Merge pull request #338 from bryanthaboi/dev

squashing all bugs known to man

.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_request.yml

@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ body:
         If what you want is a gameplay, cosmetic, audio, or QoL change that a Lua mod
         could ship — running shoes, alternate sprites, day/night, shiny indicators,
         Gen 2-like battle toggles, soundtrack packs — open a
-        **[Mod request](https://github.com/bryanthaboi/pokemon-gen1-recomp-project/issues/new?template=mod_request.yml)**
+        **[Mod request](https://github.com/bryanthaboi/gen1recomp/issues/new?template=mod_request.yml)**
         instead.
 
         "Can we add X" on its own is hard to act on. Say what you want, why you want it,

.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/mod_request.yml

@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ body:
         soundtrack packs, Gen 2-like battle toggles, map cosmetics, bag QoL, etc.
 
         The engine already exposes a lot of this through registries and hooks
-        ([modding wiki](https://github.com/bryanthaboi/pokemon-gen1-recomp-project/wiki)).
+        ([modding wiki](https://github.com/bryanthaboi/gen1recomp/wiki)).
         Use a **Feature request** instead for launcher / ports / video options /
         networking / save tooling / new API seams.
 

README.md

@@ -1,13 +1,13 @@
-# Pokemon Gen 1 Recompilation Project
+# Gen1Recomp
 
-A native LÖVE2D recreation of Pokemon Red and Blue. The engine and map
+A native LÖVE2D recreation of Poke Red and Blue. The engine and map
 behavior are hand-written Lua; game data and graphics are decoded from a ROM
 supplied by the player.
 
 SUPPORT AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: [Discord](https://bois.icu)
 
 This project does not include a ROM, emulate the Game Boy, transpile assembly,
-or download a disassembly. A canonical US Pokemon Red or Blue ROM is the only
+or download a disassembly. A canonical US Poke Red or Blue ROM is the only
 game content input.
 
 The ROM is verified, used during import, and then released from memory. It is
@@ -31,48 +31,118 @@ The packaged app contains neither a ROM nor pre-extracted game data. Music,
 sound effects, and cries are synthesized while the game runs from compact
 audio channel programs copied out of the verified ROM.
 
+## Anbernic RG34XXSP (Stock OS 64-bit MOD)
+
+Download `gen1recomp-*-rg34xxsp-stockos64-mod.zip` from
+[Releases](https://github.com/bryanthaboi/gen1recomp/releases). This build
+targets **Stock OS 64-bit MOD** on the RG34XXSP with PortMaster installed
+(TF1).
+
+1. Unzip the release on your computer. You get `Gen1recomp.sh` and a
+   `gen1recomp/` folder.
+2. Copy **both** onto the SD card under **`Roms/PORTS/`** so the layout is:
+
+   ```
+   Roms/PORTS/Gen1recomp.sh
+   Roms/PORTS/gen1recomp/
+   ```
+
+   On the device that path is `/mnt/mmc/Roms/PORTS/`. Keep the launcher and
+   the `gen1recomp/` folder as siblings — do not nest the `.sh` inside the
+   folder.
+3. Put your legal US Red and/or Blue `.gb` files inside the game folder:
+
+   ```
+   Roms/PORTS/gen1recomp/lovegame/
+   ```
+
+   Example: `Roms/PORTS/gen1recomp/lovegame/Pokemon - Red Version.gb`
+4. Eject the card, boot the handheld, open **Ports → Gen1recomp**.
+5. On the launcher, move the cursor with the D-pad or left stick, press **A**
+   to click. Choose the Red or Blue tab, then **Choose ROM** — with no file
+   picker on stock OS, that scans `lovegame/` for the `.gb` you dropped in.
+
+After import, saves and the ROM-derived cache stay next to the game on the
+SD card (`portable.txt`).
+
 ## Controls
 
-| Action | Keyboard | Controller |
-|--------|----------|------------|
-| Move | Arrow keys / WASD | D-pad / left stick |
-| A | Z / Enter / Space | A |
-| B | X / Backspace | B |
-| Start | Escape | Start |
-| Select | Tab / Shift | Back / Select |
+
+| Action | Keyboard          | Controller         |
+| ------ | ----------------- | ------------------ |
+| Move   | Arrow keys / WASD | D-pad / left stick |
+| A      | Z / Enter / Space | A                  |
+| B      | X / Backspace     | B                  |
+| Start  | Escape            | Start              |
+| Select | Tab / Shift       | Back / Select      |
+
 
 Rebind any of these in-game under **OPTIONS → CONTROLS**. Controllers are
 supported out of the box.
 
 ### Hotkeys
 
-| Key | What it does |
-|-----|----------------|
-| `-` / `=` | Zoom out / in (overworld; also mouse wheel) |
-| `2` | Cycle COLORS |
-| `3` | Cycle TILT (free-roam overworld) |
-| `4` | Cycle ZOOM through every level (free-roam overworld) |
-| `5` | Cycle GBC FX |
-| `F1` | Save |
-| `F2` | Load |
-| `F10` | Open / close the mod manager |
+
+| Key       | What it does                                         |
+| --------- | ---------------------------------------------------- |
+| `-` / `=` | Zoom out / in (overworld; also mouse wheel)          |
+| `2`       | Cycle COLORS                                         |
+| `3`       | Cycle TILT (free-roam overworld)                     |
+| `4`       | Cycle ZOOM through every level (free-roam overworld) |
+| `5`       | Cycle GBC FX                                         |
+| `F1`      | Save                                                 |
+| `F2`      | Load                                                 |
+| `F10`     | Open / close the mod manager                         |
+
 
 COLORS, TILT, ZOOM, GBC FX, and VOID FILL are also in the Options menu
 and persist in `options.lua`.
 
+### Rulesets
+
+**OPTIONS → RULESET** picks which set of Gen 1 battle behaviors to run.
+Both rulesets share the same damage formulas; they differ only in whether
+the original's quirks are kept. The setting persists in `options.lua`, and
+mods can register their own.
+
+`gen1_faithful` is the default and reproduces the original cartridge,
+famous bugs included:
+
+| Rule                        | Behavior                                              |
+| --------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- |
+| `oneIn256Miss`              | A 100%-accurate move still misses on a roll of 255     |
+| `critUsesBaseSpeed`         | Crit rate reads base speed, not the current stat       |
+| `critIgnoresStages`         | Crit rate ignores stat stages                          |
+| `focusEnergyBug`            | FOCUS ENERGY quarters the crit rate instead of x4      |
+| `enemyUnlimitedPP`          | Enemies never spend PP, so they never Struggle         |
+| `hyperBeamSkipRechargeOnKO` | HYPER BEAM skips its recharge when the target faints   |
+| `randMin` / `randMax`       | Damage random factor 217-255                           |
+
+`modern_clean` keeps the formulas but removes the notorious quirks:
+
+| Rule                        | Behavior                                              |
+| --------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- |
+| `oneIn256Miss`              | Off: a 100%-accurate move always hits                  |
+| `critUsesBaseSpeed`         | Unchanged: crit rate still reads base speed            |
+| `critIgnoresStages`         | Off: stat stages count toward the crit rate            |
+| `focusEnergyBug`            | Off: FOCUS ENERGY raises the crit rate as intended     |
+| `enemyUnlimitedPP`          | Off: enemies deplete PP and Struggle when empty        |
+| `hyperBeamSkipRechargeOnKO` | Off: HYPER BEAM always recharges, like Gen 2+          |
+| `randMin` / `randMax`       | Damage random factor 217-255, same as faithful         |
+
 ## Running From Source
 
 Requires LÖVE 11.x. Place a Red or Blue ROM in the project folder and
 double-click `Play-Mac.command` or `Play-Windows.bat`, or run:
 
 ```sh
-scripts/setup.sh --rom "/path/to/Pokemon Red.gb"   # or Pokemon Blue.gb
+scripts/setup.sh --rom "/path/to/Poke Red.gb"   # or Poke Blue.gb
 scripts/run.sh
 ```
 
 then `love .` for later launches. Windows PowerShell scripts, the optional
 developer data build, test suites, and cache management are covered in
-[Developer Setup](https://github.com/bryanthaboi/pokemon-gen1-recomp-project/wiki/Guide-Developer-Setup).
+[Developer Setup](https://github.com/bryanthaboi/gen1recomp/wiki/Guide-Developer-Setup).
 
 ## Portable Mode
 
@@ -80,7 +150,7 @@ By default the game keeps your save, options, and the private ROM-derived
 data cache in your OS's normal per-user app data folder. To keep everything
 next to the game instead (handy for a USB stick or portable drive you carry
 between computers), drop an empty file named `portable.txt` next to the app
-(next to `PokemonRed.app`/`.exe`, or next to `main.lua`/`conf.lua` when
+(next to `gen1recomp.app`/`.exe`, or next to `main.lua`/`conf.lua` when
 running from source), then launch the game. Portable mode is desktop-only
 (Windows, Linux, macOS); it has no effect on Android or iOS, where the app
 runs from a read-only package.
@@ -88,14 +158,16 @@ runs from a read-only package.
 With `portable.txt` present:
 
 - `save.lua`, `save.lua.bak`, and `options.lua` are read from and written to
-  that same folder instead of the OS save directory.
+that same folder instead of the OS save directory.
 - A ROM import writes the generated `data/generated` and `assets/generated`
-  cache straight into that folder too (nothing is left in the OS save
-  directory), so a later launch reuses it without asking for the ROM again
-  even on a different computer, as long as the same folder comes along.
+cache straight into that folder too (nothing is left in the OS save
+directory), so a later launch reuses it without asking for the ROM again
+even on a different computer, as long as the same folder comes along.
 - Deleting `portable.txt` switches back to the normal OS save directory; nothing
-  already written to either location is touched automatically, so copy files
-  over yourself if you want to carry existing progress across the switch.
+already written to either location is touched automatically, so copy files
+over yourself if you want to carry existing progress across the switch.
+
+
 
 ## Modding
 
@@ -103,36 +175,38 @@ The game ships a native mod platform: content registries, events and hooks,
 per-mod saves and options, and an in-game manager. The full modding book —
 getting started, a twelve-rung tutorial ladder, a cookbook, and the generated
 reference — lives on the
-[project wiki](https://github.com/bryanthaboi/pokemon-gen1-recomp-project/wiki).
+[project wiki](https://github.com/bryanthaboi/gen1recomp/wiki).
 
-Shipped example mods, one per kind of author, live in [`mods/`](mods/).
+Shipped example mods, one per kind of author, live in `[mods/](mods/)`.
 
 ## Bugs and Ideas
 
 Found a bug? A warp dropping you somewhere it shouldn't, a battle doing math
 that looks wrong, text in the wrong box, anything that does not match the
 original game.
-[Open a bug report](https://github.com/bryanthaboi/pokemon-gen1-recomp-project/issues/new?template=bug_report.yml).
+[Open a bug report](https://github.com/bryanthaboi/gen1recomp/issues/new?template=bug_report.yml).
 Attach a screenshot if you can. It saves a lot of back and forth, and if you
 can't get one, the form asks you to describe what you saw instead.
 
 Thought of a feature that could be good, or a way to improve one that already
 exists?
-[Open a feature request](https://github.com/bryanthaboi/pokemon-gen1-recomp-project/issues/new?template=feature_request.yml).
+[Open a feature request](https://github.com/bryanthaboi/gen1recomp/issues/new?template=feature_request.yml).
 Say what you want, why it is worth doing, and how you picture it working. A
 request with real detail is one that can actually get built.
 
 ## More
 
-- [Link play](https://github.com/bryanthaboi/pokemon-gen1-recomp-project/wiki/Guide-Link-Play)
-  — START > LINK connects two copies directly over UDP.
-- [Save editor](https://github.com/bryanthaboi/pokemon-gen1-recomp-project/wiki/Guide-Save-Editor)
-  — edit party, boxes, items, events, and Pokédex flags outside the game.
+- [Link play](https://github.com/bryanthaboi/gen1recomp/wiki/Guide-Link-Play)
+— START > LINK connects two copies directly over UDP.
+- [Save editor](https://github.com/bryanthaboi/gen1recomp/wiki/Guide-Save-Editor)
+— edit party, boxes, items, events, and Pokédex flags outside the game.
 - `docs/architecture.md` — runtime details;
-  `docs/behavior-porting-notes.md` — formula provenance.
+`docs/behavior-porting-notes.md` — formula provenance.
+
+
 
 ## Special Thanks
 
 This project would not be possible without [pret](https://github.com/pret) >
 the pret band of decompiling maniacs > and their
-[pokered](https://github.com/pret/pokered) disassembly.
+[pokered](https://github.com/pret/pokered) disassembly.

build-rg34xxsp.sh

@@ -0,0 +1,321 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# Build a PortMaster-style aarch64 port of gen1recomp for Anbernic RG34XXSP
+# on Stock OS 64-bit MOD (H700; cbepx-me StockOS MOD / official V1.0.6 base
+# + PortMaster).
+#
+# The stock Anbernic firmware resolves ports relative to the launch script
+# (roms/PORTS/...), not PortMaster's /$directory/ports/... path. This pack
+# uses SHDIR-relative paths and bundles the LÖVE 11.5 aarch64 runtime so the
+# device does not need a separate love_11.5 runtime download on first launch.
+#
+# Usage:
+#   ./build-rg34xxsp.sh [--version X.Y.Z]
+#
+# Output:
+#   dist/rg34xxsp/gen1recomp-rg34xxsp-stockos64-mod.zip
+#
+# Install on device:
+#   1. Flash / run Stock OS 64-bit MOD with PortMaster installed.
+#   2. Unzip into the SD card's roms/PORTS/ folder so you have:
+#        roms/PORTS/Gen1recomp.sh
+#        roms/PORTS/gen1recomp/...
+#   3. Copy a legal US Red or Blue .gb into roms/PORTS/gen1recomp/lovegame/
+#   4. Launch "Gen1recomp" from the Ports list; press Choose ROM (scans that
+#      folder when zenity is missing).
+
+set -euo pipefail
+
+ROOT="$(cd "$(dirname "$0")" && pwd)"
+HERE="$ROOT/.bazinga"
+CACHE="$HERE/cache/rg34xxsp"
+WORK="$HERE/work/rg34xxsp"
+DIST="$ROOT/dist/rg34xxsp"
+
+APP_NAME="gen1recomp"
+# Artifact suffix matches the CFW this port targets (Anbernic H700 Stock OS
+# 64-bit MOD for RG34XXSP). Release uploads stage it as
+# gen1recomp-<ver>-rg34xxsp-stockos64-mod.zip.
+ARTIFACT_SUFFIX="rg34xxsp-stockos64-mod"
+PORT_DIR_NAME="gen1recomp"
+LAUNCHER_NAME="Gen1recomp.sh"
+LOVE_VERSION="11.5"
+VERSION="$(git -C "$ROOT" rev-parse --short HEAD 2>/dev/null || echo dev)"
+
+# Official PortMaster LÖVE 11.5 aarch64 runtime (small love stub + liblove).
+PM_RUNTIME_BASE="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/PortsMaster/PortMaster-GUI/main/PortMaster/runtimes/love_${LOVE_VERSION}"
+
+say()  { printf '\033[1;32m==>\033[0m %s\n' "$*"; }
+warn() { printf '\033[1;33mwarn:\033[0m %s\n' "$*" >&2; }
+fail() { printf '\033[1;31merror:\033[0m %s\n' "$*" >&2; exit 1; }
+
+while [ $# -gt 0 ]; do
+  case "$1" in
+    --version) VERSION="$2"; shift ;;
+    -h|--help)
+      sed -n '2,24p' "$0"
+      exit 0
+      ;;
+    *) fail "unknown argument: $1" ;;
+  esac
+  shift
+done
+
+command -v curl >/dev/null || fail "curl is required"
+command -v zip  >/dev/null || fail "zip is required"
+command -v unzip >/dev/null || fail "unzip is required"
+
+mkdir -p "$CACHE" "$WORK" "$DIST"
+
+download() {
+  local url="$1" dest="$2"
+  if [ -f "$dest" ] && [ -s "$dest" ]; then
+    return 0
+  fi
+  say "downloading $(basename "$dest")"
+  curl -fL --progress-bar "$url" -o "$dest.tmp" \
+    || fail "download failed: $url"
+  mv "$dest.tmp" "$dest"
+}
+
+# --------------------------------------------------------------- game tree
+# Unpacked directory (not a .love zip) so the player can drop a .gb next to
+# main.lua and RomImporter can scan it without zenity/kdialog.
+say "staging lovegame/"
+GAME_SRC="$WORK/lovegame"
+rm -rf "$GAME_SRC"
+mkdir -p "$GAME_SRC"
+
+# Same payload as scripts/build.sh's game.love — never ship ROM-derived cache.
+# tools/save-editor is part of that payload: the launcher's Edit button on a
+# save row opens it in-process (main.lua).
+(cd "$ROOT" && zip -q -9 -r "$WORK/game-payload.zip" \
+  main.lua conf.lua src data assets tools/save-editor \
+  tools/rom_manifest.json tools/rom_manifest_blue.json \
+  -x '*.DS_Store' 'data/generated/*' 'assets/generated/*')
+if unzip -Z1 "$WORK/game-payload.zip" \
+    | grep -Eq '^(data|assets)/generated/[^/]+|^(data|assets)/generated/.+/'; then
+  fail "payload unexpectedly contains generated ROM data"
+fi
+unzip -q "$WORK/game-payload.zip" -d "$GAME_SRC"
+rm -f "$WORK/game-payload.zip"
+
+# Stamp release version into the staged tree only (never the working tree).
+if printf '%s' "$VERSION" | grep -Eq '^[0-9]+\.[0-9]+\.[0-9]+$'; then
+  say "stamping engine version $VERSION"
+  sed -E "s/(engine[[:space:]]*=[[:space:]]*\")[^\"]*(\")/\1$VERSION\2/" \
+    "$ROOT/src/core/Version.lua" > "$GAME_SRC/src/core/Version.lua"
+  version_re="$(printf '%s' "$VERSION" | sed 's/\./\\./g')"
+  grep -Eq "engine[[:space:]]*=[[:space:]]*\"$version_re\"" \
+    "$GAME_SRC/src/core/Version.lua" \
+    || fail "version stamp failed"
+else
+  say "version '$VERSION' is not X.Y.Z — shipping default engine (no stamp)"
+fi
+
+# Portable marker: saves + ROM cache live next to the game on the SD card.
+: > "$GAME_SRC/portable.txt"
+
+# --------------------------------------------------------------- love runtime
+say "fetching LÖVE $LOVE_VERSION aarch64 runtime"
+LOVE_BIN="$CACHE/love.aarch64"
+LOVE_LIB="$CACHE/liblove-11.5.so"
+LUAJIT_LIB="$CACHE/libluajit-5.1.so.2"
+MODPLUG_LIB="$CACHE/libmodplug.so.1"
+OGG_LIB="$CACHE/libogg.so.0"
+
+download "$PM_RUNTIME_BASE/love.aarch64" "$LOVE_BIN"
+download "$PM_RUNTIME_BASE/libs.aarch64/liblove-11.5.so" "$LOVE_LIB"
+download "$PM_RUNTIME_BASE/libs.aarch64/libluajit-5.1.so.2" "$LUAJIT_LIB"
+download "$PM_RUNTIME_BASE/libs.aarch64/libmodplug.so.1" "$MODPLUG_LIB"
+download "$PM_RUNTIME_BASE/libs.aarch64/libogg.so.0" "$OGG_LIB"
+
+# Sanity: love stub must be an aarch64 ELF.
+file "$LOVE_BIN" | grep -qi 'aarch64\|ARM aarch64' \
+  || fail "love.aarch64 does not look like an aarch64 ELF (got: $(file "$LOVE_BIN"))"
+
+# --------------------------------------------------------------- port tree
+say "assembling port package"
+PORT_ROOT="$WORK/port"
+rm -rf "$PORT_ROOT"
+mkdir -p "$PORT_ROOT/$PORT_DIR_NAME/bin" \
+         "$PORT_ROOT/$PORT_DIR_NAME/libs.aarch64" \
+         "$PORT_ROOT/$PORT_DIR_NAME/licenses" \
+         "$PORT_ROOT/$PORT_DIR_NAME/conf"
+
+cp -R "$GAME_SRC" "$PORT_ROOT/$PORT_DIR_NAME/lovegame"
+cp "$LOVE_BIN" "$PORT_ROOT/$PORT_DIR_NAME/bin/love.aarch64"
+chmod +x "$PORT_ROOT/$PORT_DIR_NAME/bin/love.aarch64"
+cp "$LOVE_LIB" "$LUAJIT_LIB" "$MODPLUG_LIB" "$OGG_LIB" \
+  "$PORT_ROOT/$PORT_DIR_NAME/libs.aarch64/"
+
+# Drop a short license pointer for the bundled LÖVE bits.
+cat > "$PORT_ROOT/$PORT_DIR_NAME/licenses/LICENSE.love2d.txt" <<'EOF'
+This port bundles the LÖVE 11.5 aarch64 runtime from PortMaster
+(https://github.com/PortsMaster/PortMaster-GUI). LÖVE is zlib-licensed;
+see https://love2d.org/ for full terms.
+EOF
+
+# --------------------------------------------------------------- launcher
+# Stock OS fix: resolve GAMEDIR from this script's directory (SHDIR), not
+# PortMaster's $directory variable — Anbernic uses roms/PORTS with different
+# casing and mount points (mmc / sdcard / TF1 / TF2).
+cat > "$PORT_ROOT/$LAUNCHER_NAME" <<'EOF'
+#!/bin/bash
+# gen1recomp — Anbernic RG34XXSP stock OS / PortMaster launcher
+# Uses SHDIR-relative paths so stock firmware finds the game folder.
+
+export HOME="${HOME:-/root}"
+XDG_DATA_HOME="${XDG_DATA_HOME:-$HOME/.local/share}"
+
+if [ -d "/opt/system/Tools/PortMaster/" ]; then
+  controlfolder="/opt/system/Tools/PortMaster"
+elif [ -d "/opt/tools/PortMaster/" ]; then
+  controlfolder="/opt/tools/PortMaster"
+elif [ -d "$XDG_DATA_HOME/PortMaster/" ]; then
+  controlfolder="$XDG_DATA_HOME/PortMaster"
+elif [ -d "/mnt/mmc/Roms/PORTS/PortMaster" ]; then
+  controlfolder="/mnt/mmc/Roms/PORTS/PortMaster"
+elif [ -d "/mnt/sdcard/Roms/PORTS/PortMaster" ]; then
+  controlfolder="/mnt/sdcard/Roms/PORTS/PortMaster"
+elif [ -d "/roms/ports/PortMaster" ]; then
+  controlfolder="/roms/ports/PortMaster"
+else
+  controlfolder="/roms/PORTS/PortMaster"
+fi
+
+SHDIR="$(cd "$(dirname "$0")" && pwd)"
+# shellcheck disable=SC1090
+source "$controlfolder/control.txt"
+get_controls
+[ -f "${controlfolder}/mod_${CFW_NAME}.txt" ] && source "${controlfolder}/mod_${CFW_NAME}.txt"
+
+GAMEDIR="$SHDIR/gen1recomp"
+CONFDIR="$GAMEDIR/conf"
+mkdir -p "$CONFDIR"
+
+cd "$GAMEDIR" || exit 1
+> "$GAMEDIR/log.txt" && exec > >(tee "$GAMEDIR/log.txt") 2>&1
+
+export XDG_DATA_HOME="$CONFDIR"
+export XDG_CONFIG_HOME="$CONFDIR"
+export LD_LIBRARY_PATH="$GAMEDIR/libs.aarch64:${LD_LIBRARY_PATH:-}"
+export SDL_GAMECONTROLLERCONFIG="${sdl_controllerconfig:-}"
+# Mali / H700: prefer GLES where available
+export LOVE_GRAPHICS_USE_OPENGLES="${LOVE_GRAPHICS_USE_OPENGLES:-1}"
+
+$ESUDO chmod a+x ./bin/love.aarch64 2>/dev/null || chmod a+x ./bin/love.aarch64
+$ESUDO chmod 666 /dev/uinput 2>/dev/null || true
+
+if [ -n "${GPTOKEYB:-}" ]; then
+  $GPTOKEYB "love.aarch64" &
+fi
+if type pm_platform_helper >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+  pm_platform_helper "$GAMEDIR/bin/love.aarch64"
+fi
+
+./bin/love.aarch64 "$GAMEDIR/lovegame"
+
+if type pm_finish >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+  pm_finish
+else
+  if [ -n "${ESUDO:-}" ]; then
+    $ESUDO kill -9 $(pidof gptokeyb) 2>/dev/null || true
+  else
+    kill -9 $(pidof gptokeyb) 2>/dev/null || true
+  fi
+fi
+EOF
+chmod +x "$PORT_ROOT/$LAUNCHER_NAME"
+
+# --------------------------------------------------------------- metadata
+cat > "$PORT_ROOT/port.json" <<EOF
+{
+  "version": 2,
+  "name": "gen1recomp.zip",
+  "items": [
+    "$LAUNCHER_NAME",
+    "$PORT_DIR_NAME"
+  ],
+  "items_opt": null,
+  "attr": {
+    "title": "gen1recomp",
+    "desc": "Native LÖVE2D recreation of Pokemon Red and Blue. Supply your own legal US Red or Blue ROM.",
+    "inst": "Requires Anbernic RG34XXSP Stock OS 64-bit MOD with PortMaster. Copy a canonical US Red or Blue .gb into gen1recomp/lovegame/, then launch and press Choose ROM.",
+    "genres": ["adventure", "rpg"],
+    "porter": ["gen1recomp"],
+    "image": {},
+    "rtr": true,
+    "runtime": null,
+    "reqs": [],
+    "arch": ["aarch64"]
+  }
+}
+EOF
+
+cat > "$PORT_ROOT/gameinfo.xml" <<EOF
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
+<gameList>
+  <game>
+    <path>./$LAUNCHER_NAME</path>
+    <name>gen1recomp</name>
+    <desc>Native LÖVE2D recreation of Pokemon Red and Blue. Requires your own legal US Red or Blue ROM.</desc>
+    <releasedate>20250101T000000</releasedate>
+    <developer>the bois club</developer>
+    <publisher>the bois club</publisher>
+    <genre>RPG</genre>
+  </game>
+</gameList>
+EOF
+
+cat > "$PORT_ROOT/README.md" <<'EOF'
+## gen1recomp (RG34XXSP / Stock OS 64-bit MOD)
+
+Native LÖVE 11.5 port of gen1recomp for Anbernic RG34XXSP on
+**Stock OS 64-bit MOD** (H700, PortMaster).
+
+### Install
+
+1. Use **Stock OS 64-bit MOD** with PortMaster installed (TF1).
+2. Unzip so `Gen1recomp.sh` and the `gen1recomp/` folder sit in `roms/PORTS/`.
+3. Copy a legal US Pokemon Red or Blue `.gb` into `gen1recomp/lovegame/`.
+4. Refresh Ports / restart EmulationStation and launch **Gen1recomp**.
+
+### Controls (launcher)
+
+| Input | Action |
+|--|--|
+| D-pad / left stick | Move cursor |
+| A | Click |
+| L1 / R1 | Switch tabs |
+| Right stick | Scroll lists |
+| Start / Select | Play or Choose ROM |
+
+In-game controls use the normal PortMaster / SDL pad map (rebind under OPTIONS → CONTROLS).
+
+### First run
+
+Stock OS has no zenity file picker. Put the `.gb` in `lovegame/`, then press
+**Choose ROM** — the game scans that folder. After import, the ROM-derived
+cache and saves stay beside the game (`portable.txt`).
+
+Canonical SHA-1 (1 MiB US carts only):
+
+- Red: `ea9bcae617fdf159b045185467ae58b2e4a48b9a`
+- Blue: `d7037c83e1ae5b39bde3c30787637ba1d4c48ce2`
+
+### Thanks
+
+LÖVE runtime binaries from [PortMaster](https://portmaster.games/).
+Stock OS 64-bit MOD: [cbepx-me](https://github.com/cbepx-me/Anbernic-H700-RG-xx-StockOS-Modification).
+EOF
+
+# --------------------------------------------------------------- zip
+ZIP_OUT="$DIST/$APP_NAME-$ARTIFACT_SUFFIX.zip"
+rm -f "$ZIP_OUT" "$DIST/$APP_NAME-rg34xxsp.zip"
+say "packing $ZIP_OUT"
+(cd "$PORT_ROOT" && zip -q -9 -r "$ZIP_OUT" \
+  "$LAUNCHER_NAME" "$PORT_DIR_NAME" port.json gameinfo.xml README.md)
+
+say "done."
+say "artifact: $ZIP_OUT ($(du -h "$ZIP_OUT" | cut -f1))"
+say "copy onto the RG34XXSP SD card under roms/PORTS/ (Stock OS 64-bit MOD), then drop your .gb into gen1recomp/lovegame/"

conf.lua

@@ -13,7 +13,12 @@ function love.conf(t)
   _G.POKEPORT_DEV_MODE = developer
 
   if editor then
-    t.identity = os.getenv("POKEPORT_IDENTITY") or "pokemon-love2d-editor"
+    -- Same identity as the game, deliberately: the editor edits the game's
+    -- saves and reads the game's ROM cache, both of which live under this
+    -- folder.  A private editor identity would point love.filesystem at an
+    -- empty directory in a packaged build, so `--editor` could not find
+    -- data/generated at all (SaveIO.defaultPath already assumed this name).
+    t.identity = os.getenv("POKEPORT_IDENTITY") or "pokemon-love2d"
     t.window.title = "Pokemon Save Editor"
     t.window.width = 1280
     t.window.height = 800

data/scripts/flavor/pewter_nidoran_house.lua

@@ -1,13 +1,21 @@
 -- pokered/scripts/PewterNidoranHouse.asm
 -- PewterNidoranHouseNidoranText: text_far _PewterNidoranHouseNidoranText, then
 -- text_asm plays the NIDORAN_M cry (PlayCry/WaitForSoundToFinish) before ending.
--- No sound-effect command exists in Commands.lua, so we port the dialogue line
--- only; the cry SFX is cosmetic and has no gameplay effect.
+-- play_cry only stashes ctx.pendingCry for the very next show_text row, so it
+-- has to sit immediately before that row (src/script/Commands.lua); the cry
+-- then sounds once the box has typed out, matching the asm's print-then-cry
+-- order.  Its waitForButton form keeps DisplayTextID's trailing
+-- WaitForTextScrollButtonPress -- PewterNidoranHouse_Script is
+-- `jp EnableAutoTextBoxDrawing`, which zeroes
+-- wDoNotWaitForButtonPressAfterDisplayingText -- so the box still holds until
+-- A/B.  The cry row was missing, leaving the NIDORAN silent (#247).
 return {
   PEWTER_NIDORAN_HOUSE = {
     talk = {
       TEXT_PEWTERNIDORANHOUSE_NIDORAN = {
         { "face_player" },
+        -- text_asm: ld a, NIDORAN_M / call PlayCry
+        { "play_cry", "NIDORAN_M", true },
         { "show_text", "_PewterNidoranHouseNidoranText" },
       },
     },

data/scripts/flavor/route_23.lua

@@ -28,7 +28,29 @@ local function badgeGuard(badge, passFlag)
   }
 end
 
+-- Route23SetVictoryRoadBoulders (pokered scripts/Route23.asm:8): every entry
+-- to Route 23 resets the Victory Road boulder puzzle behind you.  The 2F/3F
+-- switch events clear (so those barriers are closed again on the next floor
+-- load) and the boulder that fell through 3F's hole goes back upstairs:
+-- ShowObject TOGGLE_VICTORY_ROAD_3F_BOULDER / HideObject
+-- TOGGLE_VICTORY_ROAD_2F_BOULDER, which are VICTORYROAD3F_BOULDER4 and
+-- VICTORYROAD2F_BOULDER3 (data/maps/toggleable_objects.asm).  1F's event is
+-- reset by the Indigo Plateau lobby and by Victory Road 2F, not here.  This
+-- is what makes the puzzle "completely reset" on a return trip (#258).
+-- onEnter is the port's BIT_CUR_MAP_LOADED_2 equivalent: setMap runs it on
+-- every map entry, connection crossings included, like EnterMap.
 M.ROUTE_23 = {
+  onEnter = function(game, ow)
+    local f = game.save.flags
+    f.EVENT_VICTORY_ROAD_2_BOULDER_ON_SWITCH1 = nil
+    f.EVENT_VICTORY_ROAD_2_BOULDER_ON_SWITCH2 = nil
+    f.EVENT_VICTORY_ROAD_3_BOULDER_ON_SWITCH1 = nil
+    f.EVENT_VICTORY_ROAD_3_BOULDER_ON_SWITCH2 = nil
+    local Commands = require("src.script.Commands")
+    local ctx = { save = game.save, overworld = ow, game = game }
+    Commands.show_object(ctx, "VICTORY_ROAD_3F", "VICTORYROAD3F_BOULDER4")
+    Commands.hide_object(ctx, "VICTORY_ROAD_2F", "VICTORYROAD2F_BOULDER3")
+  end,
   talk = {
     -- Route23Guard1Text: EventFlagBit ..., EVENT_PASSED_EARTHBADGE_CHECK
     -- -> wWhichBadge = EARTHBADGE

data/scripts/flavor/viridian_city.lua

@@ -59,13 +59,17 @@ M.VIRIDIAN_CITY = {
     -- ViridianCityYoungster2CaterpieAndWeedleDescriptionText are
     -- defined without a leading underscore in pokered/text/ViridianCity.asm
     -- and aren't present in data/generated/text.lua, so we fall back to
-    -- the literal strings from pokered.
+    -- the literal strings from pokered.  Those fallbacks have to carry the
+    -- extractor's markers, not plain newlines: line -> \n, cont -> \v,
+    -- para -> \f.  Spelling cont/para as \n and \n\n put all six lines on
+    -- one page with nothing to wait on, so the whole speech scrolled past
+    -- without a button press (#250).
     TEXT_VIRIDIANCITY_YOUNGSTER2 = function(game, ow, npc, done)
       local t = text(game)
       ask(game, t._ViridianCityYoungster2YouWantToKnowAboutText
-        or "You want to know\nabout the 2 kinds\nof caterpillar\nPOKéMON?", function(yes)
+        or "You want to know\nabout the 2 kinds\vof caterpillar\vPOKéMON?", function(yes)
         if yes then
-          push(game, "CATERPIE has no\npoison, but\nWEEDLE does.\n\nWatch out for its\nPOISON STING!", done)
+          push(game, "CATERPIE has no\npoison, but\vWEEDLE does.\fWatch out for its\nPOISON STING!", done)
         else
           push(game, "Oh, OK then!", done)
         end

data/scripts/flavor/viridian_nickname_house.lua

@@ -3,12 +3,16 @@
 return {
   VIRIDIAN_NICKNAME_HOUSE = {
     talk = {
-      -- ViridianNicknameHouseSpearowText: text_asm that shows the text
-      -- then plays a SPEAROW cry (PlayCry/WaitForSoundToFinish). The
-      -- cry playback isn't in the talk-script command vocabulary, so
-      -- only the flavor line is ported here.
+      -- ViridianNicknameHouseSpearowText: text_asm that PrintTexts the
+      -- line, then plays the SPEAROW cry (PlayCry/WaitForSoundToFinish)
+      -- before TextScriptEnd.  play_cry only arms the show_text row that
+      -- follows it, so the cry sounds once the box has typed out; its
+      -- waitForButton form keeps DisplayTextID's trailing
+      -- WaitForTextScrollButtonPress, so the box then holds until A/B like
+      -- any other NPC line rather than popping itself (#251).
       TEXT_VIRIDIANNICKNAMEHOUSE_SPEAROW = {
-        { "show_text", "_ViridianNicknameHouseSpearowText" },
+        { "play_cry", "SPEAROW", true },                      -- 1 PlayCry
+        { "show_text", "_ViridianNicknameHouseSpearowText" }, -- 2 PrintText
       },
     },
   },

data/scripts/story.lua

@@ -16,6 +16,14 @@ M.VIRIDIAN_MART = {
   -- StartSimulatingJoypadStates walks the player to the counter
   -- (.PlayerMovement: PAD_LEFT 1, PAD_UP 2, door (3,7) -> counter (2,5))
   -- and ViridianMartOaksParcelScript hands the parcel over.  The player
+  -- never presses A.
+  --
+  -- The RLE list is consumed back to front: DecodeRLEList fills forward
+  -- from wSimulatedJoypadStatesEnd, the script seeds wSimulatedJoypadStates-
+  -- Index with the count, and home/overworld.asm decrements that index
+  -- before each read.  So PAD_LEFT 1, PAD_UP 2 actually plays up, up, left,
+  -- and the walk ends facing the clerk.  Replaying the list front to back
+  -- put the player at the counter facing up instead (#235).  The player
   -- never presses A.  This matters beyond convenience: the parcel gates
   -- Oak's Pokedex and the old man clearing Route 2, so vanilla guarantees
   -- it on entry rather than letting you walk out without it.
@@ -28,8 +36,8 @@ M.VIRIDIAN_MART = {
     if not f.EVENT_GOT_STARTER then return end
     ow:queueScript({
       { "show_text", "_ViridianMartClerkYouCameFromPalletTownText" },
-      { "move_player", "left", 1 },
       { "move_player", "up", 2 },
+      { "move_player", "left", 1 },
       -- the quest text's last page is "{PLAYER} got\nOAK's PARCEL!"
       { "give_item", "OAKS_PARCEL", 1, "_ViridianMartClerkParcelQuestText" },
       { "set_flag", "EVENT_GOT_OAKS_PARCEL" },
@@ -86,6 +94,27 @@ M.VIRIDIAN_CITY = {
       { "show_text", "_ViridianCityOldManTimeIsMoneyText" },             -- 8 (9 = end)
     },
   },
+  -- Re-apply the Pokedex old-man swap for a save that already holds the flag
+  -- but was never standing here when it fired: a vanilla .sav imported
+  -- through src/save_convert, whose codec does not model pokered's
+  -- wToggleableObjectFlags array, so save.objectToggles arrives empty and
+  -- both objects fall back to their compiled-in defaults -- the sleeper ON
+  -- (data/maps/toggleable_objects.asm toggleable_objects_for VIRIDIAN_CITY),
+  -- still lying across the north path (#234).
+  -- OaksLabOakGivesPokedexScript (scripts/OaksLab.asm) sets EVENT_GOT_POKEDEX
+  -- and, with no branch in between, runs HideObject TOGGLE_LYING_OLD_MAN /
+  -- ShowObject TOGGLE_OLD_MAN, so that one flag settles both toggles exactly.
+  -- Same shape as M.OAKS_LAB.onEnter in data/scripts/oaks_lab.lua, which
+  -- re-applies the same script's other two HideObjects on entry (#106).
+  onEnter = function(game, ow)
+    if not (game.save.flags and game.save.flags.EVENT_GOT_POKEDEX) then
+      return
+    end
+    local Commands = require("src.script.Commands")
+    local ctx = { save = game.save, game = game, overworld = ow }
+    Commands.hide_object(ctx, "VIRIDIAN_CITY", "VIRIDIANCITY_OLD_MAN_SLEEPY")
+    Commands.show_object(ctx, "VIRIDIAN_CITY", "VIRIDIANCITY_OLD_MAN")
+  end,
   -- ViridianCityCheckGotPokedexScript: the north corridor is gated on
   -- EVENT_GOT_POKEDEX, NOT on the sleeper being hidden, and it triggers
   -- on exactly one cell -- (19,9), the gap east of the sleeper (18,9)
@@ -711,11 +740,20 @@ local function boulderAt(ow, x, y)
   return npc and npc.def.sprite == "SPRITE_BOULDER" and npc or nil
 end
 
+-- Each barrier is stamped BOTH ways on entry.  pokered only ever stamps the
+-- OPEN block (ReplaceTileBlock edits the loaded block map, which the next map
+-- load throws away, so a fresh entry always shows the .blk's closed barrier),
+-- but OverworldState:replaceBlock writes through Map:setBlock into the SHARED
+-- map record in Game.data, so the port has to put the closed block back
+-- itself or a solved barrier stays open for the rest of the session (#258).
+-- The closed ids are the shipped .blk bytes: VictoryRoad1F.blk (4,6) = $25,
+-- VictoryRoad2F.blk (3,4) = $37 and (11,7) = $25, VictoryRoad3F.blk
+-- (3,5) = $25.  Same both-ways pattern as the card-key doors in
+-- OverworldState:setMap.
 M.VICTORY_ROAD_1F = {
   onEnter = function(game, ow)
-    if game.save.flags.EVENT_VICTORY_ROAD_1_BOULDER_ON_SWITCH then
-      ow:replaceBlock(4, 6, 0x1D)
-    end
+    ow:replaceBlock(4, 6,
+      game.save.flags.EVENT_VICTORY_ROAD_1_BOULDER_ON_SWITCH and 0x1D or 0x25)
   end,
   onBoulderMoved = function(game, ow, npc)
     if npc.cellX == 17 and npc.cellY == 13
@@ -728,12 +766,14 @@ M.VICTORY_ROAD_1F = {
 
 M.VICTORY_ROAD_2F = {
   onEnter = function(game, ow)
-    if game.save.flags.EVENT_VICTORY_ROAD_2_BOULDER_ON_SWITCH1 then
-      ow:replaceBlock(3, 4, 0x15)
-    end
-    if game.save.flags.EVENT_VICTORY_ROAD_2_BOULDER_ON_SWITCH2 then
-      ow:replaceBlock(11, 7, 0x1D)
-    end
+    -- VictoryRoad2FResetBoulderEventScript (scripts/VictoryRoad2F.asm:19):
+    -- entering 2F clears the 1F switch event, so 1F's barrier is closed
+    -- again the next time you climb down (#258)
+    game.save.flags.EVENT_VICTORY_ROAD_1_BOULDER_ON_SWITCH = nil
+    ow:replaceBlock(3, 4,
+      game.save.flags.EVENT_VICTORY_ROAD_2_BOULDER_ON_SWITCH1 and 0x15 or 0x37)
+    ow:replaceBlock(11, 7,
+      game.save.flags.EVENT_VICTORY_ROAD_2_BOULDER_ON_SWITCH2 and 0x1D or 0x25)
   end,
   onBoulderMoved = function(game, ow, npc)
     if npc.cellX == 1 and npc.cellY == 16
@@ -751,9 +791,8 @@ M.VICTORY_ROAD_2F = {
 
 M.VICTORY_ROAD_3F = {
   onEnter = function(game, ow)
-    if game.save.flags.EVENT_VICTORY_ROAD_3_BOULDER_ON_SWITCH1 then
-      ow:replaceBlock(3, 5, 0x1D)
-    end
+    ow:replaceBlock(3, 5,
+      game.save.flags.EVENT_VICTORY_ROAD_3_BOULDER_ON_SWITCH1 and 0x1D or 0x25)
   end,
   onBoulderMoved = function(game, ow, npc)
     if npc.cellX == 3 and npc.cellY == 5
@@ -761,12 +800,23 @@ M.VICTORY_ROAD_3F = {
       game.save.flags.EVENT_VICTORY_ROAD_3_BOULDER_ON_SWITCH1 = true
       ow:replaceBlock(3, 5, 0x1D)
     end
-    -- the hole at (23,15): the boulder drops to 2F next to switch 2
-    if npc.cellX == 23 and npc.cellY == 15 then
+    -- the hole at (23,15): the boulder drops to 2F next to switch 2.
+    -- VictoryRoad3FDefaultScript .handle_hole gates the swap on
+    -- CheckAndSetEvent EVENT_VICTORY_ROAD_3_BOULDER_ON_SWITCH2, then
+    -- HideObject TOGGLE_VICTORY_ROAD_3F_BOULDER / ShowObject
+    -- TOGGLE_VICTORY_ROAD_2F_BOULDER.  Those two toggles are
+    -- VICTORYROAD3F_BOULDER4 and VICTORYROAD2F_BOULDER3
+    -- (data/maps/toggleable_objects.asm); the old "VICTORYROAD2F_BOULDER"
+    -- matched no object_event name, so the toggle landed under a key
+    -- objectVisible never reads: harmless only while nothing hid that
+    -- boulder, and fatal once Route 23's reset does (#258).
+    if npc.cellX == 23 and npc.cellY == 15
+       and not game.save.flags.EVENT_VICTORY_ROAD_3_BOULDER_ON_SWITCH2 then
+      game.save.flags.EVENT_VICTORY_ROAD_3_BOULDER_ON_SWITCH2 = true
       local Commands = require("src.script.Commands")
       local ctx = { save = game.save, overworld = ow, game = game }
       Commands.hide_object(ctx, "VICTORY_ROAD_3F", npc.def.name)
-      Commands.show_object(ctx, "VICTORY_ROAD_2F", "VICTORYROAD2F_BOULDER")
+      Commands.show_object(ctx, "VICTORY_ROAD_2F", "VICTORYROAD2F_BOULDER3")
     end
   end,
   -- scripts/VictoryRoad3F.asm VictoryRoad3FDefaultScript: the same hole

data/scripts/story2.lua

@@ -761,7 +761,7 @@ M.CINNABAR_LAB_FOSSIL_ROOM = {
 -- #118: do not raise mon.level until a paid retrieve (pokered reverts
 -- wDayCareMonBoxLevel on .leaveMonInDayCare). Fold pending steps into
 -- mon.exp once and clear them so a second talk cannot re-apply the same
--- walk. Fill {RAM:wNameBuffer}/{RAM:wDayCareMonName}/{NUM:...} here —
+-- walk. Fill {RAM:wNameBuffer}/{RAM:wDayCareMonName}/{NUM:...} here --
 -- TextBox.TOKENS.RAM only knows wStringBuffer.
 -- -------------------------------------------------------------------
 

data/scripts/story3.lua

@@ -300,7 +300,7 @@ local function elevator(elevatorMapId, keyGate, preFrames)
       -- Rocket Hideout: without LIFT_KEY the panel only prints the need-
       -- a-key line (scripts/RocketHideoutElevator.asm).  Exit warps are
       -- still seeded above so walking out returns to the entry floor
-      -- instead of the car's ROM default (B1F) — #90 / #105.
+      -- instead of the car's ROM default (B1F) -- #90 / #105.
       if keyGate and not game.save.inventory[keyGate.item] then
         local TextBox = require("src.render.TextBox")
         game.stack:push(TextBox.new(game,

data/scripts/story5.lua

@@ -293,7 +293,11 @@ pewterEscort.guySteps = {
   "right", "right", "right",
 }
 
--- Walk home: reverse of guySteps with opposite facings (gym → spawn).
+-- Reverse of guySteps with opposite facings, i.e. the gym-to-spawn
+-- mirror of RLEList_PewterGymGuy.  Kept as the documented inverse that
+-- tests/parity_pewter_escort.lua checks; the youngster does NOT walk it
+-- home any more, because its first step is LEFT through the player
+-- parked on (11,18) (#241).  See walkHome below.
 do
   local opp = { up = "down", down = "up", left = "right", right = "left" }
   local ret = {}
@@ -371,20 +375,44 @@ local function pewterGymEscort(game, ow)
   local head = plan.guyHeadStart
 
   -- After the walk: face the player, restore map music, "Go take on
-  -- BROCK", then retrace RLEList_PewterGymGuy back to his spawn (35,16).
-  -- (pokered teleports him via MovementData_PewterGymGuyExit; we walk
-  -- the same route home instead.  Brock victory still HideObject's him.)
+  -- BROCK", then MovementData_PewterGymGuyExit -- five steps RIGHT out of
+  -- (12,18), the cell PewterCityYoungsterShowsPlayerGymScript pins him to
+  -- with SetSpritePosition1 (hSpriteMapXCoord 16 / hSpriteMapYCoord 22,
+  -- minus the +4 border offset object_event coords carry per
+  -- macros/scripts/maps.asm) and exactly where the escort leaves him.
+  -- That lands him on (17,18), the last walkable cell before the fence at
+  -- (18,18) and one column past the screen edge with the player parked on
+  -- (11,18).  PewterCityHideYoungsterScript then HideObject's him and
+  -- PewterCityResetYoungsterScript's SetSpritePosition2 + ShowObject put
+  -- him back on his object_event spawn (35,16) facing DOWN, which is the
+  -- snap below (the vanish/reappear is off screen, same as the original).
+  --
+  -- The old code retraced guyReturnSteps instead, whose first step is
+  -- LEFT into (11,18) -- the cell the player is standing on -- and
+  -- scriptMove is a pure tween with no entity test, so he walked straight
+  -- through Red (#241).  There is no honest route home: (17,18) is a
+  -- dead-end pocket ((18,18) fence, (17,17) wall), which is precisely why
+  -- the original teleports.  guyReturnSteps stays as the documented
+  -- mirror of RLEList_PewterGymGuy that parity_pewter_escort asserts.
+  -- Brock victory still HideObject's him.
   local function walkHome()
     if not guy then return end
-    local ret = pewterEscort.guyReturnSteps
     local i = 0
     local function tick()
       i = i + 1
-      if not ret[i] then
+      if i > 5 then
+        -- SetSpritePosition2: same field writes as Commands.place_npc,
+        -- including the target clear -- a stale targetX/targetY would
+        -- leave OverworldState:npcAtCell reserving (17,18) forever and
+        -- silently wall the player out of that pocket.
+        guy.cellX, guy.cellY = 35, 16
+        guy.px, guy.py = 35 * 16, 16 * 16
+        guy.moving = false
+        guy.targetX, guy.targetY = nil, nil
         guy.facing = "down"
         return
       end
-      ow:scriptMove(guy, ret[i], 1, tick)
+      ow:scriptMove(guy, "right", 1, tick)
     end
     tick()
   end
@@ -468,23 +496,48 @@ end
 -- Gym) and again in Viridian Gym; we derive the same windows from the
 -- surrounding story flags so old saves work too.
 -- Rival1Exit → Viridian (right/down); Rival2Exit → League (left).
+-- Both exit lists are keyed on wSavedCoordIndex -- WHICH entry of
+-- Route22DefaultScript.Route22RivalBattleCoords the player matched -- not
+-- on where the rival ended up.  CheckCoords (home/map_objects.asm:107)
+-- zeroes wCoordIndex and `inc [hl]` BEFORE each compare, so the first
+-- entry reports 1: index 1 is (29,4), index 2 is (29,5).
+-- Route22Rival1AfterBattleScript (Route22.asm:175) takes
+-- ...ExitMovementData1 on index 1 and ...Data2 otherwise.  From the top
+-- tile the rival stands BELOW the player on (29,5) and leaves east along
+-- row 5; from the bottom tile he stands LEFT of him on (28,5) and has to
+-- step UP to row 4 to get around him.  The port had the two branches
+-- swapped, so the top tile started the walk with UP out of (28,4) into
+-- the cliff cell (28,3), which is not walkable (#236).
 local function route22ExitDirs(n, py)
   if n == 2 then
-    if py == 5 then return { "left", "left", "left", "left" } end
+    -- Route22Rival2ExitMovementData1 falls through into ...Data2: LEFT x4
+    -- from (29,5), LEFT x3 from (28,5), both back onto the spawn (25,5).
+    if py == 4 then return { "left", "left", "left", "left" } end
     return { "left", "left", "left" }
   end
-  if py == 5 then
+  -- Route22Rival1ExitMovementData1: (29,5) -> (31,5) -> (31,10)
+  if py == 4 then
     return { "right", "right", "down", "down", "down", "down", "down" }
   end
+  -- Route22Rival1ExitMovementData2: (28,5) -> (28,4) -> (31,4) -> (31,10)
   return { "up", "right", "right", "right",
            "down", "down", "down", "down", "down", "down" }
 end
 
 local function route22Scene(n, objIndex, objName, oppClass, baseParty, beatFlag, py)
+  -- Route22MoveRivalRightScript (Route22.asm:39) walks him RIGHT along his
+  -- own row from the object_event spawn (25,5): the full four-RIGHT
+  -- Route22RivalMovementData on coord index 1 (player on (29,4)), so he
+  -- stops BELOW the player on (29,5); `inc de` drops one RIGHT on index 2
+  -- (player on (29,5)), so he stops LEFT of him on (28,5).  He never
+  -- leaves row 5.  Route22Rival{1,2}StartBattleScript (Route22.asm:110)
+  -- then faces him UP on index 1 and RIGHT otherwise (#236).
+  local rx = (py == 4) and 29 or 28
+  local rivalFacing = (py == 4) and "up" or "right"
   return {
     { "show_object", "ROUTE_22", objName },                    -- 1
-    { "move_npc_to", objIndex, 28, py },                       -- 2
-    { "face_object", objIndex, "right" },                      -- 3
+    { "move_npc_to", objIndex, rx, 5 },                        -- 2
+    { "face_object", objIndex, rivalFacing },                  -- 3
     { "show_text", "_Route22RivalBeforeBattleText" .. n },     -- 4
     { "rival_battle", oppClass, baseParty },                   -- 5
     { "jump_if_false", 11 },                                   -- 6
@@ -496,20 +549,25 @@ local function route22Scene(n, objIndex, objName, oppClass, baseParty, beatFlag,
   }
 end
 
+-- Route22Rival{1,2}StartBattleScript turns the player toward him too:
+-- PLAYER_DIR_DOWN on coord index 1 (the (29,4) tile, rival below him),
+-- and the PLAYER_DIR_LEFT Route22DefaultScript already set on index 2
+-- (the (29,5) tile, rival to his left) (#236).
 M.ROUTE_22 = {
   onStep = function(game, ow, x, y)
     if not inCoords({ { 29, 4 }, { 29, 5 } }, x, y) then return false end
     local f = game.save.flags
+    local playerFacing = (y == 4) and "down" or "left"
     if f.EVENT_GOT_POKEDEX and not f.EVENT_BEAT_BROCK
        and not f.EVENT_BEAT_ROUTE22_RIVAL_1ST_BATTLE then
       return runAmbush(game, ow,
         route22Scene(1, 1, "ROUTE22_RIVAL1", "OPP_RIVAL1", 4,
-                     "EVENT_BEAT_ROUTE22_RIVAL_1ST_BATTLE", y), "left")
+                     "EVENT_BEAT_ROUTE22_RIVAL_1ST_BATTLE", y), playerFacing)
     end
     if f.EVENT_BEAT_GIOVANNI and not f.EVENT_BEAT_ROUTE22_RIVAL_2ND_BATTLE then
       return runAmbush(game, ow,
         route22Scene(2, 2, "ROUTE22_RIVAL2", "OPP_RIVAL2", 10,
-                     "EVENT_BEAT_ROUTE22_RIVAL_2ND_BATTLE", y), "left")
+                     "EVENT_BEAT_ROUTE22_RIVAL_2ND_BATTLE", y), playerFacing)
     end
     return false
   end,
@@ -545,7 +603,7 @@ end
 -- scripts/CeruleanCity.asm CeruleanCityRocketText: fight the thief,
 -- then he returns TM28 (DIG) and hurries off.  CeruleanHideRocket
 -- (CeruleanCity_2.asm) is GBFadeOutToBlack → Show GUARD1 / Hide GUARD2 /
--- Hide ROCKET → GBFadeInFromBlack — not a bare hide_object.
+-- Hide ROCKET → GBFadeInFromBlack -- not a bare hide_object.
 local rocketRows = {
   { "face_player" },                                           -- 1
   { "check_flag", "EVENT_GOT_TM28" },                          -- 2
@@ -564,7 +622,7 @@ local rocketRows = {
   { "fade", "out" },                                           -- 15 GBFadeOutToBlack
   -- CeruleanHideRocket while black: GUARD1 (28,12) appears, GUARD2
   -- (27,12) and the ROCKET go.  GUARD2 blocks the trashed-house south
-  -- door neighbour — the swap reconnects the city (Bill's ticket does
+  -- door neighbour -- the swap reconnects the city (Bill's ticket does
   -- the same in story.lua; either route is enough).
   { "show_object", "CERULEAN_CITY", "CERULEANCITY_GUARD1" },   -- 16
   { "hide_object", "CERULEAN_CITY", "CERULEANCITY_GUARD2" },   -- 17
@@ -628,13 +686,83 @@ M.MUSEUM_1F = {
 }
 
 -- The Pewter Center's singing JIGGLYPUFF (scripts/PewterPokecenter.asm
--- plays MUSIC_JIGGLYPUFF_SONG, then the map theme resumes)
+-- PewterPokecenterJigglypuffText).  The text_asm sets
+-- wDoNotWaitForButtonPressAfterDisplayingText before PrintText, so the box
+-- prints with no A prompt and the script keeps running underneath it:
+-- SFX_STOP_ALL_MUSIC, DelayFrames 32, PlayMusic MUSIC_JIGGLYPUFF_SONG,
+-- then .spinMovementLoop writes the next of DOWN -> LEFT -> UP -> RIGHT (a
+-- clockwise turn) every 24 frames for as long as the song's CHAN1/CHAN2
+-- still sound, DelayFrames 48, PlayDefaultMusic, TextScriptEnd.  Only that
+-- last step closes the box, so the whole dance plays out unskippably
+-- (#249).  Music.playOnce's pendingRestore stands in for both the channel
+-- poll and PlayDefaultMusic, so the Center's theme comes back the frame
+-- the song ends rather than 48 frames later.
+local JIGGLYPUFF_SPIN = { "down", "left", "up", "right" }
+local JIGGLYPUFF_SILENCE, JIGGLYPUFF_STEP, JIGGLYPUFF_TAIL = 32, 24, 48
+
+-- Built as a TextBox `auto` table: auto.sound fires the frame the last
+-- page has typed out (PrintText returning), and auto.tick then runs once
+-- per frame while the gate it returns still reads as playing.
+local function jigglypuffDance(game, npc)
+  local Music = require("src.core.Music")
+  -- .findMatchingFacingDirectionLoop: the rotation picks up at the entry
+  -- matching the sprite's current facing (showMapText has just turned it
+  -- toward the player), and the first write is that same facing, so the
+  -- first visible quarter turn lands 24 frames in
+  local step = 1
+  for i, dir in ipairs(JIGGLYPUFF_SPIN) do
+    if npc and npc.facing == dir then step = i end
+  end
+  local frames, phase = 0, "silence"
+  return {
+    sound = function()
+      Music.stop() -- SFX_STOP_ALL_MUSIC
+      return { isPlaying = function() return phase ~= "done" end }
+    end,
+    tick = function()
+      frames = frames + 1
+      if phase == "silence" then
+        if frames < JIGGLYPUFF_SILENCE then return end
+        frames = 0
+        if Music.playOnce(game.data, "Music_JigglypuffSong") then
+          phase = "spin"
+        else
+          -- no song def (or headless): Music.stop above already took the
+          -- map theme down and nothing armed pendingRestore, so put it
+          -- back by hand and fall through to the tail rather than hold
+          -- the box on a poll that would never clear
+          Music.restoreMap(game.data)
+          phase = "tail"
+        end
+        return
+      end
+      if phase == "spin" then
+        if frames < JIGGLYPUFF_STEP then return end
+        frames = 0
+        -- the loop tests the channels after the delay and before the next
+        -- write, so a song that just ended costs no extra quarter turn
+        if not Music.oneShotPlaying() then
+          phase = "tail"
+          return
+        end
+        step = step % #JIGGLYPUFF_SPIN + 1
+        if npc then npc.facing = JIGGLYPUFF_SPIN[step] end
+        return
+      end
+      if frames >= JIGGLYPUFF_TAIL then phase = "done" end
+    end,
+  }
+end
+
 M.PEWTER_POKECENTER = {
   talk = {
     TEXT_PEWTERPOKECENTER_JIGGLYPUFF = function(game, ow, npc, done)
-      require("src.core.Music").playOnce(game.data, "Music_JigglypuffSong")
-      push(game, text(game)._PewterPokecenterJigglypuffText
-        or "JIGGLYPUFF: Puu\npupuu!", done)
+      -- not the local push() helper: this box needs opts.auto, which is
+      -- also what suppresses the blinking arrow and the A dismissal
+      local TextBox = require("src.render.TextBox")
+      game.stack:push(TextBox.new(game,
+        text(game)._PewterPokecenterJigglypuffText or "JIGGLYPUFF: Puu\npupuu!",
+        done, { auto = jigglypuffDance(game, npc) }))
     end,
   },
 }

data/scripts/victories.lua

@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 -- `dialogue` is the end-battle + post-battle text chain each gym leader
 -- runs (SaveEndBattleTextPointers then the map's *PostBattle / ReceiveTM
 -- script).  Leaders are not def_trainers entries, so engageTrainer has
--- no header.won — checkVictoryRewards shows this chain instead of a
+-- no header.won -- checkVictoryRewards shows this chain instead of a
 -- synthetic "received badge/TM" stub.
 
 local function range(prefix, first, last)

docs/architecture.md

@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ the same core data and graphics into the source tree for verification.
 | | `src/battle/Experience.lua`, `Catching.lua`, `TrainerAI.lua` | exp/levels, Gen 1 catch algorithm, AI |
 | | `src/battle/rulesets/` | `gen1_faithful` (default) vs `modern_clean` |
 | ui | `src/ui/*` | start menu, generic menu, yes/no box, party/bag lists |
-| | `tools/save-editor/` | Standalone save editor (`love . --editor`) |
+| | `tools/save-editor/` | Save editor: shipped in every build, opened from the launcher's Edit button or standalone with `love . --editor` |
 
 ## Map scripts
 

docs/launcher.md

@@ -69,6 +69,15 @@ keeps working unchanged.
 - **Registry.** The ordered slot list and which one is active persist in
   `options.lua` (via the existing `SaveData.loadOptions`/`saveOptions`):
   `options.saveSlots = { [version] = { list = {"slot1", ...}, active = "slot1" } }`.
+  Custom slot labels (#205) live alongside them in the same registry:
+  `options.saveSlots[version].names = { slot1 = "Nuzlocke" }`, written by
+  `SaveData.renameSlot` (trimmed; an empty label clears it) and surfaced on
+  each `listSlots` row as `label` (the launcher row shows `label`, falling
+  back to the player name). `deleteSlot` drops the label with the slot.
+  Renaming never touches the save file, so an empty slot can be labeled.
+  On desktop, right-clicking a slot row opens the inline rename modal
+  (Enter commits, Esc cancels); touch has no secondary button, so the
+  affordance is desktop-only.
 - **Active slot resolution.** `saveNames(version)`, the function every
   existing caller (`TitleState` hasSave/load/save, recovery order) already
   goes through, now resolves the *active* slot instead of a fixed flat name.

docs/modding.md

@@ -1,21 +1,21 @@
 # Native modding
 
 The modding book lives on the
-[project wiki](https://github.com/bryanthaboi/pokemon-gen1-recomp-project/wiki).
+[project wiki](https://github.com/bryanthaboi/gen1recomp/wiki).
 
