FAQ

Looking to play a romhack? See Players.
Interested in submitting a romhack? See Creators.

Players

What is Pokévault?

Pokévault is a community hub for discovering and playing Pokémon ROM hacks. The platform centralizes discovery and provides an in-browser patching system to make playing hacks straightforward and accessible.

Do I need my own ROM file?

Yes. Pokévault distributes patches, not complete, pre-patched ROM files. You must provide your own legally obtained base ROM of the original Pokémon game. You'll link your base ROM once, then easily apply patches directly in your browser.

Is using Pokévault legal?

Unlike some other ROM sharing sites, Pokévault focuses on legal distribution by hosting and sharing patches rather than complete ROMs. You're responsible for obtaining your base ROMs legally. While it might feel like you're downloading a ROM, your browser is actually applying the patch to your file locally behind the scenes.

How do I play a ROM hack from Pokévault?

Browse the Discover page to find a hack that interests you. Once selected, use our built-in patching system to apply the patch to your base ROM. The process happens client-side in your browser, so no data leaves your device.

Do I need an account to browse and download patches?

No account is required to browse the Discover page and download ROM hacks.

How does Pokévault make money?

We don't. Pokévault is a labor of love for the Pokémon community. There are no ads or paid features. The code is fully open source, and we don't want to monetize fan-made content.

Recommended Emulators

PlatformGB, GBC, GBANDS
Windows, Mac, LinuxmGBAMelonDS
AndroidPizzaboy, RetroArchMelonDS Core
iOSDelta, IgnitedDelta, RetroArch

Creators

How do I submit my ROM hack?

Navigate to the Submit page. You'll need to create an account before you can submit. This ensures proper attribution and allows you to update your hack later.

What format should I submit?

We only accept .BPS patch files. Pokévault utilizes a built-in patcher that users apply to their own base ROMs. Our submission form also includes a tool to generate a BPS patch automatically if you provide your modified ROM.

Why only BPS?

BPS is the successor to IPS and UPS. It includes hash checksums for verification, ensuring the patch is linked to the correct base ROM and preventing corrupted files.

Who retains ownership of submitted hacks?

Creators retain 100% ownership of their work. Pokévault serves only as a distribution and discovery platform.