Pokemon Origin HeartGold English patch

The patch is hosted by the translation project on GitHub. This fansite does not host or apply it. Download the patch first; the browser patcher needs you to select both files.

Before you start

• Your own clean, untrimmed Pokemon HeartGold (USA) ROM from a copy you are entitled to use. You can check its identity in Compatibility details.
• The English RC8 .xdelta patch above.
• A current xdelta-compatible patching tool, such as Delta Patcher.
• A Nintendo DS emulator configured for your device. The translation team reports DeSmuME checks and selected melonDS 1.1 tests. These are not a guarantee for every emulator or physical console.

Apply the patch manually

1. Extract ZIP files first. You need a clean .nds source and the .xdelta patch as separate files.
2. Make a working copy of the clean source. Keep the original elsewhere. Some desktop patchers replace the selected file, so patch only the working copy and keep backup options enabled.
3. Choose a patcher. On desktop, open Delta Patcherin patch application mode. Or use xDelta Patcher in your browser. In either tool, select the working copy of the clean HeartGold .ndsas the source and the same downloaded official RC8 .xdelta as the patch.
4. Apply the patch. Leave checksum checking enabled. If it reports a mismatch, stop and check the source version and extraction; disabling the check does not make an incompatible source correct.
5. Keep the patched output as an NDS file. Give it a clear name, such as Origin_HeartGold_EN_RC8.nds. Do not rename the patch itself to .nds.
6. Open the patched NDS in your emulator. Choose a new game or import your normal in-game save using the emulator’s save controls.

xdelta3 -d -s "Pokemon - HeartGold Version (USA).nds" "Origin_HeartGold_v4.0.3_EN_v1.0.0-rc8.xdelta" "Origin_HeartGold_EN_RC8.nds"

First launch and controls

Origin begins in Pallet Town, Kanto. Your starting choice is Pikachu, Charmander or Bulbasaur. Check the first chapter before entering Viridian if you want your starter’s send-off gift.

Use your emulator’s button mapping for the DS controls. Press L on the Pokemon summary’s stats/moves page for IVs and EVs, and Y at the battle command menu for information. See Mechanics and controls.

The patch retains TEXT SPEED: NORMAL / FAST in Options. New games start on FAST; older saves initially show NORMAL. Keep your emulator at normal speed while diagnosing timing or performance issues.

Options page 2 has ITEMS: DEFAULT / ALL, SHARE: ON / OFFand CAP: OFF / ON. With SHARE OFF, an Exp. Share holder still receives its bench EXP and EVs; CAP still applies. Confirm your changes and save the game.Difficulty settings and level caps.

Saves and future updates

1. Make an ordinary in-game save and close the emulator.
2. Back up the battery save (.sav or your emulator’s equivalent) and your current game file. Save states are not a substitute for a normal save when changing versions.
3. Apply the new patch to a fresh copy of the same clean HeartGold source.
4. Match the new game and save filenames if your emulator requires it, or use its save import function.

Before loading an RC8 save in an older English patch or the Chinese version, set TEXT SPEED to NORMAL and save. Otherwise older versions may show an unusual MUSIC SPEED value. Do not assume compatibility with a future original-game update such as 4.1.

If something goes wrong

The anti-piracy fix introduced in RC6 remains included. RC8’s Victory Road arch correction was confirmed on melonDS and a DS Lite, but that specific result does not establish full hardware or flashcart compatibility. Other hardware and Delta remain untested in the RC8 release notes. Do not add a second anti-piracy patch on top.

More setup and gameplay questions · Credits & sources