-- [Getting started](https://github.com/bryanthaboi/pokemon-gen1-recomp-project/wiki/Getting-Started)
+- [Getting started](https://github.com/bryanthaboi/gen1recomp/wiki/Getting-Started)
   — install a mod, write a first one, enable and disable it.
-- [Tutorials](https://github.com/bryanthaboi/pokemon-gen1-recomp-project/wiki/Tutorials)
+- [Tutorials](https://github.com/bryanthaboi/gen1recomp/wiki/Tutorials)
   — twelve dependency-ordered rungs, each a runnable mod.
-- [Cookbook](https://github.com/bryanthaboi/pokemon-gen1-recomp-project/wiki/Cookbook)
+- [Cookbook](https://github.com/bryanthaboi/gen1recomp/wiki/Cookbook)
   — task-sized recipes.
-- [Registry reference](https://github.com/bryanthaboi/pokemon-gen1-recomp-project/wiki/Reference-Registries)
+- [Registry reference](https://github.com/bryanthaboi/gen1recomp/wiki/Reference-Registries)
   — every registry, generated from `src/mods/Schemas.lua`.
 
 Regenerate the reference straight into a wiki checkout:
 
 ```sh
-luajit tools/gen_registry_docs.lua ../pokemon-gen1-recomp-project.wiki
+luajit tools/gen_registry_docs.lua ../gen1recomp.wiki
 ```
 
 ## Rendering pipelines

docs/new-features.md

@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ Game Boy equivalent:
 ## Colors mode
 
 The `2` key (and the Options menu COLORS row) cycles the display mode
-through **OG RED → SGB → RED++ → OG → OG INV → SGB INV → CLASSIC → OG RED**.
+through **OG RED → SGB → ADVANCED → OG → OG INV → SGB INV → CLASSIC → OG RED**.
 The first three are the real colorizations; the rest are DMG-shade novelties:
 
 - **OG RED**: the Game Boy Color boot-ROM look for Pokemon Red -- one global
@@ -97,8 +97,9 @@ The first three are the real colorizations; the rest are DMG-shade novelties:
 - **SGB** (default): the per-map Super Game Boy region palettes
   (`data/sgb/sgb_palettes.asm`). Sprites tint with the region palette, as on
   real SGB. (This is the mode formerly mislabeled "GBC".)
-- **RED++**: pokered-gbc SuperPalettes -- real per-tile GBC coloring plus
-  per-species mon colors (`data/palettes_gbc.lua`).
+- **ADVANCED**: pokered-gbc SuperPalettes -- real per-tile GBC coloring plus
+  per-species mon colors (`data/palettes_gbc.lua`). (Formerly labeled
+  "RED++"; it is the richest colorization rather than anything Red-specific.)
 - **OG**: force the four DMG grays (colorization off).
 - **OG INV**: inverted DMG grays.
 - **SGB INV**: each SGB zone palette with shade order reversed.
@@ -109,7 +110,8 @@ The shade-remap transform is applied centrally in `PaletteFX.sendColors`, so
 it covers overworld, menus, battles, and tilt upright billboards. OG RED's
 global BG palette is supplied by `OverworldState:overworldBgColors` (per-map
 override in the overworld pass). Persisted as `save.options.colors`; the
-`gbc` / `gbc_inv` save ids are kept for back-compat under the new labels.
+`gbc` / `gbc_inv` / `redpp` save ids are kept for back-compat under the new
+labels.
 
 ## GBC FX
 
@@ -161,8 +163,9 @@ migrated once into `options.lua` on load.
 - Music / SFX volume
 - Music Filter
 - OG GLITCHES on / off (Gen 1 quirks vs. modern-clean battle rules)
-- COLORS (OG RED / SGB / RED++ / OG / OG INV / SGB INV / CLASSIC),  also
-  hotkey `2` (OG RED = GBC boot-ROM look; RED++ uses pokered-gbc
+- BATTLE LAYOUT (OG / WIDE); see "Widescreen battle layout" below
+- COLORS (OG RED / SGB / ADVANCED / OG / OG INV / SGB INV / CLASSIC),  also
+  hotkey `2` (OG RED = GBC boot-ROM look; ADVANCED uses pokered-gbc
   SuperPalettes + per-species mon colors)
 - TILT (OFF / 15 / 35 / 50),  also hotkey `3` while free-roaming
 - ZOOM (FIT / OUTn / INn),  also hotkey `4` while free-roaming; wheel and
@@ -181,6 +184,36 @@ void outside the OG wipe fills in lockstep. Once the battle state is up,
 letterbox voids around the battle canvas fill **white** instead of black
 so the whole window reads as one continuous battle screen.
 
+## Widescreen battle layout
+
+Options **BATTLE LAYOUT** picks the battle screen's composition: **OG**
+(the default: the original 160×144 arrangement, unchanged) or **WIDE**,
+which gives battles a 304×144 native-pixel surface and a Gen 3-style
+arrangement on it:
+
+- the foe's status box upper left, the foe's picture upper right;
+- the player's picture lower left, the player's status box lower right,
+  with a longer HP bar and the numeric HP under it;
+- a full-width message window;
+- a split "What will X do?" prompt / 2×2 command window;
+- a 2×2 move menu, navigated with all four directions, with a PP and type
+  panel attached to its right.
+
+Only the composition changes. Pictures, palettes, HP-bar colors, font
+pages, window borders, sounds, animations, timing and every battle rule
+stay the engine's, so a COLORS mode or an asset mod still owns the look.
+Each side's picture keeps its original pixels and placement math and is
+composited into its own region of the wider battlefield -- nothing is
+scaled or squeezed -- and animations, which are authored in the original
+160-pixel space, shift as one rigid group onto whichever side they play
+on. The whole screen is drawn at the window's integer fit scale for the
+wider surface, so a 304-pixel screen is drawn a step smaller than a
+160-pixel one in the same window.
+
+The wide surface is live only while the battle itself is the screen on
+top: a party menu, the bag or a nickname prompt is a 160×144 screen and
+brings the classic surface back with it.
+
 ## On-screen touch controls (mobile)
 
 On Android/iOS the game draws a translucent d-pad (bottom-left), A/B
@@ -193,4 +226,83 @@ appears while no controller is being used: the first gamepad button or
 stick push hides it, the next screen touch brings it back, and unplugging
 the last controller restores it immediately. Layout re-derives from the
 window size on rotation. Desktop testing: `POKEPORT_TOUCH=1 love .` forces
-the overlay on and lets the mouse act as a finger (`=0` forces it off).
+the overlay on and lets the mouse act as a finger (`=0` forces it off).
+## Translation support
+
+Every string the player can read is now reachable from a mod, so a
+translation is an ordinary content mod rather than a fork.
+
+Two things had to change. Text layout stopped counting bytes: the dialogue
+box measures a line in glyphs (charmap sequences), so a 3-byte character
+costs one column, a cut never lands inside a character, and a page with a
+non-default `advance` re-measures instead of overflowing. That also fixed
+25 vanilla English lines that were wrapping early because `é` in POKéMON
+and POKéDEX costs two bytes ("I study POKéMON as" is 19 bytes and 18
+glyphs, and the box was breaking it).
+
+Second, the text the engine writes itself - battle messages, item results,
+menu labels, the link-play screens - moved behind `src/core/Strings.lua`
+and the new `strings` registry. Extracted script text was already
+overridable through `text`; this covers the other half. Entries are keyed
+by the English source, so a translation that has not reached a string yet
+keeps rendering in English and a half-finished translation stays playable.
+
+Authors generate the whole thing:
+
+```sh
+python3 tools/modkit.py translation francais --language "Francais"
+```
+
+That scaffolds a mod with every translatable string as an empty catalog,
+plus a glyph-page and charmap stub, a naming-grid stub, and a
+`francais-worksheet/` directory holding the English to translate from
+(deliberately outside the mod: extracted text is ROM content and must not
+be packed). `--refresh` re-harvests after an engine update, keeping
+existing translations and parking orphaned keys rather than dropping them.
+
+See the wiki's Translations guide.
+
+## Save editor (bundled, reachable from the launcher)
+
+The save editor ships inside every build instead of being a developer-only
+script, and the launcher's SAVE SLOT card grows an **Edit** label next to
+Delete on every slot that actually holds a save. Edit suspends the
+launcher, opens that slot's file in the editor, and **Close** hands the
+process back to the launcher with the slot list re-read (a rename, a badge
+or a dex change shows up on the row immediately). Unsaved edits arm a
+confirm first, so leaving cannot lose work. `love . --editor` still opens
+it standalone, where Close quits instead; `--save <path>` points it at any
+file, and a save can be dragged onto the window.
+
+The editor now wears the launcher's visual language - the same navy radial
+field, 16px translucent cards, tri-colour version rail and green/yellow/red
+semantics - so the two windows read as one app. Six tabs:
+
+- **Party**: the roster with sprites, HP bars and level chips on the left,
+  and the mon inspector permanently docked on the right instead of floating
+  over the list. Species, level, DVs and moves all round-trip through the
+  Gen 1 formulas, so the inspector can never show illegal stats.
+- **Boxes**: the 12 PC boxes as a 5x4 grid with a fill meter per box and a
+  party dock, so deposit and withdraw live in one place. Empty slots are
+  clickable and create a mon there.
+- **Items**: money, a searchable item picker (replacing the arrows that
+  cycled one id at a time through ~250 items), the 20-slot bag, PC storage
+  with no slot cap, and the eight badges as toggle chips.
+- **Events**: flags, defeated trainers, taken items and per-map object
+  toggles, with a real filter field and a two-column paged grid.
+- **Map**: any map rendered with the game's own renderer, warps followable,
+  and the player / lastHeal / lastOutdoor spawn points settable by clicking
+  a cell. Setting lastOutdoor on a map the game would not accept as an
+  outdoor source is refused with the reason.
+- **Dex**: seen / owned completion meters and a four-column grid; owning
+  implies seen and un-seeing clears owned, exactly as the game requires.
+
+Two rules run through all of it. Every mutation goes through one funnel
+that sets the dirty flag and writes the status line together, so nothing
+changes silently and no branch can quietly no-op - "Party is full", "Bag is
+full", "click a cell first" all say so. And every destructive verb (Remove,
+Release, Clear all, Wipe dex) arms on the first click and commits on the
+second, relabelling itself to `Confirm?` in between.
+
+A validation pill in the tab rail mirrors what the running game would
+quarantine on load; clicking it jumps to the tab holding the first problem.

docs/updater.md

@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ Each tagged release `vX.Y.Z` carries the existing per-platform archives
 
 A release missing either asset is treated as "no in-place update available":
 `Check` reports `needs_full` and sends the player to `Check.releaseUrl()`
-(`https://github.com/bryanthaboi/pokemon-gen1-recomp-project/releases/latest`).
+(`https://github.com/bryanthaboi/gen1recomp/releases/latest`).
 
 ## Save-directory layout
 

install-rg34xxsp.sh

@@ -0,0 +1,93 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# After first boot of the freshly flashed Stock OS Mod, reinsert the SD card
+# and run this to install gen1recomp + Red/Blue ROMs into roms/PORTS.
+set -euo pipefail
+
+ROOT="$(cd "$(dirname "$0")" && pwd)"
+STAGE="$ROOT/.bazinga/work/rg34xxsp-install"
+DECPREP="$(cd "$ROOT/../decprep" && pwd)"
+ZIP="$ROOT/dist/rg34xxsp/gen1recomp-rg34xxsp.zip"
+
+say()  { printf '\033[1;32m==>\033[0m %s\n' "$*"; }
+fail() { printf '\033[1;31merror:\033[0m %s\n' "$*" >&2; exit 1; }
+
+# Find the Anbernic user/ROMs volume (usually "NO NAME" after first-boot expand).
+find_roms_root() {
+  local v candidate
+  for v in /Volumes/*; do
+    [ -d "$v" ] || continue
+    # Prefer a volume that already has Roms/ or PORTS/
+    if [ -d "$v/Roms" ] || [ -d "$v/roms" ] || [ -d "$v/PORTS" ] || [ -d "$v/ports" ]; then
+      echo "$v"
+      return 0
+    fi
+  done
+  # Fallback: large FAT volume named NO NAME on disk8
+  for v in "/Volumes/NO NAME" /Volumes/NO\ NAME /Volumes/ROMS /Volumes/EASYROMS; do
+    if [ -d "$v" ]; then
+      echo "$v"
+      return 0
+    fi
+  done
+  return 1
+}
+
+say "looking for Anbernic ROMs volume"
+ROMS_ROOT="$(find_roms_root)" || fail "no ROMs volume mounted. Boot the RG34XXSP once (wait for first-boot setup), power off, reinsert the SD, then rerun."
+
+say "using: $ROMS_ROOT"
+# Resolve PORTS dir (stock uses Roms/PORTS)
+if [ -d "$ROMS_ROOT/Roms/PORTS" ]; then
+  PORTS="$ROMS_ROOT/Roms/PORTS"
+elif [ -d "$ROMS_ROOT/roms/PORTS" ]; then
+  PORTS="$ROMS_ROOT/roms/PORTS"
+elif [ -d "$ROMS_ROOT/Roms/ports" ]; then
+  PORTS="$ROMS_ROOT/Roms/ports"
+elif [ -d "$ROMS_ROOT/PORTS" ]; then
+  PORTS="$ROMS_ROOT/PORTS"
+else
+  mkdir -p "$ROMS_ROOT/Roms/PORTS"
+  PORTS="$ROMS_ROOT/Roms/PORTS"
+fi
+say "PORTS: $PORTS"
+
+# Refresh staged payload
+mkdir -p "$STAGE/PORTS"
+if [ -f "$ZIP" ]; then
+  rm -rf "$STAGE/PORTS/Gen1recomp.sh" "$STAGE/PORTS/gen1recomp" "$STAGE/PORTS/port.json" \
+    "$STAGE/PORTS/gameinfo.xml" "$STAGE/PORTS/README.md"
+  unzip -q -o "$ZIP" -d "$STAGE/PORTS"
+else
+  fail "missing $ZIP — run ./build-rg34xxsp.sh first"
+fi
+
+# Ensure ROMs are in lovegame (Choose ROM scans this folder on stock OS)
+[ -f "$DECPREP/Pokemon - Red Version.gb" ] || fail "missing Red ROM in $DECPREP"
+[ -f "$DECPREP/Pokemon - Blue Version.gb" ] || fail "missing Blue ROM in $DECPREP"
+cp -f "$DECPREP/Pokemon - Red Version.gb" "$STAGE/PORTS/gen1recomp/lovegame/"
+cp -f "$DECPREP/Pokemon - Blue Version.gb" "$STAGE/PORTS/gen1recomp/lovegame/"
+
+say "copying gen1recomp port"
+rm -rf "$PORTS/gen1recomp" "$PORTS/Gen1recomp.sh"
+cp -R "$STAGE/PORTS/gen1recomp" "$PORTS/"
+cp -f "$STAGE/PORTS/Gen1recomp.sh" "$PORTS/"
+cp -f "$STAGE/PORTS/port.json" "$PORTS/gen1recomp/" 2>/dev/null || true
+cp -f "$STAGE/PORTS/README.md" "$PORTS/gen1recomp/" 2>/dev/null || true
+chmod +x "$PORTS/Gen1recomp.sh" "$PORTS/gen1recomp/bin/love.aarch64"
+
+# Also drop carts in the stock GB folder for the emulator library
+GB_DIR=""
+for candidate in "$ROMS_ROOT/Roms/GB" "$ROMS_ROOT/roms/GB" "$ROMS_ROOT/Roms/gb"; do
+  if [ -d "$candidate" ]; then GB_DIR="$candidate"; break; fi
+done
+if [ -n "$GB_DIR" ]; then
+  say "copying .gb into $GB_DIR"
+  cp -f "$DECPREP/Pokemon - Red Version.gb" "$GB_DIR/"
+  cp -f "$DECPREP/Pokemon - Blue Version.gb" "$GB_DIR/"
+fi
+
+sync
+say "installed:"
+ls -lh "$PORTS/Gen1recomp.sh"
+ls -lh "$PORTS/gen1recomp/lovegame/"*.gb
+say "eject the SD, insert TF1 in the RG34XXSP, open Ports → Gen1recomp, Choose ROM."

main.lua

@@ -1,8 +1,12 @@
 -- Native LÖVE2D port of Pokemon Red. A packaged build creates its private
 -- game-data cache from a user-provided ROM on first boot.
 --
--- Set POKEPORT_EDITOR=1 or pass `--editor` to `love .` to boot the save
--- editor tool (tools/save-editor/) instead of the game.
+-- The save editor (tools/save-editor/) ships inside every build and is
+-- reachable two ways:
+--   * standalone: POKEPORT_EDITOR=1 or `love . --editor`, its own window
+--   * from the launcher: Edit on a save row, which suspends the launcher,
+--     opens the editor on that slot's file, and restores the launcher when
+--     the editor's Close button is pressed (openEditor / closeEditor below)
 
 local editorMode = os.getenv("POKEPORT_EDITOR") == "1" or POKEPORT_EDITOR_MODE == true
 
@@ -31,6 +35,105 @@ local function scriptedIterations()
   return math.max(1, math.floor(require("src.core.GameSpeed").clamp(speedOverride)))
 end
 
+-- ------------------------------------------------------------ save editor
+-- The launcher instance parked while the editor is up, plus the version whose
+-- cache the editor mounted (so closing can put the read path back).
+local editorHost, editorVersion, editorWindow
+local closeEditor  -- forward declaration: openEditor hands it to the editor
+
+-- The editor's modules use flat names (require("Kit"), require("Party")), so
+-- their directories have to be on the require path.  It must be
+-- love.filesystem's path, not package.path: in a packaged build these files
+-- live inside the .love archive, which the stock Lua searcher cannot open.
+local function addEditorRequirePath()
+  local fs = love.filesystem
+  if not (fs.setRequirePath and fs.getRequirePath) then
+    -- very old LOVE: a source checkout still resolves through package.path
+    package.path = fs.getSource() .. "/tools/save-editor/?.lua;"
+                .. fs.getSource() .. "/tools/save-editor/panels/?.lua;"
+                .. package.path
+    return
+  end
+  local current = fs.getRequirePath()
+  if current:find("tools/save%-editor") then return end
+  fs.setRequirePath("tools/save-editor/?.lua;tools/save-editor/panels/?.lua;"
+    .. current)
+end
+
+-- Desktop only: the launcher window (1024x768) is tighter than the editor's
+-- design size, so grow it while editing and put it back on Close.  Never
+-- shrinks, never touches a fullscreen or mobile window.
+local function resizeForEditor()
+  if not (love.window and love.window.getMode and love.window.setMode) then return end
+  local osName = love.system.getOS()
+  if osName ~= "OS X" and osName ~= "Windows" and osName ~= "Linux" then return end
+  local w, h, flags = love.window.getMode()
+  if flags.fullscreen then return end
+  local dw, dh = love.window.getDesktopDimensions()
+  local wantW = math.max(w, math.min(1360, math.floor((dw or w) * 0.92)))
+  local wantH = math.max(h, math.min(860, math.floor((dh or h) * 0.88)))
+  if wantW <= w and wantH <= h then return end
+  editorWindow = { w = w, h = h }
+  love.window.setMode(wantW, wantH, flags)
+end
+
+local function restoreWindow()
+  if not editorWindow then return end
+  local _, _, flags = love.window.getMode()
+  love.window.setMode(editorWindow.w, editorWindow.h, flags)
+  editorWindow = nil
+end
+
+-- Open the editor on a launcher save row.  The version's cache has to be
+-- mounted before the editor's Data:load runs, or a Blue save would be edited
+-- against Red's species/item tables.
+local function openEditor(version, slotId)
+  local SaveData = require("src.core.SaveData")
+  local path = SaveData.slotDiskPath(version, slotId)
+  if not path then
+    if Importer then
+      Importer.saveNotice = Importer.saveNotice or {}
+      Importer.saveNotice[version] =
+        { ok = false, text = "Could not resolve that save slot on disk." }
+    end
+    return
+  end
+  local GameVersion = require("src.core.GameVersion")
+  GameVersion.set(version)
+  require("src.import.CacheFs").mountVersion(version)
+  editorVersion = version
+  editorHost = Importer
+  Importer = nil
+  editorMode = true
+  resizeForEditor()
+  addEditorRequirePath()
+  EditorApp = require("App")
+  EditorApp.load(path, { version = version, slotId = slotId, embedded = true,
+                         onClose = function() closeEditor() end })
+end
+
+-- Back to the launcher.  Everything the editor mounted or cached has to come
+-- back out: the version overlay (CacheFs) and the generated modules require
+-- cached behind it (Data), or pressing Play on the OTHER game would boot it
+-- with this one's data.
+function closeEditor()
+  local version = editorVersion
+  editorMode = false
+  if EditorApp and EditorApp.unload then EditorApp.unload() end
+  EditorApp = nil
+  if version then
+    require("src.import.CacheFs").unmountVersion(version)
+    require("src.core.Data"):unloadGenerated()
+  end
+  editorVersion = nil
+  restoreWindow()
+  Importer = editorHost
+  editorHost = nil
+  if Importer and version and Importer.savesChanged then
+    Importer:savesChanged(version)
+  end
+end
+
 local function bootGame(version)
   -- The launcher hands us the chosen game (Red / Blue); scripted and headless
   -- runs fall back to POKEPORT_VERSION, then Red.  Set the active version and
@@ -81,12 +184,17 @@ function love.load(args)
   end
   love.graphics.setDefaultFilter("nearest", "nearest")
 
+  -- Standalone editor.  A bare `--editor` run has no launcher behind it, so
+  -- Close quits; --save points it at a specific file, otherwise it opens the
+  -- default save path for POKEPORT_VERSION (Red unless overridden), whose
+  -- cache has to be mounted before the editor's Data:load.
   if editorMode then
-    package.path = love.filesystem.getSource() .. "/tools/save-editor/?.lua;"
-                .. love.filesystem.getSource() .. "/tools/save-editor/panels/?.lua;"
-                .. package.path
+    local version = os.getenv("POKEPORT_VERSION") or "red"
+    require("src.core.GameVersion").set(version)
+    require("src.import.CacheFs").mountVersion(version)
+    addEditorRequirePath()
     EditorApp = require("App")
-    EditorApp.load(savePath)
+    EditorApp.load(savePath, { version = version })
     return
   end
 
@@ -127,10 +235,11 @@ function love.load(args)
   -- column shows Play when that game's ROM is already imported, or Choose ROM
   -- / drag-drop when it is not (Yellow is still a placeholder).  Any dropped
   -- .gb is routed to Red or Blue by its SHA-1; pressing Play boots that game.
+  -- Edit on a save row opens the bundled editor on that slot (openEditor).
   Importer = RomImporter.new(function(version)
     Importer = nil
     bootGame(version)
-  end, { launcher = true, forceImport = forceImport })
+  end, { launcher = true, forceImport = forceImport, onEditSave = openEditor })
 end
 
 function love.update(dt)
@@ -206,19 +315,19 @@ end
 
 function love.gamepadpressed(joystick, button)
   if editorMode then return end
-  if Importer then return end
+  if Importer then return Importer:gamepadpressed(joystick, button) end
   Game:gamepadpressed(joystick, button)
 end
 
 function love.gamepadreleased(joystick, button)
   if editorMode then return end
-  if Importer then return end
+  if Importer then return Importer:gamepadreleased(joystick, button) end
   Game:gamepadreleased(joystick, button)
 end
 
 function love.gamepadaxis(joystick, axis, value)
   if editorMode then return end
-  if Importer then return end
+  if Importer then return Importer:gamepadaxis(joystick, axis, value) end
   Game:gamepadaxis(joystick, axis, value)
 end
 
@@ -302,7 +411,7 @@ function love.mousemoved(x, y)
 end
 
 function love.textinput(text)
-  if Importer then return end
+  if Importer then return Importer:textinput(text) end
   if editorMode and EditorApp.textinput then
     return EditorApp.textinput(text)
   end

mobile/android/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml

@@ -2,6 +2,12 @@
 <manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android" >
 <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.VIBRATE" />
   <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.BLUETOOTH" />
+  <!-- Link play (src/link/): both the LAN backend (enet UDP) and the relay
+       backend (luasocket TCP) are ordinary sockets, and Android denies those
+       to a UID without INTERNET. Bind and connect then come back EPERM, which
+       the link screen shows as "(Operation not permitted)" (issue #287).
+       scripts/build_android.sh must not strip this again. -->
+  <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INTERNET" />
 <!-- OpenGL ES 2.0 -->
   <uses-feature android:glEsVersion="0x00020000" />
   <!-- Touchscreen support -->

mods/example_mew_starter/mod.card

@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 return {
   summary = "Oak's Charmander gift becomes a level 20 Mew with inverted sprites.",
   author = "Pokemon Gen 1 Recompilation Project",
-  contact = "https://github.com/bryanthaboi/pokemon-gen1-recomp-project",
+  contact = "https://github.com/bryanthaboi/gen1recomp",
   tags = { "beginner", "cosmetic", "data-only", "legacy" },
   differences = {
     changed = {

mods/examples/example_balance_tweaks/mod.card

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 return {
   summary = "Faster final starters, half-price TMs, a re-slotted Route 1.",
   author = "Pokemon Gen 1 Recompilation Project",
-  contact = "https://github.com/bryanthaboi/pokemon-gen1-recomp-project",
+  contact = "https://github.com/bryanthaboi/gen1recomp",
   tags = { "balance", "data-only", "beginner" },
   differences = {
     changed = {

mods/examples/example_dexnav/mod.card

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 return {
   summary = "A start-menu dex overlay with seen/owned counts and an inter-mod API.",
   author = "Pokemon Gen 1 Recompilation Project",
-  contact = "https://github.com/bryanthaboi/pokemon-gen1-recomp-project",
+  contact = "https://github.com/bryanthaboi/gen1recomp",
   tags = { "ui", "tool", "quality-of-life" },
   differences = {
     changed = { "the START menu gains a DEXNAV row above SAVE" },

mods/examples/example_jukebox/mod.card

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 return {
   summary = "An authored chip song for Pallet Town, a new Mew cry, and a jukebox screen.",
   author = "Pokemon Gen 1 Recompilation Project",
-  contact = "https://github.com/bryanthaboi/pokemon-gen1-recomp-project",
+  contact = "https://github.com/bryanthaboi/gen1recomp",
   tags = { "audio", "chiptune", "ui" },
   differences = {
     changed = {

mods/examples/example_lost_parcel/mod.card

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 return {
   summary = "A courier in Viridian lost a parcel in Pewter. Fetch it for a NUGGET.",
   author = "Pokemon Gen 1 Recompilation Project",
-  contact = "https://github.com/bryanthaboi/pokemon-gen1-recomp-project",
+  contact = "https://github.com/bryanthaboi/gen1recomp",
   tags = { "quest", "story", "scripting" },
   differences = {
     changed = {

mods/examples/example_mini_conversion/mod.card

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 return {
   summary = "Sable Cove: one town, three species, one badge. The smallest whole conversion.",
   author = "Pokemon Gen 1 Recompilation Project",
-  contact = "https://github.com/bryanthaboi/pokemon-gen1-recomp-project",
+  contact = "https://github.com/bryanthaboi/gen1recomp",
   tags = { "total-conversion", "capstone" },
   differences = {
     changed = {

mods/examples/example_shiny_palette/mod.card

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 return {
   summary = "A teal player recolor derived from your own cache, plus two palette records.",
   author = "Pokemon Gen 1 Recompilation Project",
-  contact = "https://github.com/bryanthaboi/pokemon-gen1-recomp-project",
+  contact = "https://github.com/bryanthaboi/gen1recomp",
   tags = { "cosmetic", "graphics", "beginner" },
   screenshots = {
     { transform = "shots/pallet_town.lua", caption = "Pallet Town under the recolored palette" },

mods/examples/example_silly_oak/mod.card

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 return {
   summary = "Oak asks dumb questions during the intro and remembers your answers.",
   author = "Pokemon Gen 1 Recompilation Project",
-  contact = "https://github.com/bryanthaboi/pokemon-gen1-recomp-project",
+  contact = "https://github.com/bryanthaboi/gen1recomp",
   tags = { "intro", "ui", "oak", "hooks" },
   differences = {
     changed = {

mods/examples/example_weather/mod.card

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 return {
   summary = "Opt-in rain: WATER hits harder, FIRE hits softer, for five turns a battle.",
   author = "Pokemon Gen 1 Recompilation Project",
-  contact = "https://github.com/bryanthaboi/pokemon-gen1-recomp-project",
+  contact = "https://github.com/bryanthaboi/gen1recomp",
   tags = { "battle", "mechanic", "ruleset", "hardcore" },
   differences = {
     changed = {

scripts/build.sh

@@ -56,16 +56,28 @@ done
 mkdir -p "$CACHE" "$WORK" "$DIST/mac" "$DIST/win" "$DIST/linux"
 
 # --------------------------------------------------------------- game.love
+# tools/save-editor is part of the shipped app, not a dev-only script: the
+# launcher's Edit button on a save row opens it in-process (main.lua), and
+# `--editor` / POKEPORT_EDITOR=1 opens it standalone.  It is required through
+# love.filesystem's require path, so it has to live inside the archive.
 say "packing game.love"
 LOVE_FILE="$WORK/game.love"
 rm -f "$LOVE_FILE"
 (cd "$ROOT" && zip -q -9 -r "$LOVE_FILE" \
-  main.lua conf.lua src data assets tools/rom_manifest.json tools/rom_manifest_blue.json \
+  main.lua conf.lua src data assets tools/save-editor \
+  tools/rom_manifest.json tools/rom_manifest_blue.json \
   -x '*.DS_Store' 'data/generated/*' 'assets/generated/*')
 if unzip -Z1 "$LOVE_FILE" \
     | grep -Eq '^(data|assets)/generated/[^/]+|^(data|assets)/generated/.+/'; then
   fail "game.love unexpectedly contains generated ROM data"
 fi
+# The editor is only reachable if its entry point and both module directories
+# made it in; a silent miss would ship a launcher whose Edit button crashes.
+for required in tools/save-editor/App.lua tools/save-editor/Kit.lua \
+                tools/save-editor/panels/Party.lua; do
+  unzip -Z1 "$LOVE_FILE" | grep -qx "$required" \
+    || fail "game.love is missing $required (save editor would not load)"
+done
 say "game.love: $(du -h "$LOVE_FILE" | cut -f1)"
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------- stamp release version

scripts/build_android.sh

@@ -113,11 +113,12 @@ import pathlib, re, sys
 path = pathlib.Path(sys.argv[1])
 text = path.read_text()
 
-# Drop network / mic / legacy storage,  not needed for offline play.
-# Keep VIBRATE (love.system.vibrate) and BLUETOOTH (optional gamepads).
+# Drop mic / legacy storage, not needed by this game.
+# Keep VIBRATE (love.system.vibrate), BLUETOOTH (optional gamepads) and
+# INTERNET: link play is not offline-only any more, and stripping INTERNET
+# made every LAN host and every relay connect fail with EPERM (issue #287).
 # Orientation / label come from gradle.properties placeholders.
 for perm in (
-    "android.permission.INTERNET",
     "android.permission.RECORD_AUDIO",
     "android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE",
 ):
@@ -136,14 +137,19 @@ pack_game_love() {
   say "packing game.love for love-android embed flavor"
   mkdir -p "$EMBED_ASSETS"
   rm -f "$LOVE_FILE"
+  # tools/save-editor ships with the app: the launcher's Edit button on a save
+  # row opens it in-process, so it must be inside the archive (see build.sh).
   (cd "$ROOT" && zip -q -9 -r "$LOVE_FILE" \
-    main.lua conf.lua src data assets tools/rom_manifest.json tools/rom_manifest_blue.json \
+    main.lua conf.lua src data assets tools/save-editor \
+    tools/rom_manifest.json tools/rom_manifest_blue.json \
     -x '*.DS_Store' -x '*/.git/*' -x '*/.DS_Store' \
     -x 'data/generated/*' -x 'assets/generated/*')
   if unzip -Z1 "$LOVE_FILE" \
       | grep -Eq '^(data|assets)/generated/[^/]+|^(data|assets)/generated/.+/'; then
     fail "game.love unexpectedly contains generated ROM data"
   fi
+  unzip -Z1 "$LOVE_FILE" | grep -qx 'tools/save-editor/App.lua' \
+    || fail "game.love is missing the save editor (Edit on a save row would crash)"
   say "game.love: $(du -h "$LOVE_FILE" | cut -f1) -> $LOVE_FILE"
 
   # This script packs its own game.love (it does not reuse build.sh's), so it

scripts/build_ios.sh

@@ -164,15 +164,19 @@ pack_game_love() {
   say "packing game.love for love-ios resources"
   mkdir -p "$RESOURCES_DIR"
   rm -f "$LOVE_FILE"
-  # Same payload as scripts/build.sh / build_android.sh: game sources only.
+  # Same payload as scripts/build.sh / build_android.sh: game sources plus
+  # tools/save-editor, which the launcher's Edit button opens in-process.
   (cd "$ROOT" && zip -q -9 -r "$LOVE_FILE" \
-    main.lua conf.lua src data assets tools/rom_manifest.json tools/rom_manifest_blue.json \
+    main.lua conf.lua src data assets tools/save-editor \
+    tools/rom_manifest.json tools/rom_manifest_blue.json \
     -x '*.DS_Store' -x '*/.git/*' -x '*/.DS_Store' \
     -x 'data/generated/*' -x 'assets/generated/*')
   if unzip -Z1 "$LOVE_FILE" \
       | grep -Eq '^(data|assets)/generated/[^/]+|^(data|assets)/generated/.+/'; then
     fail "game.love unexpectedly contains generated ROM data"
   fi
+  unzip -Z1 "$LOVE_FILE" | grep -qx 'tools/save-editor/App.lua' \
+    || fail "game.love is missing the save editor (Edit on a save row would crash)"
   say "game.love: $(du -h "$LOVE_FILE" | cut -f1) -> $LOVE_FILE"
 }
 

scripts/test.sh

@@ -116,7 +116,13 @@ if [ -f data/generated/maps.lua ]; then
     echo "-- T3 content: skipped (--quick)"
   else
     run_tier "T3 content behavior (Red)" run_content_behavior
+    # The save editor ships inside every build (the launcher's Edit button on
+    # a save row opens it), so its panel suites run in CI rather than by hand.
     run_tier "T3 save editor" "$LUA" tests/run_save_editor_tests.lua
+    run_tier "T3 save editor: boxes + items" "$LUA" tests/save_editor_task6_tests.lua
+    run_tier "T3 save editor: events + dex" "$LUA" tests/save_editor_task7_tests.lua
+    run_tier "T3 save editor: map browser" "$LUA" tests/save_editor_task8_tests.lua
+    run_tier "T3 save editor: mod awareness" "$LUA" tests/save_editor_mod_tests.lua
     run_tier "T5 link (loopback lockstep)" "$LUA" tests/run_link_tests.lua
   fi
 else

src/battle/EffectRegistry.lua

@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
 local MoveEffects = require("src.battle.MoveEffects")
 local Runtime = require("src.mods.Runtime")
 local StatusRegistry = require("src.battle.StatusRegistry")
+local Strings = require("src.core.Strings")
 
 local EffectRegistry = {}
 
@@ -91,7 +92,7 @@ function EffectRegistry.runDamaging(battle, ctx, record)
   if target.invulnerable and not neverMiss then
     -- Explosion/Selfdestruct still animate on a miss (HandleIfPlayerMoveMissed)
     if not (record and record.explode) then battle:cancelMoveAnim() end
-    battle:sayNext(("%s's\nattack missed!"):format(displayName(user)))
+    battle:sayNext(Strings("%s's\nattack missed!", displayName(user)))
     return
   end
 
@@ -113,7 +114,7 @@ function EffectRegistry.runDamaging(battle, ctx, record)
     if not battle:accuracyRoll(move, user, target) then
       -- Explosion/Selfdestruct still animate on a miss (HandleIfPlayerMoveMissed)
       if not (record and record.explode) then battle:cancelMoveAnim() end
-      battle:sayNext(("%s's\nattack missed!"):format(displayName(user)))
+      battle:sayNext(Strings("%s's\nattack missed!", displayName(user)))
       -- Jump Kick crash, Explode self-destruct
       if record and record.onMiss then record.onMiss(ctx, "accuracy") end
       user.trappingTurns = nil
@@ -140,7 +141,7 @@ function EffectRegistry.runDamaging(battle, ctx, record)
     end
     if not counterable or (battle.lastDamage or 0) == 0 then
       battle:cancelMoveAnim()
-      battle:sayNext(("%s's\nattack missed!"):format(displayName(user)))
+      battle:sayNext(Strings("%s's\nattack missed!", displayName(user)))
       return
     end
     dmg = math.min(65535, battle.lastDamage * 2)
@@ -163,14 +164,14 @@ function EffectRegistry.runDamaging(battle, ctx, record)
   if info.typeMult == 0 then
     -- type immunity zeros damage and sets wMoveMissed in Gen 1, so no anim
     if not (record and record.explode) then battle:cancelMoveAnim() end
-    battle:sayNext(("It doesn't affect\n%s!"):format(displayName(target)))
+    battle:sayNext(Strings("It doesn't affect\n%s!", displayName(target)))
     if record and record.onMiss then record.onMiss(ctx, "immune") end
     return
   end
   if info.missed then
     -- 0.25x floored the damage to zero: the original registers a miss
     if not (record and record.explode) then battle:cancelMoveAnim() end
-    battle:sayNext(("%s's\nattack missed!"):format(displayName(user)))
+    battle:sayNext(Strings("%s's\nattack missed!", displayName(user)))
     if record and record.onMiss then record.onMiss(ctx, "floored") end
     return
   end
@@ -214,12 +215,12 @@ function EffectRegistry.runDamaging(battle, ctx, record)
     -- multi-hit loop (core.asm .moveDidNotMiss before the jump back
     -- to GetPlayerAnimationType), so crit/effectiveness reprint on
     -- every strike -- damage was only rolled once
-    if info.crit then battle:sayNext("Critical hit!") end
-    if info.ohko then battle:sayNext("One-hit KO!") end
+    if info.crit then battle:sayNext(Strings("Critical hit!")) end
+    if info.ohko then battle:sayNext(Strings("One-hit KO!")) end
     if info.typeMult > 10 then
-      battle:sayNext("It's super\neffective!")
+      battle:sayNext(Strings("It's super\neffective!"))
     elseif info.typeMult < 10 then
-      battle:sayNext("It's not very\neffective...")
+      battle:sayNext(Strings("It's not very\neffective..."))
     end
     if Runtime.wants("battle.damage_dealt") then
       Runtime.emit("battle.damage_dealt", {
@@ -237,9 +238,9 @@ function EffectRegistry.runDamaging(battle, ctx, record)
   if hits > 1 then
     -- player: _MultiHitText; enemy: _HitXTimesText (always plural)
     if user.isPlayer then
-      battle:sayNext(("Hit the enemy\n%d times!"):format(hits))
+      battle:sayNext(Strings("Hit the enemy\n%d times!", hits))
     else
-      battle:sayNext(("Hit %d times!"):format(hits))
+      battle:sayNext(Strings("Hit %d times!", hits))
     end
   end
 
@@ -251,7 +252,7 @@ function EffectRegistry.runDamaging(battle, ctx, record)
   elseif moveInst.struggle then
     -- struggle recoils even when its effect id resolves to no record
     local recoil = math.max(1, math.floor(dmg / 2))
-    battle:sayNext(("%s's\nhit with recoil!"):format(displayName(user)))
+    battle:sayNext(Strings("%s's\nhit with recoil!", displayName(user)))
     battle:applyDamage(user, recoil)
   end
 

src/battle/MoveEffects.lua

@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ local Logger = require("src.core.Logger")
 local StatusRegistry = require("src.battle.StatusRegistry")
 local TurnOrder = require("src.battle.TurnOrder")
 local TypeChart = require("src.battle.TypeChart")
+local Strings = require("src.core.Strings")
 
 local MoveEffects = {}
 
@@ -36,14 +37,14 @@ local STAT_LABEL = {
 local function changeStage(battle, who, stat, delta, fromEnemy)
   if fromEnemy and (who.substituteHP or who.mist) then
     if who.mist then
-      return { displayName(who) .. " is\nprotected by MIST!" }
+      return { Strings("%s is\nprotected by MIST!", displayName(who)) }
     end
-    return { "But, it failed!" }
+    return { Strings("But, it failed!") }
   end
   local cur = who.stages[stat] or 0
   local new = math.max(-6, math.min(6, cur + delta))
   if new == cur then
-    return { ("Nothing happened!") }
+    return { Strings("Nothing happened!") }
   end
   who.stages[stat] = new
   -- effects.asm:505-506: after any stat-stage change, modified stats are
@@ -53,13 +54,13 @@ local function changeStage(battle, who, stat, delta, fromEnemy)
   -- _MonsStatsRoseText/_MonsStatsFellText: "X's / STAT rose!"; the
   -- two-stage variants scroll "greatly" onto a third line
   if delta >= 2 then
-    return { ("%s's\n%s\ngreatly rose!"):format(displayName(who), STAT_LABEL[stat]) }
+    return { Strings("%s's\n%s\ngreatly rose!", displayName(who), STAT_LABEL[stat]) }
   elseif delta == 1 then
-    return { ("%s's\n%s rose!"):format(displayName(who), STAT_LABEL[stat]) }
+    return { Strings("%s's\n%s rose!", displayName(who), STAT_LABEL[stat]) }
   elseif delta == -1 then
-    return { ("%s's\n%s fell!"):format(displayName(who), STAT_LABEL[stat]) }
+    return { Strings("%s's\n%s fell!", displayName(who), STAT_LABEL[stat]) }
   end
-  return { ("%s's\n%s\ngreatly fell!"):format(displayName(who), STAT_LABEL[stat]) }
+  return { Strings("%s's\n%s\ngreatly fell!", displayName(who), STAT_LABEL[stat]) }
 end
 MoveEffects.changeStage = changeStage
 
@@ -88,10 +89,10 @@ end
 local function statusMove(status)
   return function(battle, user, target, move)
     if target.mon.status then
-      return { "But, it failed!" }
+      return { Strings("But, it failed!") }
     end
     if status == "PSN" and target.substituteHP then
-      return { "But, it failed!" }
+      return { Strings("But, it failed!") }
     end
     local msgs = inflictStatus(battle, target, status, {
       toxic = move and move.id == "TOXIC",
@@ -99,7 +100,7 @@ local function statusMove(status)
       source = move and move.id,
     })
     if #msgs == 0 then
-      return { "But, it failed!" }
+      return { Strings("But, it failed!") }
     end
     return msgs
   end
@@ -111,7 +112,7 @@ local function statusSide(status, chance)
     -- target (regardless of the burn roll)
     if move and move.type == "FIRE" and target.mon.status == "FRZ" then
       target.mon.status = nil
-      return { ("Fire defrosted\n%s!"):format(displayName(target)) }
+      return { Strings("Fire defrosted\n%s!", displayName(target)) }
     end
     if battle.rng(0, 255) >= chance then return {} end
     return inflictStatus(battle, target, status, {
@@ -144,10 +145,10 @@ end
 
 local function confuse(battle, target, pierceSub)
   if target.confusedTurns or (target.substituteHP and not pierceSub) then
-    return { "But, it failed!" }
+    return { Strings("But, it failed!") }
   end
   target.confusedTurns = battle.rng(2, 5)
-  return { ("%s\nbecame confused!"):format(displayName(target)) }
+  return { Strings("%s\nbecame confused!", displayName(target)) }
 end
 
 -- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -181,53 +182,53 @@ MoveEffects.primary = {
   LEECH_SEED_EFFECT = function(battle, user, target)
     -- leech_seed.asm has no substitute check: seeding lands through one
     if target.leechSeeded then
-      return { "But, it failed!" }
+      return { Strings("But, it failed!") }
     end
     for _, t in ipairs(target.curTypes) do
-      if t == "GRASS" then return { "But, it failed!" } end
+      if t == "GRASS" then return { Strings("But, it failed!") } end
     end
     target.leechSeeded = true
-    return { ("%s\nwas seeded!"):format(displayName(target)) }
+    return { Strings("%s\nwas seeded!", displayName(target)) }
   end,
 
   HEAL_EFFECT = function(battle, user, target, move)
     local mon = user.mon
     if move.id == "REST" then
-      if mon.hp == mon.stats.hp then return { "But, it failed!" } end
+      if mon.hp == mon.stats.hp then return { Strings("But, it failed!") } end
       mon.hp = mon.stats.hp
       mon.status = "SLP"
       user.sleepTurns = 2
       user.toxicCounter = nil
-      return { ("%s\nstarted sleeping!"):format(displayName(user)) }
+      return { Strings("%s\nstarted sleeping!", displayName(user)) }
     end
-    if mon.hp == mon.stats.hp then return { "But, it failed!" } end
+    if mon.hp == mon.stats.hp then return { Strings("But, it failed!") } end
     mon.hp = math.min(mon.stats.hp, mon.hp + math.floor(mon.stats.hp / 2))
-    return { ("%s\nregained health!"):format(displayName(user)) }
+    return { Strings("%s\nregained health!", displayName(user)) }
   end,
 
   LIGHT_SCREEN_EFFECT = function(battle, user)
-    if user.lightScreen then return { "But, it failed!" } end
+    if user.lightScreen then return { Strings("But, it failed!") } end
     user.lightScreen = true
-    return { ("%s's\nprotected against\nspecial attacks!"):format(displayName(user)) }
+    return { Strings("%s's\nprotected against\nspecial attacks!", displayName(user)) }
   end,
 
   REFLECT_EFFECT = function(battle, user)
-    if user.reflect then return { "But, it failed!" } end
+    if user.reflect then return { Strings("But, it failed!") } end
     user.reflect = true
-    return { ("%s\ngained armor!"):format(displayName(user)) }
+    return { Strings("%s\ngained armor!", displayName(user)) }
   end,
 
   MIST_EFFECT = function(battle, user)
-    if user.mist then return { "But, it failed!" } end
+    if user.mist then return { Strings("But, it failed!") } end
     user.mist = true
     -- _ShroudedInMistText (lowercase "mist")
-    return { ("%s's\nshrouded in mist!"):format(displayName(user)) }
+    return { Strings("%s's\nshrouded in mist!", displayName(user)) }
   end,
 
   FOCUS_ENERGY_EFFECT = function(battle, user)
-    if user.focusEnergy then return { "But, it failed!" } end
+    if user.focusEnergy then return { Strings("But, it failed!") } end
     user.focusEnergy = true
-    return { ("%s's\ngetting pumped!"):format(displayName(user)) }
+    return { Strings("%s's\ngetting pumped!", displayName(user)) }
   end,
 
   HAZE_EFFECT = function(battle, user, target)
@@ -254,33 +255,33 @@ MoveEffects.primary = {
       target.skipMove = true
     end
     target.mon.status = nil
-    return { "All STATUS changes\nare eliminated!" }
+    return { Strings("All STATUS changes\nare eliminated!") }
   end,
 
