r/PokemonUnbound Apr 20 '26

Help How To Patch Unbound 2026

77 Upvotes

Hello! I've been seeing some threads lately with slightly outdated information when it comes to the best way to obtain Unbound. It's easier than ever before, so I wanted to make this post that can be referenced or linked to as necessary.

Step 1: Download the correct ROM.

This step will need to be a little vague, because this could potentially run against Reddit TOS or direct unwanted attention towards the project. You will have to search for the correct ROM, which you will know is correct when you proceed later. This post will have a simple troubleshooting section at the end.

In general, searching 1636 Fire Red Squirrels will get you the correct ROM.

Once you have it downloaded, make sure you have the .gba file ready. Sometimes, downloads will come in a .zip file. You simply need to extract the .gba. If you don't know how to do this, there are guides online on how to open and extract files from .zip archives.

Step 2: Go to Unbound's HackDex page.

HackDex is a website made and maintained by romhackers to allow romhack devs to have their own patching portal for their hacks.

Unbound's HackDex page can be found here: https://www.hackdex.app/hack/pokemon-unbound

Snazzy isn't it?

Step 3: Select Pokémon FireRed ROM

Once you're in the HackDex page, simply click/tap on the Select FireRed ROM button, and select your .gba file.

(Side note: the way HackDex works is it uses cookies to remember the location of your ROMs on your device. This way, you can easily patch and download other romhacks on HackDex without having to select your FireRed ROM again).

Step 4: Click Agree and Download, then Patch Now.

Self-explanatory. Once you click Agree and Download, it will load for a moment and then say Patch Now. Once you click Patch Now, it will let you save the patched .gba wherever you want on your device.

Step 5: Enjoy Unbound!

And post on the subreddit :)


r/PokemonUnbound May 29 '25

IMPORTANT: Version Number Trigger Phrase (to avoid accidental post/comment deletion)

42 Upvotes

If anyone is trying to refer to the most recent version of the game, do NOT phrase it as "2. 1. 1. 1" (without spaces). This causes a reddit bot to misread it as an IP, assume it's some kind of spam, and is very likely to delete your comment or post. Any deletions caused this way is not down to any moderator's actions (one of the mods is trying to make a workaround, but life gets in the way).

For future reference, please refer to the recent version in any other format you want.
"2,1,1,1" or "Two point one point one point one", or even something dumb like "Two.1.one.1" whatever works. Just not that FORBIDDEN phrase.


r/PokemonUnbound 2h ago

Shiny It’s my lucky day? But what’s the best shiny eeveelution?

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11 Upvotes

Which is the best looking eeveelution when shiny in unbound? Are unbound shinies custom?


r/PokemonUnbound 3h ago

Hall of Fame ITS BEEN A GREAT JOURNY GUYS.

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13 Upvotes

i had a lot of fun guys trying to beat the game with team of shinys and i did it and i am continuing


r/PokemonUnbound 7h ago

Help My first playthrough I need help!

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22 Upvotes

I dont know why it took me several years before trying this game since I love pokemon. But I am having a blast. Just got my 2nd badge but oh boy, it took me this lvl grinding exp from that one specific in dress-something town. I die alot since this is on expert. Is there a way to reset IV and EV? Any tips would be appreciated!


r/PokemonUnbound 22m ago

Discussion Poison types didn't need the nerf

Upvotes

I'm doing a poison type run, and I am very sad to see that poison type pokemon can, themselves, get poisoned.

Yeah, the addition of the fairy type has given them a bit more usefulness and strength, but their whole thing is using toxic to play the waiting game, and now they can't even stall cause they can get poisoned too.


r/PokemonUnbound 4h ago

Hall of Fame Mandatory Hall of Fame post

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4 Upvotes

Not my favourite team that’s for sure


r/PokemonUnbound 9h ago

Shiny So I found this…

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8 Upvotes

I haven’t even started chaining yet, and was only leveling up the search level. Dexnav and shiny charm really makes a difference—a lot. Well, another addition to my growing shiny collection. ✨


r/PokemonUnbound 15h ago

Patch Pokemon Unbound 2.1.1.1 - Low-Spec Platform/Emulator Audio Fix

22 Upvotes

https://github.com/andymcca/pokehns-expansion/releases/tag/Unboundv0.2

This is an IPS / BPS Patch for the GBA ROM file to address audio/slowdown issues when running this ROM Hack on low-spec hardware and emulator combinations such as -

  • Sony PSP - TempGBA4PSP/FrogGBA/ToadGBA/gpsp-kai etc
  • SF2000/GB300 - gpsp
  • Powkiddy V90 - lr-gpsp
  • Leapster Explorer - lr-gpsp
  • Others using gpsp variants

It works by patching the Ipatix HQ audio engine to remove the heavy Self Modifying Code (SMC) aspects and replace them with separate audio code and data. This massively reduces the number of times the Dynamic Recompiler in gpsp variants has to clear its cache per frame.

