This article was last updated on August 1, 2023
If you’re longing for a trip down memory lane, nothing beats playing one of the early Pokémon games. Pokémon Red was among the first Pokémon titles released for the Game Boy and remains a cherished favorite among gamers.
Pokémon Fire Red, the 2004 Game Boy Advance remake, retains the core gameplay of the original while introducing over 20 new Pokémon for each version (FireRed and LeafGreen). It serves as the perfect starting point for reliving your childhood adventures.
Although Pokémon ROM hacks like Pokémon Phoenix Rising or Pokémon Omega Red can be challenging, most players don’t expect the base version of Pokémon FireRed to pose a significant challenge. Surprisingly, newcomers and veteran Pokémon trainers alike may find it difficult due to its lack of modern quality-of-life features.
The good news is that most Pokémon ROMs contain cheat codes and programs that can make your journey just a little bit easier, helping you catch ’em all.
In-Game Cheats
While many cheats require external programs like GameShark v3, Pokémon FireRed includes built-in features that assist players without necessarily being considered cheating. These features are essential for completing the game.
Upgrading the Pokédex
After completing the main story and capturing over 60 Pokémon, you can update your Pokédex. Simply visit the Professor in Pallet Town once you meet the requirements. This upgrade allows you to explore new locations and unlock new evolutions for your Pokémon.
Safari Zone Glitch
To catch Pokémon in the Safari Zone without wasting precious time, lightly tap right and left to change your character’s orientation without moving. This technique enables you to encounter wild Pokémon without reducing your timer.
Trainer Card Upgrades
Upgrading your trainer card enhances your star rating and changes the card’s appearance. You can upgrade your card four times by completing the following challenges:
- Complete the main story.
- Complete the National Pokédex (excluding Mew, Celebi, Deoxys, and Jirachi).
- Complete the Kanto Pokédex.
- Achieve a score of 200+ in the Dodrio Berry Picking and Pokémon Jump minigames.
Secret Items in Pokémon Fire Red
To obtain rare items in the game, you’ll need the Itemfinder. After catching 30 Pokémon, one of Professor Oak’s aides will give you the Itemfinder. You can find them on Route 11, between Vermilion City and Lavender Town, on the upper floor of the gate.
Once you have the Itemfinder, return to specific locations to discover secret items associated with certain characters you’ve met before. Be patient, as you need to stand in the exact spots where they were. Some of the items you can find include:
- Leftovers (near Cycling Road and Silence Bridge, where the Snorlax was).
- Macho Brace (from where Giovanni was in Viridian Gym).
- Sacred Ash (from the spot at Navel Rock where Ho-Oh was).
- Soothe Bell (from the Pokémon Tower where Mr. Fuji was).
Gameshark Codes
The most effective way to access Pokémon cheat codes is by using a dedicated program like GameShark or Action Replay. These programs are included in most GBA emulators, such as Visual Boy Advance and My Boy for Android.
Using Gameshark to Enter a Cheat Code in Visual Boy Advance
Open VBA and select your Pokémon FireRed ROM. Once the game is running, open the VBA cheats menu and choose “Cheat List” from the dropdown menu. Select Gameshark and enter the desired Pokémon code.
You can enter multiple codes simultaneously and even add descriptions for each cheat code to keep track of their effects. After clicking OK, the game will continue with your chosen cheats.
Using Gameshark to Enter a Cheat Code in My Boy
Enabling cheats in the My Boy emulator follows the same process as VBA since both emulators use GameShark v3 as their cheat engine. Open your Pokémon FireRed ROM and tap the menu button in the top left corner.
Tap “Cheats” and then “New Cheat.” You’ll see a new window where you can enter the cheat name, description, and code. When you’re finished, tap the three dots in the top right corner and select “Save” to save the cheat.
To resume the game, press the back button on your phone. The free version of My Boy allows you to enter only one line of code at a time, so you’ll need to enter multi-line cheats line by line.
If you want to enable multiple cheats simultaneously, tap the plus sign in the top right corner while in the Cheats menu. You can also edit, disable, or delete cheats from this menu.
Best Pokémon Fire Red Cheats
While Pokémon Fire Red cheats can modify various aspects of the game, there are a few popular ones that players commonly use. Some cheats reduce the need for extensive leveling, provide all TM/HM items, enable walking through walls, obtain rare items, or even modify the gender or nature of wild Pokémon encounters.
Catching Pokémon
A useful wild Pokémon encounter cheat allows you to encounter legendary or shiny Pokémon. Start by entering the master code:
000014D1 000A1003dae6 0007After successfully entering the master code, enter the cheat code for the legendary Pokémon you want to catch.
Pokémon Max Stats
This cheat is a game-changer for players tired of leveling up their Pokémon. The cheat utilizes your Pokémon’s position and arrangement to level it up to the maximum.
Infinite Items Cheat
The infinite items cheat consists of two parts: the inventory slot and the name of the item you want to make infinite.
82025840 44Use this format to modify items in different slots:
- Modify Item in Slot 1: 82025840 xxxx
- Modify Item in Slot 2: 82025844 xxxx
- Modify Item in Slot 3: 82025848 xxxx
- Modify Item in Slot 4: 8202584C xxxx
- Modify Item in Slot 5: 82025850 xxxx
You can duplicate almost any item in the game, including evolution stones.
Getting the Most Out of Pokémon Fire Red Cheats
While activating cheats is simple, it is important to consider how they may affect your game. Using an incompatible Pokémon Fire Red ROM can result in crashes and glitches, and enabling too many cheats at once can break the game.
To ensure the best experience when using Pokémon Fire Red cheats, follow these guidelines to maintain a stable and enjoyable game:
- Activate a maximum of three cheats per game to avoid conflicts and glitches. Turning off cheats after use prevents future issues with your saved game.
- Use recommended emulators like GBA4ios for iOS, My Boy for Android, Retroarch for MacOS, or Visual Boy Advance for Windows.
- Save your game before applying cheats. If you notice any irregularities in your bag after activating a cheat, exit without saving and restore your original settings.
- Some cheats may not take effect immediately. Refresh the game world by entering and exiting doors or entrances several times before giving up. Changing locations can help trigger the cheats.
Get the Most Out of Pokémon Fire Red with Cheat Codes
Playing Pokémon Fire Red or Leaf Green on a GBA emulator is like taking a trip back in time, but these games still hold up today. If you’re feeling nostalgic or want an old-school Pokémon experience, Pokémon Fire Red is the perfect choice.
However, like many older games, Pokémon Fire Red and Leaf Green have some rough edges that can detract from the overall experience. They can be time-consuming and heavily reliant on luck, especially if you aim to capture all Pokémon and achieve every milestone.
Fortunately, using a GBA emulator can help. Most emulators come with built-in cheat systems like GameShark v3.
Using Pokémon FireRed cheats is incredibly straightforward. Once you find the GameShark codes that suit your needs, enter them into your emulator, and let the cheats enhance your gameplay.
At That Video Game Blog, we’ve got all the information you need to make the most of your Pokémon adventure, from Pokémon starter lists to comprehensive Pokémon Fire Red cheats. Visit us for the latest gaming news, reviews, and gear!
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