   SUBSTITUTE_EFFECT = function(battle, user)
-    if user.substituteHP then return { ("%s\nhas a SUBSTITUTE!"):format(displayName(user)) } end
+    if user.substituteHP then return { Strings("%s\nhas a SUBSTITUTE!", displayName(user)) } end
     local cost = math.floor(user.mon.stats.hp / 4)
     -- substitute.asm only fails on subtraction underflow (current HP
     -- strictly below maxHP/4); at equality the substitute is built and
     -- the user is left standing on exactly 0 HP (it faints only when
     -- the engine next checks HP, not here)
     if user.mon.hp < cost then
-      return { "Too weak to make\na SUBSTITUTE!" }
+      return { Strings("Too weak to make\na SUBSTITUTE!") }
     end
     user.mon.hp = user.mon.hp - cost
     user.substituteHP = cost + 1
     -- _SubstituteText
-    return { "It created a\nSUBSTITUTE!" }
+    return { Strings("It created a\nSUBSTITUTE!") }
   end,
 
   CONVERSION_EFFECT = function(battle, user, target)
     -- conversion.asm fails against a mid-Fly/Dig target (INVULNERABLE)
     if target.invulnerable then
-      return { "But, it failed!" }
+      return { Strings("But, it failed!") }
     end
     user.curTypes = { target.curTypes[1], target.curTypes[2] }
     -- _ConvertedTypeText
-    return { ("Converted type to\n%s's!"):format(displayName(target)) }
+    return { Strings("Converted type to\n%s's!", displayName(target)) }
   end,
 
   -- MIMIC_EFFECT lives in BattleState:resolveMimic: MimicEffect
@@ -311,27 +312,27 @@ MoveEffects.primary = {
       table.insert(user.curMoves, { id = mv.id, pp = 5, mimic = true })
     end
     -- _TransformedText: the copied name prints bare (wNameBuffer)
-    return { ("%s\ntransformed into\n%s!"):format(displayName(user), target.name) }
+    return { Strings("%s\ntransformed into\n%s!", displayName(user), target.name) }
   end,
 
   DISABLE_EFFECT = function(battle, user, target)
-    if target.disabledSlot then return { "But, it failed!" } end
+    if target.disabledSlot then return { Strings("But, it failed!") } end
     local usable = {}
     for i, mv in ipairs(target.curMoves) do
       if mv.pp > 0 then table.insert(usable, i) end
     end
-    if #usable == 0 then return { "But, it failed!" } end
+    if #usable == 0 then return { Strings("But, it failed!") } end
     local slot = usable[battle.rng(1, #usable)]
     target.disabledSlot = slot
     target.disabledTurns = battle.rng(1, 8)
     local id = target.curMoves[slot].id
     -- _MoveWasDisabledText: "X's / MOVE was / disabled!"
-    return { ("%s's\n%s was\ndisabled!"):format(displayName(target),
+    return { Strings("%s's\n%s was\ndisabled!", displayName(target),
                                                 battle.data.moves[id].name) }
   end,
 
   SPLASH_EFFECT = function()
-    return { "No effect!" }
+    return { Strings("No effect!") }
   end,
 }
 
@@ -428,7 +429,9 @@ local function drainHalf(text)
     local mon = ctx.user.mon
     mon.hp = math.min(mon.stats.hp, mon.hp + heal)
     ctx.drain()
-    ctx.say(text:format(displayName(ctx.target)))
+    -- `text` arrives as a source string (Strings.source at the call
+    -- site keeps it in the catalog); look it up here, at use time
+    ctx.say(Strings(text, displayName(ctx.target)))
   end
 end
 
@@ -436,7 +439,7 @@ end
 -- flags the miss before the special-damage override)
 local function immuneMsg(ctx)
   if TypeChart.effectiveness(ctx.move.type, ctx.target.curTypes) == 0 then
-    return ("It doesn't affect\n%s!"):format(displayName(ctx.target))
+    return Strings("It doesn't affect\n%s!", displayName(ctx.target))
   end
   return nil
 end
@@ -498,12 +501,12 @@ MoveEffects.full = {
       -- removed): overkill and substitute hits recoil at full strength
       local recoil = math.max(1, math.floor(ctx.rawDamage
                                             / (ctx.moveInst.struggle and 2 or 4)))
-      ctx.say(("%s's\nhit with recoil!"):format(displayName(ctx.user)))
+      ctx.say(Strings("%s's\nhit with recoil!", displayName(ctx.user)))
       ctx.battle:applyDamage(ctx.user, recoil)
     end,
   },
   DRAIN_HP_EFFECT = {
-    afterDamage = drainHalf("Sucked health from\n%s!"),
+    afterDamage = drainHalf(Strings.source("Sucked health from\n%s!")),
   },
   DREAM_EATER_EFFECT = {
     -- only works on sleeping targets (checked before damage)
@@ -511,7 +514,7 @@ MoveEffects.full = {
       if ctx.target.mon.status ~= "SLP" then return false, "But, it failed!" end
       return true
     end,
-    afterDamage = drainHalf("%s's\ndream was eaten!"),
+    afterDamage = drainHalf(Strings.source("%s's\ndream was eaten!")),
   },
 
   -- charge moves: first turn just charges; Fly AND Dig go
@@ -557,7 +560,7 @@ MoveEffects.full = {
           user.thrashTurns, user.thrashMove, user.thrashAnnounced = nil, nil, nil
           if not user.confusedTurns then
             user.confusedTurns = ctx.rng(2, 5)
-            ctx.say(("%s\nbecame confused!"):format(displayName(user)))
+            ctx.say(Strings("%s\nbecame confused!", displayName(user)))
           end
         end
       end
@@ -566,7 +569,7 @@ MoveEffects.full = {
   JUMP_KICK_EFFECT = {
     onMiss = function(ctx, reason)
       if reason ~= "accuracy" then return end
-      ctx.say(("%s\nkept going and\ncrashed!"):format(displayName(ctx.user)))
+      ctx.say(Strings("%s\nkept going and\ncrashed!", displayName(ctx.user)))
       ctx.damage(ctx.user, 1)
     end,
   },
@@ -595,7 +598,7 @@ MoveEffects.full = {
     afterDamage = function(ctx)
       local battle = ctx.battle
       battle.payDay = (battle.payDay or 0) + 2 * ctx.user.mon.level
-      ctx.say("Coins scattered\neverywhere!")
+      ctx.say(Strings("Coins scattered\neverywhere!"))
     end,
   },
   SWIFT_EFFECT = { neverMiss = true },
@@ -610,7 +613,7 @@ MoveEffects.full = {
       local user = ctx.user
       user.bideTurns = ctx.rng(2, 3)
       user.bideDamage = 0
-      ctx.say(("%s\nis storing energy!"):format(displayName(user)))
+      ctx.say(Strings("%s\nis storing energy!", displayName(user)))
     end,
   },
   SWITCH_AND_TELEPORT_EFFECT = {
@@ -631,27 +634,27 @@ MoveEffects.full = {
         end
         if ok then
           if move.id == "ROAR" then
-            ctx.say(("%s\nran away scared!"):format(displayName(target)))
+            ctx.say(Strings("%s\nran away scared!", displayName(target)))
           elseif move.id == "WHIRLWIND" then
-            ctx.say(("%s\nwas blown away!"):format(displayName(target)))
+            ctx.say(Strings("%s\nwas blown away!", displayName(target)))
           else
-            ctx.say(("%s\nran from battle!"):format(displayName(user)))
+            ctx.say(Strings("%s\nran from battle!", displayName(user)))
           end
           battle.result = "run"
           battle.afterQueue = "finish"
         elseif move.id == "TELEPORT" then
           battle:cancelMoveAnim()
-          ctx.say("But, it failed!")
+          ctx.say(Strings("But, it failed!"))
         else
           battle:cancelMoveAnim()
-          ctx.say(("It didn't affect\n%s!"):format(displayName(target)))
+          ctx.say(Strings("It didn't affect\n%s!", displayName(target)))
         end
       elseif move.id == "TELEPORT" then
         battle:cancelMoveAnim()
-        ctx.say("But, it failed!")
+        ctx.say(Strings("But, it failed!"))
       else
         battle:cancelMoveAnim()
-        ctx.say(("%s\nis unaffected!"):format(displayName(target)))
+        ctx.say(Strings("%s\nis unaffected!", displayName(target)))
       end
     end,
   },
@@ -669,7 +672,7 @@ MoveEffects.full = {
     callsMove = function(ctx)
       local last = ctx.target.lastMove
       if not last then
-        ctx.say("The MIRROR MOVE\nfailed!")
+        ctx.say(Strings("The MIRROR MOVE\nfailed!"))
         return nil
       end
       return last

src/battle/Status.lua

@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@
 -- and residual sweep.  Callers without a battle (pure-module tests) fall
 -- back to the vanilla records, which is bit-identical behavior.
 
+local Strings = require("src.core.Strings")
+
 local Status = {}
 
 -- pokered's <USER>/<TARGET> text macros print "Enemy " before the enemy
@@ -28,8 +30,11 @@ local function hasType(battler, wanted)
 end
 
 -- shared PSN/BRN residual: 1/16 max HP, multiplied (and advanced) by the
--- Toxic counter (HandlePoisonBurnLeechSeed)
-local function damageOverTime(what)
+-- Toxic counter (HandlePoisonBurnLeechSeed).  The caller passes the whole
+-- sentence rather than the noun: "hurt by poison" and "hurt by the burn"
+-- decline differently once translated, so a shared fragment cannot be the
+-- translatable unit.
+local function damageOverTime(template)
   return function(battler)
     local mon = battler.mon
     local base = math.max(1, math.floor(mon.stats.hp / 16))
@@ -39,10 +44,15 @@ local function damageOverTime(what)
       battler.toxicCounter = battler.toxicCounter + 1
     end
     mon.hp = math.max(0, mon.hp - dmg)
-    return { ("%s's\nhurt by %s!"):format(name(battler), what) }
+    return { Strings(template, name(battler)) }
   end
 end
 
+-- Labels stay plain literals on purpose: this table is built at require
+-- time, before Strings.load has a catalog, so a Strings() here would
+-- freeze the English.  They are already translatable through the
+-- statuses registry (mod.content.statuses:patch(id, { label = ... })).
+--
 -- The five persistent conditions as records: the beforeMove gauntlet, the
 -- residual sweep, the inflict text/immunities (StatusRegistry.inflict),
 -- the catch/wobble bonuses (Catching.attempt), the HUD label, and the
@@ -57,13 +67,13 @@ Status.RECORDS = {
       battler.sleepTurns = (battler.sleepTurns or 1) - 1
       if battler.sleepTurns <= 0 then
         battler.mon.status = nil
-        return false, { name(battler) .. "\nwoke up!" } -- wakes but loses the turn
+        return false, { Strings("%s\nwoke up!", name(battler)) } -- wakes, loses the turn
       end
-      return false, { name(battler) .. "\nis fast asleep!" }
+      return false, { Strings("%s\nis fast asleep!", name(battler)) }
     end,
     onInflict = function(battle, target, opts, display)
       target.sleepTurns = battle.rng(1, 7)
-      return { ("%s\nfell asleep!"):format(display) }
+      return { Strings("%s\nfell asleep!", display) }
     end,
   },
   FRZ = {
@@ -71,35 +81,35 @@ Status.RECORDS = {
     catchBonus = 25, shakeBonus = 10,
     beforeMovePriority = 30,
     beforeMove = function(battler)
-      return false, { name(battler) .. "\nis frozen solid!" }
+      return false, { Strings("%s\nis frozen solid!", name(battler)) }
     end,
     canInflict = function(target) return not hasType(target, "ICE") end,
     onInflict = function(_, _, _, display)
-      return { ("%s\nwas frozen solid!"):format(display) }
+      return { Strings("%s\nwas frozen solid!", display) }
     end,
   },
   PSN = {
     id = "PSN", label = "PSN", hudLabel = "PSN",
     catchBonus = 12, shakeBonus = 5,
-    residual = damageOverTime("poison"),
+    residual = damageOverTime(Strings.source("%s's\nhurt by poison!")),
     canInflict = function(target) return not hasType(target, "POISON") end,
     onInflict = function(_, target, opts, display)
       if opts.toxic then
         target.toxicCounter = 1
         -- _BadlyPoisonedText
-        return { ("%s's\nbadly poisoned!"):format(display) }
+        return { Strings("%s's\nbadly poisoned!", display) }
       end
-      return { ("%s\nwas poisoned!"):format(display) }
+      return { Strings("%s\nwas poisoned!", display) }
     end,
   },
   BRN = {
     id = "BRN", label = "BRN", hudLabel = "BRN",
     catchBonus = 12, shakeBonus = 5,
     statPenalty = { stat = "attack", div = 2 },
-    residual = damageOverTime("the burn"),
+    residual = damageOverTime(Strings.source("%s's\nhurt by the burn!")),
     canInflict = function(target) return not hasType(target, "FIRE") end,
     onInflict = function(_, _, _, display)
-      return { ("%s\nwas burned!"):format(display) }
+      return { Strings("%s\nwas burned!", display) }
     end,
   },
   PAR = {
@@ -110,7 +120,7 @@ Status.RECORDS = {
     beforeMove = function(battler, rng)
       -- cp 25 percent / jr nc: fully paralyzed on rand < 63 (63/256)
       if rng(0, 255) < 63 then
-        return false, { name(battler) .. "'s\nfully paralyzed!" }
+        return false, { Strings("%s's\nfully paralyzed!", name(battler)) }
       end
       return true, {}
     end,
@@ -120,7 +130,7 @@ Status.RECORDS = {
     end,
     onInflict = function(_, _, _, display)
       -- _ParalyzedMayNotAttackText (primary and secondary paralysis)
-      return { ("%s's\nparalyzed! It may\nnot attack!"):format(display) }
+      return { Strings("%s's\nparalyzed! It may\nnot attack!", display) }
     end,
   },
 }
@@ -156,7 +166,7 @@ function Status.beforeMove(battler, rng, battle)
   end
   if battler.flinched then
     battler.flinched = false
-    return false, { name(battler) .. "\nflinched!" }
+    return false, { Strings("%s\nflinched!", name(battler)) }
   end
   local record = Status.recordFor(battleStatuses(battle), mon.status)
   local handler = record and record.beforeMove
@@ -174,23 +184,23 @@ function Status.beforeMove(battler, rng, battle)
   end
   if battler.boundTurns and battler.boundTurns > 0 then
     battler.boundTurns = battler.boundTurns - 1
-    msgs[#msgs + 1] = name(battler) .. "\ncan't move!"
+    msgs[#msgs + 1] = Strings("%s\ncan't move!", name(battler))
     return false, msgs
   end
   if battler.disabledTurns then
     battler.disabledTurns = battler.disabledTurns - 1
     if battler.disabledTurns <= 0 then
       battler.disabledTurns, battler.disabledSlot = nil, nil
-      table.insert(msgs, name(battler) .. "'s\ndisabled no more!")
+      table.insert(msgs, Strings("%s's\ndisabled no more!", name(battler)))
     end
   end
   if battler.confusedTurns then
     battler.confusedTurns = battler.confusedTurns - 1
     if battler.confusedTurns <= 0 then
       battler.confusedTurns = nil
-      table.insert(msgs, name(battler) .. "\nsnapped out of\nconfusion!")
+      table.insert(msgs, Strings("%s\nsnapped out of\nconfusion!", name(battler)))
     else
-      table.insert(msgs, name(battler) .. "\nis confused!")
+      table.insert(msgs, Strings("%s\nis confused!", name(battler)))
       -- cp 50 percent + 1 / jr c: hurt itself on rand >= 128 (128/256)
       if rng(0, 255) < 128 then
         return false, msgs, true -- hurt itself
@@ -231,7 +241,7 @@ function Status.residual(battler, opponent, battle)
     dmg = math.min(dmg, mon.hp)
     mon.hp = mon.hp - dmg
     opponent.mon.hp = math.min(opponent.mon.stats.hp, opponent.mon.hp + dmg)
-    table.insert(msgs, ("LEECH SEED saps\n%s!"):format(name(battler)))
+    table.insert(msgs, Strings("LEECH SEED saps\n%s!", name(battler)))
   end
   return msgs
 end

src/battle/StatusRegistry.lua

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 
 local Runtime = require("src.mods.Runtime")
 local Status = require("src.battle.Status")
+local Strings = require("src.core.Strings")
 
 local StatusRegistry = {}
 
@@ -45,7 +46,7 @@ function StatusRegistry.inflict(battle, target, status, opts)
   if record and record.onInflict then
     msgs = record.onInflict(battle, target, opts, display)
   else
-    msgs = { ("%s\nwas afflicted\nby %s!"):format(display,
+    msgs = { Strings("%s\nwas afflicted\nby %s!", display,
                record and record.label or tostring(status)) }
   end
   Runtime.emit("battle.status_inflicted", {

src/battle/TrainerAI.lua

@@ -16,9 +16,10 @@
 -- the MINIMUM-scored move is chosen, ties broken uniformly among the
 -- tied minima (core.asm:2971-3002).  A non-minimal move is never
 -- selectable.  Respects Disable (and PP only when the ruleset depletes
--- enemy PP — Gen 1 AI never reads wEnemyMonPP).
+-- enemy PP -- Gen 1 AI never reads wEnemyMonPP).
 
 local TypeChart = require("src.battle.TypeChart")
+local Strings = require("src.core.Strings")
 
 local TrainerAI = {}
 
@@ -99,7 +100,7 @@ function TrainerAI.useItem(battle, item)
   local enemy = battle.enemy
   local trainerName = battle.trainer.name
   local itemName = battle.data.items[item] and battle.data.items[item].name or item
-  local msgs = { ("%s\nused %s!"):format(trainerName, itemName) }
+  local msgs = { Strings("%s\nused %s!", trainerName, itemName) }
   if item == "FULL_HEAL" then
     enemy.mon.status = nil
     enemy.toxicCounter = nil
@@ -112,10 +113,10 @@ function TrainerAI.useItem(battle, item)
   elseif X_STAT[item] then
     local stat = X_STAT[item]
     enemy.stages[stat] = math.min(6, (enemy.stages[stat] or 0) + 1)
-    table.insert(msgs, ("%s's\n%s rose!"):format(enemy.name, stat:upper()))
+    table.insert(msgs, Strings("%s's\n%s rose!", enemy.name, stat:upper()))
   elseif item == "GUARD_SPEC" then
     enemy.mist = true
-    table.insert(msgs, ("%s's\nprotected against\nstat changes!"):format(enemy.name))
+    table.insert(msgs, Strings("%s's\nprotected against\nstat changes!", enemy.name))
   end
   return msgs
 end

src/battle/WideBattle.lua

@@ -0,0 +1,379 @@
+-- Widescreen battle layout (OPTION -> BATTLE LAYOUT -> WIDE).
+--
+-- The battle simulation, timing, animations and rules stay BattleState's;
+-- this module only replaces the composition and asks the renderer for a
+-- 304x144 native-pixel UI surface while it is up.  Pictures, font pages,
+-- border glyphs, species palettes and HP tiles all resolve through the
+-- engine, so a COLORS mode or an asset mod still owns the look.
+--
+-- The extra 144 pixels of width buy a Gen 3-style arrangement: foe status
+-- upper left with its picture upper right, the player's picture lower left
+-- with their status lower right, a full-width message window, a split
+-- prompt/command window, and a 2x2 move menu with an attached PP/type panel.
+
+local Font = require("src.render.Font")
+local HudTiles = require("src.render.HudTiles")
+local PaletteFX = require("src.render.PaletteFX")
+local Runtime = require("src.mods.Runtime")
+local Strings = require("src.core.Strings")
+local TypeChart = require("src.battle.TypeChart")
+
+local WideBattle = {
+  WIDTH = 304,
+  HEIGHT = 144,
+  -- everything above this line is battlefield; the 40 rows below it are
+  -- the message / command / move windows
+  FIELD_BOTTOM = 104,
+}
+
+-- The forced-mono display modes re-threshold the whole finished frame
+-- through the shade shader, and picImage hands them raw DMG grays for that
+-- (#207).  The wide layout has to know: it exposes a matching whole-surface
+-- zone and leaves the HP bar fill gray, exactly like the zone pass does in
+-- the classic layout (#229).  Keep in sync with picImage / ensureZones.
+local function monoMode()
+  local m = PaletteFX.mode
+  return m == "og" or m == "og_inv" or m == "classic"
+end
+
+local function shownHP(battler)
+  return math.max(0, math.floor(battler.shownHP or battler.mon.hp or 0))
+end
+
+-- a name truncated to `pixels` with a trailing '.', measured through the
+-- font's own advances so a variable-width page still fits
+local function fitName(text, pixels)
+  local spans = Font.split(text or "")
+  local n = Font.spansFitting(spans, pixels)
+  if n >= #spans then return text or "" end
+  local out = {}
+  for i = 1, math.max(0, n - 1) do
+    out[#out + 1] = (text or ""):sub(spans[i].from, spans[i].to)
+  end
+  return table.concat(out) .. "."
+end
+
+local function saveScissor()
+  if not love.graphics.getScissor then return nil end
+  local x, y, w, h = love.graphics.getScissor()
+  if x == nil then return false end
+  return { x, y, w, h }
+end
+
+local function restoreScissor(saved)
+  if not love.graphics.setScissor then return end
+  if saved and saved ~= false then
+    love.graphics.setScissor(saved[1], saved[2], saved[3], saved[4])
+  else
+    love.graphics.setScissor()
+  end
+end
+
+-- Draw fn's content translated by (dx, dy) and clipped to a surface rect.
+-- The scissor is in canvas space, so it bounds the region itself while the
+-- translate moves the classic 160x144 coordinates into it.
+local function inRegion(x, y, w, h, dx, dy, fn)
+  local g = love.graphics
+  local saved = saveScissor()
+  g.setScissor(x, y, w, h)
+  g.push()
+  g.translate(dx, dy)
+  fn()
+  g.pop()
+  restoreScissor(saved)
+end
+
+local function levelAt(battle, battler, x, y)
+  if battler.shownStatus then
+    Font.draw(battle:statusLabel({ status = battler.shownStatus }), x, y)
+  else
+    HudTiles.tile(0x6E, x, y) -- '<LV>'
+    Font.draw(tostring(battler.mon.level), x + 8, y)
+  end
+end
+
+-- One side's status box: name and level on the first line, a long HP bar
+-- under it, and the numeric HP on the player's box only (the foe's exact
+-- HP is never shown, like the original).
+local function drawStatusPanel(battle, battler, x, y, player)
+  local tx, ty = math.floor(x / 8), math.floor(y / 8)
+  local tw, th = player and 15 or 16, player and 5 or 4
+  Font.drawBox(tx, ty, tw, th)
+  love.graphics.setColor(0, 0, 0, 1)
+
+  local nameWidth = player and 64 or 80
+  Font.draw(fitName(battler.name, nameWidth), x + 8, y + 8)
+  levelAt(battle, battler, x + tw * 8 - 40, y + 8)
+
+  HudTiles.drawHPBar(battle.data, tx + 1, ty + 2, {
+    hp = shownHP(battler),
+    stats = battler.mon.stats,
+  }, nil, monoMode(), tw - 5)
+
+  if player then
+    Font.draw(("%3d/%3d"):format(shownHP(battler), battler.mon.stats.hp),
+      x + tw * 8 - 64, y + 24)
+  end
+end
+
+-- the party ball rows DrawAllPokeballs puts up with the intro text, moved
+-- out to the wide screen's own corners
+local function drawIntroBalls(battle)
+  if not battle.introBalls then return end
+  if battle.enemyParty and
+      (battle.kind == "trainer" or battle.kind == "link") then
+    battle:drawBallRow(battle.enemyParty, 88, 40, -8)
+  end
+  battle:drawBallRow(battle.playerParty or battle.game.save.party, 216, 96, 8)
+end
+
+local function drawHUDs(battle, slide)
+  if battle.enemy and not battle.showEnemyTrainer
+      and not battle.enemySendingOut and not battle:growInScale(battle.enemy)
+      and slide == 0 and not battle.introBalls and not battle.enemy.fainted then
+    drawStatusPanel(battle, battle.enemy, 0, 0, false)
+  end
+
+  if battle.safari then
+    Font.drawBox(23, 7, 15, 4)
+    love.graphics.setColor(0, 0, 0, 1)
+    Font.draw(("BALLx%2d"):format(battle.safari.balls), 200, 72)
+  elseif battle.player and not battle.demo and not battle.showPlayerBack
+      and slide == 0 then
+    drawStatusPanel(battle, battle.player, 184, 56, true)
+  end
+  drawIntroBalls(battle)
+end
+
+local function drawMessageBox(battle)
+  Font.drawBox(0, 13, 38, 5)
+  love.graphics.setColor(0, 0, 0, 1)
+  if battle.scrollPx and battle.scrollPx > 0 then
+    battle.scrollPx = battle.scrollPx - 2
+    if battle.scrollPx <= 0 then battle.scrollPx = nil end
+  end
+  local off = battle.scrollPx or 0
+  local ys = { 112, 128 }
+  for li, line in ipairs(battle.shown or {}) do
+    local y = (ys[li] or 128) + off
+    for i = 1, #line do
+      Font.drawCode(line[i], 8 + (i - 1) * 8, y)
+    end
+  end
+  if (battle.msgWaiting or battle.msgPrompt) and battle.frame % 60 < 30 then
+    Font.drawCode(0xEE, 288, 132)
+  end
+end
+
+local function drawCommandMenu(battle)
+  local col = (battle.menuIndex - 1) % 2
+  local row = math.floor((battle.menuIndex - 1) / 2)
+  if battle.safari then
+    Font.drawBox(0, 13, 38, 5)
+    love.graphics.setColor(0, 0, 0, 1)
+    Font.draw(Strings("BALLx"), 16, 112)
+    Font.draw(Strings("BAIT"), 168, 112)
+    Font.draw(Strings("THROW ROCK"), 16, 128)
+    Font.draw(Strings("RUN"), 168, 128)
+    Font.drawCode(0xED, col == 0 and 8 or 160, 112 + row * 16)
+    return
+  end
+
+  -- the prompt on the left, the 2x2 commands on the right
+  Font.drawBox(0, 13, 20, 5)
+  Font.drawBox(20, 13, 18, 5)
+  love.graphics.setColor(0, 0, 0, 1)
+  Font.draw(Strings("What will"), 8, 112)
+  local who = battle.player and battle.player.name or ""
+  Font.draw(fitName(who, 112) .. Strings(" do?"), 8, 128)
+  Font.draw(Strings("FIGHT"), 176, 112)
+  Font.drawCode(0xE1, 240, 112) -- 'PK'
+  Font.drawCode(0xE2, 248, 112) -- 'MN'
+  Font.draw(Strings("ITEM"), 176, 128)
+  Font.draw(Strings("RUN"), 240, 128)
+  Font.drawCode(0xED, col == 0 and 168 or 232, 112 + row * 16)
+end
+
+local function drawMoveDetails(battle, move)
+  Font.drawBox(28, 13, 10, 5)
+  if not move then return end
+  local def = battle.data.moves[move.id]
+  if not def then return end
+  local maxPP = def.pp + (move.ppUps or 0) * math.floor(def.pp / 5)
+  love.graphics.setColor(0, 0, 0, 1)
+  Font.draw(("PP %2d/%2d"):format(move.pp or 0, maxPP), 232, 112)
+  Font.draw(fitName(TypeChart.displayName(def.type), 64), 232, 128)
+end
+
+local function drawMoveGrid(battle, moves, selected)
+  -- The 8px font needs 28 tiles for two complete twelve-character move
+  -- names plus their cursors; the details panel gets the other ten.
+  Font.drawBox(0, 13, 28, 5)
+  love.graphics.setColor(0, 0, 0, 1)
+  for i, move in ipairs(moves or {}) do
+    local col = (i - 1) % 2
+    local row = math.floor((i - 1) / 2)
+    local x, y = col == 0 and 16 or 120, 112 + row * 16
+    local def = battle.data.moves[move.id]
+    Font.draw(fitName(def and def.name or move.id or "", 96), x, y)
+  end
+  local col = (selected - 1) % 2
+  local row = math.floor((selected - 1) / 2)
+  Font.drawCode(0xED, col == 0 and 8 or 112, 112 + row * 16)
+  drawMoveDetails(battle, moves and moves[selected])
+end
+
+local function drawMoveMenu(battle)
+  drawMoveGrid(battle, battle.player.curMoves, battle.moveIndex)
+  if battle.moveSwapIndex then
+    local col = (battle.moveSwapIndex - 1) % 2
+    local row = math.floor((battle.moveSwapIndex - 1) / 2)
+    Font.drawCode(0xEC, col == 0 and 8 or 112, 112 + row * 16)
+  end
+end
+
+local function drawTextArea(battle)
+  if battle.phase == "messages" and (battle.current or battle.animPlaying) then
+    drawMessageBox(battle)
+  elseif battle.phase == "menu" then
+    drawCommandMenu(battle)
+  elseif battle.phase == "moveSelect" then
+    drawMoveMenu(battle)
+  elseif battle.phase == "mimicSelect" then
+    drawMoveGrid(battle, battle.mimicMoves, battle.mimicIndex)
+  else
+    Font.drawBox(0, 13, 38, 5)
+  end
+end
+
+-- Battle animations are authored in the original 160px coordinate space.
+-- Shift each complete OAM frame as one rigid group between the new player
+-- and enemy anchors: drawing the whole animation through both side regions
+-- would duplicate any tiles overlapping the other side's source range (most
+-- visibly the send-out POOF reappearing on the far right).
+function WideBattle.animationOffset(sprites)
+  if not sprites or #sprites == 0 then return 0, 0 end
+  local minX, maxX = math.huge, -math.huge
+  for _, sprite in ipairs(sprites) do
+    minX = math.min(minX, sprite.x - 8)
+    maxX = math.max(maxX, sprite.x)
+  end
+  local center = (minX + maxX) / 2
+  local t = math.max(0, math.min(1, (center - 40) / 80))
+  return math.floor(20 + 116 * t + 0.5),
+         math.floor(8 * (1 - t) + 0.5)
+end
+
+local function currentAnimationSprites(battle)
+  if battle.animPlaying and battle.animPlayer then
+    local step = battle.animPlayer.steps[battle.animPlayer.stepIndex]
+    return step and step.sprites
+  end
+  if battle.lockedBall and battle.animPlayer then
+    return battle.lockedBall
+  end
+end
+
+local function drawAnimationLayer(battle)
+  local sprites = currentAnimationSprites(battle)
+  if not sprites or #sprites == 0 then return end
+  local dx, dy = WideBattle.animationOffset(sprites)
+  inRegion(0, 0, WideBattle.WIDTH, WideBattle.FIELD_BOTTOM, dx, dy,
+    function() battle:drawAnimLayer(false) end)
+end
+
+-- The whole 304x144 composition for one frame.
+function WideBattle.draw(battle)
+  local g = love.graphics
+  -- The field is the display mode's paper.  Under a forced-mono mode the
+  -- whole surface is remapped downstream (WideBattle.zones), so the field
+  -- goes down as DMG white and comes out of that pass as the mode's paper;
+  -- painting the resolved shade there would run it through the remap twice
+  -- and land a shade off the letterbox the renderer fills around it.
+  if monoMode() then
+    g.setColor(1, 1, 1, 1)
+  else
+    g.setColor(PaletteFX.paperShade(battle.data))
+  end
+  g.rectangle("fill", 0, 0, WideBattle.WIDTH, WideBattle.HEIGHT)
+  -- AskName clears the field the same way the classic layout does
+  if battle.blankForAskName then return end
+
+  local fx = battle.fx
+  local sx = (fx and fx.shakeX) or 0
+  local sy = (fx and fx.shakeY) or 0
+  if sx == 0 and sy == 0 and fx and fx.shake and fx.shake > 0 then
+    sx = battle.frame % 4 < 2 and 2 or -2
+  end
+  local slide = (battle.introSlide or 0) * 4
+
+  -- Each side keeps its original sprite pixels and placement math: the two
+  -- 160x144 OAM regions are translated apart and clipped into the wider
+  -- battlefield rather than either monster being scaled.  wideRegion tells
+  -- drawBattlerPic its own side window is already the clip.
+  battle.wideRegion = true
+  inRegion(0, 32, 160, WideBattle.FIELD_BOTTOM - 32, 20 + sx, 8 + sy,
+    function() battle:drawPicsLayer(slide, 0, 0, "player", true) end)
+  inRegion(160, 0, 144, WideBattle.FIELD_BOTTOM, 136 + sx, sy,
+    function() battle:drawPicsLayer(slide, 0, 0, "enemy", true) end)
+  battle.wideRegion = nil
+
+  drawHUDs(battle, slide)
+  drawAnimationLayer(battle)
+  drawTextArea(battle)
+
+  if fx and fx.flash and fx.flash > 0 and battle.frame % 4 < 2 then
+    g.setColor(1, 1, 1, 0.85)
+    g.rectangle("fill", 0, 0, WideBattle.WIDTH, WideBattle.HEIGHT)
+  end
+  g.setColor(1, 1, 1, 1)
+  if Runtime.wantsHook("battle.overlay") then
+    Runtime.call("battle.overlay", function() end, battle)
+  end
+end
+
+-- The palette zones for the wide surface.  The composition already resolves
+-- species colors, paper shade and HP-bar colors itself, so the colorized
+-- modes take the trueColor opt-out (`colors = false`) over the whole
+-- surface; the forced-mono modes still want their whole-screen remap, and
+-- get one sized to the wide surface instead of the 160x144 rectangle
+-- PaletteFX.ensureZones would invent (which would leave 144 columns raw).
+function WideBattle.zones()
+  local w, h = WideBattle.WIDTH, WideBattle.HEIGHT
+  if monoMode() then
+    -- sendColors runs the mode's own substitution (CLASSIC's pea greens,
+    -- the inverted permutation), exactly as it does for ensureZones' zone
+    return { PaletteFX.zone(PaletteFX.GRAYS, 0, 0, w / 8 - 1, h / 8 - 1) }
+  end
+  return { { colors = false, x = 0, y = 0, w = w, h = h } }
+end
+
+-- 2x2 move-grid navigation: LEFT/RIGHT cross the row, UP/DOWN the column,
+-- and a direction pointing at an empty slot holds the current one.
+function WideBattle.moveGridIndex(index, count, direction)
+  if count < 1 then return nil end
+  local row = math.floor((index - 1) / 2)
+  local col = (index - 1) % 2
+  if direction == "left" or direction == "right" then
+    local other = row * 2 + (1 - col) + 1
+    return other <= count and other or index
+  end
+  local otherRow = 1 - row
+  local other = otherRow * 2 + col + 1
+  return other <= count and other or index
+end
+
+local DIRECTIONS = { "left", "right", "up", "down" }
+
+-- the slot a directional press selects, or nil when none was pressed (the
+-- caller then runs its normal list navigation / A / B / SELECT handling)
+function WideBattle.navigate(index, count, input)
+  for _, key in ipairs(DIRECTIONS) do
+    if input:wasPressed(key) then
+      return WideBattle.moveGridIndex(index, count, key)
+    end
+  end
+  return nil
+end
+
+return WideBattle

src/core/Data.lua

@@ -206,10 +206,15 @@ function Data:load()
               (function() local n = 0 for _ in pairs(self.moves) do n = n + 1 end return n end)())
 end
 
--- dev-mode hot reload only (src/dev/HotReload.lua): drop every namespace the
--- mod merge created, then re-require the generated modules so base records
--- return to their on-disk values even where a mod edited them in place
-function Data:reloadGenerated()
+-- Drop every namespace the mod merge created and evict the generated modules
+-- from package.loaded, so the next load() re-reads them off disk instead of
+-- handing back the cached tables.  Two callers:
+--   * reloadGenerated below (dev hot reload)
+--   * main.lua, when the launcher closes the save editor -- the editor may
+--     have loaded the OTHER game's cache, and require would otherwise serve
+--     those modules to a subsequent Play (see CacheFs.unmountVersion, which
+--     clears the matching read-path overlay).
+function Data:unloadGenerated()
   local pristine = self._pristineKeys
   if pristine then
     for key in pairs(self) do
@@ -222,6 +227,13 @@ function Data:reloadGenerated()
   for _, name in ipairs(OPTIONAL) do
     package.loaded["data.generated." .. name] = nil
   end
+end
+
+-- dev-mode hot reload only (src/dev/HotReload.lua): drop every namespace the
+-- mod merge created, then re-require the generated modules so base records
+-- return to their on-disk values even where a mod edited them in place
+function Data:reloadGenerated()
+  self:unloadGenerated()
   self:load()
 end
 
@@ -246,6 +258,20 @@ function Data:resolveText(mapLabel, textConst)
     local s = self.text[entry.text]
     if s then return s, entry.asm end
   end
+  -- A text_asm entry names its wrapper label but carries no string, because
+  -- the extractor cannot follow asm.  A handful of those wrappers are plain
+  -- `text_far <label> / text_end` pairs with no logic at all -- BoulderText
+  -- (home/overworld_text.asm:16), MartSignText, PokeCenterSignText -- and
+  -- for those the extracted _Label string IS the whole behavior, so the
+  -- boulders and signs printed nothing at all (#318).  Wrappers that really
+  -- do run logic have no _Label string to find, so they still fall through
+  -- to their hand-ported script in data/scripts/.
+  -- needsAsm comes back false here on purpose: showMapText's warning tells
+  -- the reader to go port a script, and for these there is nothing to port.
+  if entry.label then
+    local s = self.text["_" .. entry.label]
+    if s then return s, false end
+  end
   return nil, entry.asm
 end
 

src/core/DiscordPresence.lua

@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
 local Json = require("src.link.Json")
 local Logger = require("src.core.Logger")
 local Runtime = require("src.mods.Runtime")
+local Strings = require("src.core.Strings")
 
 local DiscordPresence = {
   APP_ID = "1529183141267374262",
@@ -436,7 +437,7 @@ end
 local function buildActivity()
   local details, activityState
   if state.activity == "battle" then
-    details = state.battleLabel or "In battle"
+    details = state.battleLabel or Strings("In battle")
     activityState = state.location and (state.location) or "Kanto"
   elseif state.activity == "exploring" and state.location then
     details = state.location
@@ -550,20 +551,20 @@ local function subscribe(game)
 
   track("battle.started", function(ev)
     local battle = ev and ev.battle
-    local label = "In battle"
+    local label = Strings("In battle")
     if ev and ev.kind == "wild" then
       local name = speciesName(game, ev.species)
       if name then
         label = "Battling wild " .. name
         if ev.level then label = label .. " Lv" .. tostring(ev.level) end
       else
-        label = "Wild battle"
+        label = Strings("Wild battle")
       end
     elseif ev and ev.kind == "trainer" then
       local tname = battle and battle.trainer and battle.trainer.name
-      label = tname and ("Battling " .. tname) or "Trainer battle"
+      label = tname and ("Battling " .. tname) or Strings("Trainer battle")
     elseif ev and ev.kind == "link" then
-      label = "Link battle"
+      label = Strings("Link battle")
     end
     local mapId = state.mapId
       or (game.save and game.save.player and game.save.player.map)
@@ -594,7 +595,7 @@ local function subscribe(game)
       state.mapId = nil
       setPresence({
         activity = "menu",
-        location = id == "IntroMovie" and "Watching the intro" or "Title screen",
+        location = id == "IntroMovie" and "Watching the intro" or Strings("Title screen"),
         clearBattle = true,
       })
     end

src/core/Game.lua

@@ -53,6 +53,9 @@ function Game:load()
   require("src.render.Font").load(Data)
   -- menu cursor/border/geometry constants; field.theme restyles them
   require("src.ui.Theme").load(Data)
+  -- the engine's own text, after the merge so a translation mod's catalog
+  -- is already in Data.strings; empty on a mod-free boot and skipped
+  require("src.core.Strings").load(Data)
 
   self.stack = StateStack
   StateStack:init()
@@ -235,6 +238,16 @@ function Game:draw()
   -- white clear
   local base = self.stack:visibleBase()
   local worldBelow = self.stack.states[base] == self.overworld
+  -- The UI surface is resolved once, before any state draws: the top state
+  -- may want more than the Game Boy's 160x144 (the widescreen battle layout
+  -- asks for 304x144).  Anything else keeps the classic surface, so a menu
+  -- pushed over a wide battle brings the screen straight back to 160x144.
+  local top = self.stack:top()
+  if top and top.uiSize then
+    Renderer:setUISize(top:uiSize())
+  else
+    Renderer:setUISize(Renderer.WIDTH, Renderer.HEIGHT)
+  end
   Renderer:beginFrame(worldBelow)
   self.stack:draw()
   -- SGB colorization: the topmost state that knows its palette owns the

src/core/Input.lua

@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ function Input:step()
     elseif next(sources) ~= nil then
       self.state[btn] = true
     end
-    -- sources == {}: real press fully released before this step — keep up
+    -- sources == {}: real press fully released before this step -- keep up
   end
   for btn, sources in pairs(self.sources) do
     if next(sources) == nil then

src/core/SaveData.lua

@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ local SaveSerializer = require("src.core.SaveSerializer")
 local Runtime = require("src.mods.Runtime")
 local Semver = require("src.mods.Semver")
 local Boxes = require("src.pokemon.Boxes")
+local Stats = require("src.pokemon.Stats")
 local Bag = require("src.inventory.Bag")
 local Badges = require("src.inventory.Badges")
 
@@ -132,17 +133,26 @@ local function detectPortable()
   -- Recover the folder containing the .app so a packaged app finds its
   -- marker.  On Windows/Linux the executable is not a bundle, so this is nil
   -- and the plain source-base directory (next to the .exe/AppImage) is used.
-  local function appContainer(path)
-    local appPath = path and path:match("^(.*%.app)/Contents/")
-    return appPath and appPath:match("^(.*)/[^/]+$") or nil
+  local function parentDir(path)
+    return path and path:match("^(.*)/[^/]+$") or nil
   end
-  -- Order: the .app's containing folder (packaged macOS), then the
-  -- source-base directory (next to a packaged .exe/AppImage), then the
-  -- source itself (a `love <gamedir>` run drops portable.txt in the game
-  -- folder).  First one holding the marker wins.  Built by appending so a
-  -- nil (e.g. no .app in the path) never truncates the ipairs scan.
+  local function appContainer(path)
+    return parentDir(path and path:match("^(.*%.app)/Contents/"))
+  end
+  -- The Linux AppImage build works similarly to macOs, but the runtime mounts
+  -- the squashfs at a temp path, and that becomes the base directory.
+  -- The runtime exports the real .AppImage path in $APPIMAGE, so we get the
+  -- base dir from there.
+  local function appImageContainer()
+    return parentDir(os.getenv("APPIMAGE"))
+  end
+  -- Order: the packaged-app containing folder (macOS .app / Linux AppImage),
+  -- then the source-base directory (next to a packaged .exe), then the source
+  -- itself (a `love <gamedir>` run drops portable.txt in the game folder).
+  -- First one holding the marker wins.  Built by appending so a nil (e.g. no
+  -- .app in the path) never truncates the ipairs scan.
   local candidates = {}
-  local appDir = appContainer(src) or appContainer(sbd)
+  local appDir = appContainer(src) or appContainer(sbd) or appImageContainer()
   if appDir then candidates[#candidates + 1] = appDir end
   if sbd then candidates[#candidates + 1] = sbd end
   if src then candidates[#candidates + 1] = src end
@@ -193,6 +203,9 @@ function SaveData.defaultOptions()
     textSpeed = 3,
     animations = true,
     battleStyle = "shift",
+    -- battle screen composition: og (the 160x144 original) | wide
+    -- (304x144, src/battle/WideBattle.lua)
+    battleLayout = "og",
     ruleset = "gen1_faithful",
     -- 0-7 like the GB's NR50 master volume
     musicVol = 7,
@@ -442,6 +455,25 @@ function SaveData.slotSummary(save)
   }
 end
 
+-- The absolute on-disk path of a slot's save file, for the one caller that
+-- cannot go through love.filesystem: the save editor reads and writes with
+-- raw io.* so it can also open a file the player dragged in from anywhere.
+-- Resolves against the same root persistFs would write to -- the portable
+-- game folder when portable mode is on, otherwise LOVE's save directory --
+-- so Edit on a launcher save row lands on the file the game actually plays.
+-- nil when neither root is available (headless tests with an injected fs).
+function SaveData.slotDiskPath(version, slotId)
+  version = version or GameVersion.get()
+  if not knownVersion(version) or not slotId then return nil end
+  local base = SaveData.portableBaseDir()
+    or (love and love.filesystem and love.filesystem.getSaveDirectory
+        and love.filesystem.getSaveDirectory())
+  if not base then return nil end
+  local sep = package.config:sub(1, 1)
+  local rel = select(1, slotNames(version, slotId))
+  return base .. sep .. rel:gsub("/", sep)
+end
+
 -- Slots visible to the launcher: every registered slot for a version, each
 -- with whether it holds a save and the cheap summary above.  A fresh
 -- install with nothing registered returns an empty array; a legacy install
@@ -458,11 +490,44 @@ function SaveData.listSlots(version)
   for _, id in ipairs(list) do
     local save = decodeSlot(fs, version, id)
     local name, meta = SaveData.slotSummary(save)
-    out[#out + 1] = { id = id, exists = save ~= nil, name = name, meta = meta }
+    out[#out + 1] = { id = id, exists = save ~= nil, name = name, meta = meta,
+                      label = reg.names and reg.names[id] or nil }
   end
   return out
 end
 
+-- Give a registered slot a custom label (#205: "a way to name save slots so
+-- you can see that in the launcher").  The label lives in the options
+-- registry next to list/active, never in the save file itself, so renaming
+-- needs no save rewrite and an empty slot can be labeled too.  The label is
+-- trimmed; an empty (or whitespace-only) one clears it.  Returns true, or
+-- false + an error string when the id is not registered.
+function SaveData.renameSlot(version, slotId, name)
+  version = version or GameVersion.get()
+  if not knownVersion(version) then return false, "unknown version" end
+  if type(slotId) ~= "string" or slotId == "" then
+    return false, "missing slot id"
+  end
+  local fs = persistFs(nil)
+  local opts = SaveData.loadOptions(fs)
+  opts.saveSlots = opts.saveSlots or {}
+  local reg = opts.saveSlots[version]
+  if not reg or not reg.list then return false, "slot not registered" end
+  local found = false
+  for _, id in ipairs(reg.list) do
+    if id == slotId then found = true break end
+  end
+  if not found then return false, "slot not registered" end
+  local label = type(name) == "string" and name:match("^%s*(.-)%s*$") or nil
+  if label == "" then label = nil end
+  reg.names = reg.names or {}
+  reg.names[slotId] = label
+  if next(reg.names) == nil then reg.names = nil end
+  opts.saveSlots[version] = reg
+  SaveData.saveOptions(opts, fs)
+  return true
+end
+
 -- Point the active slot at slotId (registering it if new) and persist the
 -- choice to options.lua; also update the process-global cache so the very
 -- next save/load lands in the chosen slot.
@@ -580,6 +645,7 @@ function SaveData.deleteSlot(version, slotId)
   remove(fs, tmp)
 
   table.remove(reg.list, idx)
+  if reg.names then reg.names[slotId] = nil end
   if reg.active == slotId then
     reg.active = reg.list[1]  -- may be nil when the list is now empty
   end
@@ -972,6 +1038,17 @@ local function scrubKnownMon(mon, data)
     for stat, v in pairs(mon.statExp) do mon.statExp[stat] = clamp(v, 0, 65535, 0) end
   end
   mon.level = clamp(mon.level, 1, 100, 1)
+  -- Box mons imported from a real .sav carry NO stat block: box_struct stops
+  -- before MON_LEVEL/MON_STATS, so src/save_convert/GenSave.lua decodeMon
+  -- only fills `stats` for party slots.  Every HP-bar draw then nil-indexes
+  -- mon.stats: the status screen opened in the box (#233) and the party list
+  -- after withdrawing one (#304).  The original derives them on demand
+  -- (status_screen.asm:66-76, add_mon.asm _MoveMon); deriving once here means
+  -- every later reader (menus, battle, items, SGB bar zones, the link
+  -- fingerprint) sees a party-shaped mon.  Runs after the level clamp above
+  -- so the derived stats use a sane level.  A save that already has stats is
+  -- untouched.
+  Stats.ensure(data.pokemon and data.pokemon[mon.species], mon)
   local moves = mon.moves
   if type(moves) ~= "table" then return end
   local hadMoves = #moves > 0
@@ -1155,9 +1232,16 @@ function SaveData.defaultHeal(boot)
 end
 
 -- Post-credits home (issue #103).  pokered left the player in HALL_OF_FAME
--- after jp Init; this port places CONTINUE at the NewGameWarp bedroom and
--- retargets LAST_MAP exits (Red's house mats) at the heal-point town so
--- leaving the house does not dump the player back at Indigo Plateau.
+-- after jp Init; this port relocates CONTINUE instead, and retargets
+-- LAST_MAP exits (Red's house mats) at the heal-point town so leaving the
+-- house does not dump the player back at Indigo Plateau.
+--
+-- The landing spot is the blackout point, not the NewGameWarp bedroom:
+-- HallOfFameResetEventsAndSaveScript sets wLastBlackoutMap := PALLET_TOWN,
+-- so resuming puts the player outside the front door.  Spawning them back
+-- in the upstairs bedroom was a port-only detour (#253).  Non-vanilla
+-- spawns are unaffected -- defaultHeal returns boot's own start map for
+-- those, which is what the bedroom branch resolved to anyway.
 -- Marks postGameHomeOk so a later intentional HoF save is not relocated.
 function SaveData.applyPostGameHome(save, boot)
   boot = type(boot) == "table" and boot or {}
@@ -1165,9 +1249,9 @@ function SaveData.applyPostGameHome(save, boot)
   save.lastHeal = { map = heal.map, x = heal.x, y = heal.y }
   save.lastOutdoor = { id = heal.map, x = heal.x, y = heal.y }
   save.player = save.player or {}
-  save.player.map = boot.startMap or "REDS_HOUSE_2F"
-  save.player.x = boot.startX or 3
-  save.player.y = boot.startY or 6
+  save.player.map = heal.map
+  save.player.x = heal.x
+  save.player.y = heal.y
   save.player.facing = boot.startFacing or "down"
   save.postGameHomeOk = true
   return heal
@@ -1209,7 +1293,7 @@ function SaveData.newGame(boot)
     inventory = {},
     -- Vanilla Gen1 seeds one Potion in the player's item PC
     -- (wBoxItems / players_pc.asm); existing saves keep whatever they
-    -- already have — this only applies to New Game.
+    -- already have -- this only applies to New Game.
     pcItems = { POTION = 1 },
     party = {},
     box = {},

src/core/Strings.lua

@@ -0,0 +1,134 @@
+-- The engine's own player-facing text, made overridable.
+--
+-- Extracted dialogue already had a home: `Data.text`, keyed by pokered's
+-- labels, which a mod reaches through `mod.content.text`.  The strings the
+-- engine *authors* had none.  Battle messages, item results, menu labels
+-- and the link-play screens were literals in Lua, so a translator could
+-- reach two thirds of the game and no more (#186, #245).
+--
+-- Those literals stay where they are, wrapped in `S(...)`, and the English
+-- source doubles as the catalog key:
+--
+--   self:say(S("But, it failed!"))
+--   self:say(S("Wild %s\nappeared!", self.enemy.name))
+--
+-- Keying on the source rather than on an invented id is deliberate.  It
+-- keeps the English readable at the point it is used (the alternative
+-- scatters a thousand `battle.it_failed` ids that have to be looked up to
+-- review a diff), it needs no id registry to stay in sync, and an entry a
+-- translation has not covered yet falls through to English instead of
+-- rendering a raw id at the player.  The cost is that editing an English
+-- string orphans its translations; `tools/modkit.py translation --refresh`
+-- reports those as changed keys rather than silently dropping them.
+--
+-- Same-source-different-meaning is the one case source keys cannot hold on
+-- their own ("OFF" as a filter setting vs "OFF" as a toggle, which some
+-- languages render differently).  Those sites pass a context:
+--
+--   S("OFF", "options.musicFilter")   -- key: "options.musicFilter|OFF"
+--
+-- A mod supplies the catalog through the `strings` registry:
+--
+--   mod.content.strings:override("But, it failed!", "Echec !")
+--
+-- With no mod loaded the catalog is empty and `S` is an identity function
+-- guarded by one boolean, so a vanilla boot draws byte-identical text.
+
+local Strings = {}
+
+local catalog = nil   -- Data.strings once a mod has put something in it
+local missing = {}    -- format-arity complaints, reported once each
+
+-- Called from Game after the mod merge, and again on dev-mode hot reload.
+-- Holding the table (not a copy) means a mod that registers late still
+-- takes effect without a second load.
+function Strings.load(data)
+  local t = data and data.strings
+  catalog = nil
+  if type(t) ~= "table" then return end
+  for _ in pairs(t) do
+    catalog = t
+    return
+  end
+end
+
+function Strings.active()
+  return catalog ~= nil
+end
+
+-- The lookup itself.  `context` is optional and only disambiguates sources
+-- that collide; the plain key is tried after it, so a translation that does
+-- not care about the distinction can supply one entry for both.
+function Strings.lookup(source, context)
+  if not catalog then return source end
+  if context then
+    local hit = catalog[context .. "|" .. source]
+    if type(hit) == "string" then return hit end
+  end
+  local hit = catalog[source]
+  if type(hit) == "string" then return hit end
+  return source
+end
+
+-- Count `%`-directives so a translation that drops or adds one is caught
+-- here rather than as a mid-battle `string.format` error.
+local function specifiers(s)
+  local n = 0
+  for spec in s:gmatch("%%(.)") do
+    if spec ~= "%" then n = n + 1 end
+  end
+  return n
+end
+
+-- S(source)                -> translated source
+-- S(source, ...)           -> translated source, string.format'ed
+-- S(source, context)       -> context-disambiguated lookup, no formatting
+--
+-- The two-argument forms are told apart by whether the source carries any
+-- format directives: a source with no `%s` cannot be formatting, so a lone
+-- string second argument is a context.
+function Strings.get(source, ...)
+  local argc = select("#", ...)
+  if argc == 0 then return Strings.lookup(source) end
+
+  local wants = specifiers(source)
+  if wants == 0 and argc == 1 and type((...)) == "string" then
+    return Strings.lookup(source, (...))
+  end
+
+  local text = Strings.lookup(source)
+  -- A translation with the wrong arity would raise inside string.format,
+  -- which in a battle means a crash the player cannot escape.  Fall back to
+  -- the English source, which is known to match, and say so once.
+  if specifiers(text) ~= wants then
+    if not missing[source] then
+      missing[source] = true
+      require("src.core.Logger").warn(
+        "strings: translation of %q has %d format directives, source has %d"
+        .. " -- using the source", source, specifiers(text), wants)
+    end
+    text = source
+  end
+  local ok, out = pcall(string.format, text, ...)
+  if not ok then return source end
+  return out
+end
+
+-- A marker, not a lookup: returns its argument untouched.
+--
+-- Some templates are declared in a module-level table and formatted much
+-- later (BattleState's charge-move lines, for one).  Translating at the
+-- declaration would freeze the English, because those tables are built at
+-- require time and Strings.load has no catalog yet; the use site therefore
+-- calls Strings(template, ...) and looks the source up then.  That works at
+-- runtime but leaves the literal invisible to the catalog generator, which
+-- only sees what is spelled out at a call site.  Wrapping the declaration in
+-- Strings.source puts it back in the harvest while changing nothing at all
+-- about when the lookup happens.
+function Strings.source(text)
+  return text
+end
+
+setmetatable(Strings, { __call = function(_, ...) return Strings.get(...) end })
+
+return Strings

src/import/CacheFs.lua

@@ -75,6 +75,32 @@ local function resolveMkdir()
   return mkdirFn
 end
 
+-- Lazily-resolved windowless rmdir, the mirror of resolveMkdir above:
+-- function(absolutePath) or false when FFI is unavailable.  Both syscalls
+-- refuse a non-empty directory, so a caller has to delete the files first.
+local rmdirFn = nil
+
+local function resolveRmdir()
+  if rmdirFn ~= nil then return rmdirFn end
+  rmdirFn = false
+  local ok, ffi = pcall(require, "ffi")
+  if not ok then return rmdirFn end
+  if ffi.os == "Windows" then
+    pcall(ffi.cdef, "int RemoveDirectoryA(const char *lpPathName);")
+    local resolved = pcall(function() return ffi.C.RemoveDirectoryA end)
+    if resolved then
+      rmdirFn = function(path) pcall(ffi.C.RemoveDirectoryA, path) end
+    end
+  else
+    pcall(ffi.cdef, "int rmdir(const char *pathname);")
+    local resolved = pcall(function() return ffi.C.rmdir end)
+    if resolved then
+      rmdirFn = function(path) pcall(ffi.C.rmdir, path) end
+    end
+  end
+  return rmdirFn
+end
+
 -- Mount an external directory onto the physfs read path (appended, so the
 -- game's own source always wins a name clash).  Returns true on success.
 --
@@ -122,6 +148,37 @@ local function mountReadable(dir, append)
   return fn(dir, append)
 end
 
