Soul in-game screenshot 2

Pokemon Heart & Soul in-game screenshot 3

Pokemon Heart & Soul in-game screenshot 4

Not sure how to install it?

A step-by-step walkthrough for GBA ROM hacks: emulators, patching tools and our in-browser patcher.

Open the guide

Keep playing

Take on revised trainer teams in this completed Emerald hack, with Pokémon through Gen 8, Alolan forms, permanent Mega Evolutions, and Fake Megas.