Guides:Fast 0x1500 ACE: Difference between revisions

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Finally, in order to execute ACE, do the following actions:
Finally, in order to execute ACE, do the following actions:

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# Stand in front of the PC on the second floor of any pokémon center. Take one step down, take one step left until you end up at the location indicated by the above screenshot on the left. '''Save the game here and reset.'''
# Stand in front of the PC on the second floor of any pokémon center. Take one step down, take one step left until you end up at the location indicated by the above screenshot on the left. '''Save the game here and reset.'''

Revision as of 00:14, 2 December 2023

This is a guide on how to execute and/or exploit a glitch. For a more technical overview of the glitch involved, see 0x1500 control code arbitrary code execution.

This page serves as a repository on a 0x1500 ACE setup for the English, Italian and Spanish versions of Pokémon Crystal. It is part of the TimoVM's Gen 2 ACE setups set of guides.

The preparation is best done during morning or midday in-game. If needed, you can change the in-game clock with the help of this tool.

If you encounter any issues when going through this guide or would like to provide feedback, please contact TimoVM on the Glitch City Research Institute Discord.

When playing on cartridge or emulator, it is required to have previously cleared an old save by pressing SELECT + UP + B simultaneously on the start screen at least once since obtaining the cart. Otherwise you will not be able to obtain a bad clone or an unterminated name pokémon.

Setting up initial ACE

Pokémon Crystal contains two important differences compared to its predecessors. Firstly, Crystal won't abort the text printing function when it encounters a $00 value, instead printing a '?' instead. Secondly, Crystal added new printing funtions related to the Mobile Game Boy Adapter, a Japanese exclusive peripheral that allowed internet connectivity through a mobile phone.

By obtaining a pokémon whose name does not contain the usual text terminator, we can force the game into printing much larger amounts of texts than would otherwise be possible. By abusing an illegal Mobile Adapter function and setting up memory in a specific way, we can escape the text printing function and trigger arbitrary code execution based on the data of the last viewed party pokémon.

In practice, the initial ACE setup will be created using the following general process:

  1. Obtain a Spearow
  2. Obtain an unterminated name pokémon.
  3. Set up the currently buffered memory in such a way that we can trigger 0x1500 ACE upon seeing the name of the unterminated name pokémon.

This guide can be performed right after obtaining poké balls for the first time, but can be performed regardless of game progression.

Regarding PKHex

At the moment, this guide is incompatible with saves exported from PKHex. Upon exporting a save, PKHex will fill all currently unused data for the OT name and nickname of all boxes with text terminators, making it impossible to obtain an unterminated name pokémon.

Step 1: Obtaining a Spearow

  1. Obtain a Spearow through one of the following methods:
    • Catch a Spearow in the wild. It is recommended to catch a Spearow in the south part of route 46, which is accessible from the beginning of the game. (30% encounter odds, only during morning or midday)
    • Talk to the gate guard between Goldenrod City and route 35 to obtain a Spearow.
  2. Head to the nearest pokémon center and continue with the next step.

Step 2: Preparing the bad clone and remaining items

  1. Use the bad clone glitch to obtain a pokémon with an unterminated name.
    1. For this, use a box that has never been full at any point in time. It’s recommended to start with an empty box.
    2. Deposit a single pokémon. Attempt to save the game using "Move Pokémon w/o mail" but reset the game a bit just after the game has fully printed "SAVING... DON'T TURN OFF THE POWER".
    3. After rebooting the game, use a potion up to where the game brings up the party screen. the potion doesn't have to actually be used, you can cancel from here), then check the newly deposited pokémon.
    4. If the newly deposited pokémon’s nickname was changed to a bunch of question marks, you can continue with the next step. If the pokémon wasn't saved, that means the reset too early. If the pokémon was cloned, this means the reset was too late.
    5. If the amount of pokémon in the box exceeds 15, release the cloned pokémon and save the game afterwards to set the amount of stored pokémon to 15 before repeating step 2.
  2. Now that you have an unterminated name pokémon, put it in box 14. Either release or move all other pokémon in the box so that the unterminated name pokémon is the only pokémon left in box 14.
  3. You now have everything needed for the setup, you can continue with the next step.

Step 3: Testing the setup and using ACE

Now that we have everything ready, we'll be verifying the setup by testing a code that will safely exit ACE without any additional side effects. Once we have verified the setup, we can replace the test box code with another box code to apply various effects.