+-- PHYSFS_unmount, resolved the same way PHYSFS_mount is.  Only
+-- CacheFs.unmountVersion needs it: the launcher can open the save editor on
+-- one game's cache and then Play the other, and an overlay left mounted
+-- would win the read path for the rest of the process.
+local physfsUnmountFn = nil
+local function resolveUnmount()
+  if physfsUnmountFn ~= nil then return physfsUnmountFn end
+  physfsUnmountFn = false
+  local ok, ffi = pcall(require, "ffi")
+  if not ok then return physfsUnmountFn end
+  pcall(ffi.cdef, "int PHYSFS_unmount(const char *oldDir);")
+  local libs = {
+    function() return ffi.C end,
+    function() return ffi.load("love") end,
+  }
+  for _, getlib in ipairs(libs) do
+    local okl, lib = pcall(getlib)
+    if okl and lib then
+      local oks, fn = pcall(function() return lib.PHYSFS_unmount end)
+      if oks and fn then
+        physfsUnmountFn = function(d)
+          local okr, ret = pcall(fn, d)
+          return okr and ret ~= 0
+        end
+        break
+      end
+    end
+  end
+  return physfsUnmountFn
+end
+
 -- The portable game folder when the cache should live there, else nil.
 -- Resolved (and, for a fused build, mounted) once and cached.  Requires a
 -- desktop portable install (SaveData) and a working windowless mkdir.
@@ -229,6 +286,23 @@ function CacheFs.remove(rel)
   love.filesystem.remove(rel)
 end
 
+-- Remove a single cache-relative directory once its files are gone.  Needed
+-- because os.remove cannot delete a directory on Windows and
+-- love.filesystem.remove never reaches outside the save directory, so the
+-- portable game folder gets the same FFI-syscall treatment as its mkdir
+-- (issue #74: os.execute would flash a console window per call).  Used by the
+-- mod installer so an uninstall leaves nothing behind (#330).
+function CacheFs.removeDir(rel)
+  rel = withPrefix(rel)
+  local root = CacheFs.root()
+  if root then
+    local rmdir = resolveRmdir()
+    if rmdir then rmdir(realPath(root, rel)) end
+    return
+  end
+  love.filesystem.remove(rel)
+end
+
 -- Remove the game-folder copy of a cache subtree before a fresh import, so a
 -- cache-format bump does not leave orphaned files behind.  No-op when the
 -- portable cache is inactive (the save-directory copy is cleared by
@@ -280,4 +354,35 @@ function CacheFs.mountVersion(version)
   return false
 end
 
+-- Undo mountVersion.  A process normally mounts exactly one version and then
+-- boots it, but the launcher can open the save editor on a Blue save, close
+-- it, and press Play on Red: with blue/ still prepended, Red's
+-- require("data.generated.*") and its generated art would silently resolve to
+-- Blue's files.  Callers must also drop the generated modules from
+-- package.loaded (src.core.Data:unloadGenerated) -- unmounting alone only
+-- fixes the read path, not what require already cached.
+--
+-- Returns true when nothing was mounted or the unmount took.  Red is a no-op
+-- because its cache lives at the root and was never overlaid.
+function CacheFs.unmountVersion(version)
+  local prefix = require("src.core.GameVersion").cachePrefix(version)
+  if prefix == "" then return true end
+  local sub = prefix:gsub("/+$", "")
+  local base = CacheFs.root()
+  if not base and love.filesystem.getSaveDirectory then
+    base = love.filesystem.getSaveDirectory()
+  end
+  local done = false
+  local fn = resolveUnmount()
+  if fn and base then
+    done = fn(base .. SEP .. sub) or done
+  end
+  -- also drop the love.filesystem.mount fallback, which registers the folder
+  -- under its bare name rather than its absolute path
+  if love.filesystem.unmount then
+    done = love.filesystem.unmount(sub) or done
+  end
+  return done
+end
+
 return CacheFs

src/import/RomImporter.lua

@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 local GameVersion = require("src.core.GameVersion")
+local Strings = require("src.core.Strings")
 
 local RomImporter = {}
 RomImporter.__index = RomImporter
@@ -254,7 +255,36 @@ local function fileUrl(path)
   return "file://" .. encoded
 end
 
+-- The native pickers below block the whole loop inside io.popen, and they are
+-- opened straight out of mousepressed -- with the button still physically
+-- down.  SDL auto-captures the pointer for the length of a press (on X11 an
+-- XGrabPointer with owner_events) and only drops that capture when it
+-- processes the matching button-up, which it cannot do while we sit in popen
+-- and never pump.  The grab then outlives the click and every pointer event
+-- over the file chooser is still routed to our window: the dialog draws and
+-- keyboard-navigates (keyboard focus is a separate grab) but ignores the
+-- mouse entirely -- issue #254 on Linux.  Whether it bites is a race with how
+-- long the click was held, which is why the same build picks one ROM fine and
+-- then hangs the mouse on the next.  So pump until no button is held, letting
+-- SDL see the release and let go first; bounded, so a stuck button costs a
+-- moment and never the launcher.  pump() only drains OS events into LOVE's
+-- queue -- it dispatches nothing -- so there is no reentry into mousepressed
+-- and the release is still delivered normally on the next frame.
+local function releasePointerGrab()
+  if not (love.mouse and love.mouse.isDown and love.event and love.event.pump
+      and love.timer) then
+    return
+  end
+  local deadline = love.timer.getTime() + 1
+  while love.mouse.isDown(1, 2, 3) do
+    love.event.pump()
+    if love.timer.getTime() > deadline then break end
+    love.timer.sleep(0.005)
+  end
+end
+
 local function commandOutput(command)
+  releasePointerGrab()
   local pipe = io.popen(command, "r")
   if not pipe then return nil end
   local result = pipe:read("*a")
@@ -337,7 +367,10 @@ local function chooseRom(promptName)
       "$d=New-Object System.Windows.Forms.OpenFileDialog;",
       "$d.Title='" .. prompt .. "';",
       "$d.Filter='Game Boy ROM (*.gb)|*.gb|All files (*.*)|*.*';",
-      "if($d.ShowDialog() -eq 'OK'){[Console]::Write($d.FileName)}",
+      -- write the pick as UTF-8: the console's OEM codepage would mangle
+      -- non-ASCII names (Pokémon -> Pok\x82mon) and crash any text draw
+      -- that shows them (#325)
+      "if($d.ShowDialog() -eq 'OK'){[Console]::OutputEncoding=[Text.Encoding]::UTF8; [Console]::Write($d.FileName)}",
     })
     return commandOutput(
       'powershell -NoProfile -STA -Command "' .. script .. '"')
@@ -356,7 +389,7 @@ end
 -- Returns the chosen absolute path or nil.  Android uses love.system.pickFile
 -- ("mod") instead -- see RomImporter:chooseMod.
 local function chooseZip()
-  local prompt = "Choose a mod .zip"
+  local prompt = Strings("Choose a mod .zip")
   local platform = love.system.getOS()
   if platform == "OS X" then
     return commandOutput(
@@ -368,7 +401,16 @@ local function chooseZip()
       "$d=New-Object System.Windows.Forms.OpenFileDialog;",
       "$d.Title='" .. prompt .. "';",
       "$d.Filter='Mod archive (*.zip)|*.zip|All files (*.*)|*.*';",
-      "if($d.ShowDialog() -eq 'OK'){[Console]::Write($d.FileName)}",
+      -- copy the pick to a plain-ASCII temp name and answer with that:
+      -- the console's OEM codepage would mangle a non-ASCII path
+      -- (Pokémon -> Pok\x82mon) and io.open on Windows needs ANSI bytes,
+      -- so returning the original name both crashed the notice draw and
+      -- could never have opened the file (#325)
+      "if($d.ShowDialog() -eq 'OK'){",
+      "$t=Join-Path $env:TEMP 'pokeport_mod_pick.zip';",
+      "Copy-Item -LiteralPath $d.FileName -Destination $t -Force;",
+      "[Console]::OutputEncoding=[Text.Encoding]::UTF8;",
+      "[Console]::Write($t)}",
     })
     return commandOutput(
       'powershell -NoProfile -STA -Command "' .. script .. '"')
@@ -387,7 +429,7 @@ end
 -- dialogs).  Returns the chosen absolute path or nil.  Android uses
 -- love.system.pickFile("sav") instead -- see RomImporter:chooseSaveImport.
 local function chooseSav()
-  local prompt = "Choose a .sav save file"
+  local prompt = Strings("Choose a .sav save file")
   local platform = love.system.getOS()
   if platform == "OS X" then
     return commandOutput(
@@ -399,7 +441,8 @@ local function chooseSav()
       "$d=New-Object System.Windows.Forms.OpenFileDialog;",
       "$d.Title='" .. prompt .. "';",
       "$d.Filter='Game Boy save (*.sav)|*.sav|All files (*.*)|*.*';",
-      "if($d.ShowDialog() -eq 'OK'){[Console]::Write($d.FileName)}",
+      -- UTF-8, like the ROM and mod pickers (#325)
+      "if($d.ShowDialog() -eq 'OK'){[Console]::OutputEncoding=[Text.Encoding]::UTF8; [Console]::Write($d.FileName)}",
     })
     return commandOutput(
       'powershell -NoProfile -STA -Command "' .. script .. '"')
@@ -431,7 +474,10 @@ end
 -- own cache (Red at the root, Blue under blue/), so both can be imported and
 -- played side by side.  onComplete(version) hands the chosen game off to boot.
 -- opts: launcher (a fresh import stays on the launcher instead of auto-booting),
--- forceImport (treat every version as not-yet-imported, so re-import is forced).
+-- forceImport (treat every version as not-yet-imported, so re-import is forced),
+-- onEditSave(version, slotId) (host handler for the Edit affordance on a save
+-- row -- main.lua opens the bundled save editor on that slot; when it is not
+-- supplied the Edit label is not drawn at all).
 function RomImporter.new(onComplete, opts)
   opts = opts or {}
   local android = love.system.getOS() == "Android"
@@ -440,6 +486,7 @@ function RomImporter.new(onComplete, opts)
     onComplete = onComplete,
     launcher = opts.launcher or false,
     forceImport = opts.forceImport or false,
+    onEditSave = opts.onEditSave,
     android = android,
     tab = "red",          -- active launcher tab: "red"/"blue"/"yellow"/"mods"
     logo = love.graphics.newImage("assets/logo/logo.png"),
@@ -472,6 +519,14 @@ function RomImporter.new(onComplete, opts)
     -- Android SAF create-document: which game's SAVE FILES card should show
     -- "Save exported." when export_done.flag appears on focus.
     androidPendingExportVersion = nil,
+    -- Virtual pointer for handhelds / gamepads (Anbernic stock OS has no
+    -- mouse).  D-pad + left stick move it; A clicks; shoulders cycle tabs;
+    -- right stick scrolls the save-slot / mods lists.
+    _padCursor = { x = 0, y = 0 },
+    _padCursorActive = false,
+    _padAxis = { leftx = 0, lefty = 0, righty = 0 },
+    _padDir = {},
+    _padInited = false,
   }, RomImporter)
 
   for _, version in ipairs(GameVersion.ORDER) do
@@ -524,6 +579,15 @@ function RomImporter.new(onComplete, opts)
     end
   end
 
+  -- On Linux handhelds a gamepad is usually already connected at boot; arm
+  -- the virtual cursor immediately so the player does not have to press a
+  -- button before seeing something move.
+  if self.launcher and love.system.getOS() == "Linux"
+      and love.joystick and love.joystick.getJoystickCount
+      and love.joystick.getJoystickCount() > 0 then
+    self:_activatePadCursor()
+  end
+
   return self
 end
 
@@ -927,15 +991,37 @@ function RomImporter:choose(version)
   local path = chooseRom(GameVersion.info(self.chooseVersion).displayName)
   if path then
     self:startPath(path)
-  elseif love.system.getOS() ~= "OS X"
-      and love.system.getOS() ~= "Windows"
-      and love.system.getOS() ~= "Linux" then
+    return
+  end
+  -- Handheld Linux (Anbernic stock OS / PortMaster) rarely has zenity or
+  -- kdialog.  Fall back to the same "drop a .gb next to the game" scan used
+  -- on Android, which works when the game is launched as an unpacked
+  -- directory (see build-rg34xxsp.sh).
+  local name, data = findPendingRom(self.ready)
+  if name then
+    self:startData(data, name)
+    return
+  end
+  if love.system.getOS() == "Linux" then
+    local where = love.filesystem.getSourceBaseDirectory
+      and love.filesystem.getSourceBaseDirectory()
+      or love.filesystem.getSource and love.filesystem.getSource()
+      or "the game folder"
+    self.notice = {
+      version = self.chooseVersion,
+      status = "No file picker. Copy your .gb into:",
+      detail = where,
+    }
+    return
+  end
+  if love.system.getOS() ~= "OS X" and love.system.getOS() ~= "Windows" then
     self:setError("File selection is unavailable here. Drop the .gb file onto the window.")
   end
 end
 
 function RomImporter:update(dt)
   self.pulse = self.pulse + dt
+  self:_updatePadCursor(dt)
   if self.workState ~= "working" or not self.worker then return end
   local started = love.timer.getTime()
   repeat
@@ -952,6 +1038,125 @@ function RomImporter:update(dt)
   until love.timer.getTime() - started >= 0.008
 end
 
+-- ------- gamepad virtual cursor (handheld / PortMaster) --------------------
+local PAD_DEAD = 0.28
+local PAD_SPEED = 560   -- px/s at full stick deflection
+local PAD_DPAD_SPEED = 420
+
+function RomImporter:_activatePadCursor()
+  if self._padCursorActive then return end
+  local w, h = love.graphics.getDimensions()
+  if not self._padInited then
+    self._padCursor.x = w * 0.5
+    self._padCursor.y = h * 0.45
+    self._padInited = true
+  end
+  self._padCursorActive = true
+end
+
+function RomImporter:_cycleTab(delta)
+  local order = { "red", "blue", "yellow", "mods" }
+  local idx = 1
+  for i, id in ipairs(order) do
+    if id == self.tab then idx = i; break end
+  end
+  idx = ((idx - 1 + delta) % #order) + 1
+  self.tab = order[idx]
+  self._slotPress = nil
+  self._modPress = nil
+end
+
+function RomImporter:_updatePadCursor(dt)
+  -- Real mouse motion yields the pad cursor so desktop users keep a normal
+  -- pointer after bumping a stick once.
+  local mx, my = love.mouse.getPosition()
+  if self._lastMouseX and self._padCursorActive then
+    if math.abs(mx - self._lastMouseX) > 3 or math.abs(my - self._lastMouseY) > 3 then
+      self._padCursorActive = false
+    end
+  end
+  self._lastMouseX, self._lastMouseY = mx, my
+
+  local ax = self._padAxis.leftx or 0
+  local ay = self._padAxis.lefty or 0
+  local dx, dy = 0, 0
+  if math.abs(ax) > PAD_DEAD then dx = dx + ax end
+  if math.abs(ay) > PAD_DEAD then dy = dy + ay end
+  if self._padDir.dpleft then dx = dx - 1 end
+  if self._padDir.dpright then dx = dx + 1 end
+  if self._padDir.dpup then dy = dy - 1 end
+  if self._padDir.dpdown then dy = dy + 1 end
+
+  if dx ~= 0 or dy ~= 0 then
+    self:_activatePadCursor()
+    local mag = math.sqrt(dx * dx + dy * dy)
+    if mag > 1 then dx, dy = dx / mag, dy / mag end
+    local speed = (math.abs(ax) > PAD_DEAD or math.abs(ay) > PAD_DEAD)
+      and PAD_SPEED or PAD_DPAD_SPEED
+    local w, h = love.graphics.getDimensions()
+    local nx = self._padCursor.x + dx * speed * dt
+    local ny = self._padCursor.y + dy * speed * dt
+    self._padCursor.x = math.max(0, math.min(w, nx))
+    self._padCursor.y = math.max(0, math.min(h, ny))
+  end
+
+  -- Right stick scrolls the active list (save slots or mods).
+  local ry = self._padAxis.righty or 0
+  if math.abs(ry) > PAD_DEAD then
+    self:_activatePadCursor()
+    local step = -ry * 480 * dt
+    if self.tab == "mods" then
+      local maxS = self._modMax or 0
+      if maxS > 0 then
+        local next = (self.modScroll or 0) + step
+        self.modScroll = math.max(0, math.min(maxS, next))
+      end
+    elseif self.tab == "red" or self.tab == "blue" then
+      local maxS = (self._slotMax and self._slotMax[self.tab]) or 0
+      if maxS > 0 then
+        local next = (self.slotScroll[self.tab] or 0) + step
+        self.slotScroll[self.tab] = math.max(0, math.min(maxS, next))
+      end
+    end
+  end
+end
+
+function RomImporter:gamepadpressed(_, button)
+  self:_activatePadCursor()
+  if button == "a" then
+    -- Instant click at the virtual pointer (same path as a mouse/touch tap).
+    self:mousepressed(self._padCursor.x, self._padCursor.y, 1)
+  elseif button == "leftshoulder" then
+    self:_cycleTab(-1)
+  elseif button == "rightshoulder" then
+    self:_cycleTab(1)
+  elseif button == "dpup" or button == "dpdown"
+      or button == "dpleft" or button == "dpright" then
+    self._padDir[button] = true
+  elseif button == "start" or button == "back" then
+    -- Start / Select: Play if ready, else Choose ROM on the active game tab.
+    if self.workState == "working" then return end
+    local version = self.tab
+    if version == "red" or version == "blue" then
+      if self.ready[version] then self:play(version) else self:choose(version) end
+    end
+  end
+end
+
+function RomImporter:gamepadreleased(_, button)
+  if button == "dpup" or button == "dpdown"
+      or button == "dpleft" or button == "dpright" then
+    self._padDir[button] = nil
+  end
+end
+
+function RomImporter:gamepadaxis(_, axis, value)
+  if axis == "leftx" or axis == "lefty" or axis == "righty" then
+    self._padAxis[axis] = value
+    if math.abs(value) > PAD_DEAD then self:_activatePadCursor() end
+  end
+end
+
 -- Player pressed Play on a game whose ROM is imported: hand off to boot.
 function RomImporter:play(version)
   if self.workState == "working" then return end
@@ -991,6 +1196,31 @@ local function printB(text, x, y)
   love.graphics.print(text, x + 0.6, y)
 end
 
+-- UTF-8 helpers for the slot-rename field (#205).  The `utf8` library only
+-- exists inside LOVE (plain luajit, which loads this module in tests, has
+-- none), so codepoint walking is done by hand -- the same lead-byte width
+-- classes GenSave's encodeName uses.  utf8Back drops the last codepoint;
+-- utf8Cap truncates to maxChars whole codepoints.
+local function utf8Back(t)
+  local i = #t
+  while i > 0 do
+    local b = t:byte(i)
+    i = i - 1
+    if b < 0x80 or b >= 0xC0 then break end -- lead or ASCII: dropped, done
+  end
+  return t:sub(1, i)
+end
+local function utf8Cap(t, maxChars)
+  local count, i = 0, 1
+  while i <= #t do
+    count = count + 1
+    if count > maxChars then return t:sub(1, i - 1) end
+    local b = t:byte(i)
+    i = i + ((b < 0x80) and 1 or (b < 0xE0) and 2 or (b < 0xF0) and 3 or 4)
+  end
+  return t
+end
+
 -- One reusable unit quad, recoloured per call, for every vertical gradient
 -- fill (LOVE has no gradient primitive and a per-frame newMesh would churn
 -- the GPU).  Callers set the blend mode; this only touches colour + geometry.
@@ -1146,12 +1376,17 @@ function RomImporter:draw()
   local pulse = self.pulse
   self._s = s
 
-  -- Hover state (desktop only -- touch has no cursor).  Panel methods read the
-  -- pointer + set self._anyHover through self:_hover; the cursor is set at the
-  -- end.  Reset the per-frame hit rects so a tab with no controls (mods) cannot
+  -- Hover state.  Desktop mouse, or the gamepad virtual cursor on handhelds
+  -- (Android stays touch-only -- no hover).  Panel methods read the pointer +
+  -- set self._anyHover through self:_hover; the cursor is set at the end.
+  -- Reset the per-frame hit rects so a tab with no controls (mods) cannot
   -- inherit last frame's game-panel buttons.
-  self._mx, self._my = love.mouse.getPosition()
-  self._hoverEnabled = not self.android
+  if self._padCursorActive then
+    self._mx, self._my = self._padCursor.x, self._padCursor.y
+  else
+    self._mx, self._my = love.mouse.getPosition()
+  end
+  self._hoverEnabled = self._padCursorActive or not self.android
   self._anyHover = false
   self.romButtonRect = nil
   self.playButtonRect = nil
@@ -1159,6 +1394,7 @@ function RomImporter:draw()
   -- Rebuilt only by the active version's SAVE SLOT panel, so the mods tab (or a
   -- version with no panel drawn this frame) cannot inherit last frame's rows.
   self.slotRects = nil
+  self.slotEditRects = nil
   self.newSlotRect = nil
   -- Rebuilt only by the mods panel; nil elsewhere so a game tab cannot inherit
   -- last frame's mod toggles / import button.
@@ -1426,7 +1662,7 @@ function RomImporter:draw()
       self.updateButton = { x = rect.x, y = rect.y, width = rect.width,
         height = rect.height, action = "download" }
       message(upLatest and ("Update v" .. upLatest .. " available")
-        or "An update is available", rect.width)
+        or Strings("An update is available"), rect.width)
     elseif upStatus == "needs_full" then
       local rect = actionButton("Open releases")
       self.updateButton = { x = rect.x, y = rect.y, width = rect.width,
@@ -1508,8 +1744,53 @@ function RomImporter:draw()
   -- events reach the launcher, so click-vs-drag is resolved here)
   self:_updateSlotDrag()
 
+  -- save-slot rename modal (#205), drawn over everything
+  if self._rename then
+    col(PAL.bgBot, 0.72)
+    love.graphics.rectangle("fill", 0, 0, width, height)
+    local dw = math.min(appW - 32 * s, 420 * s)
+    local dh = 128 * s
+    local dx = appX + (appW - dw) / 2
+    local dy = (height - dh) / 2
+    local rr = 12 * s
+    neonGlow(dx, dy, dw, dh, rr, PAL.green, 0.4)
+    fillGradRounded(dx, dy, dw, dh, rr, PAL.slotBg, PAL.slotBg, 0.85, 0.85)
+    love.graphics.setLineWidth(math.max(1, 1.2 * s))
+    col(PAL.green, 0.5)
+    love.graphics.rectangle("line", dx, dy, dw, dh, rr, rr)
+
+    love.graphics.setFont(self.slotNameFont)
+    col(PAL.white)
+    love.graphics.print(Strings("Name save slot"), dx + 16 * s, dy + 14 * s)
+
+    -- the field: bordered strip, current text, blinking caret on the pulse
+    local fx, fy = dx + 16 * s, dy + 44 * s
+    local fw, fh = dw - 32 * s, 30 * s
+    col(PAL.bgBot, 0.9)
+    love.graphics.rectangle("fill", fx, fy, fw, fh, 8 * s, 8 * s)
+    love.graphics.setLineWidth(math.max(1, s))
+    col(PAL.cardBorder, 0.45)
+    love.graphics.rectangle("line", fx, fy, fw, fh, 8 * s, 8 * s)
+    love.graphics.setFont(self.detailFont)
+    col(PAL.heading)
+    local shown = ellipsize(self.detailFont, self._rename.text, fw - 20 * s)
+    love.graphics.print(shown, fx + 10 * s, fy + (fh - self.detailFont:getHeight()) / 2)
+    if (self.pulse * 2 % 1) < 0.5 then
+      local cx = fx + 10 * s + self.detailFont:getWidth(shown) + 2 * s
+      col(PAL.green)
+      love.graphics.rectangle("fill", cx, fy + 6 * s, math.max(1, 1.5 * s),
+        fh - 12 * s)
+    end
+
+    love.graphics.setFont(self.hintFont)
+    col(PAL.detail)
+    printfB(Strings("Enter to save - Esc to cancel - empty clears"),
+      dx + 16 * s, dy + dh - 30 * s, dw - 32 * s, "left")
+  end
+
   -- pointer cursor over any interactive element (desktop only)
-  if self._hoverEnabled and love.mouse.isCursorSupported and love.mouse.isCursorSupported() then
+  if self._hoverEnabled and not self._padCursorActive
+      and love.mouse.isCursorSupported and love.mouse.isCursorSupported() then
     if self._anyHover then
       self.handCursor = self.handCursor or love.mouse.getSystemCursor("hand")
       love.mouse.setCursor(self.handCursor)
@@ -1517,6 +1798,34 @@ function RomImporter:draw()
       resetPointerCursor(self)
     end
   end
+
+  -- Gamepad virtual cursor (drawn last so it sits above the CRT overlay).
+  if self._padCursorActive then
+    local x, y = self._padCursor.x, self._padCursor.y
+    local hot = self._anyHover
+    love.graphics.push("all")
+    love.graphics.origin()
+    love.graphics.setLineWidth(1)
+    -- Drop shadow
+    love.graphics.setColor(0, 0, 0, 0.45)
+    love.graphics.polygon("fill",
+      x + 2, y + 2, x + 2, y + 22, x + 8, y + 16, x + 14, y + 26,
+      x + 18, y + 24, x + 11, y + 14, x + 20, y + 14)
+    -- Pointer body
+    if hot then
+      love.graphics.setColor(0.25, 0.95, 0.55, 1)
+    else
+      love.graphics.setColor(1, 1, 1, 1)
+    end
+    love.graphics.polygon("fill",
+      x, y, x, y + 20, x + 6, y + 14, x + 12, y + 24,
+      x + 16, y + 22, x + 9, y + 12, x + 18, y + 12)
+    love.graphics.setColor(0.05, 0.07, 0.12, 1)
+    love.graphics.polygon("line",
+      x, y, x, y + 20, x + 6, y + 14, x + 12, y + 24,
+      x + 16, y + 22, x + 9, y + 12, x + 18, y + 12)
+    love.graphics.pop()
+  end
 end
 
 local function inside(r, x, y)
@@ -1524,6 +1833,20 @@ local function inside(r, x, y)
 end
 
 function RomImporter:mousepressed(x, y, button)
+  if self._rename then return end -- the rename modal swallows all clicks
+  -- right-click a save-slot row to rename it (#205); desktop only (touch
+  -- has no secondary button)
+  if button == 2 then
+    if not self.android and self.workState ~= "working" then
+      for _, r in ipairs(self.slotRects or {}) do
+        if inside(r, x, y) then
+          self:_beginRename(self.panelVersion, r.id)
+          return
+        end
+      end
+    end
+    return
+  end
   if button ~= 1 then return end
   if inside(self.bcgButton, x, y) or inside(self.linkUrlRect, x, y) then
     love.system.openURL(COMMUNITY_URL)
@@ -1576,17 +1899,24 @@ function RomImporter:mousepressed(x, y, button)
     end
     return
   end
-  -- SAVE SLOT rows / Delete.  Delete is checked first so a tap on the Delete
-  -- label never also selects the row.  On desktop a press only ARMS a click:
-  -- _updateSlotDrag commits it on release when the pointer did not move (a
-  -- moved pointer scrolls instead).  Android has no reliable pointer polling,
-  -- so it selects on press.  Delete fires immediately (small fixed target).
+  -- SAVE SLOT rows / Edit / Delete.  The two labels are checked first so a tap
+  -- on either never also selects the row.  On desktop a press only ARMS a row
+  -- click: _updateSlotDrag commits it on release when the pointer did not move
+  -- (a moved pointer scrolls instead).  Android has no reliable pointer
+  -- polling, so it selects on press.  Edit and Delete fire immediately (small
+  -- fixed targets, no scroll conflict).
   for _, r in ipairs(self.slotDeleteRects or {}) do
     if inside(r, x, y) then
       self:_deleteSlot(self.panelVersion, r.id)
       return
     end
   end
+  for _, r in ipairs(self.slotEditRects or {}) do
+    if inside(r, x, y) then
+      if self.onEditSave then self.onEditSave(self.panelVersion, r.id) end
+      return
+    end
+  end
   for _, r in ipairs(self.slotRects or {}) do
     if inside(r, x, y) then
       if self.android then
@@ -1628,6 +1958,16 @@ function RomImporter:mousepressed(x, y, button)
 end
 
 function RomImporter:keypressed(key)
+  if self._rename then
+    if key == "backspace" then
+      self._rename.text = utf8Back(self._rename.text)
+    elseif key == "return" or key == "kpenter" then
+      self:_commitRename()
+    elseif key == "escape" then
+      self._rename = nil
+    end
+    return
+  end
   if self.workState == "working" then return end
   if key == "return" or key == "space" or key == "kpenter" then
     -- Enter acts on the visible game tab: Play if its ROM is ready, otherwise
@@ -1718,7 +2058,7 @@ function RomImporter:_playButton(x, y, w, h, gameName, ready, locked)
     col(PAL.disabledInk, 0.3)
     love.graphics.rectangle("line", x, y, w, h, r, r)
     col(PAL.disabledInk)
-    local label = locked and "Coming soon" or "Import a ROM to play"
+    local label = locked and "Coming soon" or Strings("Import a ROM to play")
     printfB(label, x, y + (h - self.playFont:getHeight()) / 2, w, "center")
     self.playButtonRect = nil
   end
@@ -1730,13 +2070,13 @@ function RomImporter:_drawTabBar(x, y, w, h, chip)
   local s, pulse = self._s, self.pulse
   local tabs = {
     { id = "red",    letter = "R", top = PAL.chipRedTop,  bot = PAL.chipRedBot,
-      under = PAL.red,    label = "RED",    ink = PAL.white },
+      under = PAL.red,    label = Strings("RED"),    ink = PAL.white },
     { id = "blue",   letter = "B", top = PAL.chipBlueTop, bot = PAL.chipBlueBot,
-      under = PAL.blue,   label = "BLUE",   ink = PAL.white },
+      under = PAL.blue,   label = Strings("BLUE"),   ink = PAL.white },
     { id = "yellow", letter = "Y", top = PAL.chipGoldTop, bot = PAL.chipGoldBot,
-      under = PAL.gold,   label = "YELLOW", ink = PAL.chipInkGold },
+      under = PAL.gold,   label = Strings("YELLOW"), ink = PAL.chipInkGold },
     { id = "mods",   mods = true,  top = PAL.chipModTop,  bot = PAL.chipModBot,
-      under = PAL.modDot, label = "MODS" },
+      under = PAL.modDot, label = Strings("MODS") },
   }
   local gap = 10 * s
   local r = 12 * s
@@ -1795,7 +2135,7 @@ function RomImporter:_drawTabBar(x, y, w, h, chip)
   local ready = 0
   for _, v in ipairs(GameVersion.ORDER) do if self.ready[v] then ready = ready + 1 end end
   love.graphics.setFont(self.readyFont)
-  local label = ("%d of 3 ready"):format(ready)
+  local label = Strings("%d of 3 ready", ready)
   local lw = self.readyFont:getWidth(label)
   if x + w - lw > cursorX + 8 * s then
     col(PAL.labelGray)
@@ -1851,7 +2191,7 @@ function RomImporter:_drawGamePanel(version, x, y, w, h)
 
   -- ROM card contents by state (rehomes the existing import flow)
   local dropHint = self.android and "Copy the .gb via USB."
-    or "Or drop the .gb file here."
+    or Strings("Or drop the .gb file here.")
   local accent = locked and PAL.gold or (version == "red" and PAL.red or PAL.blue)
   local romState, romDetail, romBtnLabel, romBtnEnabled, romProgress
   if locked then
@@ -1866,12 +2206,12 @@ function RomImporter:_drawGamePanel(version, x, y, w, h)
       romDetail = self.detail or ""
       romProgress = self.progress or 0
     elseif ready then
-      romState = self.romName[version] or "ROM imported"
+      romState = self.romName[version] or Strings("ROM imported")
       romDetail = "Verified."
       romBtnLabel, romBtnEnabled = "Re-import ROM", true
     elseif erroring then
       romState = "Import failed"
-      romDetail = self.detail or "That ROM could not be imported."
+      romDetail = self.detail or Strings("That ROM could not be imported.")
       romBtnLabel, romBtnEnabled = "Import ROM", true
     elseif notice then
       romState = "No ROM imported"
@@ -2000,7 +2340,7 @@ function RomImporter:_drawGamePanel(version, x, y, w, h)
   if sfNotice and sfNotice.dir then
     iy = iy + 4 * s
     love.graphics.setFont(self.hintFont)
-    local label = "Open folder"
+    local label = Strings("Open folder")
     local lw = self.hintFont:getWidth(label)
     local frect = { x = ix, y = iy, width = lw, height = self.hintFont:getHeight(),
       dir = sfNotice.dir }
@@ -2048,6 +2388,13 @@ function RomImporter:_ensureSlots(version)
   if not self.slots[version] then self:_refreshSlots(version) end
 end
 
+-- The host calls this when the save editor closes: the edited slot's player
+-- name, badge count and dex total all feed the cached row summary, so it has
+-- to be re-read rather than trusted across the round trip.
+function RomImporter:savesChanged(version)
+  self:_refreshSlots(version)
+end
+
 -- Point the active slot at id (persisted immediately, per the contract) and
 -- reflect it in the LOADED pill without a full relist.
 function RomImporter:_selectSlot(version, id)
@@ -2055,6 +2402,33 @@ function RomImporter:_selectSlot(version, id)
   self.activeSlot[version] = id
 end
 
+-- Inline slot rename (#205): right-click arms a modal text field; Enter
+-- commits through SaveData.renameSlot (empty clears the label), Esc cancels.
+-- While it is up, keypressed/textinput/mousepressed all route here first.
+local MAX_SLOT_LABEL = 24
+
+function RomImporter:_beginRename(version, id)
+  local label
+  for _, slot in ipairs(self.slots[version] or {}) do
+    if slot.id == id then label = slot.label break end
+  end
+  self._rename = { version = version, id = id, text = label or "" }
+  self._slotPress = nil -- cancel any armed click/drag on the list
+end
+
+function RomImporter:_commitRename()
+  local r = self._rename
+  if not r then return end
+  self._rename = nil
+  require("src.core.SaveData").renameSlot(r.version, r.id, r.text)
+  self:_refreshSlots(r.version)
+end
+
+function RomImporter:textinput(text)
+  if not self._rename then return end
+  self._rename.text = utf8Cap(self._rename.text .. text, MAX_SLOT_LABEL)
+end
+
 -- "+ New save slot": register an empty slot, make it active, relist, and pin the
 -- scroll to the bottom (clamped next draw) so the new row is on screen.
 function RomImporter:_newSlot(version)
@@ -2165,6 +2539,7 @@ function RomImporter:_drawSaveSlotPanel(version, x, y, w, h)
       rw - 24 * s, "center")
     self.slotRects = {}
     self.slotDeleteRects = {}
+    self.slotEditRects = {}
   elseif listH > 0 then
     local nameH = self.slotNameFont:getHeight()
     local metaH = self.labelFont:getHeight()
@@ -2184,6 +2559,7 @@ function RomImporter:_drawSaveSlotPanel(version, x, y, w, h)
 
     self.slotRects = {}
     self.slotDeleteRects = {}
+    self.slotEditRects = {}
     love.graphics.setScissor(math.floor(rx), math.floor(listTop),
       math.ceil(rw), math.ceil(listH))
     for i, slot in ipairs(slots) do
@@ -2210,6 +2586,24 @@ function RomImporter:_drawSaveSlotPanel(version, x, y, w, h)
         love.graphics.print(delText, delX, delY)
         local rightReserve = delW + 18 * s
 
+        -- Edit label, immediately left of Delete: opens the bundled save
+        -- editor (tools/save-editor) on this slot's file.  Only drawn when the
+        -- host supplied onEditSave and the slot actually holds a save -- there
+        -- is nothing to edit in an empty slot, and offering it would open the
+        -- editor on a new-game stub the player never asked for.
+        local erect = nil
+        if self.onEditSave and slot.exists then
+          local edText = "Edit"
+          local edW = self.hintFont:getWidth(edText)
+          local edX = delX - 14 * s - edW
+          erect = { x = edX - 6 * s, y = delY - 4 * s,
+            width = edW + 12 * s, height = delH + 8 * s, id = slot.id }
+          local ehot = self:_hover(erect)
+          col(ehot and PAL.blue or PAL.warning)
+          love.graphics.print(edText, edX, delY)
+          rightReserve = rightReserve + edW + 20 * s
+        end
+
         -- LOADED pill (top-right of the active row), then reserve its width
         local pillW = 0
         if selected then
@@ -2228,14 +2622,14 @@ function RomImporter:_drawSaveSlotPanel(version, x, y, w, h)
 
         love.graphics.setFont(self.slotNameFont)
         col(PAL.white)
-        local name = slot.name or "NEW GAME"
+        -- a custom label (#205) wins over the player name; both ellipsize
+        local name = slot.label or slot.name or Strings("NEW GAME")
         printB(ellipsize(self.slotNameFont, name, rw - 24 * s - math.max(pillW, rightReserve)),
           rx + 12 * s, ry + rowPadV)
 
         local metaTxt
         if slot.exists and slot.meta then
-          metaTxt = ("%d badges - %s - %d caught"):format(
-            slot.meta.badges or 0, slot.meta.timeText or "0:00",
+          metaTxt = Strings("%d badges - %s - %d caught", slot.meta.badges or 0, slot.meta.timeText or "0:00",
             slot.meta.dexCount or 0)
         else
           metaTxt = "empty slot"
@@ -2259,6 +2653,15 @@ function RomImporter:_drawSaveSlotPanel(version, x, y, w, h)
           self.slotDeleteRects[#self.slotDeleteRects + 1] =
             { x = drect.x, y = dvy, width = drect.width, height = dvy2 - dvy, id = slot.id }
         end
+        if erect then
+          local evy = math.max(erect.y, listTop)
+          local evy2 = math.min(erect.y + erect.height, listBottom)
+          if evy2 > evy then
+            self.slotEditRects[#self.slotEditRects + 1] =
+              { x = erect.x, y = evy, width = erect.width, height = evy2 - evy,
+                id = slot.id }
+          end
+        end
       end
     end
     love.graphics.setScissor()
@@ -2339,7 +2742,7 @@ function RomImporter:_drawModsPanel(x, y, w, h)
   for _, m in ipairs(mods) do if m.enabled then enabledCount = enabledCount + 1 end end
   love.graphics.setFont(self.hintFont)
   col(PAL.warning)
-  love.graphics.print(("%d of %d enabled"):format(enabledCount, #mods),
+  love.graphics.print(Strings("%d of %d enabled", enabledCount, #mods),
     x + nameW + 14 * s, y + (headerH - self.hintFont:getHeight()) / 2)
 
   local btnLabel = "Import mod .zip"
@@ -2360,7 +2763,7 @@ function RomImporter:_drawModsPanel(x, y, w, h)
   else
     col(PAL.warning)
     love.graphics.printf(self.android and "Or copy a mod .zip via USB."
-      or "Or drop a mod .zip onto the window.", x, top, w, "left")
+      or Strings("Or drop a mod .zip onto the window."), x, top, w, "left")
   end
   top = top + self.hintFont:getHeight() + 12 * s
 
@@ -2376,7 +2779,7 @@ function RomImporter:_drawModsPanel(x, y, w, h)
     col(PAL.warning)
     local emptyHint = self.android
       and "No mods installed - tap Import mod .zip to add one."
-      or "No mods installed - drop a mod .zip here to add one."
+      or Strings("No mods installed - drop a mod .zip here to add one.")
     love.graphics.printf(emptyHint,
       x + 16 * s, top + boxH / 2 - self.hintFont:getHeight() / 2, w - 32 * s, "center")
     self.modRects = {}
@@ -2463,7 +2866,7 @@ function RomImporter:_drawModsPanel(x, y, w, h)
         love.graphics.printf(m.description, nx, ny + nameH + 6 * s, L.leftW, "left")
       end
 
-      -- right cluster: status chip, toggle, Delete — vertically centred
+      -- right cluster: status chip, toggle, Delete -- vertically centred
       local clusterX = x + w - padH - L.clusterW
       local clusterY = cy + (cardH - clusterH) / 2
       local _, chipColor = modStatusChip(m.status)

src/inventory/ItemEffects.lua

@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@
 
 local Pokemon = require("src.pokemon.Pokemon")
 local Flags = require("src.script.Flags")
+local Strings = require("src.core.Strings")
 
 local ItemEffects = {}
 
@@ -46,6 +47,17 @@ ItemEffects.BALLS = BALLS
 function ItemEffects.isBall(id) return BALLS[id] or false end
 function ItemEffects.isStone(id) return STONES[id] or false end
 
+-- Does using this item take item_effects.asm's .healHP path, the one that
+-- plays SFX_HEAL_HP and lengthens the party HP bar with UpdateHPBar2 before
+-- the message (item_effects.asm .doneHealing)?  The status-only cures branch
+-- to .playStatusAilmentCuringSound instead and never touch the bar.  BagMenu
+-- keeps the party picker open for these so the fill has something to draw
+-- on (#252).
+function ItemEffects.healsHP(id)
+  return HEAL_AMOUNT[id] ~= nil or id == "MAX_POTION" or id == "FULL_RESTORE"
+      or id == "REVIVE" or id == "MAX_REVIVE"
+end
+
 -- Does this item need a party-member target?
 function ItemEffects.needsTarget(id, itemDef)
   return HEAL_AMOUNT[id] or STATUS_HEAL[id] or id == "MAX_POTION"
@@ -119,8 +131,8 @@ function ItemEffects.use(data, save, itemId, target, battle, moveIndex, ow)
   if battle and (VITAMINS[itemId] or STONES[itemId] or itemId == "PP_UP"
                  or itemId == "RARE_CANDY" or itemId == "COIN_CASE"
                  or (itemDef and itemDef.machine)) then
-    return "failed", { "OAK: " .. save.player.name
-      .. "!\nThis isn't the\ntime to use that!" }
+    return "failed", { Strings("OAK: %s!\nThis isn't the\ntime to use that!",
+                               save.player.name) }
   end
 
   if BALLS[itemId] then
@@ -138,11 +150,12 @@ function ItemEffects.use(data, save, itemId, target, battle, moveIndex, ow)
       local mapId, npc = adjacentSleepingSnorlax(save, ow)
       if npc then
         return "flute_wake", { data.text._PlayedFluteHadEffectText
-          or "{PLAYER} played the\nPOKé FLUTE." }, { mapId = mapId, npc = npc }
+          or Strings("{PLAYER} played the\nPOKé FLUTE.") },
+          { mapId = mapId, npc = npc }
       end
       -- otherwise: play the tune, nothing happens (ItemUsePokeFlute's
       -- PlayedFluteNoEffectText branch)
-      return "flute_field", { "Played the POKé\nFLUTE.\fNow, that's a\ncatchy tune!" }
+      return "flute_field", { Strings("Played the POKé\nFLUTE.\fNow, that's a\ncatchy tune!") }
     end
     local woke = false
     local function wake(mon)
@@ -157,24 +170,24 @@ function ItemEffects.use(data, save, itemId, target, battle, moveIndex, ow)
     -- WakeUpEntireParty runs on the enemy's bench too
     for _, mon in ipairs(battle.enemyParty or {}) do wake(mon) end
     if not woke then
-      return "failed", { "Played the POKé\nFLUTE.\fNow, that's a\ncatchy tune!" }
+      return "failed", { Strings("Played the POKé\nFLUTE.\fNow, that's a\ncatchy tune!") }
     end
-    return "flute", { ("%s played the\nPOKé FLUTE."):format(save.player.name),
-                      "All sleeping\nPOKéMON woke up!" }
+    return "flute", { Strings("%s played the\nPOKé FLUTE.", save.player.name),
+                      Strings("All sleeping\nPOKéMON woke up!") }
   end
 
   -- battle-only items
   if X_ITEMS[itemId] or itemId == "DIRE_HIT" or itemId == "GUARD_SPEC"
      or itemId == "POKE_DOLL" then
     if not battle then
-      return "failed", { "OAK: " .. save.player.name .. "!\nThis isn't the\ntime to use that!" }
+      return "failed", { Strings("OAK: %s!\nThis isn't the\ntime to use that!", save.player.name) }
     end
     local b = battle.player
     if itemId == "X_ACCURACY" then
       -- ItemUseXAccuracy sets USING_X_ACCURACY: moves never miss
       -- (not an accuracy stage)
       b.xAccuracy = true
-      return "consumed", { ("%s's\nhits will never\nmiss!"):format(b.name) }
+      return "consumed", { Strings("%s's\nhits will never\nmiss!", b.name) }
     end
     if X_ITEMS[itemId] then
       local stat = X_ITEMS[itemId]
@@ -183,28 +196,28 @@ function ItemEffects.use(data, save, itemId, target, battle, moveIndex, ow)
       -- effect, so at +6 it is still consumed and StatModifierUpEffect
       -- just prints "Nothing happened!"
       if cur >= 6 then
-        return "consumed", { "Nothing happened!" }
+        return "consumed", { Strings("Nothing happened!") }
       end
       b.stages[stat] = cur + 1
-      return "consumed", { ("%s's\n%s rose!"):format(b.name, stat:upper()) }
+      return "consumed", { Strings("%s's\n%s rose!", b.name, stat:upper()) }
     end
     -- ItemUseDireHit/ItemUseGuardSpec always set the bit and consume
     -- the item, even when it is already active
     if itemId == "DIRE_HIT" then
       b.focusEnergy = true
-      return "consumed", { ("%s's\ngetting pumped!"):format(b.name) }
+      return "consumed", { Strings("%s's\ngetting pumped!", b.name) }
     end
     if itemId == "GUARD_SPEC" then
       b.mist = true
-      return "consumed", { ("%s's\nprotected against\nstat changes!"):format(b.name) }
+      return "consumed", { Strings("%s's\nprotected against\nstat changes!", b.name) }
     end
     if itemId == "POKE_DOLL" then
       if battle.kind ~= "wild" then
         -- ItemUsePokeDoll jumps to ItemUseNotTime in trainer battles
-        return "failed", { "OAK: " .. save.player.name
-          .. "!\nThis isn't the\ntime to use that!" }
+        return "failed", { Strings(
+          "OAK: %s!\nThis isn't the\ntime to use that!", save.player.name) }
       end
-      return "consumed_escape", { "The wild POKéMON\nran away!" }
+      return "consumed_escape", { Strings("The wild POKéMON\nran away!") }
     end
   end
 
@@ -213,7 +226,7 @@ function ItemEffects.use(data, save, itemId, target, battle, moveIndex, ow)
   -- restore every move with no menu.
   if itemId == "ETHER" or itemId == "MAX_ETHER"
      or itemId == "ELIXER" or itemId == "MAX_ELIXER" then
-    if not target then return "failed", { "It won't have\nany effect." } end
+    if not target then return "failed", { Strings("It won't have\nany effect.") } end
     local restored = false
     local full = itemId == "MAX_ETHER" or itemId == "MAX_ELIXER"
     local allMoves = itemId == "ELIXER" or itemId == "MAX_ELIXER"
@@ -235,9 +248,9 @@ function ItemEffects.use(data, save, itemId, target, battle, moveIndex, ow)
       restored = mv and restore(mv) or false
     end
     if not restored then
-      return "failed", { "It won't have\nany effect." }
+      return "failed", { Strings("It won't have\nany effect.") }
     end
-    return "consumed", { ("%s's PP\nwas restored!"):format(monName(data, target)) }
+    return "consumed", { Strings("%s's PP\nwas restored!", monName(data, target)) }
   end
 
   local heal = HEAL_AMOUNT[itemId]
@@ -250,49 +263,57 @@ function ItemEffects.use(data, save, itemId, target, battle, moveIndex, ow)
       target.status = nil
       cureActiveToxic(battle, target)
       require("src.core.Sound").play(data, "Heal_Ailment")
-      return "consumed", { ("%s's\nstatus returned\nto normal!"):format(monName(data, target)) }
+      return "consumed", { Strings("%s's\nstatus returned\nto normal!", monName(data, target)) }
     end
     if not target or target.hp <= 0 or target.hp >= target.stats.hp then
-      return "failed", { "It won't have\nany effect." }
+      return "failed", { Strings("It won't have\nany effect.") }
     end
+    -- wHPBarOldHP: the bar animation starts from the HP the mon had BEFORE
+    -- the item landed (item_effects.asm latches it with the party menu still
+    -- up), so latch it here and hand it back as extra.healedFrom for the
+    -- party-menu fill (#252)
+    local before = target.hp
     if itemId == "MAX_POTION" or itemId == "FULL_RESTORE" then
       target.hp = target.stats.hp
     else
       target.hp = math.min(target.stats.hp, target.hp + heal)
     end
-    local msgs = { ("%s's HP\nwas restored!"):format(monName(data, target)) }
+    local msgs = { Strings("%s's HP\nwas restored!", monName(data, target)) }
     if itemId == "FULL_RESTORE" then
       target.status = nil
       cureActiveToxic(battle, target)
     end
     require("src.core.Sound").play(data, "Heal_HP")
-    return "consumed", msgs
+    return "consumed", msgs, { healedFrom = before }
   end
 
   local cures = STATUS_HEAL[itemId]
   if cures then
     if not target or not target.status or not cures[target.status] then
-      return "failed", { "It won't have\nany effect." }
+      return "failed", { Strings("It won't have\nany effect.") }
     end
     target.status = nil
     cureActiveToxic(battle, target)
     require("src.core.Sound").play(data, "Heal_Ailment")
-    return "consumed", { ("%s's\nstatus returned\nto normal!"):format(monName(data, target)) }
+    return "consumed", { Strings("%s's\nstatus returned\nto normal!", monName(data, target)) }
   end
 
   if itemId == "REVIVE" or itemId == "MAX_REVIVE" then
     if not target or target.hp > 0 then
-      return "failed", { "It won't have\nany effect." }
+      return "failed", { Strings("It won't have\nany effect.") }
     end
     target.status = nil
     target.hp = itemId == "REVIVE" and math.floor(target.stats.hp / 2) or target.stats.hp
     require("src.core.Sound").play(data, "Heal_HP")
-    return "consumed", { ("%s\nis revitalized!"):format(monName(data, target)) }
+    -- a revive takes the same .healHP -> .doneHealing route, animating up
+    -- from the fainted mon's 0 HP (#252)
+    return "consumed", { Strings("%s\nis revitalized!", monName(data, target)) },
+           { healedFrom = 0 }
   end
 
   if itemId == "RARE_CANDY" then
     if not target or target.level >= 100 then
-      return "failed", { "It won't have\nany effect." }
+      return "failed", { Strings("It won't have\nany effect.") }
     end
     local Growth = require("src.pokemon.Growth")
     local Stats = require("src.pokemon.Stats")
@@ -302,56 +323,56 @@ function ItemEffects.use(data, save, itemId, target, battle, moveIndex, ow)
     local old = target.stats
     target.stats = Stats.calc(speciesDef, target.level, target.dvs, target.statExp)
     target.hp = math.min(target.stats.hp, target.hp + (target.stats.hp - old.hp))
-    return "consumed", { ("%s grew\nto level %d!"):format(monName(data, target), target.level) },
+    return "consumed", { Strings("%s grew\nto level %d!", monName(data, target), target.level) },
            { leveledTo = target.level }
   end
 
   if STONES[itemId] then
-    if not target then return "failed", { "It won't have\nany effect." } end
+    if not target then return "failed", { Strings("It won't have\nany effect.") } end
     local speciesDef = data.pokemon[target.species]
     for _, evo in ipairs(speciesDef.evolutions) do
       if evo.method == "ITEM" and evo.item == itemId then
         return "consumed", nil, { evolveTo = evo.species }
       end
     end
-    return "failed", { "It won't have\nany effect." }
+    return "failed", { Strings("It won't have\nany effect.") }
   end
 
   -- vitamins: +2560 stat exp, refused at 25600+ (ItemUseVitamin,
   -- engine/items/item_effects.asm)
   local vitaminStat = VITAMINS[itemId]
   if vitaminStat then
-    if not target then return "failed", { "It won't have\nany effect." } end
+    if not target then return "failed", { Strings("It won't have\nany effect.") } end
     target.statExp = target.statExp or {}
     local cur = target.statExp[vitaminStat] or 0
     if cur >= 25600 then
-      return "failed", { "It won't have\nany effect." }
+      return "failed", { Strings("It won't have\nany effect.") }
     end
     target.statExp[vitaminStat] = math.min(65535, cur + 2560)
     local Stats = require("src.pokemon.Stats")
     target.stats = Stats.calc(data.pokemon[target.species], target.level,
                               target.dvs, target.statExp)
     target.hp = math.min(target.hp, target.stats.hp)
-    return "consumed", { ("%s's %s\nrose!"):format(monName(data, target),
+    return "consumed", { Strings("%s's %s\nrose!", monName(data, target),
       vitaminStat == "hp" and "HP" or vitaminStat:upper()) }
   end
 