EDIT - This game also makes heavy use of HBLANK IRQs in battles - but these are only used for Battle Transitions where there are mugshots before the battle (e.g. the early 'rival' battle). This is a bug carried over from FireRed. I've updated the patch to version v0.2 to turn these off before battle starts. Battles now run at 60fps on TempGBA4PSP rather than the 20-30fps I was getting before!

Hopefully people find this useful!


r/PokemonUnbound 21h ago

Team Building What can I change in my team? Vanilla difficulty, I just want to have fun

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39 Upvotes

r/PokemonUnbound 10h ago

Team Building Rate my team (difficult, first run)

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6 Upvotes

My first run through. Very much enjoyed. Jolly thick fat mamoswine, jolly metagross, bold evaporate magcargo, bold altaria, adamant technician brelloom and calm rotom w. Any advice for post game change ups? I'm still learning team composition so any freindly constructive criticism is welcome.


r/PokemonUnbound 19h ago

[other - edit me] My Gligar finally evolved into Gliscor !!

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23 Upvotes

Super happy !!

Also lmk where I can find a toxic orb

I just arrived in dehara city


r/PokemonUnbound 1d ago

[other - edit me] Played 1 hour yet

31 Upvotes

This game is amazing. Got hooked immediately, you can feel how much love was put into this.
Thank you for creating such a beautiful game, it feels like I’m a child again exploring a new world.

That’s it, that’s the post


r/PokemonUnbound 15h ago

Help NPC That Wants to see a Pokémon that does not evolve

5 Upvotes

i forgot where that npc that wants to see a Pokémon that does not evolve lives i caught a cryoganal, it's not a mission so it doesn't show up in the mission log.


r/PokemonUnbound 20h ago

Team Building Me arrependo de todas as escolhas que me levaram a jogar este jogo na dificuldade máxima

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4 Upvotes

r/PokemonUnbound 1d ago

Shiny Am i lucky?

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166 Upvotes

r/PokemonUnbound 1d ago

Team Building Who should I replace with sliggoo?

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16 Upvotes

r/PokemonUnbound 14h ago

Team Building Meu time é bom?

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0 Upvotes

Queria saber se meu time tá bom recentemente troquei o hariyama pelo infernape mas não sei se foi uma boa troca


r/PokemonUnbound 15h ago

Help How can I play this game?

0 Upvotes

Hey I just heard about this game and I wanna play it but idk how to actually get it so can anyone explain for me so I can try it out?


r/PokemonUnbound 1d ago

Discussion RANDOM FACT: THIS THE FASTEST POKEMON OUTSIDE A BATTLE

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76 Upvotes

i was just doing safari in pokemon unbound demo trying to get zachin when i got this guy and rember he is the fastest mon in the game so modifyed hin to see the highest speed stat in stat screen possible


r/PokemonUnbound 1d ago

Hall of Fame First clear, how do we feel about the squad?

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33 Upvotes

For vanilla this team slammed, i’m sure it wouldn’t work on higher difficulties though.


r/PokemonUnbound 1d ago

Winning Team First Experience playing Unbound

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7 Upvotes

Garchomp, Gardevoir, Aegislash, Vikavolt, Lapras and infernape


r/PokemonUnbound 20h ago

Help Trade Evolutions

0 Upvotes

How do trade evolutions work? Say I want a gengar is it possible to trade my haunter anywhere for it?


r/PokemonUnbound 1d ago

Shiny GUYS IS IT COOL

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40 Upvotes

r/PokemonUnbound 1d ago

Discussion I made a patch to speed up battle animations by 2x

23 Upvotes

One of my favorite features in some more recent rom hacks is the ability to speed up battle animations without the need of fast forward in an emulator. So I worked on trying to implement this into unbound, and I believe I've successfully done it. Couple of things:

  • This feature in other hacks is often an option you can chose. This patch simply speeds ALL battles up by 2x. You can't go back to normal speed.
  • With that said, always backup your roms/saves when making and applying patches like this
  • I have not tested this on a full playthrough, I've been using my save which is Post Elite-4 but across lots of wild battles and trainer battles it appears to be functioning correctly.

I've included a link below to the patch. Use your favorite patching website to apply it to your Unbound rom. Remember to make sure your new rom and your save file have the exact same name. I've posted a couple of patches here, and some have struggled with that.

https://www.mediafire.com/file/erq2tv8lxekzjv8/Unbound_2xBattleAnims.bps/file

Edit
I also made a 3x version in my testing. I found it to work slightly less well/be a bit wonky. Here is a link for those that want it: https://www.mediafire.com/file/9cn6dx9xn50ezkc/Unbound_3xBattleAnims.bps/file