In order to be able to test the setup, rename box 14 to the following names:

English Italian Spanish



Using the ACE setup

Before executing ACE, arrange your party as follow:

  • Slot 1 - Spearow
  • Slots 2-6 aren't relevant for this setup.

Next, make sure you set up the following:

  • Make box 14 the current active box, ensure that the bad clone is the only pokémon in box 14.
  • Make sure that the box name code you wish to execute was correctly entered.

Finally, in order to execute ACE, do the following actions:



  1. Stand in front of the PC on the second floor of any pokémon center. Take one step down, take one step left until you end up at the location indicated by the above screenshot on the left. Save the game here and reset.
  2. After reloading the save, take one step to the right and take one step up. You should now be standing right in front of the PC. (these steps need to be taken in the correct order, otherwise the setup will not work)
  3. Open the start menu, select Spearow so that you get the option to look at its summary and switch its party position as indicated by the above screenshot on the right, then exit and close the start menu.
  4. Open the PC. Open the withdraw screen so that the unterminated name pokémon's name would be displayed. Displaying this name will trigger ACE. If the screen stays white, press "A" a couple of times until the box view reappears.

If the game doesn't crash, the setup was a success and you can continue to the next step.

Setting up an ACE environment

While we now have a way to execute box name codes using ACE, the current setup has a few drawbacks:

  • Executing ACE requires performing various specific steps, preventing us from using ACE whenever we want.
  • Box name codes have a limited characterset, effectively meaning that it's difficult to set up more complicated ACE effects.

To resolve this issue, we're going to install the Mail Writer. This is a 50 byte program, installed as a series of TM quantities, that will allow us to quickly and efficiently write and execute any arbitrary code we want.

To do that, we're going to use a box name code to obtain 255 copies of all TMs, then sell them in specific quantities to write out a program. Alongside that, the box name code will also add a TM15 to the main item pocket. Using this TM15, outside of the TM/HM pocket, will allow us to execute the Mail Writer at any time without requiring additional setup.

The mail writer itself will be installed in the TM/HM pocket through the following two step process:

  1. Execute a box code using 0x1500 control code ACE that sets the quantities of all 50 TMs to x255, as well as placing a TM15 in the main item pocket and installing a setup so that using this TM15 will redirect execution to the start of the TM/HM pocket.
  2. Sell TMs in specific quantities so that the amount of TMs in the TM/HM pocket spell out a small mail writer program.

Step 4: setting all TM quantities to x255

  • Rename box names to form the following language dependent codes. Please mind the differences between uppercase X (), lowercase x () and multiplication symbol ().
English Italian Spanish



  • Then, execute 0x1500 control code ACE using the method described in section 1.4.1
  • If the code was successfully executed, the TM/HM pocket should now be completely filled with 255 copies of every TM. Additionally, the first item in the main item pocket will have changed into a TM15. Using it will execute code in the TM/HM pocket. Make sure to save after verifying that the code worked.

Step 5: Selling TMs to form a program in the TM/HM pocket

Now that we have obtained x255 of every TM, we'll be selling specific amounts of these in order to form a program. This program differs slightly depending on the specific language you're using. The following table displays how many TMs of each kind you need to end up with, along with the amount of money you gain by selling them.

Once you're done selling all TMs, simply use TM15 to activate the mail writer.

English Italian Spanish



Language independent TMs

TM Final Quantity Sell value
TM01 DYNAMICPUNCH x17 357000
TM02 HEADBUTT x128 127000
TM03 CURSE x210 67500
TM04 ROLLOUT x213 42000
TM05 ROAR x213 21000
TM06 TOXIC x213 63000
TM07 ZAP CANNON x33 222000
TM08 ROCK SMASH SEE NEXT TABLE
TM09 PSYCH UP x94 80500
TM10 HIDDEN POWER x207 72000
TM11 SUNNY DAY x225 30000
TM12 SWEET SCENT x209 23000
TM13 SNORE x42 106500
TM14 BLIZZARD x254 1500
TM15 HYPER BEAM x80 262500
TM16 ICY WIND x56 298500
TM17 PROTECT x251 6000
TM18 RAIN DANCE x40 215000
TM19 GIGA DRAIN x10 367500
TM20 ENDURE x135 180000
TM21 FRUSTRATION x134 60500
TM22 SOLARBEAM x18 355500
TM23 IRON TAIL x19 354000
TM24 DRAGONBREATH x35 330000
TM25 THUNDER x129 126000
TM26 EARTHQUAKE x79 264000
TM27 RETURN x18 118500
TM28 DIG x24 231000
TM29 PSYCHIC x239 16000
TM30 SHADOW BALL x33 333000
TM31 MUD-SLAP x1 381000
TM32 DOUBLE TEAM x197 58000
TM33 ICE PUNCH x77 267000
TM34 SWAGGER x205 25000
TM35 SLEEP TALK SEE NEXT TABLE
TM36 SLUDGE BOMB x56 99500
TM37 SANDSTORM x27 228000
TM38 FIRE BLAST x205 50000
TM39 SWIFT SEE NEXT TABLE
TM40 DEFENSE CURL x53 101000
TM41 THUNDERPUNCH x189 99000
TM42 DREAM EATER x40 322500
TM43 DETECT x217 19000
TM44 REST x56 298500
TM45 ATTRACT x240 22500
TM46 THIEF x254 1500
TM47 STEEL WING x08 370500
TM48 FIRE PUNCH x200 82500
TM49 FURY CUTTER x24 346500
TM50 NIGHTMARE x242 13000

