Differences From Vanilla | PolishedDex | PolishedDex

Differences From Vanilla

A list of differences between Polished Crystal and Vanilla Crystal.

Author: via Polished Crystal Development Team's Github

Last updated: March 24, 2026

Differences From Vanilla

Features

These are some of the new features as of 2.2.0. Some would be spoilers.

We've been greedy in the amount of gameplay elements we've squeezed in there. There's so much included that I even had colleagues saying to me: "Are you sure you should be going this far with a remake?" In that sense, it's not simply a remake - I think it's more than that. For that reason, I would like to see these games enjoyed by as large a number of people as possible.

Shigeki Morimoto, "Iwata Asks – Pokémon HeartGold Version & SoulSilver Version"

Pokémon

The New Pokédex order used by the project currently contains 289 entries (see data/pokemon/dex_order_new.asm). Many Johto-appropriate Pokémon (for example, Houndour, Murkrow, and Misdreavus) are available in sensible Johto locations rather than being gated behind Kanto.
All later-generation Pokémon and forms related to the original Gen 1+2 ones have been added. Examples include Leafeon, Glaceon, Sylveon, Farigifaf, Dudunsparce, Alolan, Galarian, and Hisuian forms, and others (the full list is defined in constants/pokemon_constants.asm and the Pokédex order in data/pokemon/dex_order_new.asm).
Several Pokémon that were removed in older patches due to engine limitations were later re-included (for example: Spearow, Fearow, Lickitung, Goldeen, Seaking, Hoppip, Skiploom, Jumpluff, Shuckle, Aipom, Stantler, Cleffa, Igglybuff, Smoochum, and Delibird) - see CHANGELOG.md and bsp/save_patches.txt for historical notes and index changes.
Evolution mechanics are implemented via the project's evolutions table (data/pokemon/evos_attacks.asm). Notable, concrete behaviours include:

The Fairy type is implemented. Type-enhancing held items are present: Pink Bow boosts Fairy-type moves (HELD_TYPE_BOOST -> FAIRY), and Silk Scarf boosts Normal-type moves (HELD_TYPE_BOOST -> NORMAL).
Type chart, base stats, and move attributes all updated to Gen VI.
Physical/Special/Status split.
Natures (determined from DVs since personality values don't exist in Gen II) thanks to FredrIQ.
Gain experience from catching Pokémon.
Play low-pitched cries when a player or foe Pokémon faints.
Money loss uses a Gen VI-style formula.
Shiny Pokémon are determined by the project's shiny flag; the base shiny chance is 1/4096 (SHINY_NUMERATOR = 16). The Shiny Charm and the Masuda method modify this chance in egg/capture logic. The Odd Egg is always shiny.
Type-enhancing items raise by 20%, not 10%.
Light Ball doubles Pikachu's Attack as well as Special Attack.
Critical hits do 150% damage, not 200%, but are more likely.
Electric-type Pokémon are immune to paralysis, even from Tri Attack.
Ice-type Pokémon are immune to freezing, even from Tri Attack.
Fire-type Pokémon are immune to burns, even from Tri Attack.
Steel-type Pokémon are immune to poisoning.
Poison-type Pokémon always hit with Toxic.
Curse is Ghost-type.
Roar, Whirlwind, and Struggle are unaffected by accuracy or evasion, like Swift.
Growth raises Attack and Special Attack, by two stages in sunlight.
Hidden Power is always 70 power.
Double-Edge and Flare Blitz do 33% recoil damage.
Twineedle checks for poison after each hit.
Sandstorm does 1/16 damage per turn.
Substitute blocks Transform, Swagger, and trapping moves; does not block draining moves; and prevents gaining money from Pay Day.
Protect works from behind a Substitute.
Struggle does 25% of max HP recoil damage.
Sleep lasts 1-3 turns, not 1-7.
20% chance to defrost each turn, not 10%.
Disable lasts for 4 turns.
Waterfall has a 20% flinch chance.
X Accuracy boosts accuracy, it does not ignore accuracy checks entirely.
Leppa Berry (formerly MysteryBerry) restores 10 PP, not 5.
Sitrus Berry (formerly Gold Berry) restores 25% of max HP, not 30 HP.
Paralyze and Freeze animations play each turn.
Rock-type Pokémon get Sp.Def boosted by 50% in a sandstorm.
Wild Pokémon have more common held items (50% chance for a common one and 5% for a rare one). Giving an Amulet Coin to your lead Pokémon increases this to 60% and 10%.

Team Rocket has another plan to thwart.
The old Rocket Hideout is repurposed and - by night - is occupied by three leaders (Candela, Spark, and Blanche) who work as teachers by day and are involved in a mysterious project in the hideout.
Random Wonder Trades in the Goldenrod PokéCom Center, including random held items and original trainers.
Wonder Trade improvements: post-Elite Four behaviour and bug fixes, Eggs can be Wonder Traded, and a small chance for Wonder Traded Pokémon to have Pokérus.
Catching all 26 Unown is worthwhile…
Move Reminder in the same house as the Move Deleter. (Code borrowed from TPP Anniversary Crystal, thanks to its developers graciously making their source code public.)
Many move tutors throughout Johto and Kanto (about 48 locations).
Battle Tower and Battle Factory have dedicated events and NPCs (intros, open/closed state, and battle-room trainers such as Anabel, Riley, Buck, Cheryl, Marley, Mira, and others).
Falkner is in Dark Cave, encouraging you to beat Sprout Tower first.
Photographing your Pokémon at the Cianwood Photo Studio once a day now makes it happier, like haircuts or massages. (No more GameBoy Printer support.)
The Mystery Gift girl in Goldenrod Dept. Store gives you a random Berry once a day. (No more Mystery Gift support.)
The Poké Seer is replaced by the Stats Judge.
Lt. Surge's electric fences are back.
Celadon Dept. Store now has a TV Game floor and a Home Decor wing.
Revised in-game trades.
Revised Game Corner prizes.
Revised Buena's Password prizes.
The Odd Egg is always shiny, with an equal chance to be either gender.
Three of Prof. Oak's aides give you items as you complete the Pokédex.
Bill's grandpa gives you one of each evolutionary stone in Goldenrod City. Later they can be bought in Celadon Dept. Store.
Eusine shows you the legendary beasts in Celadon City in case you haven't found them roaming.
Respawn any fainted legendaries (except for Celebi) after beating the Elite Four. (Suicune roams instead of appearing in Bell Tower.) (Also respawns Sudowoodo.)