Launching in 2001 for the Game Boy Color, Pokémon Crystal was released as an enhanced version of 1999’s Pokémon Gold and Silver, as well as marking the final entry in the second generation of Pokémon video games.
Although Pokémon Crystal became the lowest-selling game out of all the Pokémon main entries, it is still remembered fondly, as it braved several new features, including the opportunity to play as a female Trainer, a Battle Tower area, the addition of animated Pokémon sprites during battles, and much more.
Perhaps due to its unfortunate sales, Pokémon Crystal has never received any type of remake or remaster, and remains firmly an early 2000s Pokémon entry that has been lost to time. However, one fan has breathed new life into the game, taking us back to the world almost three decades later.
That is because, for the first time ever, Pokémon Crystal has made its way to PC courtesy of froggestspirit, also known as project “suiCune”. It was this developer that originally set out to create a PC port for Pokémon Crystal back in 2022, but the project was archived soon after. However, developer team DanZC and wowjinxy decided to pick up where froggestspirit left off and managed to convert the original Z80 assembly code into C/C++ language, allowing Pokémon Crystal to finally receive that long-awaited PC port.
By rewriting the original code into C99 as well as implementing SDL2, the port manages to encapsulate the magic of the original 2001 title, such as its audio and graphics, whilst also making improvements that any modern gamers would be searching for. A statement by wowjinxy was soon released, sharing more information on the ambitious project:
“This is suiCune, a project that took two years to actually get done. Unlike other ports for games, this is quite different. Games on most platforms tend to use C/C++, but back in the 90s for a platform such as GBC that just wasn’t possible. So all the code written was gbz80 assembly. That means that there isn’t any direct way to compile to PC. Instead, suiCune had every single function handwritten to match the exact logic of the assembly. It would be one thing to stop there. However, we also kept save compatibility with the original Pokémon Crystal and got native online working by using REON, an open source reimplementation of the Game Boy’s network adapter.”
Following the news that Pokémon Crystal would be returning after all these years with a brand-new PC port, fans took to Twitter/X to share their thoughts.
“This is dope, but man, Crystal was actually pretty bad. Johto has structural problems: bad level pacing, awkward Pokémon availability, a thin Kanto, and a weaker story. Loved it regardless as a kid though,” one user shared. “Let’s gooooo,” another said simply.
So, there you have it! Pokémon Crystal returns after almost three decades, and becomes yet another classic Pokémon title to receive some well-deserved love.
- Released
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December 14, 2000
- ESRB
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e
- Developer(s)
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Game Freak
- Publisher(s)
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Nintendo
- Multiplayer
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Local Multiplayer