This guide will explain how to randomize a Pokémon ROM on your emulator for Windows or Mac. You will use the “Universal Randomizer” program for any Pokémon game from Generation I to Generation V, on any computer. Instead, it will be possible to randomize the sixth and seventh generation only on Windows, using the “PK3DS Randomizer” program.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Casualize Generation I through Fifth Pokémon games
Step 1. Make sure you have a ROM and an emulator
To randomize a Pokémon game you will need an emulator installed on your Windows or Mac PC and a game ROM.
- You can download emulators and ROMs from sites like EmuParadise.
- You cannot randomize a Pokémon game if you are playing on a console or mobile platform.
Step 2. Download the "Universal Randomizer" application
Visit the website https://pokehacks.dabomstew.com/randomizer/downloads.php from any browser, then click on the download link indicated for your operating system (if you are using a Mac choose the option Download for all other platforms).
Universal Randomizer manages to randomize every Pokémon game from Generation I to Generation V (up to Pokémon Black 2 and White 2)
Step 3. Install the Universal Randomizer application
This process will have slight differences between Windows and Mac:
- Windows: open the downloaded ZIP file, choose "Extract", then "Extract all" and finally "Extract" again.
- Mac: make sure you have Java JDK installed, then double-click on the downloaded ZIP file and wait for the extraction.
Step 4. Open Universal Randomizer
Double click on the "randomizer" file inside the unzipped folder. This will open the Universal Randomizer window.
On Mac this is a Java file; it will then have the icon of a cup of coffee
Step 5. Click on Open ROM
It is located in the upper right part of the Universal Randomizer window. Doing so will open a Windows Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) window.
Step 6. Select your ROM
Go to the folder that contains your ROM, then click on the latter to select it.
Step 7. Click Open
It is located in the lower right part of the window. Doing so will import your ROM file into Universal Randomizer, which will allow you to unlock the various customization options on the page.
Step 8. Customize the aspects you prefer on your ROM
Checking the "Random" or "Randomize" box under each of the Pokémon headings will completely randomize the game, while selecting only a few options will ensure that the result is a more familiar experience.
Most randomizations will allow you to select additional traits. For example, if you choose to randomize the "Pokémon Base Statistics" section, you will still be able to follow the regular evolution of Pokémon by checking the "Follow Evolutions" box
Step 9. Click on Randomize (Save)
It is located at the top right of the page. Doing so will open a save window.
Step 10. Save your ROM
To do this you must:
- Select a location for saving.
- Enter the file name.
- Click Save
- Click Yes when asked.
Step 11. Play your Randomized ROM
Once the ROM is saved, you can play it as usual:
- Open the emulator.
- Click File
- Click 'Open
- Double click on the ROM.
Method 2 of 2: Randomize the Games with Sixth and Seventh Generations
Step 1. Try to understand how this method works
The sixth and seventh generation of Pokémon include games like X, Y, Sun, and Moon, which are notoriously very difficult to randomize. Fortunately, you can use a program called PK3DS and the PackHack tool to customize some aspects of these games.
Unfortunately, the PK3DS emulator is only available for Windows
Step 2. Make sure you have an emulator and a ROM
You will need an emulator capable of running 3DS games and a 3DS ROM of the game of your choice.
- You can search for torrents to download 3DS ROMs, but keep in mind that major ROM sites don't allow you to download this type of file directly.
- Citra is a very popular 3DS emulator:
Step 3. Download the PK3DS program
This tool supports most games with Generation VI Pokémon and some with Generation VII Pokémon:
- Open the link to download PK3DS on your computer.
- Click on Log in as guest.
- Click on the category Artifacts.
- Click on Download all (.zip).
Step 4. Extract the PK3DS files
To do it:
- Right click on the downloaded ZIP folder.
- Click on Extract everything ….
- Click on Extract.
- Double click on the “pk3ds Build 337” ZIP folder.
- Click on Extract, at the top of the window.
- Click on 'Extract All.
- Click again on Extract when asked.
Step 5. Download and install PackHack
This program is required to be able to save your 3DS ROM as a new custom file:
- Visit the link https://github.com/Asia81/HackingToolkit9DS/releases from any browser.
- Click on PackEnglishV12.rar.
- Extract the PackHack RAR file.
Step 6. Open the PackHack folder
Double-click on the folder you extracted PackEnglishV12, then on the only folder inside and finally on PackHack '.
Step 7. Place your 3DS file inside the PackHack folder
Copy the file by selecting it and pressing the Ctrl + C combination, then press Ctrl + V while in the PackHack folder.
Step 8. Double-click SetupUS
It is located in the PackHack folder. By doing so, the 3DS file will begin the extraction.
Step 9. Copy the entire contents of the folder
When the installation is complete, click on a file, press Ctrl + A and then Ctrl + C to copy all the files in the PackHack folder.
Step 10. Paste the files into a new folder
Create a new folder in the same location as the one you extracted, PackEnglishV12 (for example on the desktop), open the folder you just created and press Ctrl + V.
Step 11. Open PK3DS
Double click on the “pk3d6” file. This will open the program window.
If you see a pop-up window warning you that “PK3DS” is an “unknown program”, click on “More info”, then on “Run anyway” at the bottom of the window
Step 12. Click on File
It is located in the upper left corner of the window. A drop-down menu will appear.
Step 13. Click Open
It is one of the options in the drop-down menu.
Step 14. Open the new folder you just created
To do this, double click on it.
Step 15. Select the ROM
Click on your 3DS game.
Step 16. Click OK or Open.
The selected ROM will open on the PK3DS emulator.
Step 17. Casualize the game
Once you open the 3DS ROM on the PK3DS emulator, you can randomize specific attributes of the game in question. To do this you will need to select an item at the top of the window (for example “ExeFS), choose an attribute (for example“Shiny Rate”) and modify the options you prefer in the window that opens.
Step 18. When you save the file, leave the PK3DS emulator open
You will need to perform some operations to save your ROM as a custom file, so make sure you haven't closed the emulator in the meantime.
Step 19. Copy the ROM folder
Open the folder you created, select the folder ExtractedRomFS, then press Ctrl + C.
Step 20. Paste the file into the PackHack folder
Reopen the PackHack folder located inside PackEnglishV12, then press Ctrl + V and choose to replace all conflicting files with the same name.
Step 21. Double-click HackingToolkit
It is located in the PackHack folder. Doing so will open a Command Prompt window.
Step 22. Rebuild the 3DS file of your Pokémon game
Work like this on the Command Prompt:
- Type d and press Enter.
- Type a name for your custom Pokémon ROM, one that is unique and consists of a single word, with no spaces, then press Enter.
- Press any key when prompted.
Step 23. Play your custom ROM
Once the rebuild is complete, you will be able to open the randomized ROM on your favorite emulator.