Language dependent TMs

TM English Italian Spanish
Final amount Amount sold for Final amount Amount sold for Final amount Amount sold for
TM08 ROCK SMASH x117 69000 x197 29000 x232 11500
TM35 SLEEP TALK x204 25500 x186 34500 x172 41500
TM39 SWIFT x75 180000 x57 198000 x53 202000

Once this has been done, continue to the next step.

Step 6: Using the mail writer

From now on, simply use the TM15 in the main item pocket to start up the Mail riter.

The Mail Writer will open a screen that asks you to write the contents of a mail. This is where you'll need to enter mail codes. Once done, use the "END" option to finish the mail.

This will cause the mail writer to convert the newly written code into assembly. It will also print a checksum (sum of all written values) on the screen just to the right of the lower row. This can be used to verify if a code was entered correctly.

Due to a lack of available memory in the TM/HM pocket, it is not possible to quit the RAM writer without executing the newly written code. If you ever accidentally activate the mail writer and would like to quit, simply write a mail containing "Rh" then confirm and exit the RAM writer.

Assembly can easily be converted to mail codes using TimoVM's MailConverter. Simply paste the assembly of the code you wish to enter here, press "run" and the converter will automatically generate mail codes requiring the least amount of button presses to write.

Controls

Between entering mail codes, the mail writer will ask for user input.

  • Press SELECT to open a new mail and continue writing data.
  • Press START to immediately jump to and start executing the newly written program. Only use this when you've finished every mail.
  • Press any other button to go back one byte at a time to correct errors. If the printed checksum doesn't match the expected checksum, press DOWN 16 times to retry the last mail. This will also overwrite the printed checksum with the value at the currently selected address, giving you a method to check how far back you're going.
Enter your mail code, then press "END". It prints the checksum and waits for input.

What to do with the Mail writer

The Mail writer allows you to easily write and execute arbitrary payloads. Aside from writing your own codes, we recommend the following:

  • Mail codes: this page contains a collection of assembly for mail codes that can be used for a variety of common purposes such as editing pokémon, obtaining items, etc..
  • RAM writer: (recommended for more experienced users) this page contains the assembly for a large one-size-fits all program that allows you to edit any value in RAM with a user-friendly GUI. It will also fix the side effects of the ACE setup when you first run it.

Addendum: repairing the TM15 bootstrap

In case something happens with the TM15 bootstrap that causes it to no longer function, you can repair bootstrap without having to reset TM quantities using the following procedure:

  • Enter the following language-specific box names. Please mind the differences between uppercase X (), lowercase x () and multiplication symbol (). For English, boxes 8 through 13 are irrelevant for the setup and do not need to be renamed. For Italian & Spanish, boxes 7 through 13 are irrelevant for the setup and do not need to be renamed.
English Italian Spanish



  • Then, execute 0x1500 control code ACE using the method described in section 1.4.1
  • If the code executes succesfully without crashing the game, the bootstrap has now been repaired.

Appendix

Plain text transcripts of codes

Test box name

Language Box name content Language Box name content Language Box name content
English
Box 14: Pk Pk h 'd
Italian
Box 14: Pk Pk Í
Spanish
Box 14: Pk Pk Í

Note: "..." refers to one ellipsis character, “pk” refers to the one pk character, "$" refers to the pokédollar sign, "*" refers to the multiplication symbol. Make sure to pay careful attention to upper/lowercase letters.

