Converting Pokemon from Gen 1 and 2 to Gen 3 and Beyond
By DoktorGilda
Getting started [CARTRIDGE PROCESS]
Getting started [ROM PROCESS]
Last update 06/24/2014
Special thanks
Game Freak
Metropolis for the conversion program
GuyPerfect for the research and in-depth thread on the subject, as well as their own in-progress conversion tool
Introduction
Most veteran Pokemon fans remember the day Gen 3 came out with grim news: Pokemon from previous gens could not be transferred over and were left behind, often being deleted along with the games’ save files once the batteries ran out.
Thankfully, there’s a way to transfer them to your current games nowadays! Yes, it’s possible!
Got any questions? Shoot me an email at gilda_pinguim[at]hotmail.com!
Stuff you need
- Metropolis’s Conversion Utility (version 1.22 as of 06/24/2014, be sure to check the rest of the thread out depending on when you look at this tutorial)
- A GBA Emulator
- A DS Emulator that can Pal Park. I recommend Desmume (version 0.9.9 seems to have a stable GBA slot).
- ROMs and Saves for the Gen 3 and 4 games you want to send your Pokemon to.
- A Flashcart, such as a R4 (possibly optional)
- Two DS systems
- If you’re doing it from a cartridge: A Mega Memory card (optional and might get a bit pricey, as they are out of print) and a GB USB Smart Card (you’ll need this)
- Two Gameboys of any kind and a link cable (optional if you have a Mega memory card)
Getting started [CARTRIDGE PROCESS]
Install the USB GB Smart card accordingly to these instructions.
Tip: Hit F8 during boot-up and select Disable Driver Signature Enforcement.
Download the ROM for the Gen 1-2 Pokemon game you’re transferring your mons from. Run the GB USB.exe and add the ROM into it, then click Write.
Eject it.
If you have a mega Memory Card
Next up, grab the Mega Memory card.
Put a cartridge on it, put it into the Game Boy of your preference and turn it on.
Select Backup and name the .sav whatever you wish.
Next up, grab the GB Smart Card and put it in the Mega Memory Card.
Select Restore and pick your desired save. The Smart Card should have both the ROM and the correct save in it by now.
If you don’t have a Mega Memory card
Thank you Reddit user drumsoverbogota for this method!
Start a game in an emulator and play until you get to the point where you can trade.
Put the ROM and sav (using the Add/Write and Write SRAM tabs) into the GB USB card.
Grab your legitimate RBYGSC cartridge and trade your Pokemon over to the game in the GB USB card using a Link Cable. Now your Pokemon should be in the right place!
After getting everything you want in the GB USB...
Plug the Smart Card back into the computer and open the .exe once again.
Select Read SRAM and save the .sav wherever you want, under any name you want. You might have to manually write “.sav” at the end of the file’s name.
Congrats, you just got your save from the cartridge onto the computer successfully! Now begins the second half of the process, which is…
Getting started [ROM PROCESS]
Download Metropolis’s conversion utility.
Open the RBYGSC Rom you have in the GBA emulator and save in-game as you would in a normal cartridge. Keep in mind the conversion program deals with .sav files and not save states.
Open the conversion tool and select the .sav you want. Afterwards, select the correct game version.
This is what you should see. Click on the Pokemon tab.
I’m going to convert Trueno the Raichu.
This is where you can edit and convert your Pokemon as you see fit.
The conversion process is pretty simple. Just open each sav (the one you’re transferring from and the one that will receive everything) and use the copy & paste buttons on the program to send Pokemon back and forth. The conversion is done automatically.
Might want to remove their HMs during this step.
Here’s what Trueno is like as a Gen 3 Pokemon!
You should check your Gen 3 boxes just in case. Remember, this program works with .sav battery saves, NOT save states!
Next, fire up Desmume or any other DS emulator that supports the GBA slot. Click Config and select the GBA game you’re using. Afterwards, just open the NDS game you want.
You’re going to Pal Park your Pokemon just like in a normal transfer.
Same Pokemon, different gens.
Next up, grab your flashcart and put it in your computer. In my case, all I need to do is copy over the ROM and .SAV for SoulSilver.
NOTE: If someone finds an easier way to do this, please tell me!
Afterwards, just trade your Pokemon over to a legit Gen 4 game and transfer them to Gen 5! Neither local play or Gen 5 transfer use Nintendo Wi-Fi, so you should be good.
Happy migrating!