How to Patch Pokémon Unbound the Right Way

Excited to Play  Pokémon Unbound? But first, you must have to patch it correctly. Without patching, the game won’t work. And trust me, nothing’s more frustrating than downloading a ROM hack only to get errors when trying to play it.

The good news? Patching is super simple. Only if you follow the right steps. So, whether you’re on PC, macOS, Android, or even using a web-based tool, let me simplify everything. So, let’s get started!

Choosing the Right Patching Tool 

One thing you need to know: Not all patches work with all tools. Each patch file works with a specific format like IPS, UPS, and BPS. Therefore, you need to use the correct patching tool for your system.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the best patchers for each format and device:

Which One Should You Use?

• If you’re on Windows, use Tsukuyomi UPS (for UPS patches) or Lunar IPS (for IPS patches).
• On macOS, go with MultiPatch. It supports IPS, UPS, and BPS formats.
• Android users can patch directly on their phones using UniPatcher.
• If you don’t want to download anything, just use Rom Patcher JS. It works fine online in any web browser.

Step-by-Step: How to Patch Pokémon Unbound

First timer? don’t worry. I will try to keep it simple. Just follow these steps carefully:

Step 1: Get a Clean FireRed ROM

Before you do anything, you need the correct base ROM. You must use Pokémon FireRed (USA) v1.0. It is also called 1636 Pokémon FireRed Squirrels. Keep in mind that if you try to patch it onto v1.1, the game WILL NOT WORK. The “Squirrels” version is a clean dump of the original FireRed game, which is why it’s required.

Step 2: Download the Pokémon Unbound Patch

• Now, download the latest patch. Make sure you are downloading it from an official source (like PokeCommunity or the Unbound Discord).
• The patch file will usually be in .UPS or .BPS format. You’ll need this to modify your FireRed ROM.

Step 3: Pick the Right Patching Tool

• Windows: Use Tsukuyomi UPS (for .UPS patches) or Lunar IPS (for .IPS patches).
• macOS: Use MultiPatch (it supports all common patch types).
• Android: Use UniPatcher (great for patching directly on your phone).
• Online (Any Device): If you don’t want to install anything, go to Rom Patcher JS—it works directly in your browser.

Step 4: Apply the Patch

Now you are all set! Here’s how to patch your game:

1. Open your patching tool.
2. Select your FireRed ROM as the Base File.
3. Select the Pokémon Unbound Patch as the Patch File.
4. Click Apply Patch. This will generate a patched Pokémon Unbound ROM.
5. (Optional but Recommended) Rename the new file to something like “Pokémon Unbound v2.1.1.1.gba.” This is, so you don’t mix it up with the original FireRed ROM.

Step5: Run the Game on an Emulator

Half of your work is done. Your ROM is patched, all you need to do is load it into a GBA emulator and start playing!

Recommended Emulators:

Here are a few recommended emulators that people are already using:

• PC: VisualBoyAdvance, mGBA
• Android: MyBoy!
• Multi-Platform: RetroArch

Common Patching Issues & Fixes

Sometimes things can go wrong, even if you do everything just right. Here are some common issues and how to fix them:

Game Stuck on a White Screen?

• This usually happens because of incorrect emulator settings.
• Fix:
  ✅ Disable the BIOS setting in your emulator.
  ✅ If that doesn’t work, try using a different FireRed ROM. Make sure it’s v1.0!

Patch Won’t Apply?

• If you’re getting errors while trying to patch, check these things:
  ✅ Make sure your FireRed ROM is clean (USA v1.0, not v1.1).
  ✅ Double-check that you’re using the correct patching tool for the patch format.
  ✅ If using Rom Patcher JS, make sure you’re selecting the right files.

File Format Problems?

• If your patched file ends in .txt instead of .gba, don’t panic.
  ✅ Just rename it to Pokémon Unbound.gba, and it’ll work fine.

Need More Help?

• If you’re still having trouble, connect to the Pokémon Unbound Discord Server. Here, tons of experienced players can help troubleshoot any issue.

Troubleshooting And Common Issues

Following technical issues can come across to you when running Pokémon Unbound:

Frequently Asked Questions