Setup box name

Language Box name content Language Box name content Language Box name content
English
Box 1: 0 ♀ ♀ Pk ? ♂ E ♀
Box 2: Pk 5 'd 'v z é B 5
Box 3: 'v 9 é [SPACE] 5 'v , F
Box 4: 's [SPACE] 5 ? E 's [SPACE] 5
Box 5: 'v 's é J 5 'v 8 5
Box 6: é F 5 'v * é I 5
Box 7: 0 C 's [SPACE] 5 é H 5
Box 8: p é G 5 ♀ 'v h h
Box 9: 's [SPACE] 5 é C 5 'v B
Box 10: h 's [SPACE] 5 é D 5 *
Box 11: 'v 9 é E 5 Pk 0 9
Box 12: 's B 5 é C 5 Pk 'v
Box 13: 'v Pk é T 2 h 'd 5
Box 14: p 0 5 ♀ Pk 'v G 1
Italian
Box 1: 0 ♀ ♀ Pk ? ¡ E ♀
Box 2: Pk 5 ì ° z é B 5
Box 3: ° 9 é [SPACE] 5 ° , F
Box 4: ó [SPACE] 5 ? E ó [SPACE] 5
Box 5: ° ú é I 5 ° 9 5
Box 6: é J 5 ° 8 é F 5
Box 7: È R ó [SPACE] 5 é H 5
Box 8: p é G 5 ♀ ° h h
Box 9: ó [SPACE] 5 é C 5 ° B
Box 10: h ó [SPACE] 5 é D 5 * 
Box 11: ° 9 é E 5 Pk 0 9
Box 12: ó B 5 é C 5 Pk °
Box 13: ° Pk é T 2 h ì 5
Box 14: p 0 5 ♀ Pk ° G 1
Spanish
BBox 1: 0 ♀ ♀ Pk ? ¡ E ♀
Box 2: Pk 5 ì ° z é B 5
Box 3: ° 9 é [SPACE] 5 ° , F
Box 4: ó [SPACE] 5 ? E ó [SPACE] 5
Box 5: ° ó é J 5 È 5 5
Box 6: é I 5 ° 3 é F 5
Box 7: È R ó [SPACE] 5 é H 5
Box 8: p é G 5 ♀ ° h h
Box 9: ó [SPACE] 5 é C 5 ° B
Box 10: h ó [SPACE] 5 é D 5 * 
Box 11: ° 9 é E 5 Pk 0 9 
Box 12: ó B 5 é C 5 Pk ° 
Box 13: ° Pk é T 2 h ì 5 
Box 14: p 0 5 ♀ Pk ° G 1

Note: "..." refers to one ellipsis character, “pk” refers to the one pk character, "$" refers to the pokédollar sign, "*" refers to the multiplication symbol. Make sure to pay careful attention to upper/lowercase letters.

Reset box name

Language Box name content Language Box name content Language Box name content
English
Box 1: p 0 Mn ♀ Pk p 0 2
Box 2: E ♀ Pk 'v y é h 5
Box 3: F 'v , h 's h 5 p
Box 4: 'v 6 h 's h 5 p p
Box 5: 0 'm 's h 5 'v M F
Box 6: 's h 5 'v B A 'd Pk
Box 7: Pk h 'd

Box 14: p 0 5 ♀ Pk 'v G 1
Italian
Box 1: p 0 Mn È 2 ♀ Pk 5
Box 2: ° y é f 5 F ° ,
Box 3: Ù f 5 È È Ù f 5
Box 4: È Á Ù f 5 5 È W
Box 5: Ù f 5 È [SPACE] Ù f 5
Box 6: Pk Pk Í Í Í

Box 14: p 0 5 ♀ Pk ° G 1 
Spanish
Box 1: p 0 Mn È 2 ♀ Pk 5
Box 2: ° y é f 5 F ° ,
Box 3: Ù f 5 È È Ù f 5
Box 4: È Á Ù f 5 5 È W
Box 5: Ù f 5 È [SPACE] Ù f 5
Box 6: Pk Pk Í Í Í

Box 14: p 0 5 ♀ Pk ° G 1 

Note: "..." refers to one ellipsis character, “pk” refers to the one pk character, "$" refers to the pokédollar sign, "*" refers to the multiplication symbol. Make sure to pay careful attention to upper/lowercase letters.

In-depth explanation of the setup

Explanation on the 0x1500 ACE setup

This setup uses 0x1500 control code ACE. Since the page already contains an explanation on how it works, this page will focus on what the setup does to achieve its effect.