   -- PP UP boosts the move the player picked (ItemUsePPUp's move menu)
   if itemId == "PP_UP" then
-    if not target then return "failed", { "It won't have\nany effect." } end
+    if not target then return "failed", { Strings("It won't have\nany effect.") } end
     local mv = target.moves[moveIndex or 1]
     local mdef = mv and data.moves[mv.id]
     if mdef and (mv.ppUps or 0) < 3 then
       mv.ppUps = (mv.ppUps or 0) + 1
       -- each PP UP adds maxPP/5 uses on top of the base maximum
       mv.pp = mv.pp + math.floor(mdef.pp / 5)
-      return "consumed", { ("%s's PP\nincreased!"):format(mdef.name) }
+      return "consumed", { Strings("%s's PP\nincreased!", mdef.name) }
     end
-    return "failed", { "It won't have\nany effect." }
+    return "failed", { Strings("It won't have\nany effect.") }
   end
 
   if itemDef and itemDef.machine then
-    if not target then return "failed", { "It won't have\nany effect." } end
+    if not target then return "failed", { Strings("It won't have\nany effect.") } end
     local speciesDef = data.pokemon[target.species]
     local ok = false
     for _, m in ipairs(speciesDef.tmhm) do
@@ -362,11 +383,11 @@ function ItemEffects.use(data, save, itemId, target, battle, moveIndex, ow)
       -- plays SFX_DENIED before MonCannotLearnMachineMoveText (the generic
       -- ItemUseNotTime/NoCyclingAllowedHere paths are silent)
       require("src.core.Sound").play(data, "Denied")
-      return "failed", { ("%s can't\nlearn that move!"):format(monName(data, target)) }
+      return "failed", { Strings("%s can't\nlearn that move!", monName(data, target)) }
     end
     for _, mv in ipairs(target.moves) do
       if mv.id == itemDef.machine.move then
-        return "failed", { "It knows that\nmove already!" }
+        return "failed", { Strings("It knows that\nmove already!") }
       end
     end
     -- HMs are never consumed; TMs are single-use
@@ -375,14 +396,14 @@ function ItemEffects.use(data, save, itemId, target, battle, moveIndex, ow)
 
   if itemId == "OLD_ROD" or itemId == "GOOD_ROD" or itemId == "SUPER_ROD" then
     if battle then
-      return "failed", { "OAK: " .. save.player.name .. "!\nThis isn't the\ntime to use that!" }
+      return "failed", { Strings("OAK: %s!\nThis isn't the\ntime to use that!", save.player.name) }
     end
     return "fish", itemId
   end
 
   if itemId == "BICYCLE" then
     if battle then
-      return "failed", { "OAK: " .. save.player.name .. "!\nThis isn't the\ntime to use that!" }
+      return "failed", { Strings("OAK: %s!\nThis isn't the\ntime to use that!", save.player.name) }
     end
     return "bicycle"
   end
@@ -392,26 +413,26 @@ function ItemEffects.use(data, save, itemId, target, battle, moveIndex, ow)
   end
   if itemId == "TOWN_MAP" then
     if battle then
-      return "failed", { "OAK: " .. save.player.name .. "!\nThis isn't the\ntime to use that!" }
+      return "failed", { Strings("OAK: %s!\nThis isn't the\ntime to use that!", save.player.name) }
     end
     return "townmap"
   end
   if itemId == "ITEMFINDER" then
     if battle then
-      return "failed", { "OAK: " .. save.player.name .. "!\nThis isn't the\ntime to use that!" }
+      return "failed", { Strings("OAK: %s!\nThis isn't the\ntime to use that!", save.player.name) }
     end
     return "itemfinder"
   end
   if itemId == "COIN_CASE" then
-    return "failed", { ("Coin count:\n%d"):format(save.coins or 0) }
+    return "failed", { Strings("Coin count:\n%d", save.coins or 0) }
   end
   if itemId == "REPEL" or itemId == "SUPER_REPEL" or itemId == "MAX_REPEL" then
     local steps = itemId == "REPEL" and 100 or itemId == "SUPER_REPEL" and 200 or 250
     save.repelSteps = steps
-    return "consumed", { ("%s used\n%s!"):format(save.player.name, name) }
+    return "consumed", { Strings("%s used\n%s!", save.player.name, name) }
   end
 
-  return "failed", { "OAK: " .. save.player.name .. "!\nThis isn't the\ntime to use that!" }
+  return "failed", { Strings("OAK: %s!\nThis isn't the\ntime to use that!", save.player.name) }
 end
 
 return ItemEffects

src/link/LinkBattle.lua

@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ local Logger = require("src.core.Logger")
 local Protocol = require("src.link.Protocol")
 local Runtime = require("src.mods.Runtime")
 local TurnOrder = require("src.battle.TurnOrder")
+local Strings = require("src.core.Strings")
 
 local LinkBattle = {}
 
@@ -177,18 +178,18 @@ function LinkBattle.new(game, net, opts)
   local theirName = opts.theirName or "FOE"
 
   if not Handshake.battleAllowed(opts.verdict) then
-    return nil, "Link battle needs\nthe same mods on\nboth games."
+    return nil, Strings("Link battle needs\nthe same mods on\nboth games.")
   end
 
   -- both parties pass through the same pack->unpack clamp on both
   -- machines, so the copies are identical everywhere
   local unpackOpts = { strict = opts.strict or false, forceLevel = opts.forceLevel }
   local myParty, myErr = unpackParty(game, opts.myParty, unpackOpts, function(p)
-    return ("Your %s can't\nbattle on the\nother game."):format(tostring(p.species))
+    return Strings("Your %s can't\nbattle on the\nother game.", tostring(p.species))
   end)
   if not myParty then return nil, myErr end
   local theirParty, theirErr = unpackParty(game, opts.theirParty, unpackOpts, function(p, why)
-    return ("Their %s isn't\nin this game.\n(%s)"):format(tostring(p.species), tostring(why))
+    return Strings("Their %s isn't\nin this game.\n(%s)", tostring(p.species), tostring(why))
   end)
   if not theirParty then return nil, theirErr end
   if #myParty == 0 or #theirParty == 0 then
@@ -232,7 +233,7 @@ function LinkBattle.new(game, net, opts)
   self.enemyParty = theirParty
   self.playerParty = myParty -- intro ball row uses the clamped copies
   self.opponentName = theirName
-  self.introText = ("%s wants\nto battle!"):format(theirName)
+  self.introText = Strings("%s wants\nto battle!", theirName)
   self.remoteHashes = {}
   self.localHashes = {}
   self.remoteParts = {}
@@ -292,7 +293,7 @@ function LinkBattle.new(game, net, opts)
       battle = s, side = s.sides[2], battler = s.enemy, previous = previous,
     })
     s.enemySendingOut = true
-    s:sayNext(("%s sent\nout %s!"):format(theirName, s.enemy.name))
+    s:sayNext(Strings("%s sent\nout %s!", theirName, s.enemy.name))
     s:actNext(function()
       s.enemySendingOut = false
       s:startGrowIn(s.enemy)
@@ -315,8 +316,9 @@ function LinkBattle.new(game, net, opts)
                 tostring(turn), component, tostring(localH), tostring(remoteH))
     Runtime.emit("link.desync", { turn = turn, component = component,
                                   localHash = localH, remoteHash = remoteH })
-    endAsDraw(s, ("Link desync!\n%s differs.\fAre both games\nrunning the same\nmods?")
-                 :format(component))
+    endAsDraw(s, Strings(
+      "Link desync!\n%s differs.\fAre both games\nrunning the same\nmods?",
+      component))
   end
 
   -- a verified turn stays recorded: consuming it here left a finished
@@ -349,7 +351,7 @@ function LinkBattle.new(game, net, opts)
   local function resolveLockstep(s, myMsg, theirMsg)
     if myMsg.kind == "run" or theirMsg.kind == "run" then
       local who = myMsg.kind == "run" and game.save.player.name or theirName
-      endAsDraw(s, ("%s ran from\nthe battle!"):format(who))
+      endAsDraw(s, Strings("%s ran from\nthe battle!", who))
       return
     end
     s.phase = "messages"
@@ -479,9 +481,9 @@ function LinkBattle.new(game, net, opts)
         party = myParty,
         onSwitch = function(mon)
           if mon == s.player.mon then
-            s:say(("%s is\nalready out!"):format(s.player.name))
+            s:say(Strings("%s is\nalready out!", s.player.name))
           elseif mon.hp <= 0 then
-            s:say("There's no will\nto fight!")
+            s:say(Strings("There's no will\nto fight!"))
           else
             s:resolveSwitch(mon)
           end
@@ -491,7 +493,7 @@ function LinkBattle.new(game, net, opts)
   end
 
   self.openItems = function(s)
-    s:say("Items can't be\nused in a link\nbattle!")
+    s:say(Strings("Items can't be\nused in a link\nbattle!"))
     s.phase = "messages"
     s.afterQueue = "menu"
   end
@@ -509,7 +511,7 @@ function LinkBattle.new(game, net, opts)
         return
       end
     end
-    s:sayNext(("%s is out of\nPOKéMON!\f%s wins!"):format(game.save.player.name,
+    s:sayNext(Strings("%s is out of\nPOKéMON!\f%s wins!", game.save.player.name,
                                                           theirName))
     s.result = "lose"
     s.afterQueue = "finish"
@@ -522,7 +524,7 @@ function LinkBattle.new(game, net, opts)
         return
       end
     end
-    s:sayNext(("%s is out of\nPOKéMON!\f%s wins!"):format(theirName,
+    s:sayNext(Strings("%s is out of\nPOKéMON!\f%s wins!", theirName,
                                                           game.save.player.name))
     s.result = "win"
     s.afterQueue = "finish"
@@ -543,13 +545,13 @@ function LinkBattle.new(game, net, opts)
         -- only a draw if our own simulation hasn't already decided
         -- (the winner's bye can arrive while we're still animating)
         if not s.result then
-          endAsDraw(s, ("%s left the\nbattle."):format(theirName))
+          endAsDraw(s, Strings("%s left the\nbattle.", theirName))
         end
       elseif msg.type == "forfeit" then
         -- the peer's own shot clock ran out; unlike a mutual RUN/desync
         -- draw, this has a definite winner (us)
         if not s.result then
-          endWithResult(s, "win", ("%s ran out of\ntime!"):format(theirName))
+          endWithResult(s, "win", Strings("%s ran out of\ntime!", theirName))
         end
       else
         -- a tournament control message (bracket_update, the next
@@ -582,7 +584,7 @@ function LinkBattle.new(game, net, opts)
       if s.turnClock <= 0 then
         s.turnClockActive = false
         send({ type = "forfeit" })
-        endWithResult(s, "lose", "Time's up! You\nforfeit the match.")
+        endWithResult(s, "lose", Strings("Time's up! You\nforfeit the match."))
       end
     elseif opts.turnLimit then
       s.turnClockActive = false
@@ -643,17 +645,16 @@ function LinkBattle.newSpectator(game, net, opts)
   local guestName = opts.guestName or "GUEST"
 
   if not Handshake.battleAllowed(opts.verdict) then
-    return nil, "Link battle needs\nthe same mods on\nboth games."
+    return nil, Strings("Link battle needs\nthe same mods on\nboth games.")
   end
 
   local unpackOpts = { strict = opts.strict or false, forceLevel = opts.forceLevel }
   local hostParty, hostErr = unpackParty(game, opts.hostParty, unpackOpts, function(p)
-    return ("%s's %s can't\nbattle on this\ngame."):format(hostName, tostring(p.species))
+    return Strings("%s's %s can't\nbattle on this\ngame.", hostName, tostring(p.species))
   end)
   if not hostParty then return nil, hostErr end
   local guestParty, guestErr = unpackParty(game, opts.guestParty, unpackOpts, function(p, why)
-    return ("%s's %s can't\nbattle on this\ngame.\n(%s)"):format(
-      guestName, tostring(p.species), tostring(why))
+    return Strings("%s's %s can't\nbattle on this\ngame.\n(%s)", guestName, tostring(p.species), tostring(why))
   end)
   if not guestParty then return nil, guestErr end
   if #hostParty == 0 or #guestParty == 0 then
@@ -672,7 +673,7 @@ function LinkBattle.newSpectator(game, net, opts)
   self.enemyParty = guestParty
   self.playerParty = hostParty
   self.opponentName = guestName
-  self.introText = ("%s vs %s!"):format(hostName, guestName)
+  self.introText = Strings("%s vs %s!", hostName, guestName)
 
   local function orderMove(action)
     if action and action.id then return game.data.moves[action.id] end
@@ -712,7 +713,7 @@ function LinkBattle.newSpectator(game, net, opts)
       battle = s, side = s.sides[2], battler = s.enemy, previous = previous,
     })
     s.enemySendingOut = true
-    s:sayNext(("%s sent\nout %s!"):format(guestName, s.enemy.name))
+    s:sayNext(Strings("%s sent\nout %s!", guestName, s.enemy.name))
     s:actNext(function()
       s.enemySendingOut = false
       s:startGrowIn(s.enemy)
@@ -789,7 +790,7 @@ function LinkBattle.newSpectator(game, net, opts)
         return
       end
     end
-    s:sayNext(("%s is out of\nPOKéMON!\f%s wins!"):format(hostName, guestName))
+    s:sayNext(Strings("%s is out of\nPOKéMON!\f%s wins!", hostName, guestName))
     s.result = "guestWin"
     s.afterQueue = "finish"
   end
@@ -801,7 +802,7 @@ function LinkBattle.newSpectator(game, net, opts)
         return
       end
     end
-    s:sayNext(("%s is out of\nPOKéMON!\f%s wins!"):format(guestName, hostName))
+    s:sayNext(Strings("%s is out of\nPOKéMON!\f%s wins!", guestName, hostName))
     s.result = "hostWin"
     s.afterQueue = "finish"
   end

src/link/LinkState.lua

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ local Protocol = require("src.link.Protocol")
 local Runtime = require("src.mods.Runtime")
 local Screens = require("src.ui.Screens")
 local TextBox = require("src.render.TextBox")
+local Strings = require("src.core.Strings")
 
 local LinkState = {}
 LinkState.__index = LinkState
@@ -90,7 +91,7 @@ function LinkState.newJoinOnline(game, code)
     self.stage = "onlineJoining"
   else
     self.stage = "menu" -- exitWith below needs a real stage to unwind from
-    self:exitWith("Link error:\n" .. (self.net.error or "?"))
+    self:exitWith(Strings("Link error:\n%s", self.net.error or "?"))
   end
   return self
 end
@@ -174,7 +175,7 @@ function LinkState:update(dt)
   if self.net then
     self.net:update()
     if self.net.error and not PRE_CONNECT_STAGES[self.stage] then
-      self:exitWith("Link error:\n" .. self.net.error:sub(1, 60))
+      self:exitWith(Strings("Link error:\n%s", self.net.error:sub(1, 60)))
       return
     end
     -- the peer vanished without a bye (only once the inbox is drained,
@@ -183,7 +184,7 @@ function LinkState:update(dt)
        and not PRE_CONNECT_STAGES[self.stage] and self.stage ~= "addrEntry"
        and self.stage ~= "codeEntry" and self.stage ~= "notice"
        and self.stage ~= "battleRunning" then
-      self:exitWith("The link was\nbroken.")
+      self:exitWith(Strings("The link was\nbroken."))
       return
     end
   end
@@ -201,7 +202,7 @@ function LinkState:update(dt)
         self.index = 1
       elseif self.index == 2 or self.index == 3 then
         if not Handshake.onlineAllowed(self.game) then
-          self:exitWith("Online play needs\nno mods enabled.\fDisable them in\nSTART > MODS.")
+          self:exitWith(Strings("Online play needs\nno mods enabled.\fDisable them in\nSTART > MODS."))
           return
         end
         if self.index == 2 then
@@ -227,7 +228,7 @@ function LinkState:update(dt)
         if self.net:host() then
           self.stage = "hosting"
         else
-          self:exitWith("Link error:\n" .. (self.net.error or "?"))
+          self:exitWith(Strings("Link error:\n%s", self.net.error or "?"))
         end
       else
         self.stage = "addrEntry"
@@ -246,7 +247,7 @@ function LinkState:update(dt)
         if self.net:hostOnline() then
           self.stage = "onlineHosting"
         else
-          self:exitWith("Link error:\n" .. (self.net.error or "?"))
+          self:exitWith(Strings("Link error:\n%s", self.net.error or "?"))
         end
       else
         self.stage = "codeEntry"
@@ -284,7 +285,7 @@ function LinkState:update(dt)
       if self.net:joinOnline(nil, code) then
         self.stage = "onlineJoining"
       else
-        self:exitWith("Link error:\n" .. (self.net.error or "?"))
+        self:exitWith(Strings("Link error:\n%s", self.net.error or "?"))
       end
     end
 
@@ -323,7 +324,7 @@ function LinkState:update(dt)
       if self.net:join(table.concat(octets, ".")) then
         self.stage = "joining"
       else
-        self:exitWith("Link error:\n" .. (self.net.error or "?"))
+        self:exitWith(Strings("Link error:\n%s", self.net.error or "?"))
       end
     end
 
@@ -433,7 +434,7 @@ function LinkState:update(dt)
         end
         if not battle then
           self.net:send({ type = "bye" })
-          self:exitWith(why or "Link battle\ncan't start.", "error")
+          self:exitWith(why or Strings("Link battle\ncan't start."), "error")
           return
         end
         self.game.stack:push(battle)
@@ -491,8 +492,8 @@ function LinkState:updateTrade(input)
   local t = self.trade
 
   if t.stage == "cancelled" then
-    self:exitWith(t.error and ("The trade stopped:\n%s."):format(t.error)
-                  or "The trade was\ncancelled.")
+    self:exitWith(t.error and Strings("The trade stopped:\n%s.", t.error)
+                  or Strings("The trade was\ncancelled."))
     return
   end
   if t.stage == "done" then
@@ -520,7 +521,7 @@ function LinkState:updateTrade(input)
       enemyOtId = received.otId,
       onDone = function()
         game.stack:push(TextBox.new(game,
-          ("Trade completed!\f%s received\n%s!"):format(game.save.player.name, name),
+          Strings("Trade completed!\f%s received\n%s!", game.save.player.name, name),
           function()
             if evoTo then
               -- via="TRADE": a trade evolution cannot be B-cancelled
@@ -547,7 +548,7 @@ function LinkState:updateTrade(input)
     -- the trade) -- B is dead after that, matching the A branch's own
     -- self.confirmed == nil guard
     self.net:send({ type = "bye" })
-    self:exitWith("The trade was\ncancelled.")
+    self:exitWith(Strings("The trade was\ncancelled."))
   elseif t.stage == "picking" and input:wasPressed("a") then
     if t:canPick(self.index) then
       self.net:send(t:pick(self.index))
@@ -574,30 +575,30 @@ end
 function LinkState:draw()
   if self.stage == "menu" then
     drawTitle("BOIS CLUB LIVE")
-    Font.draw("LINK CABLE (LAN)", 32, 44)
-    Font.draw("ONLINE MATCH", 32, 60)
-    Font.draw("TOURNAMENT", 32, 76)
+    Font.draw(Strings("LINK CABLE (LAN)"), 32, 44)
+    Font.draw(Strings("ONLINE MATCH"), 32, 60)
+    Font.draw(Strings("TOURNAMENT"), 32, 76)
     Font.drawCode(CURSOR, 24, 44 + (self.index - 1) * 16)
 
   elseif self.stage == "lanMenu" then
     drawTitle("LINK CABLE (LAN)")
-    Font.draw("HOST A GAME", 32, 48)
-    Font.draw("JOIN A GAME", 32, 68)
+    Font.draw(Strings("HOST A GAME"), 32, 48)
+    Font.draw(Strings("JOIN A GAME"), 32, 68)
     Font.drawCode(CURSOR, 24, self.index == 1 and 48 or 68)
-    Font.draw("UDP port " .. Net.defaultPort(), 8, 128)
+    Font.draw(Strings("UDP port %s", Net.defaultPort()), 8, 128)
 
   elseif self.stage == "onlineMenu" then
     drawTitle("ONLINE MATCH")
-    Font.draw("HOST ONLINE", 32, 48)
-    Font.draw("JOIN ONLINE", 32, 68)
+    Font.draw(Strings("HOST ONLINE"), 32, 48)
+    Font.draw(Strings("JOIN ONLINE"), 32, 68)
     Font.drawCode(CURSOR, 24, self.index == 1 and 48 or 68)
 
   elseif self.stage == "onlineHosting" then
     drawTitle("HOSTING ONLINE")
-    Font.draw("Tell your friend", 16, 40)
-    Font.draw("the code:", 16, 52)
+    Font.draw(Strings("Tell your friend"), 16, 40)
+    Font.draw(Strings("the code:"), 16, 52)
     Font.draw(self.net.code or "??????", 32, 68)
-    Font.draw("Waiting for join...", 8, 96)
+    Font.draw(Strings("Waiting for join..."), 8, 96)
 
   elseif self.stage == "codeEntry" then
     drawTitle("ENTER CODE")
@@ -609,18 +610,18 @@ function LinkState:draw()
         Font.drawCode(0xEE, x, 76) -- ▼ under the active slot
       end
     end
-    Font.draw("A: connect  B: back", 8, 128)
+    Font.draw(Strings("A: connect  B: back"), 8, 128)
 
   elseif self.stage == "onlineJoining" then
     drawTitle("CONNECTING...")
-    Font.draw("Calling...", 8, 56)
+    Font.draw(Strings("Calling..."), 8, 56)
     Font.draw(self.net.target or "", 8, 72)
 
   elseif self.stage == "hosting" then
     drawTitle("HOSTING")
-    Font.draw("Friend joins at:", 16, 48)
+    Font.draw(Strings("Friend joins at:"), 16, 48)
     Font.draw(self.net.address or "?", 16, 64)
-    Font.draw("Waiting for join...", 8, 96)
+    Font.draw(Strings("Waiting for join..."), 8, 96)
 
   elseif self.stage == "addrEntry" then
     drawTitle("ENTER HOST ADDRESS")
@@ -635,34 +636,34 @@ function LinkState:draw()
     for octet = 1, 3 do
       Font.draw(".", 16 + octet * 32 - 8, 64)
     end
-    Font.draw("Port: " .. Net.defaultPort(), 16, 96)
-    Font.draw("A: connect  B: back", 8, 128)
+    Font.draw(Strings("Port: %s", Net.defaultPort()), 16, 96)
+    Font.draw(Strings("A: connect  B: back"), 8, 128)
 
   elseif self.stage == "joining" then
     drawTitle("JOINING...")
-    Font.draw("Calling...", 8, 56)
+    Font.draw(Strings("Calling..."), 8, 56)
     Font.draw(self.net.target or "", 8, 72)
 
   elseif self.stage == "modeSelect" then
     drawTitle("CONNECTED!")
-    Font.draw("TRADE", 32, 48)
-    Font.draw("BATTLE", 32, 68)
+    Font.draw(Strings("TRADE"), 32, 48)
+    Font.draw(Strings("BATTLE"), 32, 68)
     Font.drawCode(CURSOR, 24, self.index == 1 and 48 or 68)
 
   elseif self.stage == "battleOptions" then
     drawTitle("BATTLE OPTIONS")
-    Font.draw("LEVELS:", 16, 56)
+    Font.draw(Strings("LEVELS:"), 16, 56)
     Font.draw(forceLevelLabel(self.levelChoice or ANY), 88, 56)
-    Font.draw("A: continue  B: back", 8, 128)
+    Font.draw(Strings("A: continue  B: back"), 8, 128)
 
   elseif self.stage == "waitMode" or self.stage == "waitHello" then
     drawTitle("CONNECTED!")
     if self.stage == "waitHello" then
-      Font.draw("Checking the", 16, 56)
-      Font.draw("other game...", 16, 72)
+      Font.draw(Strings("Checking the"), 16, 56)
+      Font.draw(Strings("other game..."), 16, 72)
     else
-      Font.draw("Waiting for the", 16, 56)
-      Font.draw("host to choose...", 16, 72)
+      Font.draw(Strings("Waiting for the"), 16, 56)
+      Font.draw(Strings("host to choose..."), 16, 72)
     end
 
   elseif self.stage == "notice" then
@@ -671,12 +672,12 @@ function LinkState:draw()
       if i > 8 then break end -- what fits above the prompt row
       Font.draw(line, 8, 24 + (i - 1) * 12)
     end
-    Font.draw(self.noticeExits and "A: back" or "A: trade anyway", 8, 128)
+    Font.draw(self.noticeExits and "A: back" or Strings("A: trade anyway"), 8, 128)
 
   elseif self.stage == "trade" then
     drawTitle("TRADE")
     local t = self.trade
-    Font.draw("YOURS", 8, 20)
+    Font.draw(Strings("YOURS"), 8, 20)
     for i, mon in ipairs(self.game.save.party) do
       local def = self.game.data.pokemon[mon.species]
       local label = (mon.nickname or def.name):sub(1, 8)
@@ -684,7 +685,7 @@ function LinkState:draw()
       Font.draw(label, 16, 20 + i * 12)
       if i == self.index then Font.drawCode(CURSOR, 8, 20 + i * 12) end
     end
-    Font.draw("THEIRS", 84, 20)
+    Font.draw(Strings("THEIRS"), 84, 20)
     for i, mon in ipairs(t.theirParty or {}) do
       local def = self.game.data.pokemon[mon.species]
       Font.draw((mon.nickname or def.name):sub(1, 8), 92, 20 + i * 12)
@@ -695,16 +696,16 @@ function LinkState:draw()
     elseif t.stage == "waitParty" then hint = "Exchanging data..."
     elseif t.stage == "picking" then
       hint = t:canPick(self.index) and "Pick one to trade"
-             or "X: not on theirs"
+             or Strings("X: not on theirs")
     elseif t.stage == "waitPick" then hint = "Waiting for them..."
     elseif t.stage == "confirming" then
-      hint = self.confirmed and "Waiting..." or "A: trade  B: cancel"
+      hint = self.confirmed and "Waiting..." or Strings("A: trade  B: cancel")
     end
     Font.draw(hint or "", 8, 132)
 
   elseif self.stage == "battleWait" or self.stage == "battleRunning" then
     drawTitle("LINK BATTLE")
-    Font.draw("Exchanging data...", 16, 64)
+    Font.draw(Strings("Exchanging data..."), 16, 64)
   end
   love.graphics.setColor(1, 1, 1, 1)
 end

src/link/Net.lua

@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@
 
 local Json = require("src.link.Json")
 local Logger = require("src.core.Logger")
+local Strings = require("src.core.Strings")
 
 local hasEnet, enet = pcall(require, "enet")
 if not hasEnet then enet = nil end
@@ -173,7 +174,7 @@ function Net:connectTCP(addr)
   tcp:settimeout(5)
   local ok, err = tcp:connect(host, port)
   if not ok then
-    self.error = ("can't reach relay %s:%d\n(%s)"):format(host, port, tostring(err))
+    self.error = Strings("can't reach relay %s:%d\n(%s)", host, port, tostring(err))
     return false
   end
   tcp:settimeout(0)
@@ -236,11 +237,14 @@ local function handleGenericRelayControl(self, msg)
     self.paired = true
     return true
   elseif msg.type == "join_error" then
-    self.error = ({
-      not_found = "That code wasn't\nfound.",
-      full = "That game already\nhas two players.",
-      expired = "That code has\nexpired.",
-    })[msg.reason] or ("Couldn't join:\n%s"):format(tostring(msg.reason))
+    self.error = Strings(({
+      not_found = Strings.source("That code wasn't\nfound."),
+      full = Strings.source("That game already\nhas two players."),
+      expired = Strings.source("That code has\nexpired."),
+    })[msg.reason] or "")
+    if self.error == "" then
+      self.error = Strings("Couldn't join:\n%s", tostring(msg.reason))
+    end
     self.closed = true
     return true
   elseif msg.type == "peer_gone" then
@@ -328,7 +332,7 @@ function Net:update()
       -- an unreachable join target surfaces as a service error
       -- (ICMP unreachable on the connected UDP socket)
       if self.mode == "joining" and not self.paired then
-        self.error = ("no answer from\n%s"):format(self.target or "the host")
+        self.error = Strings("no answer from\n%s", self.target or "the host")
       else
         self.error = tostring(event)
       end
@@ -358,14 +362,14 @@ function Net:update()
         self.closed = true
         if not self.paired then
           self.error = self.error or
-            ("no answer from\n%s"):format(self.target or "the host")
+            Strings("no answer from\n%s", self.target or "the host")
         end
       end
     end
   end
   if self.mode == "joining" and not self.paired
      and self.joinDeadline and now() > self.joinDeadline then
-    self.error = ("no answer from\n%s"):format(self.target or "the host")
+    self.error = Strings("no answer from\n%s", self.target or "the host")
     self.closed = true
     pcall(function() self.peer:disconnect_now() end)
   end

src/link/Tournament.lua

@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ local Protocol = require("src.link.Protocol")
 local Runtime = require("src.mods.Runtime")
 local Sound = require("src.core.Sound")
 local TextBox = require("src.render.TextBox")
+local Strings = require("src.core.Strings")
 
 local Tournament = {}
 Tournament.__index = Tournament
@@ -128,7 +129,7 @@ end
 function Tournament:startHosting()
   self.net = Net.new()
   if not self.net:connectTCP(Net.defaultRelayAddress()) then
-    self:exitWith("Link error:\n" .. (self.net.error or "?"))
+    self:exitWith(Strings("Link error:\n%s", self.net.error or "?"))
     return
   end
   local size, minL, maxL = partyStats(self.game.save.party)
@@ -151,7 +152,7 @@ end
 function Tournament:startJoining(code)
   self.net = Net.new()
   if not self.net:connectTCP(Net.defaultRelayAddress()) then
-    self:exitWith("Link error:\n" .. (self.net.error or "?"))
+    self:exitWith(Strings("Link error:\n%s", self.net.error or "?"))
     return
   end
   local size, minL, maxL = partyStats(self.game.save.party)
@@ -171,9 +172,9 @@ end
 -- -------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 local JOIN_ERROR_TEXT = {
-  not_found = "That code wasn't\nfound.",
-  already_started = "That tournament\nhas already begun.",
-  expired = "That code has\nexpired.",
+  not_found = Strings.source("That code wasn't\nfound."),
+  already_started = Strings.source("That tournament\nhas already begun."),
+  expired = Strings.source("That code has\nexpired."),
 }
 
 function Tournament:handleMessage(msg)
@@ -198,17 +199,17 @@ function Tournament:handleMessage(msg)
     end
   elseif msg.type == "tournament_host_error" then
     if msg.reason == "party_ineligible" then
-      self:exitWith(("Can't host:\nneed %d Pokemon\nLv %s-%s."):format(
-        msg.requiredPartySize, levelLabel(msg.minLevel), levelLabel(msg.maxLevel)))
+      self:exitWith(Strings("Can't host:\nneed %d Pokemon\nLv %s-%s.", msg.requiredPartySize, levelLabel(msg.minLevel), levelLabel(msg.maxLevel)))
     else
-      self:exitWith("Couldn't host\nthat tournament.")
+      self:exitWith(Strings("Couldn't host\nthat tournament."))
     end
   elseif msg.type == "tournament_join_error" then
     if msg.reason == "party_ineligible" then
-      self:exitWith(("Your party needs\n%d Pokemon, Lv\n%s-%s."):format(
-        msg.requiredPartySize, levelLabel(msg.minLevel), levelLabel(msg.maxLevel)))
+      self:exitWith(Strings("Your party needs\n%d Pokemon, Lv\n%s-%s.", msg.requiredPartySize, levelLabel(msg.minLevel), levelLabel(msg.maxLevel)))
     else
-      self:exitWith(JOIN_ERROR_TEXT[msg.reason] or "Couldn't join\nthat tournament.")
+      self:exitWith(JOIN_ERROR_TEXT[msg.reason]
+                    and Strings(JOIN_ERROR_TEXT[msg.reason])
+                    or Strings("Couldn't join\nthat tournament."))
     end
   elseif msg.type == "tournament_roster" then
     self.roster = msg.players
@@ -281,7 +282,7 @@ function Tournament:beginMatchBattle()
     -- shouldn't happen (both sides already passed the online-play mods
     -- gate), but a mismatched engine/build is still possible -- bail out
     -- of just this match rather than crash the tournament
-    self:exitWith("Link error:\nversion mismatch\nwith opponent.")
+    self:exitWith(Strings("Link error:\nversion mismatch\nwith opponent."))
     return
   end
   self.linkSeed = self.isHost and love.math.random(1, 2 ^ 30) or nil
@@ -351,11 +352,11 @@ function Tournament:update(dt)
     self.net:update()
     if self.net.error and self.stage ~= "menu" and self.stage ~= "hostSettings"
        and self.stage ~= "codeEntry" then
-      self:exitWith("Link error:\n" .. self.net.error:sub(1, 60))
+      self:exitWith(Strings("Link error:\n%s", self.net.error:sub(1, 60)))
       return
     end
     if self.net.closed and self.stage ~= "done" then
-      self:exitWith("The tournament\nconnection was\nlost.")
+      self:exitWith(Strings("The tournament\nconnection was\nlost."))
       return
     end
   end
@@ -381,7 +382,7 @@ function Tournament:update(dt)
           and LinkBattle.newHost(self.game, self.net, self.pendingBattleOpts)
           or LinkBattle.newGuest(self.game, self.net, self.pendingBattleOpts)
         if not battle then
-          self:exitWith(why or "Link battle\ncan't start.")
+          self:exitWith(why or Strings("Link battle\ncan't start."))
           return
         end
         -- anything after `party` in this same batch belongs to the
@@ -418,7 +419,7 @@ function Tournament:update(dt)
             forceLevel = levelForWire(self.settings.forceLevel),
           })
           if not battle then
-            self:exitWith(why or "Can't watch this\nmatch.")
+            self:exitWith(why or Strings("Can't watch this\nmatch."))
             return
           end
           for j = #msgs, i + 1, -1 do
@@ -541,8 +542,8 @@ local SETTINGS_LABELS = { "POKEMON", "MIN LV", "MAX LV", "TIMER", "LEVELS", "PLA
 function Tournament:draw()
   if self.stage == "menu" then
     drawTitle("TOURNAMENT")
-    Font.draw("HOST", 32, 48)
-    Font.draw("JOIN", 32, 68)
+    Font.draw(Strings("HOST"), 32, 48)
+    Font.draw(Strings("JOIN"), 32, 68)
     Font.drawCode(CURSOR, 24, self.index == 1 and 48 or 68)
 
   elseif self.stage == "hostSettings" then
@@ -561,7 +562,7 @@ function Tournament:draw()
       Font.draw(values[i], 96, y)
       if i == self.settingsIndex then Font.drawCode(CURSOR, 8, y) end
     end
-    Font.draw("START: create", 8, 128)
+    Font.draw(Strings("START: create"), 8, 128)
 
   elseif self.stage == "codeEntry" then
     drawTitle("ENTER CODE")
@@ -573,28 +574,27 @@ function Tournament:draw()
         Font.drawCode(0xEE, x, 76)
       end
     end
-    Font.draw("A: join  B: back", 8, 128)
+    Font.draw(Strings("A: join  B: back"), 8, 128)
 
   elseif self.stage == "registering" then
     drawTitle("CONNECTING...")
-    Font.draw("B: cancel", 8, 128)
+    Font.draw(Strings("B: cancel"), 8, 128)
 
   elseif self.stage == "bracket" or self.stage == "matchHello"
       or self.stage == "matchWaitParty" or self.stage == "spectateWait" then
-    drawTitle(("TOURNAMENT %s"):format(self.code or "??????"))
+    drawTitle(Strings("TOURNAMENT %s", self.code or "??????"))
     if self.bracket then
       local y = 20
       for _, round in ipairs(self.bracket.rounds) do
-        Font.draw(("ROUND %d"):format(round.round), 8, y)
+        Font.draw(Strings("ROUND %d", round.round), 8, y)
         y = y + 10
         for _, m in ipairs(round.matches) do
           local line
           if m.bye then
-            line = ("%s (bye)"):format(m.a or m.b or "?")
+            line = Strings("%s (bye)", m.a or m.b or "?")
           else
             local mark = m.state == "live" and "*" or (m.winner and "" or "")
-            line = ("%s%s vs %s%s"):format(
-              m.winner == m.a and ">" or " ", m.a or "?",
+            line = Strings("%s%s vs %s%s", m.winner == m.a and ">" or " ", m.a or "?",
               m.b or "?", m.winner == m.b and "<" or (mark == "*" and " *" or ""))
           end
           Font.draw(line, 12, y)
@@ -604,11 +604,11 @@ function Tournament:draw()
       end
     else
       if self.participating == false then
-        Font.draw("(organizing --", 16, 32)
-        Font.draw("not playing)", 16, 42)
+        Font.draw(Strings("(organizing --"), 16, 32)
+        Font.draw(Strings("not playing)"), 16, 42)
       end
-      Font.draw("Waiting for", 16, 48)
-      Font.draw("players to join:", 16, 60)
+      Font.draw(Strings("Waiting for"), 16, 48)
+      Font.draw(Strings("players to join:"), 16, 60)
       local y = 60
       for i, name in ipairs(self.roster) do
         y = 60 + i * 10
@@ -620,18 +620,18 @@ function Tournament:draw()
       end
     end
     if self.isCreator and #self.roster >= 2 and not self.bracket then
-      Font.draw("A: START  B: cancel", 8, 132)
+      Font.draw(Strings("A: START  B: cancel"), 8, 132)
     else
-      Font.draw("B: cancel", 8, 132)
+      Font.draw(Strings("B: cancel"), 8, 132)
     end
 
   elseif self.stage == "done" then
     drawTitle("TOURNAMENT OVER")
     if self.champion then
-      Font.draw(("%s is the"):format(self.champion), 16, 56)
-      Font.draw("champion!", 16, 68)
+      Font.draw(Strings("%s is the", self.champion), 16, 56)
+      Font.draw(Strings("champion!"), 16, 68)
     end
-    Font.draw("A: continue", 8, 128)
+    Font.draw(Strings("A: continue"), 8, 128)
   end
   love.graphics.setColor(1, 1, 1, 1)
 end

src/mods/LauncherMods.lua

@@ -3,8 +3,18 @@
 -- manifests only.  The full loader (src/mods/Loader.lua) still owns the real
 -- load at boot; this reads the same options.mods enable-state the loader
 -- writes, derives per-mod status with the pure ManagerState.resolveToggle,
--- installs a dropped/chosen .zip into the save-dir "mods/<id>/" tree, and
--- uninstalls a mod by removing that tree + clearing options.mods[id].
+-- installs a dropped/chosen .zip into a "mods/<id>/" tree, and uninstalls a
+-- mod by removing that tree + clearing options.mods[id].
+--
+-- Where that tree lives is CacheFs's call, not love.filesystem's: a portable
+-- install (portable.txt beside the executable) keeps its mods in the game
+-- folder like everything else it owns, and only the OS save directory
+-- otherwise (#330 -- love.filesystem.write always resolves to the save dir,
+-- so the installer used to strand every mod in appdata).  Reads stay on
+-- love.filesystem: the portable folder is on the physfs read path either way
+-- (it IS the source for a `love <gamedir>` run, and CacheFs mounts it for a
+-- fused build), which is why those mods still loaded while landing in the
+-- wrong place.
 --
 -- Split in two: the pure derivation (deriveList, locateRoot) has no love and
 -- no filesystem, so the engine tier can table-drive it; the discovery,
@@ -15,6 +25,7 @@ local ManagerState = require("src.mods.ManagerState")
 local Semver = require("src.mods.Semver")
 local Version = require("src.core.Version")
 local SaveData = require("src.core.SaveData")
+local CacheFs = require("src.import.CacheFs")
 
 local LauncherMods = {}
 
@@ -143,6 +154,13 @@ local function discover()
   local fs = love and love.filesystem
   local out = {}
   if not (fs and fs.getInfo and fs.getDirectoryItems) then return out end
+  -- A fused portable build keeps its mods in the game folder next to the
+  -- executable; resolving the cache root is what mounts that folder onto the
+  -- physfs read path, so this is what makes those mods enumerable at all
+  -- (#330).  A source run needs nothing (the game folder IS the source), and
+  -- the launcher's readiness check has usually resolved it already; the call
+  -- is cached and idempotent.
+  CacheFs.root()
   if not fs.getInfo("mods") then return out end
   local seen = {}
   for _, name in ipairs(fs.getDirectoryItems("mods")) do
@@ -233,11 +251,14 @@ local function topLevelPaths(mount)
   return paths
 end
 
+-- Copy the mounted archive subtree at `src` to the install path `dst`.  Reads
+-- come from love.filesystem (the .zip is mounted there); every write goes
+-- through CacheFs so it lands in the portable game folder when portable.txt is
+-- in play and in the OS save directory otherwise (#330).  No explicit mkdir:
+-- CacheFs.write creates the parent chain on both paths, which also means an
+-- empty folder inside the .zip is simply not carried over (it holds nothing).
 local function copyTree(src, dst)
   local fs = love.filesystem
-  if not fs.createDirectory(dst) then
-    return nil, "could not create " .. dst
-  end
   for _, name in ipairs(fs.getDirectoryItems(src)) do
     local s = src .. "/" .. name
     local d = dst .. "/" .. name
@@ -248,13 +269,18 @@ local function copyTree(src, dst)
     else
       local data = fs.read(s)
       if data == nil then return nil, "could not read " .. name end
-      local ok, err = fs.write(d, data)
+      local ok, err = CacheFs.write(d, data)
       if not ok then return nil, "could not write " .. name .. ": " .. tostring(err) end
     end
   end
   return true
 end
 
+-- Delete an installed mod subtree.  Enumeration stays on love.filesystem (the
+-- portable game folder is on its read path), but the deletes go through
+-- CacheFs so a portable install's real files actually go away instead of
+-- love.filesystem no-opping outside the save directory (#330).  Directories
+-- are removed after their children, since rmdir refuses a non-empty one.
 local function removeTree(path)
   local fs = love.filesystem
   local info = fs.getInfo(path)
@@ -263,7 +289,15 @@ local function removeTree(path)
     for _, child in ipairs(fs.getDirectoryItems(path)) do
       removeTree(path .. "/" .. child)
     end
+    CacheFs.removeDir(path)
+  else
+    CacheFs.remove(path)
   end
+  -- A portable install can still be carrying a pre-#330 copy in the OS save
+  -- directory, which is where every install used to land and which physfs
+  -- searches first.  CacheFs only touched the game folder, so clear the
+  -- save-directory twin too or that copy would keep the mod alive; outside
+  -- portable mode this repeats the delete CacheFs just did and no-ops.
   fs.remove(path)
 end
 
@@ -322,10 +356,19 @@ function LauncherMods.installZip(source)
     return nil, "a mod named '" .. manifest.id .. "' is already installed"
   end
 
-  fs.createDirectory("mods")
+  -- CacheFs.prefix steers ROM-cache writes into a version subtree (blue/...);
+  -- the mods tree is shared by Red and Blue, so pin the prefix to the root for
+  -- the copy and the rollback, then hand back whatever the launcher had set
+  -- (an import coroutine leaves it pointed at that version -- RomImporter.lua).
+  -- No fs.createDirectory("mods") here any more: CacheFs.write creates the
+  -- parent chain in both homes, and doing it through love.filesystem would
+  -- only ever make the directory in the save dir (#330).
+  local savedPrefix = CacheFs.prefix
+  CacheFs.prefix = ""
   local copied, copyErr = copyTree(root, dest)
+  if not copied then removeTree(dest) end
+  CacheFs.prefix = savedPrefix
   if not copied then
-    removeTree(dest)
     cleanup()
     return nil, copyErr or "could not copy the mod files"
   end
@@ -334,8 +377,9 @@ function LauncherMods.installZip(source)
 end
 
 -- uninstall(id) -> true  |  nil, errString
--- Removes mods/<id>/ from the save directory and clears options.mods[id] so the
--- loader and in-game manager no longer see it.  Rejects unknown / missing ids.
+-- Removes mods/<id>/ from wherever it was installed (the portable game folder
+-- or the save directory, CacheFs decides -- #330) and clears options.mods[id]
+-- so the loader and in-game manager no longer see it.  Rejects missing ids.
 -- Does not touch other mods' enable state.
 function LauncherMods.uninstall(id)
   if type(id) ~= "string" or id == "" then
@@ -352,7 +396,11 @@ function LauncherMods.uninstall(id)
   if not fs.getInfo(dest) then
     return nil, "mod '" .. id .. "' is not installed"
   end
+  -- same root pin as installZip: the mods tree is not version-prefixed (#330)
+  local savedPrefix = CacheFs.prefix
+  CacheFs.prefix = ""
   removeTree(dest)
+  CacheFs.prefix = savedPrefix
   -- Drop the enable flag so a reinstall of the same id starts from the
   -- loader's default (enabled) rather than a stale false.
   local options = SaveData.loadOptions()

src/mods/Loader.lua

@@ -162,7 +162,11 @@ function Loader:_loadState()
   if next(options.mods or {}) == nil and self.fs.getInfo
       and self.fs.getInfo(MOD_STATE_FILE) then
     local chunk = self.fs.load(MOD_STATE_FILE)
-    local ok, state = chunk and pcall(chunk)
+    -- `chunk and pcall(chunk)` truncates to one value, so state came back nil
+    -- however well the chunk ran and the migration below never fired once:
+    -- the guard has to be a statement for pcall's second return to survive.
+    local ok, state = false, nil
+    if chunk then ok, state = pcall(chunk) end
     if ok and type(state) == "table" then
       for id, disabled in pairs(state) do
         if disabled then

src/mods/ManagerState.lua

@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ local Semver = require("src.mods.Semver")
 local Version = require("src.core.Version")
 local Theme = require("src.ui.Theme")
 local OptionRows = require("src.ui.OptionRows")
+local Strings = require("src.core.Strings")
 
 local ManagerState = {}
 ManagerState.__index = ManagerState
@@ -269,7 +270,7 @@ function ManagerState:modRows()
     end
   end
   if #rows == 0 then
-    rows[1] = { header = true, label = "NO MODS INSTALLED" }
+    rows[1] = { header = true, label = Strings("NO MODS INSTALLED") }
   end
   return rows
 end
@@ -281,7 +282,7 @@ function ManagerState:profileRows()
     rows[#rows + 1] = { profile = p, label = p.name,
       glyph = opts.activeProfile == p.name and GLYPH.errored or " " }
   end
-  rows[#rows + 1] = { saveAs = true, label = "SAVE CURRENT AS.." }
+  rows[#rows + 1] = { saveAs = true, label = Strings("SAVE CURRENT AS..") }
   rows[#rows + 1] = { adhoc = true,
     label = opts.activeProfile and "[AD-HOC]" or "[AD-HOC] (LIVE)" }
   return rows
@@ -316,30 +317,30 @@ function ManagerState:detailRows(m)
   rows[#rows + 1] = { label = m.enabled and "DISABLE" or "ENABLE",
     action = function() self:beginToggle(m) end }
   if self:schemaFor(m) then
-    rows[#rows + 1] = { label = "OPTIONS..",
+    rows[#rows + 1] = { label = Strings("OPTIONS.."),
       action = function() self:openOptions(m) end }
   end
   if m.permissions and #m.permissions > 0 then
-    rows[#rows + 1] = { label = "PERMISSIONS..",
+    rows[#rows + 1] = { label = Strings("PERMISSIONS.."),
       action = function() self:goTo("permissions") end }
   end
   if m.error then
-    rows[#rows + 1] = { label = "VIEW ERROR..",
+    rows[#rows + 1] = { label = Strings("VIEW ERROR.."),
       action = function() self:goTo("errors") end }
   end
-  rows[#rows + 1] = { label = "BACK", action = function() self:goBack() end }
+  rows[#rows + 1] = { label = Strings("BACK"), action = function() self:goBack() end }
   return rows
 end
 
 function ManagerState:applyRows()
   local rows = {}
-  rows[#rows + 1] = { label = "APPLY & RESTART", action = function()
+  rows[#rows + 1] = { label = Strings("APPLY & RESTART"), action = function()
     self:openConfirm({ "RESTART NOW?" }, function() self:restartGame() end)
   end }
-  rows[#rows + 1] = { label = "DISCARD CHANGES", action = function()
+  rows[#rows + 1] = { label = Strings("DISCARD CHANGES"), action = function()
     self:discardChanges()
   end }
-  rows[#rows + 1] = { label = "BACK", action = function() self:goBack() end }
+  rows[#rows + 1] = { label = Strings("BACK"), action = function() self:goBack() end }
   return rows
 end
 
@@ -352,7 +353,7 @@ function ManagerState:permissionRows(m)
       label = info and info.text or name }
   end
   if #rows == 0 then
-    rows[1] = { inert = true, label = "DATA & API ONLY" }
+    rows[1] = { inert = true, label = Strings("DATA & API ONLY") }
   end
   return rows
 end
@@ -564,7 +565,7 @@ function ManagerState:openCascade(r, m, want)
   else
     local dep = self.byId[r.alsoDisable[1]]
     lines[#lines + 1] = (dep and dep.name or r.alsoDisable[1]) .. " NEEDS THIS."
-    lines[#lines + 1] = #r.alsoDisable > 1 and "DISABLE ALL?" or "DISABLE BOTH?"
+    lines[#lines + 1] = #r.alsoDisable > 1 and "DISABLE ALL?" or Strings("DISABLE BOTH?")
   end
   self.overlay = { kind = "confirm", lines = lines, index = 1,
     onYes = function() self:commitToggle(r.apply) end }
@@ -700,7 +701,7 @@ end
 function ManagerState:saveCurrentAs()
   local NamingScreen = require("src.ui.NamingScreen")
   self.game.stack:push(NamingScreen.new(self.game, {
-    title = "PROFILE NAME?",
+    title = Strings("PROFILE NAME?"),
     maxLen = 10,
     onDone = function(name)
       local opts = self:optionsTable()
@@ -726,7 +727,7 @@ end
 function ManagerState:renameProfile(p)
   local NamingScreen = require("src.ui.NamingScreen")
   self.game.stack:push(NamingScreen.new(self.game, {
-    title = "RENAME?",
+    title = Strings("RENAME?"),
     maxLen = 10,
     default = p.name,
     onDone = function(name)
@@ -886,7 +887,7 @@ function ManagerState:buildOptionRows(m, schema)
         end }
     end
   end
-  rows[#rows + 1] = { id = "__reset", label = "RESET DEFAULTS",
+  rows[#rows + 1] = { id = "__reset", label = Strings("RESET DEFAULTS"),
     value = function() return "" end,
     activate = function()
       for _, row in ipairs(schema) do
@@ -1047,7 +1048,7 @@ function ManagerState:drawApply()
     y = y + 1
   end
   if #staged == 0 then
-    Font.draw(Runtime.safeMode and "SAFE MODE" or "NO CHANGES", 16, y * 8)
+    Font.draw(Runtime.safeMode and "SAFE MODE" or Strings("NO CHANGES"), 16, y * 8)
     y = y + 1
   end
   local rows = self:rowsForScreen()
@@ -1076,12 +1077,12 @@ function ManagerState:drawOverlay()
   end
   if overlay.kind == "confirm" then
     local yesY = ty + #lines + 1
-    Font.draw("YES", 5 * 8, yesY * 8)
-    Font.draw("NO", 5 * 8, (yesY + 1) * 8)
+    Font.draw(Strings("YES"), 5 * 8, yesY * 8)
+    Font.draw(Strings("NO"), 5 * 8, (yesY + 1) * 8)
     Font.drawCode(Theme.cursor, 4 * 8,
                   (overlay.index == 1 and yesY or yesY + 1) * 8)
   else
-    Font.draw("A:OK", 5 * 8, (ty + #lines + 1) * 8)
+    Font.draw(Strings("A:OK"), 5 * 8, (ty + #lines + 1) * 8)
   end
 end
 
@@ -1090,7 +1091,7 @@ function ManagerState:draw()
     OptionRows.draw(self.game, self.optionRows or {}, self.cursor,
                     self.scroll or 0)
     love.graphics.setColor(0, 0, 0, 1)
-    Font.draw(self.notice or "B:DONE (NO RESTART)", 8, 136)
+    Font.draw(self.notice or Strings("B:DONE (NO RESTART)"), 8, 136)
     love.graphics.setColor(1, 1, 1, 1)
     if self.overlay then self:drawOverlay() end
     return
@@ -1099,7 +1100,7 @@ function ManagerState:draw()
   love.graphics.rectangle("fill", 0, 0, 160, 144)
   love.graphics.setColor(1, 1, 1, 1)
   Font.drawBox(0, 0, 20, 18)
-  Font.draw(self.banner or "MOD MANAGER", 16, 8)
+  Font.draw(self.banner or Strings("MOD MANAGER"), 16, 8)
   if self.screen == "list" then
     self:drawList()
   elseif self.screen == "detail" then

src/mods/Schemas.lua

@@ -584,6 +584,17 @@ R.text = {
   example = 'mod.content.text:override("_PalletTownText1", "HELLO!")',
 }
 
+-- The engine's own authored text, the half of the game `text` does not
+-- cover (src/core/Strings.lua).  The id is the English source string, so a
+-- translation supplies one entry per literal the engine draws and anything
+-- it has not reached yet keeps rendering in English.  Ids that collide in
+-- English but not elsewhere carry a "context|source" prefix.
+R.strings = {
+  semantics = "record", target = "strings",
+  value = f.str,
+  example = 'mod.content.strings:override("But, it failed!", "Echec !")',
+}
+
 -- the self-contained bytecode blob ChipAsm.song/sfx emit (13.1 shape 2);
 -- shared by every namespace that plays a chip program
 local chipProgram = f.rec{
@@ -918,8 +929,20 @@ R.battle_sprite_scales = {
     -- 1 = native pixels; the drawn size relative to the pic's own pixels
     scale = f.numRange(0.25, 4.0),
   },
-  example = 'mod.content.battle_sprite_scales:register("abra_back", ' ..
-    '{ path = "assets/generated/battle/back/abrab.png", scale = 1.5 })',
+  example = [[
+mod.content.battle_sprite_scales:register("abra_back", {
+  path = "assets/generated/battle/back/abrab.png",
+  scale = 1.5,
+})]],
+  notes = [[
+Scales one battle pic by its asset path, overriding the species-level
+`battleScaleFront`/`battleScaleBack` (see [pokemon](#pokemon)) for that
+image. The only way to scale a pic that is not species-keyed, like the
+player's trainer back sprite. Resolution order at draw time:
+image-level, then species-level, then the defaults (1x front, 2x back).
+The pic stays grounded at any scale: player feet stay flush on the
+text-box top, the enemy pic stays bottom-pinned in its slot, and the
+scale composes with the send-out grow animation.]],
 }
 
