Pokemon Rocket : James (blue)

Introduction: "Pokemon Rocket: James (Blue)" is a fan-made ROM hack of the Game Boy Color game Pokemon Crystal. It is not an official release. The hack reimagines the Johto and Kanto regions from the perspective of Team Rocket member James, following his story from his recruitment to his rise within the criminal organization. The visual style is identical to the original Pokemon Crystal, using its 8-bit graphics and color palette.

Gameplay & Mechanics: The player starts with a Koffing as their partner Pokemon, reflecting James's canonical companion. The game is designed to be more challenging than the standard Johto adventure, with tougher trainer battles and a narrative that restricts access to typical hero activities like challenging Gyms. It does not include the Physical/Special split from later generations, nor does it add the Fairy type. The day/night cycle from Crystal is present. Its difficulty and altered progression make it less suited for a standard Nuzlocke run due to the limited early Pokemon availability.

Key Features:

• Team Rocket Narrative: The entire story is told from the villain's side, with missions involving theft, sabotage, and battling police officers like Officer Jenny instead of Gym Leaders.
• Altered Progression and Party: Catching Pokemon is limited, often requiring theft from other trainers. Your party is frequently composed of Pokemon associated with Team Rocket, such as Ekans, Meowth, and Weezing.
• Original Crystal Engine with Modified Scripts: While the core mechanics and world map are from Pokemon Crystal, all dialogue, events, and character interactions are rewritten to fit the new story, creating a familiar yet distinctly different experience.

This hack offers a complete narrative inversion of the classic Johto journey for players seeking a different perspective.