Relevant addresses for this explanation:

Address Function
$D002 Address where the last read mail is stored.
$D073 Address where the names of pokémon are buffered.
$D086 Address where the names of used items are buffered.
$D108 Address where the current selected party pokémon’s species is buffered.
$D109 Address where the current selected party pokémon’s party slot is buffered.
$D10C Address where the amount of items tossed is buffered.
$D10D Address where the amount of the last selected item is buffered.
$D10E Address where the data of the last viewed pokémon is buffered.
  • Attempting to toss 21 items will buffer $15 at $D10C.
  • For a list at the highest size it has ever been, the "Quantity" of the CANCEL button will be $00, which will be buffered at $D10D when the CANCEL button is used with A. This forms the required $1500 to start executing ACE.
  • By opening the start menu and moving one step up at the specified location, the game will load in a $C0 (ret nz) at $CD70, allowing safe return from the effects of $1500. The game will resume executing from $D10E onward.
  • The last pokémon viewed is buffered from $D10E onward. Setting Tackle ($21) as its first move allows safe passage over Screech ($67).
  • Rocky’s trainer ID is fixed and will be $BF (cp a, which resets the carry flag) and $1E. Both values are safe to pass.
  • Rocky’s XP total will end up between 326 and 350. This is always interpreted as $01 and $XX. since the high HP stat exp byte is always $00, the total is interpreted as ld bc, $00XX. This means that exp is always safe to pass.
  • Due to the specific pokémon defeated, the data in the stat experience fields will be read as $D2 $00 $F0. This is interpreted as jp nc $F000, due to echo ram this will redirect execution to $D000, which is where the last read mail was buffered. The nc condition is always fulfilled thanks to the previous $BF (cp a) in Onix’s Trainer ID.
  • At this point, the mail will redirect execution to $FB75. Due to echo ram, this will effectively redirect execution to $DB75, the start of box name 1. Please note that $D003 and $D004 are overwritten by opening the withdraw screen to the values of the current box and slot of the currently selected stored pokémon. These values are taken care of by setting the first character of the mail to $FA, which is interpreted along with the next two values as ld a, (YYXX).
  • Afterwards, the game will simply execute the box name code.
  • For the alternative method, selecting Spearow to read its mail will buffer both its species and party slot to $D108 and $D109. By putting a Spearow in the topmost party slot, this will buffer a $15 and $00 respectively. One drawback of this approach is that these RAM values are more volatile and are immediately overwritten after executing ACE. Luckily, Onix’s species ID ($5F) acts as a text terminator, preventing users from accidentally crashing the game if they forget to reset these values.

Additional note: $D086 isn’t actually relevant to the setup. The reason it’s mentioned here is because using an item buffers the item’s name to this location, placing a $50 terminator just a bit after where the pokémon’s name is normally buffered. Having this terminator in place will allow you to safely view an unterminated pokémon’s name.

Effect of the test box name

Box name data starts from $D8BF onward. Converting the provided mail code to assembly results in the following:

English

F6 FF		or $FF		; a = $FF, reset carry flag
D0		ret nc		; Safely return to normal game operation

French

21 80 80	ld hl, $8080
C9		ret		; Safely return to normal game operation

German

21 80 80	ld hl, $8080
F6 FF		or $FF		; a = $FF, reset carry & zero flag
C0		ret nz		; Safely return to normal game operation

Italian & Spanish

C9		ret		; Safely return to normal game operation

Effect of the setup box name code

Converting the characters from box names to assembly results in the following code. Please note that the box name code overwrites part of itself, the translated assembly assumes the code was already used once.

The code overwrites part of itself to call the byteFill function. This will fill the area between $D859 and $D88A with $FF values, setting all 50 TM quantities to 255. Separately, this code writes five bytes from $DA10 onward, the effect pointer of TM15, installing a TM15 bootstrap that redirects execution to the Mail Writer. Lastly, when combined with the mail code, it will convert the first item in the main item pocket to a TM15.

