How to Play Pokémon Too Many Types

How to Play Pokémon Too Many Types: A Complete Guide to Installing and Enjoying This Emerald ROM Hack

The Pokémon universe is vast, colorful, and constantly evolving—especially when fans take the reins to craft unique modifications of classic games. One such fan-favorite creation is the “Pokémon Too Many Types” ROM hack. Built on the iconic Pokémon Emerald, this mod injects fresh energy into the game by adding over 50 new Pokémon types, pushing strategy, variety, and excitement to the next level. In this in-depth guide, we’ll walk you through what this mod offers and how to set it up on your PC, even if you’ve never installed a ROM hack before.

What Is Pokémon Too Many Types?

“Pokémon Too Many Types” is a fan-made ROM hack of the classic Game Boy Advance title, Pokémon Emerald. A ROM hack is essentially a modification of a game’s ROM file (the game’s data), made to change the experience in ways that the original developers didn’t intend—but fans certainly appreciate.

This particular hack doesn’t change the core story of Pokémon Emerald but completely revamps the gameplay by adding more than 50 Pokémon types. From new elemental combinations to revised abilities and type interactions, it challenges veteran trainers to adapt to unfamiliar strengths and weaknesses.

Instead of sticking to the traditional 18 types (like Fire, Water, Electric, etc.), “Too Many Types” expands the battlefield with quirky, thematic, and imaginative types that demand new battle strategies. Whether you’re a seasoned Pokémon Master or someone looking to spice up an old favorite, this mod offers hours of strategic fun.

Key Features of Pokémon Too Many Types

Before we dive into installation, let’s look at some of the most exciting elements that make this mod stand out:

Over 50 New Types: From fan-invented types like “Sound,” “Light,” and “Digital” to entirely abstract ones, every type adds new mechanics and resistance patterns.

Enhanced Strategy: More types mean more complex type matchups. You can’t just rely on the old Fire > Grass logic anymore.
Compatibility with Pokémon Emerald: The game retains the familiar Hoenn region while drastically shifting gameplay.
Challenge for Veterans: If you’ve memorized every type interaction from the original games, this mod will refresh your experience.

Active Community: The mod is widely celebrated within the Pokémon ROM hacking community and frequently discussed on Discord servers and forums.

What You’ll Need to Play

To successfully install and play “Pokémon Too Many Types,” you’ll need a few basic tools:

A clean Pokémon Emerald ROM (you must legally own the game to use this).

The Too Many Types BPS patch file.
FLIPS (Floating IPS) patching tool.
A GBA emulator like mGBA or VisualBoyAdvance for playing the patched ROM.

Access to Alpharad’s Discord server, where the mod file is hosted.

Let’s walk through the process step-by-step.

Step 1: Get the Required Files

1.1 Pokémon Emerald ROM

To use the mod, you’ll need a clean (unmodified) Pokémon Emerald ROM file. Due to copyright laws, we can’t provide a download link, but you can legally extract one from a cartridge you own using special tools.

1.2 Too Many Types BPS Patch

The patch file modifies the Emerald ROM to include the new types. It comes in a .bps format and is only available through Alpharad’s Discord server.

How to Get It:

Create or log in to your Discord account.
Join Alpharad’s official Discord server.

Look for a channel named #pkmn-too-many-types or similar.
Download the latest version of the .bps patch from there.

1.3 FLIPS Patcher

FLIPS (Floating IPS) is the most commonly used tool for applying .bps patches to ROM files.

Search for “FLIPS patcher” online or go to sites like romhacking.net.
Download the latest version and unzip it to a folder on your PC.

1.4 GBA Emulator

To play the modified ROM, install a Game Boy Advance emulator:

VisualBoyAdvance: Lightweight and beginner-friendly.
mGBA: More modern with advanced features and better performance.

Both are free and available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Step 2: Patch the ROM with the BPS File

Now that you’ve gathered all the tools, it’s time to apply the patch and create your modded ROM.

