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 XD: Gale of Darkness
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS
Pokémon X
Pokémon Black Version
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure
Pokémon Emerald Version
Pokémon Puzzle Challenge
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team
Pokémon Picross
Pokémon Yellow Version: Special Pikachu Edition
Pokémon Channel
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time
Pokémon Scarlet
Pokémon Sapphire Version
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team
Pokémon Shining Pearl
Pokémon Pokédex Organizer
Pokémon Blue Version
Pokémon Shield
Pokémon Rumble Blast
Pokémon Art Academy
Pokémon Moon
Pokémon: Masters Arena
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
Pokkén Tournament
Pokémon Red Version
Pokémon Crystal Version
Pokémon Battle Revolution
Pokémon Picross
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond
Pokémon Ultra Sun
Pokémon Legends: Arceus
Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee!
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Pokémon Sleep
Pokémon Stadium 2
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Pokémon Alpha Sapphire
Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu!
Pokémon Black Version 2
Pokémon Home
Pokémon White Version
Pokémon LeafGreen Version
Pokémon Sun
Pokémon Colosseum
Pokémon SoulSilver Version
Pokémon Pearl Version
Super Smash Bros.
Pokémon Rumble U
Pokémon Green Version