English

Box 1: $DB75
AF		xor a		; a = $00
D6 FF		sub $FF		; a = $01
EA D0 FB	ld ($FBD0), a
D6 F1		sub $F1		; a = $10
50		ld d; b

Box 2: $DB7E
EA 87 FB	ld ($FB87), a
D6 EF		sub $EF		; a = $21
EA 86 FB	ld ($FB87), a
21

Box 3: $DB87
   10 FA	ld hl, $FA10	; Execution pointer of wrong pocket TM15
EA AC FB	ld ($F8AC), a
D6 FF		sub $FF		; a = $22
FB		ei
50		ld d, b

Box 4: $DB90
EA AA FB	ld ($FBAA), a
85		add a, l	; a = $32
EA D1 FB	ld ($FBD1), a
85		add a, l	; a = $42
50		ld d, b

Box 5: $DB99
F6 81		or $81		; a = $C3, reset carry flag
D4 D6 FB	call nc, .setupBootStrap
B4		or a, h		; a = $FB
D6 A2		sub $A2		; a = $59, reset carry flag
50		ld d, b

Box 6: $DBA2
EA AD FB	ld ($FBAD), a
D4 AA FB	call nc, .writeBootstrap
D6 81		sub $81		; a = $D8, set carry flag
22		ldi (hl), a	; .writeBootstrap

Box 7: $DBAB
D0		ret nc
21 59 F8	ld hl, $F859	; $59 will later be overwritten to $41 to prevent crashing when viewing the newly written name
AF		xor a		; a = $00
EA D2 FB	ld ($FBD2), a
50		ld d, b

Box 8: $DBB4
D6 D0		sub $D0		; a = $30
EA D5 FB	ld ($FBD5), a
D6 EF		sub $EF		; a = $41
FB		ei
50		ld d, b

Box 9: $DBBD
EA D4 FB	ld ($FBD4), a
EA AD FB	ld ($FBAD), a	; Overwrites part of box #7 to prevent a crash
B5		or a, l		; a = $59
FB		ei
50		ld d, b

Box 10: $DBC6
D6 8B		sub $8B		; a = $CE
EA 93 F8	ld (wItems), a	; Main item pocket, item #1's ID
F6 FF		or $FF		; a = $FF, reset carry flag
FB		ei
50		ld d, b

Box 11: $DBCF
FB		ei
01 32 00	ld bc, 0032
D2 41 30	jp nc, byteFill
F5		push af		; .SetupBootStrap
50		ld d, b

Box 12: $DBD8
D6 85		sub $85		; a = 3E, reset carry flag
D4 AA FB	call nc, .writeBootstrap
85		add a, l	; a = $4F
E6 84		and $84		; a = $04, reset carry flag
50		ld d, b

Box 13: $DBE1
D4 AA FB	call nc, .writeBootstrap
F1		pop af		; a = $C3, reset carry flag
D2 AA FB	jp nc, .writeBootstrap
FB
50

Bootstrap: $DA10
3E 04		ld a, $04
C3 59 D8 	jp wTMsHMs

Italian

Box 1: $DB75
EA A3 FB	ld ($FBA3), a	; Due to mail, a = $00
D6 FF		sub $FF		; a = $01
EA A1 FB	ld ($FBA1), a
50		ld d, b

Box 2: $DB7E
D6 CF		sub $CF		; a = $32
EA A2 FB	ld ($FBA2), a
C6 EF		add $EF		; a = $21
FB		ei
50		ld d, b

Box 3: $DB87
EA 9E FB	ld ($FB9E), a
D6 C8		sub $C8		; a = $59
EA 9F FB	ld ($FB9F), a
50		ld d, b

Box 4: $DB90
C6 D6		add $D6		; a = $2F
EA A5 FB	ld ($FBA5), a
D6 FF		sub $FF		; a = $30
FB		ei
50		ld d, b

Box 5: $DB99
EA A6 FB	ld ($FBA6), a
F6 FF		or $FF
21 59 F8	ld hl, wTMsHMs	; $59 gets overwritten to $D8 to prevent a crash upon viewing the newly written box name
01

Box 6: $DBA2
   32 00	ld bc, $0032
CD 2F 30	call byteFill
AF		xor a		; a = $00
F6 E2		or $E2		; a = $E2
50		ld d, b

Box 7: $DBAB
84		add a, h	; af = $DA10
F5		push af
E1		pop hl
D6 9C		sub $9C		; a = $3E
CD C8 FB	call .write
50		ld d, b

Box 8: $DBB4
E6 84		and $84		; a = $04
CD C8 FB	call .write
C6 BF		add $BF		; a = $C3
BF		cp a
50		ld d, b

Box 9: $DBBD
CD C8 FB	call .write
C6 96		add $96		; a = $59
CD C8 FB	call .write
50		ld d, b

