Mirror Gold is a difficulty hack of HeartGold built using hg-engine.
Each trainer battle is a double battle, featuring custom trainer AI, and a completely overhauled Gen 1-9 roster.
The goal of this game is to provide a fresh and challenging take on the classic Johto experience with an emphasis on strategic double battles.
TL;DR Feature List
All trainer battles are double battles and feature much smarter AI with better teams
Randomizer, Nuzlocke, and Easy/Hard modes available
Hall of Infamy in game to view your RIP'd Nuzlocke mons
Many gameplay modernizations courtesy of hg-engine, including Fairy Typing & Mega Evolution
Fully rebalanced Gen 1-9 roster
Rotie-like battle screen (press X in battle)
Party heal with L Button; PC access with R Button
EV/IV viewer (press L/R)
Infinite Rare Candy, Infinite Repel, held Eviolite prevents evolution, and more
HMs no longer require teaching; Fly is available via Key item almost immediately
200+ TMs/TRs available
Simplified EVs/IVs
Streamlined early game
Level Scaling
Mirror Gold solves the infamous Johto level curve by scaling both wild and trainer encounters based on your party level.
Vanilla HGSS is fairly open about gym order. Mirror Gold leans into this a bit more.
Level Scaling helps to moderate difficulty based on the way YOU want to approach the game.
The challenge in the trainer battles is not about what level they are, but in what strategies and resources they deploy.
Randomizer
Mirror Gold has a built-in randomizer that should feel somewhat familiar to those that have watched the Nuzlocke Invitational hosted by pChal and PointCrow.
All encounters are randomized including your starters and legends. Each Pokémon has a randomized ability that persists through evolution, and a completely randomized move pool.
As your go to pick your starter, you'll be prompted to enable or disable the randomizer. This is the only time you'll be offered the choice.
Gameplay Tips
Elm's Lab Assistant has various in-game settings for you to modify
Press X in battle to see a Rotie-like interface
Press L in the overworld to heal your party
Press R in the overworld to access portable PC
Rock Climb is obtained after Chuck
Visit Professor Oak after obtaining 16 gym badges to unlock a hidden item
Ice Path and the path to Blackthorn City is no longer locked behind the Rocket hideout
Mysterious Fossils are found by smashing rocks. Take them to the researcher in the Ruins of Alph after defeating Whitney
Bugs? Suggestions?
I appreciate any bug reports or feedback on the game.
I do my best to test things, but it's hard to catch everything so please let me know if you notice anything!
Or if you just want to stop by and say "hi", find me in the KoDSH discord below.
Many other members of the DS hacking community for their contributions towards pushing the boundaries of DS hacking (shoutout to sauceyaTTa's tutorial videos)
(Note: I do not own any of the assets used in this hack. All credit goes to the original creators of the Pokémon games and their respective companies.)