Here’s how to do it:

Place Files in One Folder: Copy your clean Pokémon Emerald ROM and the downloaded TooManyTypes.bps file into the same folder.
Open FLIPS: Launch flips.exe from the FLIPS folder.

Apply Patch:
- Click on “Apply Patch.”
- In the pop-up, select the .bps file.
- Next, choose your clean Pokémon Emerald ROM.
- Finally, choose a name and location for the new, patched ROM file. Save it.
Patch Completion: FLIPS will now create a new modded ROM that contains all the data from the Too Many Types patch.

You’re almost ready to play!

Step 3: Load the Patched ROM in Your Emulator

With your patched ROM file ready, follow these steps to load it up:

On mGBA:

Open the emulator.

Click “File” > “Load ROM.”
Navigate to your patched ROM and open it.
Start playing!

On VisualBoyAdvance:

Launch the app.
Click “File” > “Open.”
Select the patched ROM and let the adventure begin.

Pro Tip: Configure your emulator settings for better resolution, save state access, and faster emulation.

What to Expect in Gameplay

Once the game starts, you’ll recognize the classic Pokémon Emerald setup—Professor Birch, the Hoenn region, familiar NPCs—but the real fun begins during battles.

Here’s what you can expect:

Type Overhaul: Pokémon you’ve known for years now have new types or dual types.
Learning Curve: You’ll need to experiment with moves and observe results, since there’s no official type chart.
Team Building: As new types emerge, you’ll need to build balanced teams that can counter uncommon matchups.

Increased Difficulty: The expanded type system and modified movesets mean AI trainers can be more unpredictable.

Tips for Mastering Too Many Types

Use a Type Chart: Some community members have created unofficial charts. Search forums or Discord to find them.
Document Battles: Keep notes on how types interact. It will save you time later.

Experiment: Try different moves on new types to figure out what’s effective.
Join the Community: Participate in Discord discussions or watch streamers play to pick up strategies.
Save Often: Save before big battles or encounters to avoid surprises.

Why You Should Try This Mod

Still on the fence about installing Pokémon Too Many Types? Here’s why it’s worth your time:

Revitalizes a Classic: Even if you’ve played Emerald dozens of times, this mod makes it feel new.
Community-Driven Creativity: This is a mod by fans, for fans—with passion behind every detail.

Improves Strategy and Replay Value: With new types come new puzzles to solve in battle.
Free to Play: As long as you legally own Pokémon Emerald, everything else in this setup is free.
Great for Streaming or Nuzlocking: The mod’s uniqueness makes it perfect for streaming or custom challenge runs.

Final Thoughts

Pokémon Too Many Types breathes new life into Pokémon Emerald by flipping the type chart on its head. It’s more than just a mod—it’s a strategic overhaul designed to challenge, delight, and engage veteran trainers and newcomers alike. With simple tools and a bit of setup, you can dive into this innovative twist on a beloved classic.

So, dust off your Poké Balls, fire up your emulator, and prepare to rethink everything you know about type matchups. Pokémon Too Many Types is more than a game—it’s an adventure you’ve never had before in the Hoenn region.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is Pokémon Too Many Types official?
No. It’s a fan-made mod and not affiliated with Game Freak or Nintendo.

Q: Can I play it on Android or iOS?
Yes, if you have a GBA emulator like My Boy (Android) or GBA4iOS (iOS), and you follow the same patching process on a PC first.

Q: Will it work with randomizer tools or other mods?
It’s best to use the patch on a clean ROM. Combining mods may lead to crashes or errors.

Q: Are there shiny Pokémon in this mod?
Yes, standard Emerald mechanics remain intact, including shiny encounters.

Q: Where can I discuss this mod with others?
Join Alpharad’s Discord or look for threads on Pokémon hacking forums like PokéCommunity or Reddit’s r/PokemonROMhacks.

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