With the release of Scarlet and Violet in the Pokémon franchise, it is time to go down memory lane. It has been nearly 20 years since the initial release of Pokémon Emerald on the Game Boy Advance. With the everchanging Pokémon franchise, with Game Freak trying out different functions. From a change in narrative seen in Arceus. To the more open-world exploration and characteristics given to the wild Pokémon of Paldea in Scarlet and Violet. Sometimes, players want to return to the brilliant simplicity of the golden era of Pokémon. For me growing up, this was the Heartgold and Soulsilver age. Nothing beats the handheld. This is our guide on how to play Pokémon Emerald on Android and IOS. Safely.
Can You Play Pokémon Emerald on Android/IOS?
There are methods of playing Pokémon Emerald on both an Android or IOS phone. The method to playing consists of using an emulator and downloading an ROM file of Pokémon Emerald. It is important for people to research carefully when looking for an emulator. As many are not legit and safe to use. For those looking to convert their own cartridge of a game to play it on a different format should refer to Emulator Zone. These is a safe website to use. But should only be used for people who already own the retro game and wish to convert the cartridge to play on the PC. This is an option if the game can no longer be used on its appropriate console. Such as, not owning a Game Boy Advance or not being able to buy one.
It is so important for people to know that the methods to play Pokémon Emerald on your phone are a somewhat grey area legally. Let us get into the reasons why below.
The Legality of an Emulator and ROM
The use of an emulator is indeed legal. An emulator is software/hardware which imitates that of another computer system. These allow players to play retro games on a different platform. Whilst it is legal to download an emulator, it is illegal to play games on it. The downloading and uploading of game ROMs. These are the copies of a game’s cartridge data. Whilst this area becomes gray due to the use of retro game ROMs, it is simply a fact that downloading/uploading ROMs onto the internet is illegal. The only legal way to use a ROM on an emulator is by owning a copy of the game itself and using a copy of that exact cartridge onto another software, such as a emulator.
The gray area is the downloading of a ROM that is of a retro game. This is of a game that is no longer being distributing in stores. However, this still breaks the law as Nintendo states that whilst these games are no longer being sold in stores;
As a copyright owner, and creator of such famous characters, only Nintendo has the right to benefit from such valuable assets.
Nintendo
The Difference Between an Emulator and ROM
It is crucial for people to know the difference between using an emulator and a ROM. Emulators can be purchased via the internet and using the Play Store on Android. It can also be downloaded for free with ads as a means of paying the company who distributes the emulator software for people to use. Whilst these companies cannot get into legal trouble for creating these softwares, it is the use of the game copies that can be downloaded for free online that is illegal. Yes, you can use these as a means of obtaining a game such as Pokémon Emerald for free, you would be committing a crime to do so. This breaks copyright and infringement laws.
It is not worth the possible trouble you can get in just to revisit or play this retro game for the first time. In the Legal Information page on the Nintendo website, it also states:
It is illegal to download a Nintendo ROM from the internet whether or not you own an authentic copy of that game.
Nintendo
Keeping all this in mind, whilst it is possible to play the game for free via an emulator. It is illegal. You are not advised to do so and similar to that of watching a film online for free, you can do it but you should not. We cannot tell you what you should or should not do but you should keep all this in mind as a lot of people do not know the legal side of emulating video games.
How to Play Pokémon Emerald in 2022
There are other methods of playing Pokémon Emerald in 2022, but once again these require the illegal action of hacking the handheld consoles of the Wii U and 3DS. Unfortunately, for those who want to play the game will not be able to. We hope that there will be a remake of Emerald as seen recently with Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. With many franchises making remakes, including that of Nintendo, it is likely that Emerald will be remade eventually.
The only way to play Pokémon Emerald safely and legally is by purchasing a Game Boy Advance and the original cartridge of Pokémon Emerald itself. Players missing this nostalgic game will just have to wait and see if it returns to our screens in the form of the Nintendo Switch.
Find out more information on the use of ROMs at Legal Information | Nintendo – Nintendo.
Related: Best Pokémon to Beat 6-Star Tera Raid Gyarados in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.