 -- ------- progression
@@ -1146,6 +1169,12 @@ R.field = {
                                             name = f.opt(f.str) })),
       nest = f.opt(f.any) },
     flyOrder = f.list(f.str),
+    -- the player's own trainer art (FieldDefaults.PLAYER_PICS): the battle
+    -- back pic, the catch tutorial's old man, and the front pic the intro,
+    -- trainer card and Hall of Fame share.  Every key is optional so a
+    -- conversion can replace one pic and inherit the rest.
+    playerPics = f.rec{
+      back = f.opt(f.str), demoBack = f.opt(f.str), front = f.opt(f.str) },
     -- the new-game and boot config a total conversion replaces
     boot = f.rec{
       startMap = f.opt(f.str), startX = f.opt(f.int(0)), startY = f.opt(f.int(0)),

src/pokemon/Evolution.lua

@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ local Runtime = require("src.mods.Runtime")
 local Screens = require("src.ui.Screens")
 local Stats = require("src.pokemon.Stats")
 local TextBox = require("src.render.TextBox")
+local Strings = require("src.core.Strings")
 
 local Evolution = {}
 
@@ -23,7 +24,7 @@ Evolution.METHODS = {
       return trigger.kind == "levelup" and mon.level >= (evo.level or 0)
     end,
     describe = function(evo)
-      return ("Level %d"):format(evo.level or 0)
+      return Strings("Level %d", evo.level or 0)
     end,
   },
   ITEM = {
@@ -139,7 +140,7 @@ function Evolution.learnEvolutionMoves(game, mon, onDone)
       table.insert(mon.moves, { id = moveId, pp = mdef.pp })
       Runtime.emit("pokemon.move_learned", { mon = mon, moveId = moveId })
       game.stack:push(TextBox.new(game,
-        ("%s learned\n%s!"):format(name, mdef.name), nextStep))
+        Strings("%s learned\n%s!", name, mdef.name), nextStep))
     else
       -- LearnMoveFromLevelUp with a full moveset: the forget UI
       Screens.push(game, "MoveLearnMenu", mon, moveId, nextStep)
@@ -160,8 +161,8 @@ function Evolution.evolve(game, mon, newSpecies, onDone, via)
   Music.play(game.data, Music.special(game.data, "evolution"))
   local oldName = mon.nickname or game.data.pokemon[mon.species].name
   Evolution.apply(game, mon, newSpecies, via)
-  local msg = ("What?\n%s is\nevolving!\fCongratulations!\nYour %s\nevolved into\n%s!")
-              :format(oldName, oldName, game.data.pokemon[newSpecies].name)
+  local msg = Strings("What?\n%s is\nevolving!\fCongratulations!\nYour %s\nevolved into\n%s!",
+                      oldName, oldName, game.data.pokemon[newSpecies].name)
   game.stack:push(TextBox.new(game, msg, function()
     Music.restoreMap(game.data)
     -- re-run the evolved species' level-up learn check before onDone
@@ -186,7 +187,7 @@ end
 
 -- After-battle hook: evolve mons that leveled this battle and still
 -- qualify (queued one at a time, party order).  Gen1 EvolveAfterBattle
--- only considers mons that gained a level during the fight — a B-cancel
+-- only considers mons that gained a level during the fight -- a B-cancel
 -- means "not this time", and the next offer waits for the next level-up
 -- (or Rare Candy / stone, which call Evolution.evolve directly).
 -- leveledUp is a set of party mon tables; nil/empty yields no evolutions.

src/pokemon/Pokemon.lua

@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ end
 
 -- Day Care retrieve (pokered WriteMonMoves + wLearningMovesFromDayCare):
 -- grant learnset moves with startLevel < moveLevel <= newLevel, shifting
--- the oldest slot out when full. Silent — no LearnMove prompts.
+-- the oldest slot out when full. Silent -- no LearnMove prompts.
 function Pokemon.learnMovesFromDayCare(data, mon, speciesDef, startLevel, newLevel)
   if not (speciesDef and speciesDef.learnset and mon) then return end
   mon.moves = mon.moves or {}
@@ -75,6 +75,10 @@ function Pokemon.new(data, species, level, rng)
     statExp = { hp = 0, attack = 0, defense = 0, speed = 0, special = 0 },
     stats = stats,
     hp = stats.hp,
+    -- the Gen1 catch-rate byte freezes at catch time: evolution does NOT
+    -- update it, so PKHeX expects a preevolution's rate on an evolved mon
+    -- (#206).  Evolution.apply mutates in place and never touches this.
+    catchRate = def.catchRate,
     status = nil, -- "SLP"|"PSN"|"BRN"|"FRZ"|"PAR"
     moves = moves,
   }

src/pokemon/Sprites.lua

@@ -3,8 +3,12 @@
 -- patch pokemon.spriteFront / icons.bySpecies.  These helpers are the
 -- sanctioned seam: every battle pic and party icon load goes through
 -- pokemon.sprite / pokemon.icon, which stay live for the whole process.
+--
+-- playerPath is the same seam for the player's own trainer art, whose
+-- vanilla paths are data (field.playerPics) rather than a species record.
 
 local Runtime = require("src.mods.Runtime")
+local FieldDefaults = require("src.world.FieldDefaults")
 
 local Sprites = {}
 
@@ -36,6 +40,36 @@ function Sprites.path(data, species, side, opts)
   return path, ctx.trueColor and true or false
 end
 
+-- Resolve the player's own trainer pic path.
+-- side: "back" (the battle intro pic) | "front" (intro / card / Hall of Fame)
+-- opts.kind: "battle" | "intro" | "trainer_card" | "hof"
+-- opts.demo: the catch tutorial, where the old man fights in the player's
+--            place and stands in for the back pic
+-- opts.battle: the live battle, for kind == "battle"
+-- Returns path, trueColor.
+function Sprites.playerPath(data, side, opts)
+  opts = opts or {}
+  side = side == "back" and "back" or "front"
+  -- one key per pic, so a conversion can replace the back and inherit the
+  -- rest; fieldValue folds data.field over FieldDefaults per key
+  local key = side == "front" and "front"
+              or (opts.demo and "demoBack" or "back")
+  local path = FieldDefaults.fieldValue(data, "playerPics", key)
+  local ctx = {
+    side = side,
+    kind = opts.kind or "battle",
+    demo = opts.demo and true or false,
+    battle = opts.battle,
+    trueColor = false,
+    data = data,
+  }
+  if path and Runtime.wantsHook("player.sprite") then
+    local hooked = Runtime.call("player.sprite", samePath, path, ctx)
+    if type(hooked) == "string" and hooked ~= "" then path = hooked end
+  end
+  return path, ctx.trueColor and true or false
+end
+
 -- Resolve a party-menu icon image path for `mon`.
 -- vanillaPath is the path PartyMenu already picked from icons.bySpecies /
 -- def.icon / icons.byDex; the hook may replace it.

src/pokemon/Stats.lua

@@ -42,6 +42,28 @@ function Stats.calc(speciesDef, level, dvs, statExp)
   return out
 end
 
+-- Give a mon a stat block when it has none.  A real Gen 1 box_struct is a
+-- byte-for-byte PREFIX of party_struct that stops before MON_LEVEL and
+-- MON_STATS (macros/ram.asm box_struct / party_struct), so mons decoded out
+-- of an imported .sav arrive without one (src/save_convert/GenSave.lua
+-- decodeMon, isParty = false).  The original derives them on demand at
+-- exactly two moments: when a box or daycare mon's status screen opens
+-- (engine/pokemon/status_screen.asm:66-76, "mon is in a box or daycare" ->
+-- CalcStats) and when one is moved back into the party
+-- (engine/pokemon/add_mon.asm _MoveMon tail).  The stored current HP is
+-- kept (box_struct does hold it) but clamped to the recalculated maximum so
+-- a tampered save cannot overfill the bar.  A mon that already has stats is
+-- returned untouched, so a vanilla save round-trips.  #233, #304
+function Stats.ensure(speciesDef, mon)
+  if type(mon) ~= "table" or type(mon.stats) == "table" then return mon end
+  if type(speciesDef) ~= "table" or type(speciesDef.baseStats) ~= "table" then
+    return mon
+  end
+  mon.stats = Stats.calc(speciesDef, mon.level or 1, mon.dvs or {}, mon.statExp)
+  mon.hp = math.max(0, math.min(tonumber(mon.hp) or mon.stats.hp, mon.stats.hp))
+  return mon
+end
+
 -- Battle stat stage multipliers (data/battle/stat_modifiers.asm): stages
 -- -6..+6 map to N/D pairs 25/100 .. 400/100.
 local STAGE_MULT = {

src/render/BattleTransition.lua

@@ -23,6 +23,20 @@ local FLASH_STEPS = { 1 / 3, 2 / 3, 1, 2 / 3, 1 / 3, 0,
 local FLASH_HOLD = 2   -- frames per palette step
 local FLASH_CYCLES = 3
 
+-- The screen stays black after the wipe lands.  Shrink and Split ask for it
+-- outright (BattleTransition_BlackScreen, then `ld c, 10 / jp DelayFrames`:
+-- battle_transitions.asm:390-392 and 422-424); the other six get the same gap
+-- for free, because BattleTransition_BlackScreen has already set rBGP/rOBP0/
+-- rOBP1 to $ff (:168-174) while DoBattleTransitionAndInitBattleVariables
+-- reloads the HUD tile patterns and clears the screen (core.asm:6152-6185),
+-- InitBattleCommon decompresses the front pic (core.asm:6694-6730), and
+-- SlidePlayerAndEnemySilhouettesOnScreen rebuilds the whole tilemap between
+-- DisableLCD and EnableLCD (core.asm:9-49) before anything moves.  This port
+-- has no load to hide behind, so the hold has to be explicit (#315).  30 is a
+-- frame budget for that work, not a number pokered states; retune this one
+-- constant against a reference recording if it reads long or short.
+local BLACK_HOLD = 30
+
 local TILE = 8
 local COLS, ROWS = 160 / TILE, 144 / TILE -- 20 x 18 tiles
 
@@ -208,7 +222,7 @@ function BattleTransition:update(dt)
       self.t = 0
     end
   else
-    if self.t >= self.wipeLen + 6 then
+    if self.t >= self.wipeLen + BLACK_HOLD then
       self.game.stack:pop()
       if self.onDone then self.onDone() end
     end

src/render/Font.lua

@@ -102,35 +102,84 @@ local function pageFor(code)
   return nil
 end
 
+local SPACE = 0x7F
+
+-- Segment text into glyph spans: `{ from, to, code }` byte ranges, one per
+-- drawn glyph, code nil when the charmap has nothing.  A span is a whole
+-- charmap sequence, so a multi-byte char ("é", "♂") and an ASCII ligature
+-- ("<PK>", "'d") are each one glyph.
+--
+-- Every caller that *measures* or *cuts* text walks these instead of bytes.
+-- "POKéMON" is 8 bytes and 7 glyphs: measuring it as 8 wraps lines that fit
+-- (25 vanilla lines did), and cutting at byte 8 splits the é into two
+-- invalid bytes that both draw as spaces.  That distinction is the whole
+-- reason a non-English font can be shipped as a mod (#186, #245).
+--
+-- Safe before Font.load: with no charmap it falls back to UTF-8 lead-byte
+-- boundaries, which is all a headless paginate needs.
+function Font.split(text)
+  local spans = {}
+  local i, n = 1, #text
+  while i <= n do
+    local span
+    local candidates = state and state.byFirstByte[text:byte(i)]
+    if candidates then
+      for _, entry in ipairs(candidates) do
+        local len = #entry.seq
+        if text:sub(i, i + len - 1) == entry.seq then
+          span = { from = i, to = i + len - 1, code = entry.code }
+          break
+        end
+      end
+    end
+    if not span then
+      -- Nothing matched.  Still keep a UTF-8 sequence whole, so a cut never
+      -- lands mid-character even for a glyph we cannot draw.
+      local last = i
+      if text:byte(i) >= 0xC0 then
+        local k = i + 1
+        while k <= n do
+          local b = text:byte(k)
+          if b < 0x80 or b > 0xBF then break end
+          last, k = k, k + 1
+        end
+      end
+      span = { from = i, to = last }
+    end
+    spans[#spans + 1] = span
+    i = span.to + 1
+  end
+  return spans
+end
+
+-- How many leading spans fit in `budget` pixels.  Advances come from each
+-- glyph's own page, so a variable-width page measures correctly.
+function Font.spansFitting(spans, budget)
+  local used, fit = 0, 0
+  for _, span in ipairs(spans) do
+    used = used + Font.advanceOf(span.code or SPACE)
+    if used > budget then break end
+    fit = fit + 1
+  end
+  return fit
+end
+
 -- Convert a text string into a list of glyph codes.  Unknown characters
 -- render as space (and are reported once).
 local reported = {}
 function Font.encode(text)
   local codes = {}
-  local i = 1
-  while i <= #text do
-    local candidates = state.byFirstByte[text:byte(i)]
-    local matched = false
-    if candidates then
-      for _, entry in ipairs(candidates) do
-        local n = #entry.seq
-        if text:sub(i, i + n - 1) == entry.seq then
-          codes[#codes + 1] = entry.code
-          i = i + n
-          matched = true
-          break
-        end
-      end
-    end
-    if not matched then
-      local ch = text:sub(i, i)
-      if not reported[ch] and ch:byte() >= 32 then
+  for _, span in ipairs(Font.split(text)) do
+    local code = span.code
+    if not code then
+      local ch = text:sub(span.from, span.to)
+      if not reported[ch] and text:byte(span.from) >= 32 then
         reported[ch] = true
         require("src.core.Logger").warn("font: no glyph for %q", ch)
       end
-      codes[#codes + 1] = 0x7F -- space
-      i = i + 1
+      code = SPACE
     end
+    codes[#codes + 1] = code
   end
   return codes
 end

src/render/HudTiles.lua

@@ -2,6 +2,11 @@
 -- screen: pokered overlays the $62-$7F font area with the HP bar /
 -- status sheet (font_battle_extra -> $62) and the HUD line tiles
 -- (battle_hud_1 -> $6D, battle_hud_2+3 -> $73).
+--
+-- The two screens do NOT use the same overlay: the status screen scatters
+-- hud_2 and hud_3 instead of copying them contiguously, which is what keeps
+-- its № and <ID> glyphs alive.  HudTiles.tile draws the battle layout,
+-- HudTiles.statusTile the status one -- see STATUS_PAGES below. #280
 
 local Assets = require("src.render.Assets")
 
@@ -23,32 +28,62 @@ local PAGES = {
     image = "assets/generated/battle/battle_hud_3.png", base = 0x76 },
 }
 
-local tiles
-function HudTiles.tile(code, x, y, tint)
-  if not tiles then
-    tiles = {}
-    local registered = require("src.core.Data").font
-    registered = registered and registered.pages or nil
-    local function add(path, base)
-      local ok, img = pcall(Assets.image, path)
-      if not ok then return end
+-- The STATUS SCREEN overlays the SAME sheets differently, and the layout
+-- above would break it: engine/pokemon/status_screen.asm:86-97 copies 3
+-- tiles of hud_1 to $6D, ONE tile of hud_2 to $78 and 2 tiles of hud_3 to
+-- $76, which leaves $70/$73/$74 as font_battle_extra's <to>, <ID> and № --
+-- the glyphs the screen prints "№." and "<ID>№/" from
+-- (constants/charmap.asm:69-73).  The battle overlay instead copies
+-- hud_2+hud_3 contiguously over $73-$78 (engine/battle/core.asm:6520/6532),
+-- burying № under a line tile, so the status screen needs its own table.
+-- The line glyphs land identically either way -- $76 ─, $77 ┘, $6F the
+-- halfarrow -- only the vertical bar moves ($73 in battle, $78 here). #280
+local STATUS_PAGES = {
+  { id = "font_battle_extra",
+    image = "assets/generated/battle/font_battle_extra.png", base = 0x62 },
+  { id = "battle_hud_1",
+    image = "assets/generated/battle/battle_hud_1.png", base = 0x6D },
+  { id = "battle_hud_3",
+    image = "assets/generated/battle/battle_hud_3.png", base = 0x76, count = 2 },
+  { id = "battle_hud_2",
+    image = "assets/generated/battle/battle_hud_2.png", base = 0x78, count = 1 },
+}
+
+local tiles, statusTiles
+
+-- Build one code -> {img, quad} map from a page list.  `count` caps a page
+-- at the number of tiles the asm actually copies (the extracted sheets all
+-- carry 3 tiles; the status overlay uses fewer).  A mod's registered page
+-- swaps the image in either table, but only the battle table honors its
+-- `base`: the status layout is the asm's own placement, and sliding hud_2
+-- there would bury № again.
+local function build(pages, fixedBase)
+  local out = {}
+  local registered = require("src.core.Data").font
+  registered = registered and registered.pages or nil
+  for _, page in ipairs(pages) do
+    local override = registered and registered[page.id]
+    local path, base = page.image, page.base
+    if override and override.image then path = override.image end
+    if not fixedBase and override and override.base then base = override.base end
+    local ok, img = pcall(Assets.image, path)
+    if ok then
       local iw, ih = img:getDimensions()
       local per = iw / 8
-      for i = 0, per * (ih / 8) - 1 do
-        tiles[base + i] = {
+      local count = page.count or per * (ih / 8)
+      for i = 0, count - 1 do
+        out[base + i] = {
           img = img,
           quad = love.graphics.newQuad((i % per) * 8,
                                        math.floor(i / per) * 8, 8, 8, iw, ih),
         }
       end
     end
-    for _, page in ipairs(PAGES) do
-      local override = registered and registered[page.id]
-      add(override and override.image or page.image,
-          override and override.base or page.base)
-    end
   end
-  local t = tiles[code]
+  return out
+end
+
+local function put(t, x, y, tint)
   if not t then return end
   local r, g, b, a = love.graphics.getColor()
   love.graphics.setColor(tint or { 1, 1, 1, 1 })
@@ -56,9 +91,23 @@ function HudTiles.tile(code, x, y, tint)
   love.graphics.setColor(r, g, b, a)
 end
 
+function HudTiles.tile(code, x, y, tint)
+  if not tiles then tiles = build(PAGES) end
+  put(tiles[code], x, y, tint)
+end
+
+-- The same sheets under the status screen's overlay (STATUS_PAGES).  The HP
+-- bar codes $62-$6D are identical in both layouts, so drawHPBar below keeps
+-- using the battle table. #280
+function HudTiles.statusTile(code, x, y, tint)
+  if not statusTiles then statusTiles = build(STATUS_PAGES, true) end
+  put(statusTiles[code], x, y, tint)
+end
+
 -- lazy: the next tile() rebuilds every page from the search path
 function HudTiles.invalidate()
   tiles = nil
+  statusTiles = nil
 end
 
 Assets.register(HudTiles.invalidate)
@@ -78,6 +127,11 @@ end
 -- GetHealthBarColor's thresholds (>= 27 px green, >= 10 yellow, else
 -- red).
 --
+-- segments: how many 8px cells the bar spans (6, the hardware width,
+-- unless a caller asks for more -- the widescreen battle layout has room
+-- for a longer bar in the same tiles).  The color thresholds scale with
+-- it so a wider bar turns yellow and red at the same fractions of full.
+--
 -- grayFill (#229): when the caller will colorize this bar with an SGB
 -- region palette (BattleState's zone pass, BATTLE_ZONES pal 0/1 =
 -- GetHealthBarColor), leave the fill as its raw DMG shade-2 gray and skip
@@ -87,18 +141,22 @@ end
 -- Tinting first would double-apply the color: GREENBAR's fill {0,189,0} has
 -- red channel 0, so the tint zeroes the whole bar's red and the zone's
 -- red-channel-keyed shade shader then maps every pixel to color 3 = black.
-function HudTiles.drawHPBar(data, tx, ty, mon, barType, grayFill)
+function HudTiles.drawHPBar(data, tx, ty, mon, barType, grayFill, segments)
   local x, y = tx * 8, ty * 8
+  segments = math.max(1, math.floor(segments or 6))
   HudTiles.tile(0x71, x, y)
   HudTiles.tile(0x62, x + 8, y)
   local px = 0
   if mon.stats.hp > 0 and mon.hp > 0 then
-    px = math.max(1, math.floor(mon.hp * 48 / mon.stats.hp))
+    px = math.max(1, math.floor(mon.hp * segments * 8 / mon.stats.hp))
   end
   local tint
   if not grayFill then
     local PaletteFX = require("src.render.PaletteFX")
-    local name = px >= 27 and "GREENBAR" or px >= 10 and "YELLOWBAR" or "REDBAR"
+    local green = math.ceil(27 * segments / 6)
+    local yellow = math.ceil(10 * segments / 6)
+    local name = px >= green and "GREENBAR"
+                 or px >= yellow and "YELLOWBAR" or "REDBAR"
     local colors = PaletteFX.pal(data, name)
     if colors then
       local c = colors[3] -- GB color 2 is the fill shade
@@ -108,11 +166,11 @@ function HudTiles.drawHPBar(data, tx, ty, mon, barType, grayFill)
                math.min(1, c[3] / 170), 1 }
     end
   end
-  for i = 0, 5 do
+  for i = 0, segments - 1 do
     local seg = math.min(8, math.max(0, px - i * 8))
     HudTiles.tile(seg >= 8 and 0x6B or 0x63 + seg, x + 16 + i * 8, y, tint)
   end
-  HudTiles.tile(HudTiles.capTile(barType), x + 64, y)
+  HudTiles.tile(HudTiles.capTile(barType), x + 16 + segments * 8, y)
 end
 
 return HudTiles

src/render/PaletteFX.lua

@@ -5,10 +5,11 @@
 -- then drawn once per zone through a shader that remaps the four DMG
 -- shades to that zone's palette.
 --
--- Port display option: COLORS (GBC / RED++ / OG / OG INV / GBC INV / CLASSIC)
--- transforms every zone's palette at send time via effectiveColors.
--- RED++ swaps the named-palette pack for pokered-gbc SuperPalettes
--- (data/palettes_gbc.lua), including per-species mon colors.
+-- Port display option: COLORS (OG RED / SGB / ADVANCED / OG / OG INV /
+-- SGB INV / CLASSIC) transforms every zone's palette at send time via
+-- effectiveColors.  ADVANCED (the `redpp` id below) swaps the named-palette
+-- pack for pokered-gbc SuperPalettes (data/palettes_gbc.lua), including
+-- per-species mon colors.
 
 local GameVersion = require("src.core.GameVersion")
 
@@ -18,14 +19,18 @@ local shader -- false = unavailable (headless / no shader support)
 local gbcPack -- false = missing; nil = not loaded yet
 
 -- Cycle order matches OptionsMenu / hotkey 2.  The three real colorizations
--- come first (OG RED = GBC hardware, SGB = per-map Super Game Boy, RED++ =
+-- come first (OG RED = GBC hardware, SGB = per-map Super Game Boy, ADVANCED =
 -- pokered-gbc per-tile), then the DMG-shade novelty modes.
 PaletteFX.MODES = { "ogred", "gbc", "redpp", "og", "og_inv", "gbc_inv", "classic" }
--- `gbc`/`gbc_inv` keep their save-value ids for back-compat; their LABELS are
--- "SGB"/"SGB INV" because that is what the mode actually is (the old "GBC"
--- label was a misnomer -- it never was the real Game Boy Color palette).
+-- `gbc`/`gbc_inv`/`redpp` keep their save-value ids for back-compat while
+-- their LABELS say what the mode actually is: "SGB"/"SGB INV" because the old
+-- "GBC" label was a misnomer (it never was the real Game Boy Color palette),
+-- and "ADVANCED" because `redpp` is the richest colorization of the three
+-- rather than anything Red-specific -- it reads as a misnomer outright on a
+-- Blue playthrough.  Comments elsewhere still call it RED++, the name it has
+-- carried in this file since it landed.
 PaletteFX.MODE_LABELS = {
-  ogred = "OG RED", gbc = "SGB", redpp = "RED++", og = "OG",
+  ogred = "OG RED", gbc = "SGB", redpp = "ADVANCED", og = "OG",
   og_inv = "OG INV", gbc_inv = "SGB INV", classic = "CLASSIC",
 }
 PaletteFX.mode = "gbc"
@@ -88,6 +93,25 @@ function PaletteFX.ogObj()
   return PaletteFX.GBC_OBJ, "gbcobj"
 end
 
+-- The DMG object ramp every mode except OG RED bakes onto overworld sprites,
+-- plus its cache group (same two-value contract as ogObj).  Entry 1 is never
+-- read -- SpriteRenderer.getObpImage keys OBJ color 0 to alpha, the hardware's
+-- unconditional OBJ transparency -- and entries 2..4 are OBJ colors 1..3 sent
+-- through rOBP0 = $D0 (home/fade.asm FadePal4 `dc 3,1,0,0`, the entry
+-- LoadGBPal reads while wMapPalOffset is 0): color 1 -> DMG shade 0, color 2
+-- -> shade 1, color 3 -> shade 3.  Leaving the result in DMG shades is the
+-- whole point: the zone shader then colors a character out of the same map
+-- palette it colors the ground with, which is all the Super Game Boy can do to
+-- an OBJ (#301), and the OBP0 lift is what puts Red's cap on the ROUTE
+-- palette's grass green instead of its light-blue (#150).
+PaletteFX.OBP0_SHADES = {
+  { 255, 255, 255 }, { 255, 255, 255 }, { 170, 170, 170 }, { 0, 0, 0 },
+}
+
+function PaletteFX.dmgObj()
+  return PaletteFX.OBP0_SHADES, "obp0"
+end
+
 local INV_MAP = { [0] = 3, [1] = 2, [2] = 1, [3] = 0 }
 
 function PaletteFX.shader()
@@ -202,32 +226,45 @@ function PaletteFX.usesGbcPack(mode)
 end
 
 -- Whether the active mode bakes a per-OBJ palette onto overworld sprites
--- (the OBP bake + post-zone redraw path).  OG RED and SGB both do: characters
--- wear the GBC boot-ROM object palette (PaletteFX.ogObj -- green over Red's red
--- background, pink over Blue's blue background), so the player and NPCs carry a
--- fixed object color instead of tinting with whatever region palette their
--- feet stand over.  On real hardware a sprite is an OBJ colored by an OBJ
--- palette (color/sprites.asm ColorOverworldSprite), distinct from the BG it
--- overlaps -- so Red's cap must stay green in tall grass, not turn the ROUTE
--- palette's light-blue (issue #150: SGB region-tinting sent the cap to shade-2
--- = light-blue and the character clashed with the grass it should blend into).
--- Terrain is unaffected -- pal() below still hands SGB its per-map BG palette;
--- only OG RED short-circuits BG to the one global red palette.  An EARLIER
--- attempt at per-sprite SGB color baked GBC_BG (the RED background ramp) onto
+-- (the OBP bake + post-zone redraw path).  OG RED alone does: the Game Boy
+-- Color boot ROM hands the game one global object palette (PaletteFX.ogObj --
+-- green over Red's red background, pink over Blue's blue background), so on
+-- that machine the player and NPCs carry a fixed object color instead of
+-- tinting with whatever region palette their feet stand over.  An EARLIER
+-- attempt at per-sprite color baked GBC_BG (the RED background ramp) onto
 -- characters -- that was the "reds coloring on the player/NPCs" bug; the object
--- palette is GBC_OBJ (green), so baking it here is the fix, not that
--- regression.  RED++ colors sprites through the usesGbcPack() path in
--- SpriteRenderer instead.
+-- palette is GBC_OBJ (green), so baking that here is the fix, not that
+-- regression.  Terrain is unaffected -- pal() below still hands SGB its per-map
+-- BG palette; only OG RED short-circuits BG to the one global red palette.
+--
+-- SGB does NOT.  The Super Game Boy colorizes the composited DMG picture it is
+-- handed and cannot tell an OBJ pixel from a BG one; pokered never sends the
+-- OBJ_TRN packet that would enable SGB sprite mode (data/sgb/sgb_packets.asm
+-- defines ATTR_BLK / PAL_SET / PAL_TRN / MLT_REQ / CHR_TRN / PCT_TRN and
+-- nothing else), so a character there wears the very palette its map does.
+-- Baking GBC_OBJ over it was issue #301 ("people in SGB mode are green": the
+-- boot-ROM greens sat on top of ROUTE's own greens and blues).  What issue
+-- #150 actually caught was the missing rOBP0 step, not a missing object
+-- palette: overworld OBJs run through OBP0 = $D0 (home/fade.asm FadePal4
+-- `dc 3,1,0,0`), which lifts OBJ color 1 to DMG shade 0 and color 2 to shade 1,
+-- so Red's cap lands on the ROUTE palette's shade-1 GRASS GREEN and blends into
+-- the grass exactly as #150's reference shot shows.  Drawn with an identity
+-- shade map it landed on shade 2 = light-blue instead, which is the clash #150
+-- reported.  SpriteRenderer bakes that OBP0 ramp (PaletteFX.dmgObj) and lets
+-- the zone shader color the result.  RED++ colors sprites through the
+-- usesGbcPack() path in SpriteRenderer instead.
 function PaletteFX.usesSpriteObp(mode)
   mode = mode or PaletteFX.mode
-  return mode == "ogred" or mode == "gbc"
+  return mode == "ogred"
 end
 
--- ------- post-zone sprite redraw (GBC mode)
+-- ------- post-zone sprite redraw (OG RED)
 --
--- In GBC mode the world canvas still runs through the per-map zone
+-- In OG RED the world canvas still runs through the whole-screen zone
 -- shade-remap shader, which would corrupt an OBP-baked sprite's true-color
--- pixels.  So SpriteRenderer draws the baked sprite into the canvas (its
+-- pixels.  (SGB used to come through here too; it no longer bakes an object
+-- palette at all, so its characters are colorized by the zone like the ground
+-- they stand on and never queue a replay -- see usesSpriteObp, #301.)  So SpriteRenderer draws the baked sprite into the canvas (its
 -- pixels come out zone-tinted there) AND records the draw here;
 -- Renderer:endFrame replays the list on top of the finished zone pass,
 -- scaled into screen space -- the GBC's OBJ-over-BG compositing, one draw
@@ -529,6 +566,34 @@ function PaletteFX.permute(colors, map)
            colors[map[2] + 1], colors[map[3] + 1] }
 end
 
+-- ------- global shade map (rBGP)
+--
+-- home/fade.asm's LoadGBPal writes ONE rBGP for the whole screen, indexing
+-- FadePal4 - wMapPalOffset.  A dark cave sets wMapPalOffset = 6
+-- (home/overworld.asm's ROCK_TUNNEL_1F check; the value rides in the extracted
+-- field.darkMaps.palOffset), which lands on FadePal2 = `dc 3,3,3,2`: DMG white
+-- drops to shade 2 and every darker shade goes to shade 3.  So the WHOLE
+-- screen darkens -- the original never cuts a window of light around the
+-- player (#322) -- and FLASH clears wMapPalOffset again
+-- (engine/menus/start_sub_menus.asm .flash).
+--
+-- Renderer:beginFrame clears this every frame and the state that draws a dark
+-- map re-arms it while it draws, so it can never outlive the map it belongs
+-- to: a battle or a full-screen menu draws with no map beneath it and comes
+-- out lit, exactly like init_battle_variables.asm's `ld [wMapPalOffset], a`
+-- leaves the original.
+PaletteFX.DARK_BGP = { [0] = 2, [1] = 3, [2] = 3, [3] = 3 }
+
+local shadeMap = nil
+
+function PaletteFX.setShadeMap(map)
+  shadeMap = map
+end
+
+function PaletteFX.shadeMap()
+  return shadeMap
+end
+
 function PaletteFX.setMode(mode)
   local prev = PaletteFX.mode
   local ok = false
@@ -598,19 +663,42 @@ end
 -- Transform a 4-color palette for the active COLORS display mode.
 -- GBC and RED++ pass the zone colors through (RED++ already swapped the
 -- pack in pal/monPal); OG* / CLASSIC replace; GBC INV permutes shades.
+-- The "paper" shade of the active display mode: what a DMG-white background
+-- pixel ends up as once colorization has run.  Every palette in the SGB pack
+-- carries the same off-white (255,239,255) as color 0, so this is well
+-- defined for the whole screen rather than per zone.  Goes through
+-- PaletteFX.pal so OG RED short-circuits to the one global boot-ROM BG
+-- palette and RED++ falls back to the ROM pack, then through effectiveColors
+-- so the mono and inverted modes get their own paper (CLASSIC's pea green,
+-- and the dark paper the inverted modes should have).  Returns r, g, b in
+-- 0..1, white if nothing resolves.
+function PaletteFX.paperShade(data)
+  local base = PaletteFX.pal(data, "GREENBAR") or PaletteFX.GRAYS
+  local colors = PaletteFX.effectiveColors(base) or base
+  local c = colors and colors[1]
+  if not c then return 1, 1, 1 end
+  return c[1] / 255, c[2] / 255, c[3] / 255
+end
+
 function PaletteFX.effectiveColors(c)
   if not c then return nil end
   local mode = PaletteFX.mode or "gbc"
+  local out = c
   if mode == "og" then
-    return PaletteFX.GRAYS
+    out = PaletteFX.GRAYS
   elseif mode == "og_inv" then
-    return PaletteFX.permute(PaletteFX.GRAYS, INV_MAP)
+    out = PaletteFX.permute(PaletteFX.GRAYS, INV_MAP)
   elseif mode == "classic" then
-    return PaletteFX.CLASSIC
+    out = PaletteFX.CLASSIC
   elseif mode == "gbc_inv" then
-    return PaletteFX.permute(c, INV_MAP)
+    out = PaletteFX.permute(c, INV_MAP)
   end
-  return c
+  -- The shade map goes on LAST: rBGP is a hardware register write, so it
+  -- composes on top of whatever colors the display mode settled on -- a dark
+  -- cave has to read dark in CLASSIC's pea greens and in plain DMG grays too
+  -- (#322).  permute() is the identity (and returns `out` itself, which the
+  -- mod-graphics parity check leans on) while nothing has armed one.
+  return PaletteFX.permute(out, shadeMap)
 end
 
 -- send a 4-color (0-255 RGB) palette to the shade-remap shader, after

src/render/Renderer.lua

@@ -15,8 +15,15 @@ local Runtime = require("src.mods.Runtime")
 
 local Renderer = {}
 
+-- The Game Boy surface.  WIDTH/HEIGHT are the classic dimensions every
+-- screen is laid out in; uiWidth/uiHeight are the surface actually
+-- allocated this frame, which a state may widen through setUISize (the
+-- widescreen battle layout asks for 304x144).  Anything drawing a normal
+-- 160x144 screen can keep reading WIDTH/HEIGHT.
 Renderer.WIDTH = 160
 Renderer.HEIGHT = 144
+Renderer.MAX_UI_WIDTH = 640
+Renderer.MAX_UI_HEIGHT = 576
 
 -- Whether a value is a real Canvas we can composite.  Real LOVE canvases are
 -- userdata answering typeOf("Canvas"); the headless test stub fakes them as
@@ -83,7 +90,8 @@ function Renderer:init()
   -- 160x144 real pixels, never DPI-scaled: see src/render/PixelCanvas.lua
   -- (#208).  Every canvas below is sized in framebuffer pixels for the same
   -- reason -- worldViewSize() already works in drawable pixels.
-  self.canvas = PixelCanvas.new(self.WIDTH, self.HEIGHT, "nearest")
+  self.uiWidth, self.uiHeight = self.WIDTH, self.HEIGHT
+  self.canvas = PixelCanvas.new(self.uiWidth, self.uiHeight, "nearest")
   self.worldCanvas = nil
   self.worldActive = false
   -- tilt mode only: a transparent overlay canvas the size of the world
@@ -115,7 +123,31 @@ end
 -- units via / dpiX and / dpiY when drawing.
 function Renderer:fitScale()
   local _, _, pw, ph = displayMetrics()
-  return math.max(1, math.floor(math.min(pw / self.WIDTH, ph / self.HEIGHT)))
+  local w, h = self:uiSize()
+  return math.max(1, math.floor(math.min(pw / w, ph / h)))
+end
+
+-- the native-pixel UI surface in use right now
+function Renderer:uiSize()
+  return self.uiWidth or self.WIDTH, self.uiHeight or self.HEIGHT
+end
+
+-- Ask for a UI surface of w x h native pixels; the canvas is reallocated
+-- only when the size actually changes, so the classic path never rebuilds
+-- it.  Sizes are resolved before any state draws (Game:draw) and bounded on
+-- both ends -- never smaller than the Game Boy screen every layout assumes,
+-- never large enough for a bad request to allocate an unbounded canvas.
+function Renderer:setUISize(w, h)
+  if type(w) ~= "number" or type(h) ~= "number"
+     or w < self.WIDTH or h < self.HEIGHT
+     or w > self.MAX_UI_WIDTH or h > self.MAX_UI_HEIGHT then
+    w, h = self.WIDTH, self.HEIGHT
+  end
+  w, h = math.floor(w), math.floor(h)
+  if w == self.uiWidth and h == self.uiHeight and self.canvas then return end
+  if self.canvas and self.canvas.release then self.canvas:release() end
+  self.uiWidth, self.uiHeight = w, h
+  self.canvas = PixelCanvas.new(w, h, "nearest")
 end
 
 -- LOVE-unit draw scales endFrame uses for the UI blit: integer framebuffer
@@ -174,6 +206,9 @@ function Renderer:beginFrame(transparent)
   -- draws this one
   PaletteFX.clearTrueColor()
   PaletteFX.clearSpriteRedraws()
+  -- rBGP is a per-frame register here: the state that draws a dark map
+  -- re-arms it while it draws (#322), so nothing inherits last frame's
+  PaletteFX.setShadeMap(nil)
   PaletteFX.setPass("ui")
   love.graphics.setCanvas(self.canvas)
   if transparent then
@@ -440,10 +475,11 @@ function Renderer:endFrame(zones, worldZones)
   -- Sx/Sy = LOVE-unit draw scales (may differ when dpiX ≠ dpiY).
   local Sp = self:fitScale()
   local Sx, Sy = Sp / dpiX, Sp / dpiY
-  local vpw, vph = self.WIDTH * Sx, self.HEIGHT * Sy
+  local uiw, uih = self:uiSize()
+  local vpw, vph = uiw * Sx, uih * Sy
   -- Snap the letterbox origin to a framebuffer pixel, then convert to units.
-  local ox = math.floor((pw - self.WIDTH * Sp) / 2) / dpiX
-  local oy = math.floor((ph - self.HEIGHT * Sp) / 2) / dpiY
+  local ox = math.floor((pw - uiw * Sp) / 2) / dpiX
+  local oy = math.floor((ph - uih * Sp) / 2) / dpiY
   local GBCFX = require("src.render.GBCFX")
   -- Forced mono/Classic modes still need a whole-screen zone when a state
   -- exposes no SGB packets (raw DMG canvas), so sendColors can remap.
@@ -480,8 +516,11 @@ function Renderer:endFrame(zones, worldZones)
     love.graphics.setCanvas(present)
   end
   -- Default letterbox is black.  Battle (and any state that opts in via
-  -- letterboxWhite) fills the voids white so the window matches the
-  -- white battle canvas instead of showing black bars.
+  -- letterboxWhite) fills the voids with the display mode's paper shade, so
+  -- the bars match the canvas they frame instead of showing black.  Not a
+  -- literal white: the battle canvas is colorized, and in SGB mode its paper
+  -- is the pack's off-white (255,239,255), which a hardcoded 1,1,1 framed in
+  -- a visibly brighter border.
   local clearR, clearG, clearB = 0, 0, 0
   if not self.worldActive then
     local ok, Game = pcall(require, "src.core.Game")
@@ -489,7 +528,7 @@ function Renderer:endFrame(zones, worldZones)
     local base = stack and stack.visibleBase and stack:visibleBase()
     local state = base and stack.states and stack.states[base]
     if state and state.letterboxWhite then
-      clearR, clearG, clearB = 1, 1, 1
+      clearR, clearG, clearB = PaletteFX.paperShade(Game and Game.data)
     end
   end
   love.graphics.setColor(clearR, clearG, clearB, 1)

src/render/SpriteRenderer.lua

@@ -18,10 +18,14 @@ local function getImage(path)
   return imageCache[path]
 end
 
--- RED++ overworld sprite OBJ-palette recolor (color/sprites.asm
--- ColorOverworldSprite), baked into an ImageData like BattleState's mon-pic
--- palette bake (src/battle/BattleState.lua getImage): CPU-remap the 4 DMG
--- shades to the resolved OBP colors, cached per (image path, group).
+-- Overworld sprite OBJ-palette recolor, baked into an ImageData like
+-- BattleState's mon-pic palette bake (src/battle/BattleState.lua getImage):
+-- CPU-remap the 4 DMG shades to the resolved OBP colors, cached per
+-- (image path, group).  Every colour mode goes through it now (#301): RED++
+-- resolves real per-sprite colours (color/sprites.asm ColorOverworldSprite),
+-- OG RED the one boot-ROM object palette, and everything else the plain
+-- rOBP0 = $D0 shade lift (PaletteFX.dmgObj) that leaves the sprite in DMG
+-- shades for the zone shader to colour.
 --
 -- Sprite sheets carry no real alpha (every pixel, including the
 -- background, is opaque -- confirmed by sampling the extracted PNGs): the
@@ -110,7 +114,13 @@ function SpriteRenderer:resolveImage()
     -- collide in obpCache) -- see issue #155
     return getObpImage(self.def.image, PaletteFX.ogObj())
   end
-  return self.image
+  -- Every other mode (SGB and the mono/inverted novelties) leaves the sprite
+  -- in DMG shades so the zone shader colors it out of the map's own palette,
+  -- but still bakes rOBP0 = $D0 in and keys OBJ color 0 to alpha -- the two
+  -- things a raw sheet blit cannot express (#301, #150).  The sheets carry no
+  -- real alpha (see getObpImage), so returning self.image here would put an
+  -- opaque white box behind every character a pipeline textures.
+  return getObpImage(self.def.image, PaletteFX.dmgObj())
 end
 
 -- facing: down/up/left/right; walkPhase: 0 stand, 1 walk; flip: alternate
@@ -152,6 +162,17 @@ function SpriteRenderer:draw(px, py, camX, camY, facing, walkPhase, stepFlip)
     -- top.
     image = getObpImage(self.def.image, PaletteFX.ogObj())
     redraw = true
+  else
+    -- SGB and the mono/inverted modes (and OG RED's tilt upright pass, which
+    -- has no post-zone replay to restore a bake): the sprite stays in DMG
+    -- shades -- rOBP0 = $D0 baked in, OBJ color 0 keyed to alpha -- and the
+    -- whole-canvas zone shader colors it with the map's palette.  That is the
+    -- only thing the Super Game Boy can do to an OBJ, since pokered never
+    -- sends the OBJ_TRN packet that would give sprites palettes of their own
+    -- (data/sgb/sgb_packets.asm defines ATTR_BLK / PAL_SET / PAL_TRN /
+    -- MLT_REQ / CHR_TRN / PCT_TRN and nothing else).  No redraw is queued:
+    -- being colorized by the zone IS the point (#301).
+    image = getObpImage(self.def.image, PaletteFX.dmgObj())
   end
   -- single-frame sprites (item balls, fossils...) have one fixed pose;
   -- still 3-frame sprites turn to face (the nurse at her machine,

src/render/TextBox.lua

@@ -27,6 +27,11 @@ local MAX_COLS = 18
 -- WaitForSoundToFinish; nil headless), then auto.delay frames pass
 -- (default 3, Delay3) and the box pops itself + calls onDone.  No
 -- blinking cursor, no Press_AB beep.
+-- opts.auto.tick, when given, runs once per frame for as long as the box
+-- is held open.  It is the only per-frame hook a script has while a box is
+-- up: StateStack updates the top state only, so the overworld and its
+-- ScriptRunner are frozen underneath (the Pewter JIGGLYPUFF dance drives
+-- its spin off it, data/scripts/story5.lua, #249).
 function TextBox.new(game, text, onDone, opts)
   local self = setmetatable({}, TextBox)
   self.game = game
@@ -92,13 +97,28 @@ end
 -- pokered ContText waits for A/B + ▼ before scrolling that line in.
 function TextBox.paginate(text, maxCols)
   maxCols = maxCols or (Theme.textBox and Theme.textBox.maxCols) or MAX_COLS
+  -- maxCols is a column count, so the budget is that many vanilla 8px
+  -- cells.  Measuring in pixels rather than columns is what lets a mod's
+  -- variable-advance page wrap correctly (#186).
+  local budget = maxCols * 8
   local pages = {}
   local contBefore = {}
+  -- Soft-wrap on glyph boundaries, never byte boundaries: a line is over
+  -- budget by what it *draws*, and the cut falls between glyphs so a
+  -- multi-byte char is never torn in half.
   local function pushLine(lines, conts, line, wait)
-    while #line > maxCols do
-      local cut = maxCols
-      for i = maxCols, 1, -1 do
-        if line:sub(i, i) == " " then cut = i break end
+    while true do
+      local spans = Font.split(line)
+      local fit = Font.spansFitting(spans, budget)
+      if fit >= #spans then break end
+      -- a glyph wider than the whole box still has to advance by one
+      fit = math.max(fit, 1)
+      local cut = spans[fit].to
+      for i = fit, 1, -1 do
+        if line:sub(spans[i].from, spans[i].to) == " " then
+          cut = spans[i].to
+          break
+        end
       end
       table.insert(lines, line:sub(1, cut))
       table.insert(conts, wait)
@@ -164,9 +184,28 @@ function TextBox:update(dt)
         self.autoSrc = self.auto.sound and self.auto.sound() or nil
         self.autoTimer = 0
       end
+      -- auto.tick: one call per frame for as long as the box is held open,
+      -- run before the autoSrc gate so a tick-driven gate can clear itself
+      -- on the same frame.  It is the only per-frame hook a script gets
+      -- while a box is up, since StateStack updates the top state only and
+      -- the overworld underneath is frozen (the Pewter JIGGLYPUFF spin,
+      -- #249).
+      if self.auto.tick then self.auto.tick() end
       if self.autoSrc and self.autoSrc.isPlaying and self.autoSrc:isPlaying() then
         return -- the cry is still sounding (WaitForSoundToFinish)
       end
+      -- auto.wait: the pet-NPC cries (PewterNidoranHouseNidoranText,
+      -- ViridianNicknameHouseSpearowText) have nothing queued behind the
+      -- cry, so DisplayTextID's trailing WaitForTextScrollButtonPress still
+      -- runs once it is over -- their maps enable auto text box drawing,
+      -- which zeroes wDoNotWaitForButtonPressAfterDisplayingText
+      -- (home/window.asm AutoTextBoxDrawingCommon).  Drop the auto gate and
+      -- hand the box to the plain A/B path, which also starts the blinking
+      -- arrow, instead of popping it (#247, #251).
+      if self.auto.wait then
+        self.auto = nil
+        return
+      end
       self.autoTimer = self.autoTimer + 1
       local delay = self.auto.delay or 3
       -- auto.onOverlap: fired once when the delay elapses but before the
@@ -267,10 +306,17 @@ function TextBox:draw()
     self.scrollPx = self.scrollPx - 2
     if self.scrollPx <= 0 then self.scrollPx = nil end
   end
+  -- Only the retained line carries the offset: it slides up from where it
+  -- already sat (line2Y) to line1Y.  The incoming line is drawn at its home
+  -- row instead, because offsetting it too put fresh glyphs 8px low -- on the
+  -- box's bottom border -- whenever the typewriter beat the 4-frame slide
+  -- (#314).  The sub-tile slide is ours to begin with: ScrollTextUpOneLine
+  -- (home/text.asm:283) copies the rows up whole and waits 5 frames, so
+  -- nothing in the original is ever drawn between two rows.
   local off = self.scrollPx or 0
   local ys = { self.line1Y, self.line2Y }
   for i, line in ipairs(self.shown) do
-    local y = (ys[i] or self.line2Y) + off
+    local y = (ys[i] or self.line2Y) + (i == 1 and off or 0)
     for j, code in ipairs(line) do
       Font.drawCode(code, self.textX + (j - 1) * 8, y)
     end

src/render/TileRenderer.lua

@@ -11,9 +11,9 @@ TileRenderer.__index = TileRenderer
 local BORDER_BLOCKS = 3 -- ring width; > half a screen (2.5 blocks)
 
 -- OVERWORLD maps fill beyond-edge space from save.options.voidFill:
---   trees (default) — solid tree wall $0F (Viridian/Cerulean/Celadon)
---   water           — solid water $43 (Cinnabar/Route 19 border block)
---   black           — solid black (no tiled metatile)
+--   trees (default) -- solid tree wall $0F (Viridian/Cerulean/Celadon)
+--   water           -- solid water $43 (Cinnabar/Route 19 border block)
+--   black           -- solid black (no tiled metatile)
 -- Other tilesets keep their designated border (interiors stay black/void).
 local TREE_WALL_BLOCK = 0x0F
 local WATER_BORDER_BLOCK = 0x43

src/save_convert/GenSave.lua

@@ -38,6 +38,8 @@ local NAME_LENGTH = 11
 local PARTY_LENGTH = 6
 local MONS_PER_BOX = 20
 local NUM_BADGES = 8
+local NUM_CITY_MAPS = 11     -- PALLET_TOWN..SAFFRON_CITY, the bit width of
+                              -- wTownVisitedFlag (constants/map_constants.asm)
 local BOX_STRUCT_SIZE = 33   -- Species,HP,Level,Status,Type1,Type2,CatchRate,
                               -- Moves x4,OTID,Exp x3,HPExp,AtkExp,DefExp,
                               -- SpdExp,SpcExp,DVs,PP x4 (macros/ram.asm box_struct)
@@ -65,6 +67,22 @@ O.numPcItems = O.mainData + 579                           -- 1B
 O.pcItems = O.mainData + 580                              -- 101B (50 x (id,qty) + $FF term)
 O.currentBoxNum = O.mainData + 681                        -- 1B (bits 0-6: box 0-11, bit 7: unused here)
 O.coins = O.mainData + 685                                -- 2B BCD
+-- wTownVisitedFlag (ram/wram.asm:2057): the FLY destination set, a
+-- flag_array NUM_CITY_MAPS whose bit index IS the town's map index (see the
+-- decode note).  Triangulated from both neighbours, which agree exactly:
+-- backwards from the checksum-covered, independently derived O.eventFlags
+-- below by summing every wram.asm declaration between the two labels --
+-- 2 (wTownVisitedFlag) + 2 (wSafariSteps) + 1 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1
+-- + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 8 + 1 + 1 + 1 (wBeatGymFlags) + 1 + 1 + 1
+-- (wStatusFlags3, aliased wCableClubDestinationMap) + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1
+-- + 1 + 1 + 1 (wMovementFlags) + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2
+-- = 60, so 1104 - 60 = 1044; and forwards from O.coins (mainData + 685)
+-- with 2 (wPlayerCoins) + 32 (wToggleableObjectFlags, flag_array $100) + 7
+-- + 1 (wSavedSpriteImageIndex) + 33 (wToggleableObjectList) + 1 + 200
+-- (wGameProgressFlags..End) + 56 + 14 (wObtainedHiddenItemsFlags,
+-- flag_array MAX_HIDDEN_ITEMS = 112) + 2 (wObtainedHiddenCoinsFlags) + 1
+-- (wWalkBikeSurfState) + 10 = 359, so 685 + 359 = 1044 as well.
+O.townVisited = O.mainData + 1044                         -- 2B (flag_array NUM_CITY_MAPS)
 O.eventFlags = O.mainData + 1104                          -- 320B (flag_array NUM_EVENTS = 2560 bits)
 -- Play time (wPlayTimeHours/Maxed/Minutes/Seconds/Frames) lives INSIDE the
 -- sMainData window (wMainDataStart..wMainDataEnd is copied verbatim into
@@ -232,12 +250,17 @@ local function encodeName(buf, off, len, text)
     setByte(buf, off + i, charmap.byToken[ch] or charmap.byToken["?"] or 0x50)
     i, pos = i + 1, pos + clen
   end
-  -- Write exactly ONE $50 terminator and then STOP. The bytes after it are
-  -- left untouched: when encoding over a template they stay as the original
-  -- save's post-terminator padding (so an unchanged name round-trips
-  -- byte-identical), and on a templateless export they stay zero-filled. The
-  -- game reads a name only up to the first $50, so whatever follows is inert.
+  -- Write exactly ONE $50 terminator and then $50-pad the rest of the
+  -- field: every real save the naming screen ever wrote fills the tail
+  -- with $50, and a zero tail is what PKHeX renders as garbage glyphs
+  -- after the name ("JOHN{}", #206).  Template bytes that are NOT zero
+  -- stay untouched, so an unchanged name still round-trips
+  -- byte-identical and stale template data survives.
   if i < len then setByte(buf, off + i, 0x50) end
+  for j = i + 1, len - 1 do
+    local cur = buf[off + j + 1]
+    if cur == nil or cur:byte() == 0 then setByte(buf, off + j, 0x50) end
+  end
 end
 
 -- ------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -375,6 +398,40 @@ function GenSave.crosswalks(data)
   }
 end
 
