How to Evolve Trade Pokémon on an Emulator

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Use two emulator instances with two separate copies of your save when your emulator supports local link play. Trade the Pokémon through the game’s normal multiplayer facility, let the evolution finish, then trade it back if needed. If link play is unavailable, patch a legally obtained game copy to replace trade requirements; use save editing only as a last resort.

First, identify your game and emulator

There is no universal emulator procedure. Link support depends on the game generation, emulator, version, operating system and whether the build implements local multiplayer.

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Trade evolution means the game itself performs a trade event. Classic examples include Kadabra → Alakazam, Machoke → Machamp, Haunter → Gengar and Graveler → Golem. Other species need an item as well as the trade, such as Onix with Metal Coat, Scyther with Metal Coat, Seadra with Dragon Scale, or Porygon with Up-Grade. The available species and conditions depend on the particular game; a Pokémon cannot evolve into a species that the title does not contain. See the game-specific list at Pokémon Database.

Back up and duplicate the save first

Locate the emulator’s battery save, commonly a .sav, .srm or emulator-specific format. Close the game completely before copying or replacing it, and keep at least two untouched backups.

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Original game/save  →  Player 1
Backup of same save →  Player 2

• Give the second copy a different filename or folder if the emulator requires unique save paths.
• Keep the ROM version, region and save format consistent between both instances.
• Do not open one save file simultaneously in two windows unless the emulator explicitly documents that workflow.
• After trading, preserve the save containing the evolved Pokémon and restore it to your normal emulator only after both instances are closed.

Generic two-instance trade procedure

1. Save normally inside the Pokémon game.
2. Exit the emulator and back up the save.
3. Duplicate the save for the second player.
4. Open the first game with the original save and the second game with the copied save.
5. Confirm that each window has its own save path and trainer identity.
6. Progress far enough in both games to unlock the relevant Pokémon Center, Union Room or other trading facility.
7. Connect the instances through the emulator’s link or local-multiplayer menu.
8. Enter the in-game trading area on both sides and complete the trade.
9. Wait for the entire evolution animation and return to normal gameplay.
10. Save both games in-game. Trade the evolved Pokémon back if the original save is the one you intend to keep.
11. Close both instances and verify the final save before deleting any backup.

The evolution must occur through the real in-game trade routine. Merely changing a species value in a save editor is not equivalent.

Game Boy Advance: mGBA local multiplayer

For GBA games, mGBA’s documented local workflow is to open a second window: File → New Multiplayer Window. mGBA lists link-cable support as partial, so compatibility is not guaranteed for every GBA title or build. The cited support guidance describes two games on the same computer, not internet trading: mGBA FAQ and mGBA support discussion.

1. Open the first game in mGBA.
2. Choose File → New Multiplayer Window.
3. Load a second copy of the game in the new window.
4. Assign the second window a separate save copy.
5. Reach the game’s trading area in both saves, connect them and complete the trade.
6. Allow the evolution to finish, then trade the Pokémon back if required.

mGBA troubleshooting

• Use the same generation and compatible regional release in both windows.
• Check that the windows are not pointing to the same save file.
• Close and reopen both windows after changing save paths.
• Use in-game saves rather than save states for recovery.
• Ensure the save directory is writable.
• Temporarily disable cheats and ROM patches, then test a clean ROM and backup.
• If a trade freezes, restore the backup instead of repeatedly overwriting the same save.

Nintendo DS games

Opening two DS windows is not enough: both instances must communicate through the emulator’s supported local wireless or link mode. Menu names and compatibility differ by emulator version, and the available evidence does not establish one verified procedure for every DS emulator or Pokémon title.

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1. Identify the exact emulator release and game region.
2. Make two distinct save copies.
3. Use the emulator’s documented local-multiplayer feature, not an assumed internet or LAN mode.
4. Enter the game’s normal Pokémon Center trade facility, Union Room or equivalent area.
5. Confirm that each game recognizes the other player before selecting a Pokémon.
6. If the connection fails repeatedly, use the patch method rather than risking the original save.

Patch out impossible trade evolutions

For a single-player run, Universal Pokémon Randomizer ZX is often simpler than emulating a link cable. Its evolution options are commonly labeled Change Impossible Evolutions or Remove Trade Evolutions, depending on the project version. The replacement is game- and species-specific, not one universal level rule. Examples documented by the project include Kadabra, Machoke, Haunter and Graveler changing to level 37, while Onix, Scyther, Porygon and other item-based evolutions receive different conditions by generation. Check the project’s table at the evolution documentation.

1. Keep an untouched backup of the original ROM and save.
2. Use Universal Pokémon Randomizer ZX on a legally obtained game copy.
3. Load the game, enable the impossible-evolution/trade-evolution option, and leave unrelated randomization settings unchanged if you want a normal playthrough.
4. Export the result under a new filename.
5. Check the exact replacement condition for your species and game.
6. Start a new save, or test existing-save compatibility only on a duplicate; a broad ROM modification may not preserve compatibility.

Software releases change, so check the project’s current downloads on its release page rather than relying on an old version number.

Save editing: last resort

Editors such as PKHeX or generation-specific tools can alter a Pokémon directly, but this does not reliably recreate a genuine trade. Encounter data, trainer information, met location, personality values, friendship, ribbons, moves and held items must remain internally consistent. A species change can therefore fail legality or validation checks, as discussed in this PKHeX project discussion.

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Use save editing only after making backups and accepting that the result may not be indistinguishable from a Pokémon evolved through the game’s trade routine. A purpose-built patch or real emulated trade is safer when authenticity matters.

Common failures and fixes

Both windows show the same trainer

Close both games, create a fresh save copy, assign distinct filenames or folders, and verify each trainer before connecting. One window may have cached a save from another directory.

The trade room is unavailable

Reach the required story milestone and use the title’s normal trading location. An emulator shortcut cannot bypass a game’s progression requirements.

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The Pokémon does not evolve

Confirm the species and required held item, complete the trade rather than cancelling, and wait for all post-trade animation. ROM hacks may alter the condition.

The emulator crashes or freezes

Restore a clean backup, disable cheats and patches, use in-game saves, verify matching ROM regions, and test again. If link support remains unreliable, switch to a trade-evolution patch.

The save is not detected after moving devices

Close the emulator before copying, preserve the filename expected by the ROM, keep the original backup untouched, and check whether the destination emulator requires a different save format.

A legality checker rejects the evolved Pokémon

Restore the backup and use a real in-game trade or purpose-built evolution patch. Direct species editing can leave inconsistent encounter or trainer metadata.

Which method should you choose?

• Authentic trade behavior: two emulator instances with documented local link support.
• Fastest solo solution: a ROM patch that removes impossible evolutions.
• Only a species change is needed: save editing, with the legality and data-integrity risks above.

Use emulator software with legally obtained game copies or personal backups where lawful; do not download unauthorized ROMs, BIOS files or pre-patched commercial games.

Quick Recap

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Meet and befriend more Pokémon as you help nature flourish.; Experience a world with varied weather, real-time days and nights, and other surprises.

$69.00

SaleBestseller No. 2

Pokémon Legends: Arceus - US Version

Action meets RPG in this new take on the Pokémon series; Study Pokémon behaviors, sneak up on them, and toss a well-aimed Poké Ball to catch them

$54.26

Bestseller No. 3

Pokémon FireRed Version Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]

$19.99

Bestseller No. 4

Pokemon Shining Pearl - Nintendo Switch Shining Pearl Edition

The Pokémon Shining Pearl game brings new life to this remade classic with added features

$52.78

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