Box 10: $DBC6
D6 81		sub $81		; a = $D8
22		ldi (hl), a	; .write
C9		ret

Bootstrap: $DA10
3E 04		ld a, $04
C3 59 D8 	jp wTMsHMs

Spanish

Box 1: $DB75
EA A3 FB	ld ($FBA3), a	; Due to mail, a = $00
D6 FF		sub $FF		; a = $01
EA A1 FB	ld ($FBA1), a
50		ld d, b

Box 2: $DB7E
D6 CF		sub $CF		; a = $32
EA A2 FB	ld ($FBA2), a
C6 EF		add $EF		; a = $21
FB		ei
50		ld d, b

Box 3: $DB87
EA 9E FB	ld ($FB9E), a
D6 C8		sub $C8		; a = $59
EA 9F FB	ld ($FB9F), a
50		ld d, b

Box 4: $DB90
C6 D2		add $D2		; a = $2B
EA A5 FB	ld ($FBA5), a
D6 FB		sub $FF		; a = $30
FB		ei
50		ld d, b

Box 5: $DB99
EA A6 FB	ld ($FBA6), a
F6 FF		or $FF
21 59 F8	ld hl, wTMsHMs	; $59 gets overwritten to $D8 to prevent a crash upon viewing the newly written box name
01

Box 6: $DBA2
   32 00	ld bc, $0032
CD 2B 30	call byteFill
AF		xor a		; a = $00
F6 E2		or $E2		; a = $E2
50		ld d, b

Box 7: $DBAB
84		add a, h	; af = $DA10
F5		push af
E1		pop hl
D6 9C		sub $9C		; a = $3E
CD C8 FB	call .write
50		ld d, b

Box 8: $DBB4
E6 84		and $84		; a = $04
CD C8 FB	call .write
C6 BF		add $BF		; a = $C3
BF		cp a
50		ld d, b

Box 9: $DBBD
CD C8 FB	call .write
C6 96		add $96		; a = $59
CD C8 FB	call .write
50		ld d, b

Box 10: $DBC6
D6 81		sub $81		; a = $D8
22		ldi (hl), a	; .write
C9		ret

Bootstrap: $DA10
3E 04		ld a, $04
C3 59 D8 	jp wTMsHMs

Effect of the TM code

Converting the TM quantities to assembly results in the following code. Please note that this code requires a value of $04 in register a in order to properly work.

English

11 80 D2	ld de, $D280
D5		push de
D5		push de		; .nextMail
D5		push de
21 75 5E	ld hl, _ComposeMailMessage
CF		rst08h, FarCall a:hl
E1		pop hl
D1		pop de
2A		ldi a, (hl)	; .continue
FE 50		cp $50
38 FB		jr c, .continue
28 0A		jr z, .terminator
87		add a, a
86		add a, (hl)
12		ld (de), a
13		inc de
23		inc hl
81		add a, c
4F		ld c, a
12		ld (de), a
18 EF		jr .continue
21 01 C5	ld hl, $C501	; .screenLoop
4D		ld c, l
CD CC 38	call PrintBCDNumber.loop - 1
1B		dec de		; .goBack
CD 4B 35	call JoyTextDelay_ForcehJoyDown
BD		cp a, l		; l = $04
28 D9		jr z, .nextMail
38 F0		jr c, .displayLoop
FE 08		cp $08
C8		ret z
18 F2		jr .goBack

Italian

11 80 D2	ld de, $D280
D5		push de
D5		push de		; .nextMail
D5		push de
21 C5 5E	ld hl, _ComposeMailMessage
CF		rst08h, FarCall a:hl
E1		pop hl
D1		pop de
2A		ldi a, (hl)	; .continue
FE 50		cp $50
38 FB		jr c, .continue
28 0A		jr z, .terminator
87		add a, a
86		add a, (hl)
12		ld (de), a
13		inc de
23		inc hl
81		add a, c
4F		ld c, a
12		ld (de), a
18 EF		jr .continue
21 01 C5	ld hl, $C501	; .screenLoop
4D		ld c, l
CD BA 38	call PrintBCDNumber.loop
1B		dec de		; .goBack
CD 39 35	call JoyTextDelay_ForcehJoyDown
BD		cp a, l		; l = $04
28 D9		jr z, .nextMail
38 F0		jr c, .displayLoop
FE 08		cp $08
C8		ret z
18 F2		jr .goBack