+-- Gen1 has no "is nicknamed" bit.  An un-nicknamed mon literally stores its
+-- species' standard name in the nickname slot: engine/menus/naming_screen.asm
+-- AskName's .declinedNickname copies wNameBuffer (the MonsterNames entry
+-- GetMonName just loaded) straight over the mon's nickname field.  The game
+-- recovers "was it nicknamed?" by comparing the two --
+-- engine/pokemon/evos_moves.asm RenameEvolvedMon rewrites the name on
+-- evolution only while the stored one still equals the PRE-evolution
+-- species' standard name ("Renames the mon to its new, evolved form's
+-- standard name unless it had a nickname, in which case the nickname is
+-- kept").  This project models that state as mon.nickname == nil instead:
+-- every display site reads `mon.nickname or def.name` and
+-- src/pokemon/Evolution.lua deliberately never touches the field.  So the
+-- two conventions must be translated at this boundary, or an imported
+-- SQUIRTLE still reads "SQUIRTLE" after it becomes a WARTORTLE and an
+-- engine-origin export writes the species CONSTANT ("NIDORAN_M", whose "_"
+-- has no charmap glyph and encodes as "?") where the cartridge keeps the
+-- display name.  Both read back as a forced nickname (#257).
+--
+-- def.name is byte-for-byte what the cartridge stores: tools/extract/
+-- pokemon.py parse_names reads pokered's data/pokemon/names.asm, the very
+-- table GetMonName loads from, and all 151 names round-trip exactly through
+-- src/save_convert/data/charmap.lua, so the equality test below is exact
+-- and never mis-fires on a name the charmap mangles.
+local function speciesName(cw, species)
+  local def = species and cw.speciesDefs[species]
+  return (def and def.name) or species or ""
+end
+
+-- stored fixed-length name -> save.lua nickname (nil when never nicknamed)
+local function importedNickname(cw, species, stored)
+  if stored == speciesName(cw, species) then return nil end
+  return stored
+end
+
 -- ------------------------------------------------------------------
 -- Mon struct (box_struct is a byte-for-byte prefix of party_struct;
 -- decodeMon reads the box_struct fields, then Level+Stats if isParty).
@@ -573,7 +630,10 @@ function GenSave.decode(bytes, data, opts)
     local mon = decodeMon(bytes, O.partyMons + i * PARTY_STRUCT_SIZE, true, cw)
     if mon then
       mon.ot = decodeName(bytes, O.partyMonOT + i * NAME_LENGTH, NAME_LENGTH)
-      mon.nickname = decodeName(bytes, O.partyMonNicks + i * NAME_LENGTH, NAME_LENGTH)
+      -- a stored name equal to the species' standard name means NOT
+      -- nicknamed, which this project spells as nil (#257)
+      mon.nickname = importedNickname(cw, mon.species,
+        decodeName(bytes, O.partyMonNicks + i * NAME_LENGTH, NAME_LENGTH))
       save.party[#save.party + 1] = mon
     end
   end
@@ -586,7 +646,8 @@ function GenSave.decode(bytes, data, opts)
       local mon = decodeMon(bytes, base + 22 + i * BOX_STRUCT_SIZE, false, cw)
       if mon then
         mon.ot = decodeName(bytes, base + 22 + MONS_PER_BOX * BOX_STRUCT_SIZE + i * NAME_LENGTH, NAME_LENGTH)
-        mon.nickname = decodeName(bytes, base + 22 + MONS_PER_BOX * (BOX_STRUCT_SIZE + NAME_LENGTH) + i * NAME_LENGTH, NAME_LENGTH)
+        mon.nickname = importedNickname(cw, mon.species,
+          decodeName(bytes, base + 22 + MONS_PER_BOX * (BOX_STRUCT_SIZE + NAME_LENGTH) + i * NAME_LENGTH, NAME_LENGTH))
         table.insert(save.boxes[boxNum], mon)
       end
     end
@@ -610,6 +671,28 @@ function GenSave.decode(bytes, data, opts)
     end
   end
 
+  -- FLY destinations.  wTownVisitedFlag's bit index IS the town's map index:
+  -- engine/items/town_map.asm BuildFlyLocationsList loads the 16-bit value
+  -- into de and rotates it right one bit per iteration with b counting up
+  -- from 0, storing b ("the map number of the town if it has been visited"),
+  -- so bit 0 = map 0 = PALLET_TOWN, LSB first; and
+  -- engine/overworld/toggleable_objects.asm
+  -- MarkTownVisitedAndLoadToggleableObjects sets bit [wCurMap] on entry for
+  -- any map below FIRST_ROUTE_MAP.  Map indices 0-10 in
+  -- data/generated/maps.lua match PALLET_TOWN..SAFFRON_CITY one for one.
+  -- This project keeps the same set as save.visited[mapId]
+  -- (src/ui/FlyMenu.lua, src/ui/TownMap.lua, and the only writer,
+  -- src/world/OverworldController.lua's mark-on-map-entry), which an import
+  -- used to leave nil: FLY then listed only the town the player happened to
+  -- be standing in when the save was loaded (#263).
+  save.visited = {}
+  for townIdx = 0, NUM_CITY_MAPS - 1 do
+    if bitGet(bytes, O.townVisited, townIdx) then
+      local townId = cw.mapsByIndex[townIdx]
+      if townId then save.visited[townId] = true end
+    end
+  end
+
   -- map + position
   local mapIdx = u8(bytes, O.curMap)
   local mapId = cw.mapsByIndex[mapIdx]
@@ -656,6 +739,19 @@ function GenSave.encode(save, data, template)
   encodeName(buf, O.playerName, NAME_LENGTH, (save.player and save.player.name) or "RED")
   encodeName(buf, O.rivalName, NAME_LENGTH, (save.player and save.player.rival) or "BLUE")
   setU16be(buf, O.playerId, (save.player and save.player.id) or 0)
+  -- wOptions (engine/menus/main_menu.asm InitOptions): bit 7 = battle
+  -- effects OFF, bit 6 = SET style, bits 2-0 = text speed -- the recomp's
+  -- textSpeed 1/3/5 are pokered's exact FAST/MEDIUM/SLOW values
+  -- (SaveData.defaultOptions).  Templateless exports only: with a
+  -- template the byte survives untouched (the round-trip invariant), and
+  -- decode() never reads it back anyway.
+  if not src then
+    local opts = save.options or {}
+    local ob = (tonumber(opts.textSpeed) or 3) % 8
+    if opts.battleStyle == "set" then ob = bit.bor(ob, 0x40) end
+    if opts.animations == false then ob = bit.bor(ob, 0x80) end
+    setByte(buf, O.options, ob)
+  end
   setBcd(buf, O.money, 3, math.min(save.money or 0, 999999))
   setBcd(buf, O.coins, 2, math.min(save.coins or 0, 9999))
 
@@ -700,6 +796,18 @@ function GenSave.encode(save, data, template)
     end
   end
 
+  -- FLY destinations back into wTownVisitedFlag (see the decode note), so a
+  -- save exported from this port is flyable on hardware (#263).  A save
+  -- table with no `visited` key at all says nothing about the set, so leave
+  -- the template's bits exactly as they are rather than blanking every town.
+  if type(save.visited) == "table" then
+    for townIdx = 0, NUM_CITY_MAPS - 1 do
+      local townId = cw.mapsByIndex[townIdx]
+      bitSet(buf, O.townVisited, townIdx,
+             (townId and save.visited[townId]) and true or false)
+    end
+  end
+
   -- party
   local party = save.party or {}
   local partyN = math.min(#party, PARTY_LENGTH)
@@ -710,8 +818,10 @@ function GenSave.encode(save, data, template)
     setByte(buf, O.partySpecies + i, cw.pokemonIndex[mon.species] or 0)
     encodeName(buf, O.partyMonOT + i * NAME_LENGTH, NAME_LENGTH,
               mon.ot or (save.player and save.player.name) or "RED")
+    -- no nickname stores the species' DISPLAY name, not its ROM constant id
+    -- ("NIDORAN_M" would charmap the "_" to "?") (#257)
     encodeName(buf, O.partyMonNicks + i * NAME_LENGTH, NAME_LENGTH,
-              mon.nickname or mon.species or "")
+              mon.nickname or speciesName(cw, mon.species))
   end
   -- $FF-terminate the species index list right after the last real mon. The
   -- struct, OT-name and nickname bytes of the empty slots past partyN are left
@@ -734,7 +844,7 @@ function GenSave.encode(save, data, template)
       encodeName(buf, base + 22 + MONS_PER_BOX * BOX_STRUCT_SIZE + i * NAME_LENGTH, NAME_LENGTH,
                 mon.ot or (save.player and save.player.name) or "RED")
       encodeName(buf, base + 22 + MONS_PER_BOX * (BOX_STRUCT_SIZE + NAME_LENGTH) + i * NAME_LENGTH, NAME_LENGTH,
-                mon.nickname or mon.species or "")
+                mon.nickname or speciesName(cw, mon.species))  -- #257, as above
     end
     -- $FF-terminate the species list after the last real mon; empty slots past
     -- n keep their template bytes (byte-identical round-trip) or zero (fresh

src/save_convert/SaveConvert.lua

@@ -107,6 +107,7 @@ local function defaultsSave()
     modData = {},
     options = {
       textSpeed = 3, animations = true, battleStyle = "shift",
+      battleLayout = "og",
       ruleset = "gen1_faithful", musicVol = 7, sfxVol = 7, musicFilter = 0,
       speed = 1, colors = "gbc", tilt = 0, gbcfx = 0,
       videoMode = "windowed", mods = {},

src/script/Commands.lua

@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ local Flags = require("src.script.Flags")
 local Logger = require("src.core.Logger")
 local Screens = require("src.ui.Screens")
 local TextBox = require("src.render.TextBox")
+local Strings = require("src.core.Strings")
 
 local Commands = {}
 
@@ -74,6 +75,9 @@ end
 -- <PROMPT> of its own; the box only closes once WaitForSoundToFinish's poll
 -- loop sees the cry channel go quiet, so it's a no-button-wait auto text
 -- gated on the cry, not a button-wait one -- see TextBox's opts.auto.
+-- play_cry's waitForButton form keeps that cry gate but hands the box back
+-- to the A/B path once the cry is over -- see TextBox's opts.auto.wait
+-- (#247, #251).
 function Commands.show_text(ctx, textId, subs)
   local text = ctx.game.data.text[textId]
   if not text and ctx.overworld then
@@ -100,10 +104,12 @@ function Commands.show_text(ctx, textId, subs)
   local opts
   if ctx.pendingCry then
     local species = ctx.pendingCry
-    ctx.pendingCry = nil
+    local waitForButton = ctx.pendingCryWait
+    ctx.pendingCry, ctx.pendingCryWait = nil, nil
+    -- delay 0: WaitForSoundToFinish has no trailing Delay3 of its own
     opts = { auto = { sound = function()
       return require("src.core.Sound").playCry(ctx.game.data, species)
-    end, delay = 0 } } -- WaitForSoundToFinish has no trailing Delay3 of its own
+    end, delay = 0, wait = waitForButton } }
   end
   -- text_opts armed the next box: auto = true is the plain no-button-wait
   -- form, overlap folds under auto, everything else passes through
@@ -189,7 +195,7 @@ function Commands.give_item(ctx, itemId, count, gotText)
   -- skips the received text entirely when AddItemToInventory refuses)
   if not require("src.inventory.Bag").add(ctx.save, itemId, count or 1) then
     Commands.show_text(ctx, ctx.game.data.text
-      and ctx.game.data.text._BagFullText or "You can't carry\nany more items!")
+      and ctx.game.data.text._BagFullText or Strings("You can't carry\nany more items!"))
     return math.huge
   end
   local def = ctx.game.data.items[itemId]
@@ -202,7 +208,7 @@ function Commands.give_item(ctx, itemId, count, gotText)
     (def and def.keyItem) and "Get_Key_Item" or "Get_Item1")
   if gotText ~= false then
     Commands.show_text(ctx, gotText
-      or "{PLAYER} got\n" .. ctx.game.stringBuffer .. "!")
+      or Strings("{PLAYER} got\n%s!", ctx.game.stringBuffer))
   end
 end
 
@@ -469,18 +475,26 @@ function Commands.play_once(ctx, songId)
   runner:yield()
 end
 
--- play_cry <species>: PlayCry (home/audio.asm).  The text_asm bodies that
--- use it run text_far (a no-button-wait "...@" string) -> PlayCry ->
--- WaitForSoundToFinish, all within the same text ID -- the cry only starts
--- once the box has finished typing, and the box then auto-closes (no A
--- press) the instant the cry finishes, rather than firing immediately
+-- play_cry <species> [waitForButton]: PlayCry (home/audio.asm).  The
+-- text_asm bodies that use it run text_far (a no-button-wait "...@" string)
+-- -> PlayCry -> WaitForSoundToFinish, all within the same text ID -- the cry
+-- only starts once the box has finished typing, and the box then auto-closes
+-- (no A press) the instant the cry finishes, rather than firing immediately
 -- alongside the typewriter effect. Script rows run strictly in order, so
 -- this stashes the species on ctx for the show_text row that always
 -- immediately follows it (Power Plant Zapdos, Seafoam Articuno, Victory
 -- Road Moltres, Cerulean Cave Mewtwo battle text) to play once its box is
 -- done typing (see show_text's opts.auto).  Headless-safe no-op there.
-function Commands.play_cry(ctx, species)
+--
+-- waitForButton is the pet-NPC form (scripts/PewterNidoranHouse.asm and
+-- scripts/ViridianNicknameHouse.asm: the text prints, then PlayCry,
+-- WaitForSoundToFinish, TextScriptEnd).  Nothing is queued behind the cry
+-- there, so DisplayTextID's trailing WaitForTextScrollButtonPress still
+-- runs and the box holds until A/B like any other NPC line instead of
+-- popping itself into a static battle (#247, #251).
+function Commands.play_cry(ctx, species, waitForButton)
   ctx.pendingCry = species
+  ctx.pendingCryWait = waitForButton or nil
 end
 
 -- check_battle_result <r1> [r2 ...]: lastCheck = the last scripted
@@ -517,7 +531,7 @@ local function askNickname(ctx, mon)
   if ctx.game.data.text and ctx.game.data.text._DoYouWantToNicknameText then
     Commands.show_text(ctx, "_DoYouWantToNicknameText", { RAM = name })
   else
-    Commands.show_text(ctx, ("Do you want to\ngive a nickname\nto %s?"):format(name))
+    Commands.show_text(ctx, Strings("Do you want to\ngive a nickname\nto %s?", name))
   end
   local ChoiceBox = require("src.ui.ChoiceBox")
   ctx.game.stack:push(ChoiceBox.new(ctx.game, function(yes)
@@ -527,7 +541,7 @@ local function askNickname(ctx, mon)
       return
     end
     Screens.push(ctx.game, "NamingScreen", {
-      title = "NICKNAME?", maxLen = 10,
+      title = Strings("NICKNAME?"), maxLen = 10,
       onDone = function(nick)
         if nick and #nick > 0 then mon.nickname = nick end
         ctx.lastCheck = success
@@ -598,8 +612,9 @@ function Commands.give_pokemon(ctx, species, level)
       local TextBox = require("src.render.TextBox")
       local raw = ctx.game.data.text and ctx.game.data.text._SentToBoxText
       ctx.game.stack:push(TextBox.new(ctx.game, raw or (
-        "There's no more\nroom for POKéMON!\v" .. name
-        .. " was\vsent to POKéMON\vBOX " .. boxNum .. " on PC!"),
+        Strings(
+          "There's no more\nroom for POKéMON!\v%s was\vsent to POKéMON\vBOX %s on PC!",
+          name, boxNum)),
         function() end))
     end
   end

src/script/MapScripts.lua

@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@
 local Data = require("src.core.Data")
 local Logger = require("src.core.Logger")
 local Runtime = require("src.mods.Runtime")
+local Strings = require("src.core.Strings")
 
 local MapScripts = {}
 
@@ -268,7 +269,7 @@ function MapScripts.validateContribution(contribution, lookup)
     end
   end
   if type(contribution) ~= "table" then
-    return { "contribution is not a table" }
+    return { Strings("contribution is not a table") }
   end
   for textConst, script in pairs(contribution.talk or {}) do
     if type(script) == "table" then collect("talk." .. textConst, script) end

src/script/ScriptRunner.lua

@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
 local Commands = require("src.script.Commands")
 local Logger = require("src.core.Logger")
 local Runtime = require("src.mods.Runtime")
+local Strings = require("src.core.Strings")
 
 local unpack = table.unpack or unpack -- LuaJIT (LÖVE) compatibility
 
@@ -195,7 +196,7 @@ function ScriptRunner:resume(...)
   if not ok then
     local source = self.ctx and self.ctx.source
     local where = source
-      and (" [%s %s.%s]"):format(tostring(source.modId or "engine"),
+      and Strings(" [%s %s.%s]", tostring(source.modId or "engine"),
         tostring(source.mapId or "?"), tostring(source.hook or "?"))
       or ""
     Logger.error("script error%s: %s", where, tostring(err))

src/ui/BagMenu.lua

@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ local TextBox = require("src.render.TextBox")
 local BagMenu = {}
 
 local Bag = require("src.inventory.Bag")
+local Strings = require("src.core.Strings")
 
 -- acquisition order like wBagItems (Bag.order), not alphabetical
 local function buildItems(game)
@@ -40,10 +41,17 @@ local function showMessages(game, msgs, onDone)
   game.stack:push(TextBox.new(game, table.concat(msgs, "\f"), onDone))
 end
 
--- run the use-flow for an item on a chosen target
-local function useOn(game, battle, id, target, list, moveIndex)
+-- run the use-flow for an item on a chosen target.  `picker` is the party
+-- menu when it was opened with keepOpen (HP medicine only): it is still on
+-- the stack, so every exit that prints has to close it afterwards.  For
+-- every other item the picker popped itself first and closePicker's identity
+-- check makes it a no-op (#252).
+local function useOn(game, battle, id, target, list, moveIndex, picker)
   local result, payload, extra = ItemEffects.use(game.data, game.save, id, target,
                                                  battle, moveIndex, game.overworld)
+  local function closePicker()
+    if picker then picker:close() end
+  end
 
   -- field POKé FLUTE: play the tune, then the no-effect text
   if result == "flute_field" then
@@ -108,13 +116,13 @@ local function useOn(game, battle, id, target, list, moveIndex)
     if game.save.onBike then
       game.save.onBike = false
       Music.playMap(game.data, ow and ow.map.id, false)
-      showMessages(game, { save_name(game) .. " got off\nthe BICYCLE." })
+      showMessages(game, { Strings("%s got off\nthe BICYCLE.", save_name(game)) })
     elseif bikeAllowed() then
       game.save.onBike = true
       Music.playMap(game.data, ow.map.id, true)
-      showMessages(game, { save_name(game) .. " got on\nthe BICYCLE!" })
+      showMessages(game, { Strings("%s got on\nthe BICYCLE!", save_name(game)) })
     else
-      showMessages(game, { "No cycling\nallowed here." })
+      showMessages(game, { Strings("No cycling\nallowed here.") })
     end
     return
   end
@@ -130,13 +138,14 @@ local function useOn(game, battle, id, target, list, moveIndex)
         return
       end
     end
-    showMessages(game, { "No good! It's not\neven near water." })
+    showMessages(game, { Strings("No good! It's not\neven near water.") })
     return
   end
 
   if result == "ball" then
     if not battle then
-      showMessages(game, { "OAK: " .. game.save.player.name .. "!\nThis isn't the\ntime to use that!" })
+      showMessages(game, { Strings("OAK: %s!\nThis isn't the\ntime to use that!",
+                              game.save.player.name) })
       return
     end
     consume(game, id)
@@ -151,7 +160,7 @@ local function useOn(game, battle, id, target, list, moveIndex)
     local function teach()
       if #target.moves < 4 then
         table.insert(target.moves, { id = moveId, pp = mdef.pp })
-        showMessages(game, { ("%s learned\n%s!"):format(target.nickname or
+        showMessages(game, { Strings("%s learned\n%s!", target.nickname or
           game.data.pokemon[target.species].name, mdef.name) })
         if result == "learn" then consume(game, id) end
       else
@@ -172,7 +181,7 @@ local function useOn(game, battle, id, target, list, moveIndex)
       require("src.ui.Screens").push(game, "TownMap")
     end)
     if not ok then
-      showMessages(game, { "The TOWN MAP is\nunreadable here." })
+      showMessages(game, { Strings("The TOWN MAP is\nunreadable here.") })
     end
     return
   end
@@ -184,10 +193,10 @@ local function useOn(game, battle, id, target, list, moveIndex)
     local t = game.data.text
     if ow and ow:hasHiddenItemLeft() then
       showMessages(game, { t._ItemfinderFoundItemText
-        or "Yes! ITEMFINDER\nindicates there's\nan item nearby." })
+        or Strings("Yes! ITEMFINDER\nindicates there's\nan item nearby.") })
     else
       showMessages(game, { t._ItemfinderFoundNothingText
-        or "Nope! ITEMFINDER\nisn't responding." })
+        or Strings("Nope! ITEMFINDER\nisn't responding.") })
     end
     return
   end
@@ -219,8 +228,9 @@ local function useOn(game, battle, id, target, list, moveIndex)
       -- departure helper -- the same path Dig/Teleport take from the party menu
       ow:beginTeleportOut()
     else
-      showMessages(game, { "OAK: " .. game.save.player.name
-        .. "!\nThis isn't the\ntime to use that!" })
+      showMessages(game, { Strings(
+        "OAK: %s!\nThis isn't the\ntime to use that!",
+        game.save.player.name) })
     end
     return
   end
@@ -264,7 +274,7 @@ local function useOn(game, battle, id, target, list, moveIndex)
             if #target.moves < 4 then
               table.insert(target.moves, { id = moveId, pp = mdef.pp })
               local name = target.nickname or def.name
-              showMessages(game, { ("%s learned\n%s!"):format(name, mdef.name) },
+              showMessages(game, { Strings("%s learned\n%s!", name, mdef.name) },
                            nextStep)
             else
               require("src.ui.Screens").push(game, "MoveLearnMenu",
@@ -285,16 +295,29 @@ local function useOn(game, battle, id, target, list, moveIndex)
       end
     end
     list.index = math.min(list.index, math.max(1, #list.items))
+    -- HP medicine: fill the bar in the still-open picker first, then print
+    -- and close, the order item_effects.asm .doneHealing runs in
+    -- (SFX_HEAL_HP -> UpdateHPBar2 -> RedrawPartyMenu prints the message).
+    -- picker is nil for every other item and for in-battle use, which keeps
+    -- the pop-then-print path below.  #252
+    if picker and extra and extra.healedFrom and target then
+      picker:animateTo(target, extra.healedFrom, function()
+        showMessages(game, payload, closePicker)
+      end)
+      return
+    end
     if battle then
       list:close()
       showMessages(game, payload, function() battle:itemUsed({}) end)
     else
-      showMessages(game, payload)
+      showMessages(game, payload, closePicker)
     end
     return
   end
 
-  showMessages(game, payload) -- failed
+  -- .healingItemNoEffect prints over the still-drawn party menu too, so the
+  -- refusal closes the picker the same way (#252)
+  showMessages(game, payload, closePicker) -- failed
 end
 
 local function pickTargetAndUse(game, battle, id, list)
@@ -305,9 +328,13 @@ local function pickTargetAndUse(game, battle, id, list)
   local def = game.data.items[id]
   local opts = {
     pickOnly = true,
-    onSwitch = function(mon)
+    -- HP medicine animates its bar with the picker still up (#252).  Only
+    -- out of battle: the in-battle tail closes the bag list underneath
+    -- first, which needs the picker already gone.
+    keepOpen = (not battle) and ItemEffects.healsHP(id),
+    onSwitch = function(mon, picker)
       if not wantsMove then
-        useOn(game, battle, id, mon, list)
+        useOn(game, battle, id, mon, list, nil, picker)
         return
       end
       local rows = {}
@@ -354,8 +381,8 @@ local function useItem(game, battle, id, list)
       local moveDef = game.data.moves[def.machine.move]
       local moveName = moveDef and moveDef.name or def.machine.move
       local booted = def.machine.kind == "HM"
-        and "Booted up an HM!" or "Booted up a TM!"
-      showMessages(game, { booted, ("It contained\n%s!"):format(moveName) },
+        and "Booted up an HM!" or Strings("Booted up a TM!")
+      showMessages(game, { booted, Strings("It contained\n%s!", moveName) },
         function() pickTargetAndUse(game, battle, id, list) end)
       return
     end
@@ -372,6 +399,8 @@ function BagMenu.new(game, opts)
   list = ListMenu.new(game, "ITEMS", buildItems(game), {
     kind = "bag",
     footer = ("¥%d"):format(game.save.money),
+    -- B returns to the start menu when the bag was opened from it
+    onCancel = opts.onCancel,
     -- SELECT reorders items like the original bag (swap_items.asm)
     onSelectKey = function(item, l)
       if not item then return end
@@ -400,17 +429,23 @@ function BagMenu.new(game, opts)
         useItem(game, battle, id, list)
         return
       end
-      -- USE / TOSS submenu (the original's item options)
+      -- USE / TOSS submenu (the original's item options).
+      -- data/text_boxes.asm USE_TOSS_MENU_TEMPLATE: box (13,10)-(19,14),
+      -- text at (15,11); start_sub_menus.asm then sets wTopMenuItemY/X to
+      -- 11/14 for the cursor.  Menu's own geometry reproduces all of that
+      -- from the box alone, so this needs opts rather than a change to the
+      -- shared Menu.  The old 12/10/8/6 box was a column too wide and a row
+      -- too tall, which left the labels stranded near its top edge (#284).
       local Menu = require("src.ui.Menu")
       game.stack:push(Menu.new(game, {
-        { label = "USE", onSelect = function()
+        { label = Strings("USE"), onSelect = function()
             useItem(game, battle, id, list)
           end },
-        { label = "TOSS", onSelect = function()
+        { label = Strings("TOSS"), onSelect = function()
             -- KeyItemFlags + HMs decide tossability (not price:
             -- MOON STONE is price 0 but tossable)
             if not def or def.keyItem or id:find("^HM_") then
-              showMessages(game, { "That's too impor-\ntant to toss!" })
+              showMessages(game, { Strings("That's too impor-\ntant to toss!") })
               return
             end
             local QuantityBox = require("src.ui.QuantityBox")
@@ -424,12 +459,12 @@ function BagMenu.new(game, opts)
                   Bag.remove(game.save, id, qty)
                   list.items = buildItems(game)
                   list.index = math.min(list.index, math.max(1, #list.items))
-                  showMessages(game, { ("Threw away\n%s."):format(def and def.name or id) })
+                  showMessages(game, { Strings("Threw away\n%s.", def and def.name or id) })
                 end))
               end,
             }))
           end },
-      }, { tx = 12, ty = 10, tw = 8, th = 6 }))
+      }, { tx = 13, ty = 10, tw = 7, th = 5 }))
     end,
   })
   return list

src/ui/BindingsMenu.lua

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 local Font = require("src.render.Font")
 local ListMenu = require("src.ui.ListMenu")
 local Input = require("src.core.Input")
+local Strings = require("src.core.Strings")
 
 local BindingsMenu = setmetatable({}, { __index = ListMenu })
 BindingsMenu.__index = BindingsMenu
@@ -55,7 +56,9 @@ function BindingsMenu.new(game)
                   and game.save.options.bindings
   local items = {}
   for i, def in ipairs(BUTTONS) do
-    items[i] = { label = def.label,
+    -- translated here, not in ROWS: that table is built at require
+    -- time, before Strings.load has a catalog to look in
+    items[i] = { label = Strings(def.label),
                  right = boundRight(overlay, def), button = def }
   end
   local self = setmetatable(ListMenu.new(game, "CONTROLS", items, {}),
@@ -111,7 +114,7 @@ function BindingsMenu:draw()
   if self.capture then
     Font.drawBox(1, 6, 18, 4)
     love.graphics.setColor(0, 0, 0, 1)
-    Font.draw("PRESS A BUTTON", 24, 60)
+    Font.draw(Strings("PRESS A BUTTON"), 24, 60)
     love.graphics.setColor(1, 1, 1, 1)
   end
 end

src/ui/BoxMenu.lua

@@ -7,13 +7,15 @@ local Font = require("src.render.Font")
 local ListMenu = require("src.ui.ListMenu")
 local Menu = require("src.ui.Menu")
 local Party = require("src.pokemon.Party")
+local Stats = require("src.pokemon.Stats")
 local TextBox = require("src.render.TextBox")
+local Strings = require("src.core.Strings")
 
 local BoxMenu = {}
 
 local function monLabel(game, mon)
   local def = game.data.pokemon[mon.species]
-  return ("%s :L%d"):format(mon.nickname or def.name, mon.level)
+  return Strings("%s :L%d", mon.nickname or def.name, mon.level)
 end
 
 local function monName(game, mon)
@@ -28,13 +30,13 @@ local function monSubmenu(game, action, mon, onAction)
   game.stack:push(Menu.new(game, {
     { label = action, onSelect = onAction },
     {
-      label = "STATS",
+      label = Strings("STATS"),
       keepOpen = true,
       onSelect = function()
         require("src.ui.Screens").push(game, "SummaryMenu", mon)
       end,
     },
-    { label = "CANCEL" },
+    { label = Strings("CANCEL") },
   }, { tx = 9, ty = 10, tw = 11, th = 8, noSound = true }))
 end
 
@@ -50,12 +52,12 @@ local function withdraw(game)
   local t = game.data.text
   if #box == 0 then
     game.stack:push(TextBox.new(game, t._NoMonText
-      or "What? There are\nno POKéMON here!"))
+      or Strings("What? There are\nno POKéMON here!")))
     return
   end
   if #game.save.party >= Party.MAX then
     game.stack:push(TextBox.new(game, t._CantTakeMonText
-      or "You can't take\nany more POKéMON.\fDeposit POKéMON\nfirst."))
+      or Strings("You can't take\nany more POKéMON.\fDeposit POKéMON\nfirst.")))
     return
   end
   local items = {}
@@ -63,7 +65,7 @@ local function withdraw(game)
     table.insert(items, { label = monLabel(game, mon), value = i })
   end
   game.stack:push(ListMenu.new(game,
-    ("BOX %d (WITHDRAW)"):format(game.save.currentBox), items, {
+    Strings("BOX %d (WITHDRAW)", game.save.currentBox), items, {
     onChoose = function(item, list)
       local mon = box[item.value]
       if not mon then return end
@@ -72,13 +74,21 @@ local function withdraw(game)
           list.footer = "The party is full!"
           return
         end
+        -- add_mon.asm _MoveMon's tail ("returning mon to party, compute
+        -- level and stats"): a box mon carries no stat block, because
+        -- box_struct stops before MON_LEVEL/MON_STATS, so the party copy
+        -- runs CalcStats.  Without it a mon decoded out of an imported .sav
+        -- reaches the party menu with mon.stats nil and the HP bar draw
+        -- nil-indexes it (#304, same family as #233).  Already-shaped mons
+        -- (everything the engine itself put in a box) pass through.
+        Stats.ensure(game.data.pokemon[mon.species], mon)
         table.remove(box, item.value)
         table.insert(game.save.party, mon)
         local name = monName(game, mon)
         game.stringBuffer = name
         require("src.core.Sound").playCry(game.data, mon.species)
         afterTransfer(game, list, t._MonIsTakenOutText
-          or (name .. " is\ntaken out.\vGot " .. name .. "."))
+          or Strings("%s is\ntaken out.\vGot %s.", name, name))
       end)
     end,
   }))
@@ -88,13 +98,13 @@ local function deposit(game)
   local t = game.data.text
   if #game.save.party <= 1 then
     game.stack:push(TextBox.new(game, t._CantDepositLastMonText
-      or "You can't deposit\nthe last POKéMON!"))
+      or Strings("You can't deposit\nthe last POKéMON!")))
     return
   end
   local box = Boxes.active(game.save)
   if #box >= Boxes.CAPACITY then
     game.stack:push(TextBox.new(game, t._BoxFullText
-      or "Oops! This Box is\nfull of POKéMON."))
+      or Strings("Oops! This Box is\nfull of POKéMON.")))
     return
   end
   local items = {}
@@ -107,12 +117,12 @@ local function deposit(game)
       if not mon then return end
       monSubmenu(game, "DEPOSIT", mon, function()
         if #game.save.party <= 1 then
-          list.footer = "You need at least\none POKéMON!"
+          list.footer = Strings("You need at least\none POKéMON!")
           return
         end
         local active = Boxes.active(game.save)
         if #active >= Boxes.CAPACITY then
-          list.footer = ("BOX %d is full!"):format(game.save.currentBox)
+          list.footer = Strings("BOX %d is full!", game.save.currentBox)
           return
         end
         table.remove(game.save.party, item.value)
@@ -122,7 +132,7 @@ local function deposit(game)
         game.boxNumString = tostring(game.save.currentBox)
         require("src.core.Sound").playCry(game.data, mon.species)
         afterTransfer(game, list, t._MonWasStoredText
-          or (name .. " was\nstored in Box " .. game.boxNumString .. "."))
+          or Strings("%s was\nstored in Box %s.", name, game.boxNumString))
       end)
     end,
   }))
@@ -135,7 +145,7 @@ local function release(game)
   local t = game.data.text
   if #box == 0 then
     game.stack:push(TextBox.new(game, t._NoMonText
-      or "What? There are\nno POKéMON here!"))
+      or Strings("What? There are\nno POKéMON here!")))
     return
   end
   local items = {}
@@ -143,20 +153,20 @@ local function release(game)
     table.insert(items, { label = monLabel(game, mon), value = i })
   end
   game.stack:push(ListMenu.new(game,
-    ("BOX %d (RELEASE)"):format(game.save.currentBox), items, {
+    Strings("BOX %d (RELEASE)", game.save.currentBox), items, {
     onChoose = function(_, list)
       local mon = box[list.index]
       if not mon then return end
       local name = monName(game, mon)
       local ChoiceBox = require("src.ui.ChoiceBox")
       game.stack:push(TextBox.new(game,
-        "Once released,\n" .. name .. " is\ngone forever. OK?", function()
+        Strings("Once released,\n%s is\ngone forever. OK?", name), function()
         game.stack:push(ChoiceBox.new(game, function(yes)
           if not yes then return end
           table.remove(box, list.index)
           require("src.core.Sound").playCry(game.data, mon.species)
           game.stack:push(TextBox.new(game,
-            ("%s was\nreleased outside.\fBye %s!"):format(name, name)))
+            Strings("%s was\nreleased outside.\fBye %s!", name, name)))
           list:removeCurrent()
         end, { defaultNo = true, noSound = true }))
       end))
@@ -170,7 +180,7 @@ local function changeBox(game)
   for i = 1, Boxes.COUNT do
     local mark = i == game.save.currentBox and "*" or " "
     table.insert(items, {
-      label = ("%sBOX %2d"):format(mark, i),
+      label = Strings("%sBOX %2d", mark, i),
       right = ("%d/%d"):format(#boxes[i], Boxes.CAPACITY),
       value = i,
     })
@@ -181,7 +191,7 @@ local function changeBox(game)
       -- BOX, data will be saved. OK?"); declining aborts the change
       local ChoiceBox = require("src.ui.ChoiceBox")
       game.stack:push(TextBox.new(game,
-        "When you change a\nPOKéMON BOX, data\nwill be saved. OK?", function()
+        Strings("When you change a\nPOKéMON BOX, data\nwill be saved. OK?"), function()
         game.stack:push(ChoiceBox.new(game, function(yes)
           if not yes then return end
           game.save.currentBox = item.value
@@ -197,10 +207,10 @@ end
 local function drawChrome(game)
   Font.drawBox(0, 12, 20, 6)
   love.graphics.setColor(0, 0, 0, 1)
-  Font.draw("What?", 8, 112)
+  Font.draw(Strings("What?"), 8, 112)
   Font.drawBox(9, 14, 11, 4)
   love.graphics.setColor(0, 0, 0, 1)
-  Font.draw("BOX No.", 80, 128)
+  Font.draw(Strings("BOX No."), 80, 128)
   local n = game.save.currentBox or 1
   if n >= 10 then
     Font.draw(tostring(n), 136, 128)
@@ -217,15 +227,15 @@ function BoxMenu.new(game)
   -- full interior (cursor col + label).  keepOpen so WITHDRAW/DEPOSIT/
   -- RELEASE/CHANGE BOX leave this menu underneath (jp BillsPCMenu).
   local menu = Menu.new(game, {
-    { label = "WITHDRAW <PK><MN>", keepOpen = true,
+    { label = Strings("WITHDRAW <PK><MN>"), keepOpen = true,
       onSelect = function() withdraw(game) end },
-    { label = "DEPOSIT <PK><MN>", keepOpen = true,
+    { label = Strings("DEPOSIT <PK><MN>"), keepOpen = true,
       onSelect = function() deposit(game) end },
-    { label = "RELEASE <PK><MN>", keepOpen = true,
+    { label = Strings("RELEASE <PK><MN>"), keepOpen = true,
       onSelect = function() release(game) end },
-    { label = "CHANGE BOX", keepOpen = true,
+    { label = Strings("CHANGE BOX"), keepOpen = true,
       onSelect = function() changeBox(game) end },
-    { label = "SEE YA!" },
+    { label = Strings("SEE YA!") },
     -- Bill's PC runs silent end to end (BIT_NO_MENU_BUTTON_SOUND,
     -- engine/menus/pokemon_pc.asm)
   }, { tx = 0, ty = 0, tw = 14, th = 12, noSound = true })

src/ui/ChoiceBox.lua

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 
 local Font = require("src.render.Font")
 local Theme = require("src.ui.Theme")
+local Strings = require("src.core.Strings")
 
 local ChoiceBox = {}
 ChoiceBox.__index = ChoiceBox
@@ -46,8 +47,8 @@ function ChoiceBox:draw()
   local tx, ty, tw, th = self.tx, self.ty, self.tw, self.th
   Font.drawBox(tx, ty, tw, th)
   love.graphics.setColor(0, 0, 0, 1)
-  Font.draw("YES", (tx + 2) * 8, (ty + 1) * 8)
-  Font.draw("NO", (tx + 2) * 8, (ty + 3) * 8)
+  Font.draw(Strings("YES"), (tx + 2) * 8, (ty + 1) * 8)
+  Font.draw(Strings("NO"), (tx + 2) * 8, (ty + 3) * 8)
   Font.drawCode(Theme.cursor, (tx + 1) * 8,
                 (ty + (self.index == 1 and 1 or 3)) * 8)
   love.graphics.setColor(1, 1, 1, 1)

src/ui/Credits.lua

@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@
 
 local Font = require("src.render.Font")
 local Music = require("src.core.Music")
+local Strings = require("src.core.Strings")
 
 local Credits = {}
 Credits.__index = Credits
@@ -261,14 +262,14 @@ function Credits:drawCopyright(xoff)
       love.graphics.draw(self.gfImg, xoff + 80, 88)
     else
       love.graphics.setColor(0, 0, 0, 1)
-      Font.draw("GAME FREAK", xoff + 80, 88)
+      Font.draw(Strings("GAME FREAK"), xoff + 80, 88)
       love.graphics.setColor(1, 1, 1, 1)
     end
   else
     love.graphics.setColor(0, 0, 0, 1)
-    Font.draw("Nintendo", xoff + 80, 56)
-    Font.draw("Creatures inc.", xoff + 80, 72)
-    Font.draw("GAME FREAK inc.", xoff + 16, 88)
+    Font.draw(Strings("Nintendo"), xoff + 80, 56)
+    Font.draw(Strings("Creatures inc."), xoff + 80, 72)
+    Font.draw(Strings("GAME FREAK inc."), xoff + 16, 88)
     love.graphics.setColor(1, 1, 1, 1)
   end
 end
@@ -298,7 +299,7 @@ function Credits:drawTheEnd()
     end
   else
     love.graphics.setColor(0, 0, 0, 1)
-    Font.draw((te and te.display) or "T H E  E N D", 32, 64)
+    Font.draw((te and te.display) or Strings("T H E  E N D"), 32, 64)
     love.graphics.setColor(1, 1, 1, 1)
   end
 end

src/ui/DexEntryMenu.lua

@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
 -- without permanently marking the mon owned.
 
 local Font = require("src.render.Font")
+local Strings = require("src.core.Strings")
 
 local DexEntryMenu = {}
 DexEntryMenu.__index = DexEntryMenu
@@ -36,7 +37,11 @@ function DexEntryMenu.new(game, speciesOrOpts)
   self.def = game.data.pokemon[species]
   local path = require("src.pokemon.Sprites").path(game.data, species, "front",
     { kind = "dex" })
-  local ok, img = path and pcall(love.graphics.newImage, path)
+  -- `path and pcall(...)` truncates to one value, so img was always nil and
+  -- every dex page drew without its pic (#307); the guard has to be a
+  -- statement for pcall's second return to survive.
+  local ok, img = false, nil
+  if path then ok, img = pcall(love.graphics.newImage, path) end
   self.sprite = ok and img or nil
   require("src.core.Sound").playCry(game.data, species)
   return self
@@ -76,8 +81,8 @@ function DexEntryMenu:draw()
     -- feet/inches use the dex screen's ′/″ glyphs ("HT  ?′??″" in
     -- pokedex.asm; the tiles come from gfx/pokedex/pokedex.png via
     -- engine/gfx/load_pokedex_tiles.asm)
-    Font.draw(("HT %d′%02d″"):format(e.heightFt, e.heightIn or 0), 72, 44)
-    Font.draw(("WT %.1flb"):format((e.weight or 0) / 10), 72, 54)
+    Font.draw(Strings("HT %d′%02d″", e.heightFt, e.heightIn or 0), 72, 44)
+    Font.draw(Strings("WT %.1flb", (e.weight or 0) / 10), 72, 54)
   end
   local text = owned and e.text and self.game.data.text[e.text] or nil
   local y = 72
@@ -88,7 +93,7 @@ function DexEntryMenu:draw()
       y = y + 10
     end
   else
-    Font.draw("Data unknown.", 8, y)
+    Font.draw(Strings("Data unknown."), 8, y)
   end
   love.graphics.setColor(1, 1, 1, 1)
 end

src/ui/EvolutionState.lua

@@ -1,14 +1,17 @@
 -- The evolution movie (engine/movie/evolution.asm): the mon's pic
 -- flashes back and forth with the evolved form, speeding up, then the
 -- new form appears with its cry and the congratulations text.
--- pokered engine/pokemon/evos_moves.asm (EvolveMon) polls hJoyHeld during
--- the flash: holding B aborts the evolution -- the mon keeps its species
--- and _StoppedEvolvingText ("Huh? MON stopped evolving!") prints.  The
--- lone exception is trade evolutions (wLinkState == LINK_STATE_TRADING),
--- which skip that poll and cannot be cancelled (#213).
+-- pokered engine/movie/evolution.asm (Evolution_CheckForCancel) polls the
+-- joypad during the flash: holding B aborts the evolution -- the mon keeps
+-- its species and _StoppedEvolvingText ("Huh? MON stopped evolving!")
+-- prints.  Two kinds are exempt: trade evolutions, which evos_moves.asm
+-- routes past the poll entirely (wLinkState == LINK_STATE_TRADING, #213),
+-- and stone evolutions, where the B press is read but thrown away because
+-- ItemUseEvoStone left wForceEvolution set (#290).
 
 local Font = require("src.render.Font")
 local Music = require("src.core.Music")
+local Strings = require("src.core.Strings")
 
 local EvolutionState = {}
 EvolutionState.__index = EvolutionState
@@ -17,6 +20,22 @@ EvolutionState.isOpaque = true
 -- SGB: SetPal_PokemonWholeScreen for the mon on display
 function EvolutionState:sgbPalettes(game)
   local P = require("src.render.PaletteFX")
+  -- engine/movie/evolution.asm EvolveMon runs the back-and-forth flash with
+  -- the whole screen on PAL_BLACK -- `ld c, 1 ; set PAL_BLACK instead of mon
+  -- palette` right before .animLoop, then `ld c, 0` again at .done once the
+  -- loop is over -- so both forms read as silhouettes while they trade places
+  -- and only the settled form wears a mon palette (#279).  PAL_BLACK is not
+  -- four blacks: data/sgb/sgb_palettes.asm gives it `RGB 31,29,31, 07,07,07,
+  -- 02,03,03, 03,02,02`, the usual paper white with the three darker shades
+  -- crushed, which is why a hardware capture shows a dark mon on an unchanged
+  -- background rather than an all-black screen.  Going through P.pal keeps
+  -- every COLORS mode honest for free: OG RED short-circuits every name to the
+  -- one global boot-ROM palette (a Game Boy Color ignores the SGB packets, so
+  -- it never blacks out) and the mono modes replace it in effectiveColors.
+  if not self.done then
+    local black = P.pal(game.data, "BLACK")
+    if black then return { P.whole(black) } end
+  end
   -- a cancelled evolution keeps the old species (never applied), so only
   -- colorize with the new form once it has actually evolved
   local species = (self.done and not self.canceled) and self.newSpecies
@@ -43,9 +62,12 @@ function EvolutionState.new(game, mon, newSpecies, onDone, via)
   self.newSpecies = newSpecies
   self.onDone = onDone
   self.via = via
-  -- evos_moves.asm: only trade evolutions (LINK_STATE_TRADING) skip the
-  -- B-cancel poll; level-up, stone and rare-candy evos are all cancelable.
-  self.cancelable = (via ~= "TRADE")
+  -- evolution.asm Evolution_CheckForCancel: a B press is discarded when
+  -- wForceEvolution is set, and ItemUseEvoStone sets it before calling
+  -- TryEvolvingMon, so a stone evolution (via == "ITEM") cannot be
+  -- cancelled either.  Only level-up and rare-candy evolutions run with
+  -- wForceEvolution clear and so honour B (#290, #213).
+  self.cancelable = (via ~= "TRADE" and via ~= "ITEM")
   self.oldName = mon.nickname or game.data.pokemon[mon.species].name
   self.oldSprite = frontSprite(game, mon.species, mon)
   self.newSprite = frontSprite(game, newSpecies, mon)
@@ -69,7 +91,7 @@ function EvolutionState:update(dt)
     local TextBox = require("src.render.TextBox")
     -- mirrors data/generated/text.lua _StoppedEvolvingText
     game.stack:push(TextBox.new(game,
-      ("Huh? %s\nstopped evolving!"):format(self.oldName),
+      Strings("Huh? %s\nstopped evolving!", self.oldName),
       function()
         Music.restoreMap(game.data)
         game.stack:pop() -- the evolution screen itself
@@ -85,8 +107,8 @@ function EvolutionState:update(dt)
     local TextBox = require("src.render.TextBox")
     local newName = game.data.pokemon[self.newSpecies].name
     game.stack:push(TextBox.new(game,
-      ("Congratulations!\nYour %s\nevolved into\n%s!")
-        :format(self.oldName, newName),
+      Strings("Congratulations!\nYour %s\nevolved into\n%s!",
+              self.oldName, newName),
       function()
         Music.restoreMap(game.data)
         game.stack:pop() -- the evolution screen itself
@@ -121,9 +143,9 @@ function EvolutionState:draw()
 
   love.graphics.setColor(0, 0, 0, 1)
   if not self.done then
-    Font.draw("What?", 8, 104)
+    Font.draw(Strings("What?"), 8, 104)
     Font.draw(self.oldName .. " is", 8, 114)
-    Font.draw("evolving!", 8, 124)
+    Font.draw(Strings("evolving!"), 8, 124)
   end
   love.graphics.setColor(1, 1, 1, 1)
 end

src/ui/HallOfFame.lua

@@ -7,10 +7,13 @@
 -- name/time/money boxes plus the dex rating.  Plays Music_HallOfFame
 -- when the audio data has it.  Calls onDone() after popping itself.
 
+local Assets = require("src.render.Assets")
 local Font = require("src.render.Font")
+local TextBox = require("src.render.TextBox")
 local Music = require("src.core.Music")
 local Sound = require("src.core.Sound")
 local TypeChart = require("src.battle.TypeChart")
+local Strings = require("src.core.Strings")
 
 local HallOfFame = {}
 HallOfFame.__index = HallOfFame
@@ -47,9 +50,11 @@ local FADE_FRAMES = 20
 -- HoFPrintTextAndDelay after each dex line
 local DEX_HOLD = 120
 
+-- through Assets.resolve so an enabled mod's overrides/ shadows these the
+-- same way it shadows every other generated asset
 local function tryImage(path)
   if not path then return nil end
-  local ok, img = pcall(love.graphics.newImage, path)
+  local ok, img = pcall(love.graphics.newImage, Assets.resolve(path))
   return ok and img or nil
 end
 
@@ -60,17 +65,6 @@ local function dexRatingKey(owned)
   return ("_DexRatingText_Own%dTo%d"):format(lo, lo + 9)
 end
 
--- \n/\v/\f-marked extracted text, one Font.draw line at a time (same
--- technique as DexEntryMenu.lua's dex-description block)
-local function drawTextBlock(text, x, y, maxY)
-  for line in (text:gsub("\v", "\n"):gsub("\f", "\n") .. "\n"):gmatch("(.-)\n") do
-    if maxY and y > maxY then break end
-    Font.draw(line, x, y)
-    y = y + 8
-  end
-  return y
-end
-
 function HallOfFame.new(game, onDone)
   local self = setmetatable({}, HallOfFame)
   self.game = game
@@ -79,7 +73,8 @@ function HallOfFame.new(game, onDone)
   self.timer = 0
   self.phase = "mons"
   self.sprites = {} -- species -> image or false
-  self.playerPic = tryImage("assets/generated/trainer_card/red.png")
+  self.playerPic = tryImage(require("src.pokemon.Sprites").playerPath(
+    game.data, "front", { kind = "hof" }))
   self.scrollX = PIC_X
   self.showHofBanner = false
   self.fade = 0
@@ -177,26 +172,50 @@ function HallOfFame:update(dt)
     self.phase = "player_stats"
     self.timer = DEX_HOLD
   elseif self.phase == "player_stats" then
-    -- name / play time / money boxes are up; then DexSeenOwnedText
+    -- name / play time / money boxes are up; then the dex texts
     self.timer = self.timer - 1
     if skip or self.timer <= 0 then
       self.phase = "player_dex"
-      self.timer = DEX_HOLD
-    end
-  elseif self.phase == "player_dex" then
-    self.timer = self.timer - 1
-    if skip or self.timer <= 0 then
-      self.phase = "player_rating"
-      self.timer = DEX_HOLD
-    end
-  elseif self.phase == "player_rating" then
-    self.timer = self.timer - 1
-    if skip or self.timer <= 0 then
-      -- HoFFadeOutScreenAndMusic -> Credits lead-in (no A wait here)
-      self.game.stack:pop()
-      if self.onDone then self.onDone() end
+      self:showDexTexts()
     end
   end
+  -- player_dex / player_rating are driven by the TextBox chain that
+  -- showDexTexts pushes; nothing is timed here
+end
+
+-- HoFDisplayPlayerStats' three HoFPrintTextAndDelay calls: seen/owned,
+-- "POKéDEX Rating:", then the tier text DisplayDexRating copied into
+-- wDexRatingText -- each through PrintText (the standard two-row box, so
+-- the tier text's \v rows scroll inside it) followed by 120 DelayFrames
+-- with no button wait.  Hand-drawing these flattened the \v scrolls and
+-- painted the third row over the box's bottom border (#314).
+function HallOfFame:showDexTexts()
+  local game = self.game
+  local text = game.data.text or {}
+  local seen, owned = self:dexSeenOwned()
+  local seenOwned = (text._DexSeenOwnedText
+      or Strings("POKéDEX   Seen:{NUM:wDexRatingNumMonsSeen, 1, 3}\n         Owned:{NUM:wDexRatingNumMonsOwned, 1, 3}"))
+    :gsub("{NUM:wDexRatingNumMonsSeen[^}]*}", tostring(seen))
+    :gsub("{NUM:wDexRatingNumMonsOwned[^}]*}", tostring(owned))
+  local header = (text._DexRatingText or Strings("POKéDEX Rating{COLON}"))
+    :gsub("{COLON}", ":")
+  local rating = text[dexRatingKey(owned)] or Strings("Keep it up!")
+  local function finish()
+    -- HoFFadeOutScreenAndMusic -> Credits lead-in (no A wait here)
+    game.stack:pop()
+    if self.onDone then self.onDone() end
+  end
+  local function showRating()
+    game.stack:push(TextBox.new(game, rating, finish,
+                                { auto = { delay = DEX_HOLD } }))
+  end
+  local function showHeader()
+    self.phase = "player_rating"
+    game.stack:push(TextBox.new(game, header, showRating,
+                                { auto = { delay = DEX_HOLD } }))
+  end
+  game.stack:push(TextBox.new(game, seenOwned, showHeader,
+                              { auto = { delay = DEX_HOLD } }))
 end
 
 -- HoFDisplayMonInfo: TextBoxBorder (0,2) b=9,c=10 + LEVEL/TYPE labels
@@ -206,13 +225,13 @@ function HallOfFame:drawMonInfo(mon)
   love.graphics.setColor(0, 0, 0, 1)
   local name = mon.nickname or (def and def.name) or mon.species
   Font.draw(name, 1 * 8, 4 * 8)
-  Font.draw("LEVEL/", 2 * 8, 6 * 8)
-  Font.draw("TYPE1/", 2 * 8, 7 * 8)
+  Font.draw(Strings("LEVEL/"), 2 * 8, 6 * 8)
+  Font.draw(Strings("TYPE1/"), 2 * 8, 7 * 8)
   local t1 = def and def.types and def.types[1]
   local t2 = def and def.types and def.types[2]
   local dual = t2 and t2 ~= t1
   if dual then
-    Font.draw("TYPE2/", 2 * 8, 8 * 8)
+    Font.draw(Strings("TYPE2/"), 2 * 8, 8 * 8)
   end
   -- PrintLevelCommon at (8,7): bare level digits (no <LV> tile here)
   Font.draw(tostring(mon.level), 8 * 8, 7 * 8)
@@ -229,7 +248,7 @@ end
 function HallOfFame:drawHofBanner()
   Font.drawBox(2, 13, 16, 5)
   love.graphics.setColor(0, 0, 0, 1)
-  Font.draw("HALL OF FAME", 4 * 8, 15 * 8)
+  Font.draw(Strings("HALL OF FAME"), 4 * 8, 15 * 8)
 end
 
 function HallOfFame:drawPic(img)
@@ -249,37 +268,15 @@ function HallOfFame:drawPlayerStats()
   -- play time / money box: TextBoxBorder (0,4) b=6,c=10 → drawBox(0,4,12,8)
   Font.drawBox(0, 4, 12, 8)
   love.graphics.setColor(0, 0, 0, 1)
-  Font.draw("PLAY TIME", 1 * 8, 6 * 8)
+  Font.draw(Strings("PLAY TIME"), 1 * 8, 6 * 8)
   local t = math.floor(save.playTime or 0)
   Font.draw(("%3d:%02d"):format(math.floor(t / 3600), math.floor(t / 60) % 60),
             5 * 8, 7 * 8)
-  Font.draw("MONEY", 1 * 8, 9 * 8)
+  Font.draw(Strings("MONEY"), 1 * 8, 9 * 8)
   -- PrintBCDNumber with MONEY_SIGN; port uses ¥ like TrainerCard
   Font.draw(("¥%d"):format(save.money or 0), 4 * 8, 10 * 8)
 end
 
