Viewing Single Trivia
subdirectory_arrow_right Pokémon LeafGreen Version (Game)
▲
3
▼
Shortly after the game's release, a screenshot started circulating online depicting the Seagallop ferryman in Vermilion City telling the player: "By the way: if you like this game, buy it or die." Those who posted the screenshot claimed that it was a hidden message which was only triggered if the game detected that it was running a pirated copy. This claim appeared to be further corroborated by people claiming that they had encountered the message themselves when playing the game with unofficial Game Boy Advance emulators or when hacking legitimate cartridges with cheat devices, and attracted further popularity after being disseminated by various gaming YouTubers.
However, while the screenshot was not photoshopped, the claim that it was an anti-piracy measure was not true. Rather, the text was added into the game's code by an anonymous individual who distributed a ROM of it online; the claim that it was an anti-piracy feature was most likely used by the individual to circumvent ROM distribution sites' restrictions on modified games. This explains why anecdotal reports of encountering the text were so much higher than what would be expected from a complete hoax, as well as why the text is absent when examining an unaltered ROM of the game in a hex editor.
However, while the screenshot was not photoshopped, the claim that it was an anti-piracy measure was not true. Rather, the text was added into the game's code by an anonymous individual who distributed a ROM of it online; the claim that it was an anti-piracy feature was most likely used by the individual to circumvent ROM distribution sites' restrictions on modified games. This explains why anecdotal reports of encountering the text were so much higher than what would be expected from a complete hoax, as well as why the text is absent when examining an unaltered ROM of the game in a hex editor.
DidYouKnowGaming video which mentions the rumor (before it was debunked):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HsxuGMWnXM
YouTube video by Tech Rules debunking the rumor:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XjHZ-V4ooA&t=604s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HsxuGMWnXM
YouTube video by Tech Rules debunking the rumor:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XjHZ-V4ooA&t=604s
Comments (0)
You must be logged in to post comments.
Related Games
Pokémon Moon
Pokémon Home
Hey You, Pikachu!
Pokémon Black Version
My Pokémon Ranch
Pokémon Omega Ruby
Pokémon Pinball
Pokémon X
Pokémon Blue Version
Pokémon Sapphire Version
Pokémon White Version 2
Pokémon Shining Pearl
Pokémon Diamond Version
Pokémon LeafGreen Version
Pokémon Violet
Pokémon Sun
Pokémon Pearl Version
Pokémon Emerald Version
Pokémon Crystal Version
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team
Pocket Monsters Stadium
Pokémon Gold Version
Pokémon Platinum Version
Pokémon Picross
Pokémon Scarlet
Pokémon Puzzle League
Pokémon Ultra Moon
Pokémon Red Version
Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu!
Pokkén Tournament
Pokémon Ultra Sun
Pokémon Sword
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team
Pokémon Shield
Pokémon Y
Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness
Pokémon Green Version
Pokémon HeartGold Version
Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee!
Pokémon Go
Pokémon Picross
Pokémon Alpha Sapphire
Pokémon Silver Version
Pokémon Ruby Version
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure
Pokémon White Version
Pokémon Legends: Arceus
Pokémon Yellow Version: Special Pikachu Edition
Pokémon Snap
Pokémon Conquest