Spanish

11 80 D2	ld de, $D280
D5		push de
D5		push de		; .nextMail
D5		push de
21 E8 5E	ld hl, _ComposeMailMessage
CF		rst08h, FarCall a:hl
E1		pop hl
D1		pop de
2A		ldi a, (hl)	; .continue
FE 50		cp $50
38 FB		jr c, .continue
28 0A		jr z, .terminator
87		add a, a
86		add a, (hl)
12		ld (de), a
13		inc de
23		inc hl
81		add a, c
4F		ld c, a
12		ld (de), a
18 EF		jr .continue
21 01 C5	ld hl, $C501	; .screenLoop
4D		ld c, l
CD AC 38	call PrintBCDNumber.loop - 1
1B		dec de		; .goBack
CD 35 35	call JoyTextDelay_ForcehJoyDown
BD		cp a, l		; l = $04
28 D9		jr z, .nextMail
38 F0		jr c, .displayLoop
FE 08		cp $08
C8		ret z
18 F2		jr .goBack

Effect of the reset box name code

Converting the characters from box names to assembly results in the following code. This code overwrites the latter half of party pokémon #3's stat experience data, allowing it to function as a TM25 bootstrap that redirects execution to the Mail Writer.

English

Box 1: $DB75
AF		xor a		; a = $00, reset carry flag
F6 E2		or $E2		; a = $E2
F5		push af
E1		pop hl
AF		xor a		; a = $00, reset carry flag
F6 F8		or $F8		; a = $F8
50		ld d, b

Box 2: $DB7E
84		add a, h	; af = $DA10
F5		push hl
E1		pop hl		; hl = $DA10
D6 B8		sub $B8		; a = $22
EA A8 FB	ld (.write), a
50		ld d, b

Box 3: $DB87
85		add a, l	; a = $33
D6 F4	sub $F4		; a = $3E
A7		and a		; Reset carry flag
D4 A8 FB	call nc, .write
AF		xor a		; a = $00
50		ld d, b

Box 4: $DB90
D6 FC		sub $FC		; a = $04
A7		and a		; Reset carry flag
D4 A8 FB	call nc, .write
AF		xor a		; a = $00
AF		xor a
50 		ld d, b

Box 5: $DB99
F6 D2		or $D2		; a = $D2
D4 A8 FB	call nc, .write
D6 8C		sub $8C		; a = $46
85		add a, l	; a = $59
50		ld d, b

Box 6: $D8A2
D4 A8 FB	call nc, .write
D6 81		sub $81		; a = $D8
A7		and a		; Reset carry flag
22		ldi (hl), a	; .write
D0		call nc

Party pokémon #3's stat experience, starting from $DA9A
3E 04		ld a, $04
D2 59 D8	jp nc, wTMsHMs

Italian & Spanish

Box 1: $DB75
AF		xor a		; a = $00
F6 E2		or $E2		; a = $E2
C6 F8		add $F8		; af = $DA10
F5		push af
E1		pop hl		; hl = $DA10
FB		ei
50		ld d, b

Box 2: $DB7E
D6 B8		sub $B8		; a = $22
EA 9F FB	ld (.write), a
85		add a, l		; a = $32
D6 F4		sub $F4		; a = $3E
50		ld d, b

Box 3: $DB87
CD 9F FB	call .write
C6 C6		add $C6		; a = $04
CD 9F FB	call .write
50		ld d, b

Box 4: $DB90
C6 BF		add $BF		; a = $C3
CD 9F FB	call .write
FB		ei
C6 96		add $96		; a = $59
50		ld d, b

Box 5: $DB99
CD 9F FB	call .write
C6 7F		add $7F		; a = $D8
7F		ld a, a
22		ldi (hl), a	; .write
C9		ret

Party pokémon #3's stat experience, starting from $DA9A
3E 04		ld a, $04
C3 59 D8	jp wTMsHMs

Plain text transcript for codes

  • Mail
Language Mail content
English
4 4 4 h ‘s … 5 h Pk ‘d 
French
4 4 4 j' ♀ é T 2 j' / é G 5 é & 5
j' à é ... 5 j' 9 é x 5 p î ... s' Pk ô 
German
4 4 4 H ë : é j 5 ë 9 é ... 5 p 0
0 A é T 2 $ $ ö ... 5 Pk Ä
Italian
4 4 4 ° b é Ì 5 p Ù ... 5 é ] 5 0
È $ é T 2 Pk Í
Spanish
4 4 4 ° b é Ì 5 p Ù ... 5 é ] 5 0
È $ é T 2 Pk Í
"..." refers to a single ellipsis character, “pk” refers to a single pk symbol.
  • Test box code
English French German Italian Spanish
0 9 'd
A A A ô
A A A 0 9 Ä
Í
Í