-function HallOfFame:drawDexBox(kind)
-  local save = self.game.save
-  local text = self.game.data.text or {}
-  Font.drawBox(0, 12, 20, 6)
-  love.graphics.setColor(0, 0, 0, 1)
-  if kind == "seen" then
-    local seen, owned = self:dexSeenOwned()
-    local seenOwned = text._DexSeenOwnedText
-      or "POKéDEX   Seen:{NUM:wDexRatingNumMonsSeen, 1, 3}\n         Owned:{NUM:wDexRatingNumMonsOwned, 1, 3}"
-    seenOwned = seenOwned
-      :gsub("{NUM:wDexRatingNumMonsSeen[^}]*}", tostring(seen))
-      :gsub("{NUM:wDexRatingNumMonsOwned[^}]*}", tostring(owned))
-    drawTextBlock(seenOwned, 1 * 8, 14 * 8, 17 * 8)
-  else
-    local _, owned = self:dexSeenOwned()
-    local ratingHeader = (text._DexRatingText or "POKéDEX Rating{COLON}"):gsub("{COLON}", ":")
-    Font.draw(ratingHeader, 1 * 8, 14 * 8)
-    local rating = text[dexRatingKey(owned)] or "Keep it up!"
-    drawTextBlock(rating, 1 * 8, 15 * 8, 17 * 8)
-  end
-end
-
 function HallOfFame:draw()
   love.graphics.setColor(1, 1, 1, 1)
   love.graphics.rectangle("fill", 0, 0, 160, 144)
@@ -304,14 +301,10 @@ function HallOfFame:draw()
   elseif self.phase == "player_stats" then
     self:drawPic(self.playerPic)
     self:drawPlayerStats()
-  elseif self.phase == "player_dex" then
+  elseif self.phase == "player_dex" or self.phase == "player_rating" then
+    -- the TextBox chain draws the dex texts over the stat boxes
     self:drawPic(self.playerPic)
     self:drawPlayerStats()
-    self:drawDexBox("seen")
-  elseif self.phase == "player_rating" then
-    self:drawPic(self.playerPic)
-    self:drawPlayerStats()
-    self:drawDexBox("rating")
   end
 
   love.graphics.setColor(1, 1, 1, 1)

src/ui/IntroMovie.lua

@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@
 local Font = require("src.render.Font")
 local Music = require("src.core.Music")
 local Sound = require("src.core.Sound")
+local Strings = require("src.core.Strings")
 
 local IntroMovie = {}
 IntroMovie.__index = IntroMovie
@@ -287,7 +288,7 @@ function IntroMovie:drawSplash()
     end
     -- custom studio name (replaces the GAME FREAK splash text)
     love.graphics.setColor(0, 0, 0, dim and 0.35 or 1)
-    local card = self.studio.card or "bois club games"
+    local card = self.studio.card or Strings("bois club games")
     Font.draw(card, (160 - #card * 8) / 2, TEXT_Y)
     love.graphics.setColor(1, 1, 1, 1)
   end
@@ -348,7 +349,7 @@ function IntroMovie:drawFight()
 
   if not gengar and not nido then
     love.graphics.setColor(0, 0, 0, 1)
-    Font.draw("GENGAR VS NIDORINO", (160 - 18 * 8) / 2, 64)
+    Font.draw(Strings("GENGAR VS NIDORINO"), (160 - 18 * 8) / 2, 64)
     love.graphics.setColor(1, 1, 1, 1)
   end
   drawBars()
@@ -366,7 +367,7 @@ function IntroMovie:draw()
     -- custom boot card (replaces the Nintendo / GAME FREAK copyright
     -- card; no (c) glyph in the charmap, keep it ASCII-safe)
     love.graphics.setColor(0, 0, 0, 1)
-    local credit = self.studio.credit or "bois club"
+    local credit = self.studio.credit or Strings("bois club")
     Font.draw("2026", (160 - 4 * 8) / 2, 48)
     Font.draw(credit, (160 - #credit * 8) / 2, 64)
     Font.draw("bryanthaboi", (160 - 11 * 8) / 2, 80)

src/ui/ListMenu.lua

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 local Font = require("src.render.Font")
 local Runtime = require("src.mods.Runtime")
 local Theme = require("src.ui.Theme")
+local Strings = require("src.core.Strings")
 
 local ListMenu = {}
 ListMenu.__index = ListMenu
@@ -74,7 +75,7 @@ function ListMenu.new(game, title, items, opts)
   self.dialogue = opts.dialogue
   -- PC item lists (players_pc.asm): PrintListMenuEntries shows 4 names
   -- and PrintText footers ("How many?", stored/withdrew) use the standard
-  -- bottom text box — same row budget as the mart, without the money box.
+  -- bottom text box -- same row budget as the mart, without the money box.
   self.messageBox = opts.messageBox
   self.money = opts.money          -- () -> current money for the box
   self.rows = opts.rows or ((opts.dialogue or opts.messageBox) and 4 or ROWS)
@@ -192,7 +193,7 @@ function ListMenu:draw()
   love.graphics.setColor(0, 0, 0, 1)
   Font.draw(self.title, 8, 4)
   if #self.items == 0 then
-    Font.draw("Nothing here.", 16, 64)
+    Font.draw(Strings("Nothing here."), 16, 64)
   end
   for row = 1, self.rows do
     local i = self.scroll + row
@@ -201,7 +202,10 @@ function ListMenu:draw()
     local y = 8 + row * 16
     Font.draw(item.label, 16, y)
     if item.ball then -- the Pokédex owned-ball marker tile
-      local bx = 16 + (#item.label + 1) * 8 + 3
+      -- one blank glyph after the name, measured in glyph advances rather
+      -- than bytes: NIDORAN♂/♀ carry a multi-byte charmap entry, so
+      -- `#item.label` overcounted by 2 and pushed their ball 16px right (#285)
+      local bx = 16 + Font.width(item.label) + 8 + 3
       local by = y + 3
       love.graphics.circle("fill", bx, by, 3.5)
       love.graphics.setColor(1, 1, 1, 1)

src/ui/MoveLearnMenu.lua

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 -- can't be forgotten; B / CANCEL gives up on the new move.
 
 local Font = require("src.render.Font")
+local Strings = require("src.core.Strings")
 
 local MoveLearnMenu = {}
 MoveLearnMenu.__index = MoveLearnMenu
@@ -43,9 +44,9 @@ function MoveLearnMenu:enter()
   local name = self:monName()
   self.selecting = false
   game.stack:push(TextBox.new(game,
-    ("%s is\ntrying to learn\v%s!\fBut, %s\ncan't learn more\vthan 4 moves!\f")
-      :format(name, mdef.name, name) ..
-    ("Delete an older\nmove to make room\vfor %s?"):format(mdef.name),
+    Strings("%s is\ntrying to learn\v%s!\fBut, %s\ncan't learn more\vthan 4 moves!\f",
+            name, mdef.name, name) ..
+    Strings("Delete an older\nmove to make room\vfor %s?", mdef.name),
     nil, {
       choice = function(yes)
         if yes then
@@ -76,7 +77,7 @@ function MoveLearnMenu:update(dt)
         -- HMCantDeleteText, then back to the forget list
         local TextBox = require("src.render.TextBox")
         self.game.stack:push(TextBox.new(self.game,
-          "HM techniques\ncan't be deleted!"))
+          Strings("HM techniques\ncan't be deleted!")))
         return
       end
       local mdef = self.game.data.moves[self.newMoveId]
@@ -96,7 +97,7 @@ function MoveLearnMenu:confirmAbandon()
   local mdef = game.data.moves[self.newMoveId]
   self.selecting = false
   game.stack:push(TextBox.new(game,
-    ("Abandon learning\n%s?"):format(mdef.name), nil, {
+    Strings("Abandon learning\n%s?", mdef.name), nil, {
       choice = function(yes)
         if yes then self:finish(false) else self:enter() end
       end,
@@ -113,11 +114,11 @@ function MoveLearnMenu:finish(learned)
   local msg
   if learned then
     -- OneTwoAndText/PoofText/ForgotAndText
-    msg = ("1, 2 and... Poof!\f%s forgot\n%s!\fAnd...\f%s learned\n%s!")
-          :format(name, self.forgot, name, mdef.name)
+    msg = Strings("1, 2 and... Poof!\f%s forgot\n%s!\fAnd...\f%s learned\n%s!",
+                  name, self.forgot, name, mdef.name)
   else
     -- DidNotLearnText
-    msg = ("%s\ndid not learn\v%s!"):format(name, mdef.name)
+    msg = Strings("%s\ndid not learn\v%s!", name, mdef.name)
   end
   game.stack:push(TextBox.new(game, msg, function()
     if self.onDone then self.onDone(learned) end
@@ -133,12 +134,12 @@ function MoveLearnMenu:draw()
   for i, mv in ipairs(self.mon.moves) do
     Font.draw(self.game.data.moves[mv.id].name, 48, (5 + i) * 8)
   end
-  Font.draw("CANCEL", 48, (6 + #self.mon.moves) * 8)
+  Font.draw(Strings("CANCEL"), 48, (6 + #self.mon.moves) * 8)
   Font.drawCode(CURSOR, 40, (5 + self.index) * 8)
   -- WhichMoveToForgetText in the bottom dialogue box
   Font.drawBox(0, 12, 20, 6)
-  Font.draw("Which move should", 8, 14 * 8)
-  Font.draw("be forgotten?", 8, 16 * 8)
+  Font.draw(Strings("Which move should"), 8, 14 * 8)
+  Font.draw(Strings("be forgotten?"), 8, 16 * 8)
   love.graphics.setColor(1, 1, 1, 1)
 end
 

src/ui/NamingScreen.lua

@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ local Font = require("src.render.Font")
 local Runtime = require("src.mods.Runtime")
 local Sound = require("src.core.Sound")
 local Theme = require("src.ui.Theme")
+local Strings = require("src.core.Strings")
 
 local NamingScreen = {}
 NamingScreen.__index = NamingScreen
@@ -64,7 +65,7 @@ function NamingScreen.new(game, opts)
   opts = opts or {}
   local self = setmetatable({}, NamingScreen)
   self.game = game
-  self.title = opts.title or "YOUR NAME?"
+  self.title = opts.title or Strings("YOUR NAME?")
   self.presets = opts.presets
   self.maxLen = opts.maxLen or 7
   self.default = opts.default
@@ -78,7 +79,7 @@ end
 function NamingScreen:enter()
   if self.presets and #self.presets > 0 then
     local Menu = require("src.ui.Menu")
-    local items = { { label = "NEW NAME" } }
+    local items = { { label = Strings("NEW NAME") } }
     for _, preset in ipairs(self.presets) do
       table.insert(items, {
         label = preset,

src/ui/OakSpeech.lua

@@ -7,12 +7,14 @@
 -- mod can insertBefore("name_player", ...) without counting indices.
 -- Calls onDone() after popping itself.
 
+local Assets = require("src.render.Assets")
 local Sound = require("src.core.Sound")
 local Music = require("src.core.Music")
 local Logger = require("src.core.Logger")
 local Runtime = require("src.mods.Runtime")
 local TextBox = require("src.render.TextBox")
 local Font = require("src.render.Font")
+local Strings = require("src.core.Strings")
 
 local OakSpeech = {}
 OakSpeech.__index = OakSpeech
@@ -38,12 +40,12 @@ function OakSpeech:sgbPalettes(game)
 end
 
 local FALLBACKS = {
-  _OakSpeechText1 = "Hello there!\nWelcome to the\vworld of POKéMON!\fMy name is OAK!\nPeople call me\vthe POKéMON PROF!",
-  _OakSpeechText2A = "This world is\ninhabited by\vcreatures called\vPOKéMON!",
-  _OakSpeechText2B = "\fFor some people,\nPOKéMON are\vpets. Others use\vthem for fights.\fMyself...\fI study POKéMON\nas a profession.",
-  _OakSpeechText3 = "{PLAYER}!\fYour very own\nPOKéMON legend is\vabout to unfold!\fA world of dreams\nand adventures\vwith POKéMON\vawaits! Let's go!",
-  _IntroducePlayerText = "First, what is\nyour name?",
-  _IntroduceRivalText = "This is my grand-\nson. He's been\vyour rival since\vyou were a baby.\f...Erm, what is\nhis name again?",
+  _OakSpeechText1 = Strings.source("Hello there!\nWelcome to the\vworld of POKéMON!\fMy name is OAK!\nPeople call me\vthe POKéMON PROF!"),
+  _OakSpeechText2A = Strings.source("This world is\ninhabited by\vcreatures called\vPOKéMON!"),
+  _OakSpeechText2B = Strings.source("\fFor some people,\nPOKéMON are\vpets. Others use\vthem for fights.\fMyself...\fI study POKéMON\nas a profession."),
+  _OakSpeechText3 = Strings.source("{PLAYER}!\fYour very own\nPOKéMON legend is\vabout to unfold!\fA world of dreams\nand adventures\vwith POKéMON\vawaits! Let's go!"),
+  _IntroducePlayerText = Strings.source("First, what is\nyour name?"),
+  _IntroduceRivalText = Strings.source("This is my grand-\nson. He's been\vyour rival since\vyou were a baby.\f...Erm, what is\nhis name again?"),
 }
 
 local function textOr(game, key)
@@ -51,9 +53,11 @@ local function textOr(game, key)
   return (t and t[key]) or FALLBACKS[key]
 end
 
+-- through Assets.resolve so an enabled mod's overrides/ shadows these the
+-- same way it shadows every other generated asset
 local function tryImage(path)
   if not path then return nil end
-  local ok, img = pcall(love.graphics.newImage, path)
+  local ok, img = pcall(love.graphics.newImage, Assets.resolve(path))
   return ok and img or nil
 end
 
@@ -101,7 +105,9 @@ function OakSpeech.resolvePic(game, desc, speech)
     if speech and speech.playerPic and not desc.path then
       return speech.playerPic, false
     end
-    return tryImage(desc.path or "assets/generated/trainer_card/red.png"), false
+    if desc.path then return tryImage(desc.path), false end
+    return tryImage(require("src.pokemon.Sprites").playerPath(
+      game.data, "front", { kind = "intro" })), false
   elseif t == "image" then
     return tryImage(desc.path), desc.flip and true or false
   elseif t == "sprite" then
@@ -140,7 +146,7 @@ function OakSpeech.defaultSteps(speech)
       id = "name_player",
       kind = "name",
       who = "player",
-      title = "YOUR NAME?",
+      title = Strings("YOUR NAME?"),
       presetsWho = "player",
       presetsFallback = { "RED", "ASH", "JACK" },
     },
@@ -154,7 +160,7 @@ function OakSpeech.defaultSteps(speech)
       id = "name_rival",
       kind = "name",
       who = "rival",
-      title = "HIS NAME?",
+      title = Strings("HIS NAME?"),
       presetsWho = "rival",
       presetsFallback = { "BLUE", "GARY", "JOHN" },
     },
@@ -220,7 +226,8 @@ function OakSpeech.new(game, onDone)
   self.nameLen = constants.playerNameLength or 7
   -- RedPicFront (gfx/player/red.png, shared with the trainer card) and
   -- the ShrinkPic1/ShrinkPic2 frames (gfx/player/shrink{1,2}.png)
-  self.playerPic = tryImage("assets/generated/trainer_card/red.png")
+  self.playerPic = tryImage(require("src.pokemon.Sprites").playerPath(
+    game.data, "front", { kind = "intro" }))
   self.shrinkPic1 = tryImage(oakGfx.shrink1
                              or "assets/generated/intro/shrink1.png")
   self.shrinkPic2 = tryImage(oakGfx.shrink2
@@ -337,7 +344,7 @@ function OakSpeech:runStep(step)
     self.picFlip = true
     self:revealPic("wipe", function()
       Sound.playCry(self.game.data, self.demoSpecies)
-      self:say("_OakSpeechText2A", function() self:advance() end)
+      self:say(Strings("_OakSpeechText2A"), function() self:advance() end)
     end)
   elseif kind == "name" then
     local who = step.who or "player"
@@ -345,7 +352,7 @@ function OakSpeech:runStep(step)
       or namePresets(self.game, step.presetsWho or who,
                      step.presetsFallback or { "RED" })
     require("src.ui.Screens").push(self.game, "NamingScreen", {
-      title = step.title or (who == "rival" and "HIS NAME?" or "YOUR NAME?"),
+      title = step.title or (who == "rival" and "HIS NAME?" or Strings("YOUR NAME?")),
       presets = presets,
       maxLen = step.maxLen or self.nameLen,
       onDone = function(name)
@@ -542,6 +549,10 @@ function OakSpeech:update(dt)
   elseif s.frame >= 79 and s.frame <= 102 then
     self.fadeLevel = math.floor((s.frame - 79) / 8) + 1
   elseif s.frame > 102 then
+    -- clear before finish(): a finished-listener that pushes a state gets
+    -- ITS state popped in the speech's place, and a live shrink would call
+    -- finish() again next frame, re-firing the event every frame (#308)
+    self.shrink = nil
     self:finish()
   end
 end

src/ui/OptionsMenu.lua

@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ local Logger = require("src.core.Logger")
 local Runtime = require("src.mods.Runtime")
 local OptionRows = require("src.ui.OptionRows")
 local Renderer = require("src.render.Renderer")
+local Strings = require("src.core.Strings")
 
 local OptionsMenu = {}
 OptionsMenu.__index = OptionsMenu
@@ -116,14 +117,14 @@ local function sameRows(_, rows) return rows end
 -- ladder's, so the save.options mutations are unchanged
 local function buildRows(game)
   local rows = {
-    { id = "textSpeed", label = "TEXT SPEED",
+    { id = "textSpeed", label = Strings("TEXT SPEED"),
       value = function(g) return SPEEDS[speedIndex(g)][2] end,
       step = function(g)
         local i = speedIndex(g) % #SPEEDS + 1
         g.save.options.textSpeed = SPEEDS[i][1]
         return true
       end },
-    { id = "animations", label = "BATTLE ANIMATION",
+    { id = "animations", label = Strings("BATTLE ANIMATION"),
       value = function(g)
         return g.save.options.animations == false and "OFF" or "ON"
       end,
@@ -132,7 +133,7 @@ local function buildRows(game)
         o.animations = o.animations == false and true or false
         return true
       end },
-    { id = "battleStyle", label = "BATTLE STYLE",
+    { id = "battleStyle", label = Strings("BATTLE STYLE"),
       value = function(g)
         return g.save.options.battleStyle == "set" and "SET" or "SHIFT"
       end,
@@ -141,7 +142,18 @@ local function buildRows(game)
         o.battleStyle = o.battleStyle == "set" and "shift" or "set"
         return true
       end },
-    { id = "ruleset", label = "RULESET",
+    -- OG is the classic 160x144 battle screen; WIDE is the 304x144
+    -- widescreen composition (src/battle/WideBattle.lua)
+    { id = "battleLayout", label = Strings("BATTLE LAYOUT"),
+      value = function(g)
+        return g.save.options.battleLayout == "wide" and "WIDE" or "OG"
+      end,
+      step = function(g)
+        local o = g.save.options
+        o.battleLayout = o.battleLayout == "wide" and "og" or "wide"
+        return true
+      end },
+    { id = "ruleset", label = Strings("RULESET"),
       value = function(g) return rulesetName(g) end,
       step = function(g, dir)
         local ids = rulesetIds(g)
@@ -150,7 +162,7 @@ local function buildRows(game)
         g.save.options.ruleset = ids[wrapIndex(i - 1 + dir, #ids) + 1]
         return true
       end },
-    { id = "musicVol", label = "MUSIC VOL",
+    { id = "musicVol", label = Strings("MUSIC VOL"),
       value = function(g) return volLabel(g.save.options.musicVol) end,
       step = function(g, dir)
         local o = g.save.options
@@ -158,7 +170,7 @@ local function buildRows(game)
         require("src.core.Music").setVolumeLevel(o.musicVol)
         return true
       end },
-    { id = "sfxVol", label = "SFX VOL",
+    { id = "sfxVol", label = Strings("SFX VOL"),
       value = function(g) return volLabel(g.save.options.sfxVol) end,
       step = function(g, dir)
         local o = g.save.options
@@ -166,7 +178,7 @@ local function buildRows(game)
         require("src.core.Sound").setVolumeLevel(o.sfxVol)
         return true
       end },
-    { id = "musicFilter", label = "MUSIC FILTER",
+    { id = "musicFilter", label = Strings("MUSIC FILTER"),
       value = function(g)
         return FILTERS[(g.save.options.musicFilter or 0) + 1]
       end,
@@ -176,7 +188,7 @@ local function buildRows(game)
         require("src.core.Music").setFilterLevel(o.musicFilter)
         return true
       end },
-    { id = "colors", label = "COLORS",
+    { id = "colors", label = Strings("COLORS"),
       value = function(g)
         return PaletteFX.modeLabel(g.save.options.colors or "gbc")
       end,
@@ -188,7 +200,7 @@ local function buildRows(game)
         PaletteFX.setMode(o.colors)
         return true
       end },
-    { id = "tilt", label = "TILT",
+    { id = "tilt", label = Strings("TILT"),
       value = function(g) return Tilt.levelLabel(g.save.options.tilt or 0) end,
       step = function(g, dir)
         local o = g.save.options
@@ -205,7 +217,7 @@ local function buildRows(game)
         end
         return true
       end },
-    { id = "gbcfx", label = "GBC FX",
+    { id = "gbcfx", label = Strings("GBC FX"),
       value = function(g)
         return GBCFX.levelLabel(g.save.options.gbcfx or 0)
       end,
@@ -215,7 +227,7 @@ local function buildRows(game)
         GBCFX.setLevel(o.gbcfx)
         return true
       end },
-    { id = "zoom", label = "ZOOM",
+    { id = "zoom", label = Strings("ZOOM"),
       value = function(g)
         return Zoom.offsetLabel(g.save.options.zoom or 0)
       end,
@@ -230,7 +242,7 @@ local function buildRows(game)
         Zoom.offset = off
         return true
       end },
-    { id = "voidFill", label = "VOID FILL",
+    { id = "voidFill", label = Strings("VOID FILL"),
       value = function(g)
         return TileRenderer.voidFillLabel(g.save.options.voidFill)
       end,
@@ -246,7 +258,7 @@ local function buildRows(game)
         TileRenderer.setVoidFill(o.voidFill)
         return true
       end },
-    { id = "videoMode", label = "VIDEO MODE",
+    { id = "videoMode", label = Strings("VIDEO MODE"),
       value = function(g)
         return VideoMode.modeLabel(g.save.options.videoMode)
       end,
@@ -259,7 +271,7 @@ local function buildRows(game)
     -- hard render cap (issue #88): bounds the present rate so a
     -- driver-forced vsync-off run cannot spin at thousands of FPS.  Logic
     -- is fixed-step off dt, so this touches presentation only.
-    { id = "fpsCap", label = "MAX FPS",
+    { id = "fpsCap", label = Strings("MAX FPS"),
       value = function(g)
         return FrameCap.label(g.save.options.fpsCap)
       end,
@@ -271,7 +283,7 @@ local function buildRows(game)
       end },
     -- fast-forward the logic clock only; music and sfx keep their tempo
     -- (src/core/GameSpeed.lua), so this is safe to leave on
-    { id = "speed", label = "GAME SPEED",
+    { id = "speed", label = Strings("GAME SPEED"),
       value = function(g)
         return GameSpeed.levelLabel(g.save.options.speed)
       end,
@@ -282,17 +294,17 @@ local function buildRows(game)
       end },
     -- the manager's discoverable home (18-mod-manager-ux); inert until
     -- opened, so the row costs a vanilla install nothing
-    { id = "mods", label = "MODS",
+    { id = "mods", label = Strings("MODS"),
       value = function(g)
         local status = g.modStatus or {}
-        return ("%d INSTALLED"):format(#(status.available or {}))
+        return Strings("%d INSTALLED", #(status.available or {}))
       end,
       activate = function(g)
         require("src.ui.Screens").push(g, "ManagerState")
       end },
     -- rebinding UI (gap C2, 12-ui-extensibility 4.4); captured inputs
     -- live in options.bindings, so the row costs a vanilla install nothing
-    { id = "controls", label = "CONTROLS",
+    { id = "controls", label = Strings("CONTROLS"),
       activate = function(g)
         require("src.ui.Screens").push(g, "BindingsMenu")
       end },
@@ -328,7 +340,8 @@ local function buildRows(game)
   return rows
 end
 
-function OptionsMenu.new(game)
+function OptionsMenu.new(game, opts)
+  opts = opts or {}
   local rows = buildRows(game)
   local hooked = Runtime.call("ui.options.rows", sameRows, game, rows)
   if type(hooked) == "table" then
@@ -337,8 +350,8 @@ function OptionsMenu.new(game)
     Logger.error("ui.options.rows returned %s; keeping the vanilla rows",
                  type(hooked))
   end
-  return setmetatable({ game = game, rows = rows, index = 1, scroll = 0 },
-                      OptionsMenu)
+  return setmetatable({ game = game, rows = rows, index = 1, scroll = 0,
+                        onCancel = opts.onCancel }, OptionsMenu)
 end
 
 function OptionsMenu:update(dt)
@@ -361,9 +374,11 @@ function OptionsMenu:update(dt)
       changed = row.step(self.game, dir) and true or false
     elseif input:wasPressed("a") then -- CANCEL
       self.game.stack:pop()
+      if self.onCancel then self.onCancel() end
     end
   elseif input:wasPressed("b") or input:wasPressed("start") then
     self.game.stack:pop()
+    if self.onCancel then self.onCancel() end
   end
   if changed and self.game.writeOptions then
     self.game:writeOptions()

src/ui/PartyMenu.lua

@@ -17,14 +17,57 @@ local Screens = require("src.ui.Screens")
 local Theme = require("src.ui.Theme")
 local FieldDefaults = require("src.world.FieldDefaults")
 local Map = require("src.world.Map")
+local Strings = require("src.core.Strings")
 
 local PartyMenu = {}
 PartyMenu.__index = PartyMenu
 PartyMenu.isOpaque = true
 
--- SGB: generic whole-screen palette (SET_PAL_GENERIC)
+-- SGB (SetPal_PartyMenu, engine/gfx/palettes.asm:90): the party screen is
+-- NOT a one-palette screen.  data/sgb/sgb_packets.asm BlkPacket_PartyMenu
+-- splits it into MEWMON over the mon-icon column with GREENBAR everywhere
+-- else, plus one block per HP bar row whose palette
+-- UpdatePartyMenuBlkPacket (engine/gfx/palettes.asm:299-325) sets from that
+-- mon's GetHealthBarColor -- pal 1 GREENBAR / 2 YELLOWBAR / 3 REDBAR
+-- (PalPacket_PartyMenu, sgb_packets.asm:219).  Handing the whole screen
+-- MEWMON instead painted every bar with MEWMON's shades, which is why a
+-- full bar came out black and a low one purple (#274, absorbing #272).
+--
+-- Two rects differ from the packet's, both because this port draws pixels
+-- where the hardware drew OAM over BG:
+--   * the icon block is rows 0-11, not the packet's 0-12 -- row 12 is the
+--     message box's top edge, which on hardware was BG under an OBJ-free
+--     part of the block; here it would take MEWMON instead of the base.
+--   * the bar blocks sit one tile right of the packet's 05-11 because this
+--     port's bar starts at tile 5 where party_menu.asm:71-76 starts it at
+--     4; the span is the same "left cap + six fill tiles".
 function PartyMenu:sgbPalettes(game)
-  return require("src.render.PaletteFX").wholeNamed(game.data, "MEWMON")
+  local P = require("src.render.PaletteFX")
+  local base = P.pal(game.data, "GREENBAR")
+  if not base then return nil end
+  local zones = { P.whole(base) }
+  local mew = P.pal(game.data, "MEWMON")
+  if mew then zones[#zones + 1] = P.zone(mew, 1, 0, 2, 11) end
+  -- the TM/HM list prints ABLE / NOT ABLE where the bar would be, so those
+  -- rows have no bar to color (party_menu.asm .teachMoveMenu; #210)
+  if not self.tmhm then
+    local party = self.party or (game.save and game.save.party) or {}
+    for i, mon in ipairs(party) do
+      -- While a medicine's bar fill runs the block palette is STALE, not
+      -- recomputed: SetPartyMenuHPBarColor (party_menu.asm:80/295) is only
+      -- reached from the party-menu redraw loop, never from hp_bar.asm, so
+      -- UpdateHPBar2 lengthens the bar under the PRE-heal color and
+      -- RedrawPartyMenu snaps it green when the message prints.  Hold the
+      -- starting HP here for exactly that window (#252).
+      local hp = mon.hp
+      if self.heal and self.heal.mon == mon then hp = self.heal.from end
+      local bar = P.pal(game.data, P.barPalName(hp, mon.stats.hp))
+      if bar then
+        zones[#zones + 1] = P.zone(bar, 6, i * 2 - 1, 12, i * 2 - 1)
+      end
+    end
+  end
+  return zones
 end
 
 local function sameItems(_, items) return items end
@@ -49,7 +92,9 @@ local DIG_TILESETS = { FOREST = true, CEMETERY = true, CAVERN = true,
 -- Frame1; SNAKE/QUADRUPED are the reverse.  Sprite-reused icons draw
 -- from 16x16x6 overworld sheets where index 3 is walk-down (tile 12):
 -- MON/FAIRY/BIRD rest on the walk frame and animate to standing
--- (tile 0); WATER (Seel) is the reverse.
+-- (tile 0); WATER (Seel) is the reverse.  Only the frame's LEFT half
+-- ever reaches the screen -- see PartyMenu.mirrorsIcon (#276) -- which
+-- is why a walk frame does not look like a walk frame here.
 PartyMenu.iconFrames = {
   BUG       = { rest = 1, alt = 0 }, -- BugIconFrame2 <-> BugIconFrame1
   GRASS     = { rest = 1, alt = 0 }, -- PlantIconFrame2 <-> PlantIconFrame1
@@ -70,7 +115,45 @@ function PartyMenu.frameFor(name, alt, ih)
   return alt and ((ih or 0) >= 64 and 3 or 1) or 0
 end
 
+-- HELIX is the one icon WriteMonPartySpriteOAM sends down the asymmetric
+-- path (engine/gfx/mon_icons.asm:246 `cp ICON_HELIX << 2 / jr z, .helix`);
+-- every other built-in icon is drawn as a mirrored left half (see
+-- drawIcon).  A mod that supplies its own image instead of a built-in icon
+-- name has no vanilla counterpart, so its art draws whole. #276
+function PartyMenu.mirrorsIcon(name)
+  return name ~= nil and name ~= "HELIX"
+end
+
 local iconImages = {}
+
+-- Party icons are OBJs (engine/gfx/mon_icons.asm WriteMonPartySpriteOAM
+-- writes OAM blocks), so they render through OBP0, and GBPalNormal
+-- (home/palettes.asm:20-26 `ld a, %11010000 ; 3100 / ldh [rOBP0], a`)
+-- holds OBP0 at "3100": OBJ color 1 shows as shade 0, color 2 as shade 1,
+-- color 3 as shade 3.  An object never displays shade 2.  This canvas has
+-- no OBJ layer, so bake that map into the icon art once per path (the same
+-- CPU-remap trick as SpriteRenderer.getObpImage, and the same "#obp" cache
+-- key convention) and let the screen's SGB zone color the result.  Without
+-- it every color-2 pixel took the zone palette's shade-2 color -- the
+-- ADVANCED pack's MEWMON purple {115,33,165}, i.e. the "weirdly colored"
+-- party sprites of #274.
+local function obpIcon(path)
+  if not (love.image and love.image.newImageData) then
+    return love.graphics.newImage(Assets.resolve(path)) -- headless stub
+  end
+  local id = Assets.imageData(path)
+  id:mapPixel(function(_, _, r, _, _, a)
+    -- the extracted art is the four DMG grays, keyed off the red channel
+    -- exactly the way PaletteFX's shade-remap shader keys them
+    local v = 0
+    if r > 0.5 then v = 1               -- OBJ colors 0 and 1 -> shade 0
+    elseif r > 0.17 then v = 170 / 255  -- OBJ color 2 -> shade 1
+    end                                 -- OBJ color 3 -> shade 3
+    return v, v, v, a
+  end)
+  return love.graphics.newImage(id)
+end
+
 local function drawIcon(game, mon, x, y, selected, counter)
   local icons = game.data.icons
   if not icons then return end
@@ -97,14 +180,26 @@ local function drawIcon(game, mon, x, y, selected, counter)
   end
   path = require("src.pokemon.Sprites").iconPath(game.data, mon, path, { name = name })
   if not path then return end
-  if iconImages[path] == nil then
+  -- Built-in icon classes are DMG 2bpp OBJ art and get the OBP0 bake; a
+  -- mod's own image (an entry table rather than an icon name) is authored
+  -- art with no hardware counterpart, so it loads untouched -- the same
+  -- split PartyMenu.mirrorsIcon makes for the OAM mirror.  Both live in one
+  -- cache under different keys, so a mod pointing a table entry at a
+  -- built-in path still gets its unbaked copy. #274
+  local key = name and (path .. "#obp") or path
+  if iconImages[key] == nil then
     -- resolve through Assets so an overrides/ or transform-derived icon
     -- (e.g. a per-species image at assets/generated/icons/<name>.png) is
     -- picked up the same way battle sprites are
-    local ok, img = pcall(love.graphics.newImage, Assets.resolve(path))
-    iconImages[path] = ok and img or false
+    local ok, img
+    if name then
+      ok, img = pcall(obpIcon, path)
+    else
+      ok, img = pcall(love.graphics.newImage, Assets.resolve(path))
+    end
+    iconImages[key] = ok and img or false
   end
-  local img = iconImages[path]
+  local img = iconImages[key]
   if not img then return end
   local alt = false
   if selected then
@@ -117,10 +212,28 @@ local function drawIcon(game, mon, x, y, selected, counter)
     alt = false
   end
   local iw, ih = img:getDimensions()
-  if ih > 16 then
-    local frame = PartyMenu.frameFor(name, alt, ih)
+  -- a 16x16 sheet (BALL, HELIX) is its own only frame
+  local frame = ih > 16 and PartyMenu.frameFor(name, alt, ih) or 0
+  if PartyMenu.mirrorsIcon(name) then
+    -- WriteSymmetricMonPartySpriteOAM (engine/items/town_map.asm:494-534)
+    -- lays each icon out as 2x2 OAM blocks that use only the frame's LEFT
+    -- column of tiles (base+0, base+2): the inner loop writes the same
+    -- wOAMBaseTile twice with the attributes alternating 0 / OAM_XFLIP and
+    -- only then bumps the tile by 2, because "all the sprites other than
+    -- the helix one have a vertical line of symmetry".  MON / FAIRY / BIRD
+    -- reuse overworld sheets whose walk-down frame is NOT symmetric, so
+    -- drawing the raw 16x16 showed a tucked-back foot the hardware never
+    -- displays (#276, absorbing #238).
+    local half = love.graphics.newQuad(0, frame * 16, 8, 16, iw, ih)
+    love.graphics.draw(img, half, x, y)
+    -- sx = -1 about the block's right edge, so the flipped copy lands on
+    -- x+8..x+16: the OAM_XFLIP half
+    love.graphics.draw(img, half, x + 16, y, 0, -1, 1)
+  elseif ih > 16 then
     love.graphics.draw(img, love.graphics.newQuad(0, frame * 16, 16, 16, iw, ih), x, y)
   else
+    -- HELIX and any mod art that is a single frame: drawn whole, at
+    -- whatever size the file is (unchanged path)
     love.graphics.draw(img, x, y)
   end
 end
@@ -133,6 +246,11 @@ function PartyMenu.new(game, opts)
   self.onSwitch = opts.onSwitch
   self.onCancel = opts.onCancel
   self.pickOnly = opts.pickOnly
+  -- Medicine keeps the picker on screen: item_effects.asm .doneHealing
+  -- animates the party HP bar and then prints the message through
+  -- RedrawPartyMenu with the menu STILL up, so BagMenu asks for keepOpen and
+  -- calls :close() itself once the message is done (#252).
+  self.keepOpen = opts.keepOpen
   -- TM/HM teaching: opts.tmhm = { move, kind } switches the list to Gen 1's
   -- TM/HM display (ABLE / NOT ABLE per mon instead of the HP bar, and the
   -- "Use TM on which POKeMON?" prompt). Set by BagMenu.pickTargetAndUse. #210
@@ -147,9 +265,47 @@ function PartyMenu.new(game, opts)
   return self
 end
 
+-- UpdateHPBar2 (engine/gfx/hp_bar.asm, predef'd from item_effects.asm's
+-- .doneHealing): UpdateHPBar_AnimateHPBar is documented "for (a) ticks (two
+-- waiting frames each)" over a 48-pixel bar, so the shown HP walks
+-- maxHP/96 per frame -- the same rate the battle HUD drains at
+-- (BattleState:stepHPDrain).  onDone fires on the frame it lands, which is
+-- when the caller prints its message. #252
+function PartyMenu:animateTo(mon, fromHP, onDone)
+  if not (mon and mon.stats) then
+    if onDone then onDone() end
+    return
+  end
+  local from = math.max(0, fromHP or mon.hp)
+  -- `from` outlives `shown`: sgbPalettes above needs the pre-heal HP for the
+  -- whole fill, because the SGB bar color does not move until the redraw.
+  self.heal = { mon = mon, from = from, shown = from, onDone = onDone }
+end
+
+-- Close a picker the caller kept open (see self.keepOpen).  A TextBox pops
+-- itself BEFORE it fires onDone (src/render/TextBox.lua), so this menu is
+-- the top state by then; the identity check makes it a no-op for the pickers
+-- that already popped themselves, and stops a double close eating the bag
+-- underneath. #252
+function PartyMenu:close()
+  if self.game.stack:top() == self then self.game.stack:pop() end
+end
+
 function PartyMenu:update(dt)
   -- icon animation counter; 320 = a whole cycle at every HP speed
   self.blink = ((self.blink or 0) + 1) % 320
+  -- The bar fill owns the menu while it runs: UpdateHPBar2 is a blocking
+  -- predef in item_effects.asm, so no button is read until it lands (#252).
+  local heal = self.heal
+  if heal then
+    heal.shown = math.min(heal.mon.hp,
+                          heal.shown + math.max(1, heal.mon.stats.hp) / 96)
+    if heal.shown >= heal.mon.hp then
+      self.heal = nil
+      if heal.onDone then heal.onDone() end
+    end
+    return
+  end
   local input = self.game.input
   local party = self.party or self.game.save.party
 
@@ -204,7 +360,7 @@ function PartyMenu:update(dt)
         self.game.save.flashLit = true
         self.game.stack:push(TextBox.new(self.game,
           self.game.data.text._FlashLightsAreaText
-          or "A blinding FLASH\nlights the area!", function()
+          or Strings("A blinding FLASH\nlights the area!"), function()
             self.game.stack:push(Transition.whiteFlash(self.game))
           end))
         return
@@ -247,7 +403,7 @@ function PartyMenu:update(dt)
                        current = "_CurrentTooFastText",
                        no_place = "_SurfingNoPlaceToGetOffText" })[reason]
                     or "_NoSurfingHereText"
-        local txt = (self.game.data.text[key] or "No SURFing here!")
+        local txt = (self.game.data.text[key] or Strings("No SURFing here!"))
                     :gsub("{RAM:wNameBuffer}", mon.nickname or def.name)
         if reason == "no_place" then
           -- .cannotStopSurfing prints _SurfingNoPlaceToGetOffText but
@@ -278,7 +434,7 @@ function PartyMenu:update(dt)
         local def = self.game.data.pokemon[mon.species]
         local key = (reason == "no_badge") and "_NewBadgeRequiredText"
                                             or "_NothingToCutText"
-        local txt = (self.game.data.text[key] or "Nothing to CUT!")
+        local txt = (self.game.data.text[key] or Strings("Nothing to CUT!"))
                     :gsub("{RAM:wNameBuffer}", mon.nickname or def.name)
         self.game.stack:push(TextBox.new(self.game, txt))
         return -- .loop: submenu stays open behind the message
@@ -300,13 +456,15 @@ function PartyMenu:update(dt)
         self.game.stack:pop() -- close the party menu (jp .goBackToMap)
         ow.strengthActive = true
         local t1 = (self.game.data.text._UsedStrengthText
-          or "{RAM:wNameBuffer} used\nSTRENGTH."):gsub("{RAM:wNameBuffer}", name)
+          or Strings("{RAM:wNameBuffer} used\nSTRENGTH.")):gsub("{RAM:wNameBuffer}", name)
         local t2 = (self.game.data.text._CanMoveBouldersText
-          or "{RAM:wNameBuffer} can\nmove boulders."):gsub("{RAM:wNameBuffer}", name)
+          or Strings("{RAM:wNameBuffer} can\nmove boulders.")):gsub("{RAM:wNameBuffer}", name)
+        -- like surf (#320): the blink belongs UNDER the texts, not as a
+        -- flashbang on the empty map after them; the stack only updates
+        -- the top state, so the flash holds until the texts close
+        self.game.stack:push(Transition.whiteFlash(self.game))
         self.game.stack:push(TextBox.new(self.game, t1, function()
-          self.game.stack:push(TextBox.new(self.game, t2, function()
-            self.game.stack:push(Transition.whiteFlash(self.game))
-          end))
+          self.game.stack:push(TextBox.new(self.game, t2))
         end, { auto = { sound = function()
           return require("src.core.Sound").playCry(self.game.data, mon.species)
         end } }))
@@ -348,7 +506,7 @@ function PartyMenu:update(dt)
          or user.hp <= heal then
         self.softboiledFrom = nil
         local TextBox = require("src.render.TextBox")
-        self.game.stack:push(TextBox.new(self.game, "It won't have\nany effect."))
+        self.game.stack:push(TextBox.new(self.game, Strings("It won't have\nany effect.")))
       else
         user.hp = user.hp - heal
         mon.hp = math.min(mon.stats.hp, mon.hp + heal)
@@ -357,7 +515,7 @@ function PartyMenu:update(dt)
         local def = self.game.data.pokemon[mon.species]
         local TextBox = require("src.render.TextBox")
         self.game.stack:push(TextBox.new(self.game,
-          ("%s's HP\nwas restored!"):format(mon.nickname or def.name)))
+          Strings("%s's HP\nwas restored!", mon.nickname or def.name)))
       end
     elseif self.swapFrom then
       if self.swapFrom ~= self.index then
@@ -366,8 +524,12 @@ function PartyMenu:update(dt)
       end
       self.swapFrom = nil
     elseif self.onSwitch and (self.forceSwitch or self.pickOnly or not self.battle) then
-      self.game.stack:pop()
-      self.onSwitch(mon)
+      -- keepOpen callers (HP medicine) need the menu still drawn while the
+      -- bar fills and the message prints, and close it themselves; everyone
+      -- else keeps the old pop-then-call order.  Popping first is what made
+      -- a POTION snap the picker shut before the item had even run (#252).
+      if not self.keepOpen then self.game.stack:pop() end
+      self.onSwitch(mon, self)
     else
       self.submenu = true
       self.subIndex = 1
@@ -375,55 +537,55 @@ function PartyMenu:update(dt)
       local ow = self.game.overworld
       if self.battle and self.onSwitch then
         -- SwitchStatsCancelText (core.asm PartyMenuOrRockOrRun)
-        items = { { label = "SWITCH", action = "battle_switch" },
-                  { label = "STATS", action = "stats" },
-                  { label = "CANCEL", action = "cancel" } }
+        items = { { label = Strings("SWITCH"), action = "battle_switch" },
+                  { label = Strings("STATS"), action = "stats" },
+                  { label = Strings("CANCEL"), action = "cancel" } }
       else
         -- STATS/SWITCH plus this mon's field moves (start_sub_menus.asm
         -- builds the same dynamic list)
-        items = { { label = "STATS", action = "stats" },
-                  { label = "SWITCH", action = "switch" } }
+        items = { { label = Strings("STATS"), action = "stats" },
+                  { label = Strings("SWITCH"), action = "switch" } }
         -- Field moves (HMs/TMs) are usable out of battle even when the mon
         -- is fainted -- Gen 1 does not require HP for Cut/Fly/Surf/etc.
         -- Battle still excludes this list via `not self.battle`. Softboiled
         -- can appear for a fainted user; its heal transfer then no-ops.
         if not self.battle and ow then
-          -- FLY/TELEPORT: CheckIfInOutsideMap (OVERWORLD + PLATEAU —
+          -- FLY/TELEPORT: CheckIfInOutsideMap (OVERWORLD + PLATEAU --
           -- Route 23 / Indigo Plateau outdoor), not OVERWORLD alone (#83)
           local outside = Map.isOutside(ow.map.def,
             FieldDefaults.field(self.game.data, "outsideTilesets"))
           for _, mv in ipairs(mon.moves) do
             if mv.id == "FLY" and outside
                and self.game.save.inventory.THUNDERBADGE then
-              table.insert(items, { label = "FLY", action = "fly" })
+              table.insert(items, { label = Strings("FLY"), action = "fly" })
             elseif mv.id == "FLASH" and ow.dark
                and self.game.save.inventory.BOULDERBADGE then
-              table.insert(items, { label = "FLASH", action = "flash" })
+              table.insert(items, { label = Strings("FLASH"), action = "flash" })
             elseif mv.id == "CUT" and self.game.save.inventory.CASCADEBADGE then
               -- CUT/SURF/STRENGTH are party-menu field moves too
               -- (start_sub_menus.asm .outOfBattleMovePointers); listed here
               -- with the same list-time badge filter this file already uses
               -- for FLY/FLASH.  The facing-tile/activation check happens on
               -- selection (useCutFieldMove/useSurfFieldMove).
-              table.insert(items, { label = "CUT", action = "cut" })
+              table.insert(items, { label = Strings("CUT"), action = "cut" })
             elseif mv.id == "SURF" and self.game.save.inventory.SOULBADGE then
-              table.insert(items, { label = "SURF", action = "surf" })
+              table.insert(items, { label = Strings("SURF"), action = "surf" })
             elseif mv.id == "STRENGTH" and self.game.save.inventory.RAINBOWBADGE then
-              table.insert(items, { label = "STRENGTH", action = "strength" })
+              table.insert(items, { label = Strings("STRENGTH"), action = "strength" })
             elseif mv.id == "SOFTBOILED" then
-              table.insert(items, { label = "SOFTBOILED", action = "softboiled" })
+              table.insert(items, { label = Strings("SOFTBOILED"), action = "softboiled" })
             elseif mv.id == "TELEPORT" and outside then
               -- TELEPORT works only OUTDOORS (start_sub_menus.asm
               -- .teleport -> CheckIfInOutsideMap); dark maps don't
               -- block it
-              table.insert(items, { label = "TELEPORT", action = "escape" })
+              table.insert(items, { label = Strings("TELEPORT"), action = "escape" })
             elseif mv.id == "DIG" and DIG_TILESETS[ow.map.def.tileset]
                and ow.map.id ~= "AGATHAS_ROOM" then
               -- DIG runs ItemUseEscapeRope (.dig sets wCurItem =
               -- ESCAPE_ROPE): usable in the dungeon tilesets of
               -- escape_rope_tilesets.asm minus Agatha's room, even in
               -- the dark (Rock Tunnel)
-              table.insert(items, { label = "DIG", action = "escape" })
+              table.insert(items, { label = Strings("DIG"), action = "escape" })
             end
           end
         end
@@ -456,13 +618,13 @@ function PartyMenu:bottomMessage()
     return "Use on which one?"
   elseif self.tmhm then
     return self.game.data.text._PartyMenuUseTMText
-      or "Use TM on which\nPOKéMON?"
+      or Strings("Use TM on which\nPOKéMON?")
   elseif self.battle then
     return self.game.data.text._PartyMenuBattleText
-      or "Bring out which\nPOKéMON?"
+      or Strings("Bring out which\nPOKéMON?")
   else
     return self.game.data.text._PartyMenuNormalText
-      or "Choose a POKéMON."
+      or Strings("Choose a POKéMON.")
   end
 end
 
@@ -480,9 +642,19 @@ function PartyMenu:draw()
   love.graphics.setColor(0, 0, 0, 1)
   local party = self.party or self.game.save.party
   if #party == 0 then
-    Font.draw("No POKéMON!", 16, 64)
+    Font.draw(Strings("No POKéMON!"), 16, 64)
   end
   local HudTiles = require("src.render.HudTiles")
+  local PaletteFX = require("src.render.PaletteFX")
+  -- Each bar row carries its own GREENBAR / YELLOWBAR / REDBAR zone (see
+  -- sgbPalettes), so the fill must stay the raw DMG shade-2 gray and let
+  -- the zone color it -- but only when a zone pass will actually run.
+  -- Renderer's blit takes the shader path exactly when the zone list is
+  -- non-empty AND PaletteFX.shader() resolves, which is the same pair of
+  -- conditions tested here; with no shader the canvas blits unshaded and
+  -- drawHPBar's per-pixel tint is the only color the bar can get. #274
+  local barZoned = PaletteFX.shader() ~= nil
+                   and PaletteFX.pal(self.game.data, "GREENBAR") ~= nil
   for i, mon in ipairs(party) do
     local def = self.game.data.pokemon[mon.species]
     local y = PartyMenu.entryY(i)
@@ -512,33 +684,52 @@ function PartyMenu:draw()
       end
       -- right-aligned so the shorter "ABLE" shares "NOT ABLE"'s right edge
       if can then
-        Font.draw("ABLE", 120, y + 8)
+        Font.draw(Strings("ABLE"), 120, y + 8)
       else
-        Font.draw("NOT ABLE", 88, y + 8)
+        Font.draw(Strings("NOT ABLE"), 88, y + 8)
       end
     else
       if mon.hp <= 0 then
-        Font.draw("FNT", 136, y)
+        Font.draw(Strings("FNT"), 136, y)
       elseif mon.status then
         Font.draw(mon.status, 136, y)
       end
-      -- the colored tile HP bar (DrawHP2 + SetPartyMenuHPBarColor)
+      -- the tile HP bar (DrawHP2 + SetPartyMenuHPBarColor).  grayFill:
+      -- tinting the fill AND running it through the row's zone
+      -- double-applies -- a green fill has red channel 0, so the tint
+      -- zeroes the bar's red and the zone's red-keyed shade shader then
+      -- maps every pixel to color 3, i.e. black.  That is the #229 hazard
+      -- HudTiles documents; #274 (with #272) is this screen's instance.
+      --
+      -- While a medicine's UpdateHPBar2 fill runs, this row draws the HP the
+      -- animation has reached rather than the final value; drawHPBar reads
+      -- only .hp and .stats, so a shim table is enough and the real mon is
+      -- never mutated for display (#252).
+      local shown = mon
+      if self.heal and self.heal.mon == mon then
+        shown = { hp = math.floor(self.heal.shown), stats = mon.stats }
+      end
       love.graphics.setColor(1, 1, 1, 1)
-      HudTiles.drawHPBar(self.game.data, 5, (y + 8) / 8, mon)
+      HudTiles.drawHPBar(self.game.data, 5, (y + 8) / 8, shown, nil, barZoned)
       love.graphics.setColor(0, 0, 0, 1)
-      Font.draw(("%3d/%3d"):format(mon.hp, mon.stats.hp), 104, y + 8)
+      Font.draw(("%3d/%3d"):format(shown.hp, mon.stats.hp), 104, y + 8)
     end
+    -- home/pokemon.asm PartyMenuInit seeds wTopMenuItemY/X with 1/0, so the
+    -- cursor sits on the entry's *second* tile row (the level/HP line),
+    -- level with the middle of the two-row icon -- not on the name row that
+    -- entryY returns.  Drawing it at y put it a tile too high (#278).
+    local cursorY = y + 8
     if i == self.index then
-      Font.drawCode(Theme.cursor, 0, y)
+      Font.drawCode(Theme.cursor, 0, cursorY)
     end
     if i == self.swapFrom or i == self.softboiledFrom then
-      Font.drawCode(Theme.cursorHollow, 0, y) -- the unfilled swap arrow
+      Font.drawCode(Theme.cursorHollow, 0, cursorY) -- the unfilled swap arrow
     end
   end
   if self.swapFrom then
-    Font.draw("Move to where?", 8, 136)
+    Font.draw(Strings("Move to where?"), 8, 136)
   elseif self.softboiledFrom then
-    Font.draw("Use on which one?", 8, 136)
+    Font.draw(Strings("Use on which one?"), 8, 136)
   elseif self.tmhm then
     -- "Use TM on which\nPOKeMON?" in the standard bottom text box
     -- (party_menu.asm keeps the message box for the TM/HM menu); box + line
@@ -546,14 +737,14 @@ function PartyMenu:draw()
     Font.drawBox(0, 12, 20, 6)
     love.graphics.setColor(0, 0, 0, 1)
     local prompt = self.game.data.text._PartyMenuUseTMText
-      or "Use TM on which\nPOKéMON?"
+      or Strings("Use TM on which\nPOKéMON?")
     local ly = 112
     for line in (prompt .. "\n"):gmatch("([^\n]*)\n") do
       Font.draw(line, 8, ly)
       ly = ly + 16
     end
   elseif self.pickOnly then
-    Font.draw("Use on which one?", 8, 136)
+    Font.draw(Strings("Use on which one?"), 8, 136)
   else
     -- default field party menu (StartMenu) and the battle voluntary-switch
     -- (BattleState:openParty): Gen1 prints PartyMenuNormalText / PartyMenuBattleText

src/ui/PlayerPC.lua

@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ local ChoiceBox = require("src.ui.ChoiceBox")
 local ListMenu = require("src.ui.ListMenu")
 local Menu = require("src.ui.Menu")
 local Sound = require("src.core.Sound")
+local Strings = require("src.core.Strings")
 
 local PlayerPC = {}
 
@@ -76,14 +77,14 @@ local function withdraw(game)
       askQuantity(game, list, pc[item.value] or 1, item.value, function(qty)
         local Bag = require("src.inventory.Bag")
         if not Bag.add(game.save, item.value, qty) then
-          list.footer = "You can't carry\nany more items."
+          list.footer = Strings("You can't carry\nany more items.")
           return
         end
         pc[item.value] = pc[item.value] - qty
         if pc[item.value] <= 0 then pc[item.value] = nil end
         refreshRow(list, pc, item.value)
         Sound.play(game.data, "Withdraw_Deposit")
-        list.footer = ("Withdrew\n%s."):format(itemName(game, item.value))
+        list.footer = Strings("Withdrew\n%s.", itemName(game, item.value))
       end)
     end,
   }))
@@ -112,14 +113,14 @@ local function deposit(game)
     onChoose = function(item, list)
       askQuantity(game, list, inv[item.value] or 1, item.value, function(qty)
         if pcFull(game, pc, item.value) then
-          list.footer = "No room left to\nstore items."
+          list.footer = Strings("No room left to\nstore items.")
           return
         end
         require("src.inventory.Bag").remove(game.save, item.value, qty)
         pc[item.value] = (pc[item.value] or 0) + qty
         refreshRow(list, inv, item.value)
         Sound.play(game.data, "Withdraw_Deposit")
-        list.footer = ("%s was\nstored via PC."):format(itemName(game, item.value))
+        list.footer = Strings("%s was\nstored via PC.", itemName(game, item.value))
       end)
     end,
   }))
@@ -132,7 +133,7 @@ local function toss(game)
     onChoose = function(item, list)
       local def = game.data.items[item.value]
       if (def and def.keyItem) or item.value:find("^HM_") then
-        list.footer = "That's too impor-\ntant to toss!"
+        list.footer = Strings("That's too impor-\ntant to toss!")
         return
       end
       local QuantityBox = require("src.ui.QuantityBox")
@@ -140,13 +141,13 @@ local function toss(game)
         max = pc[item.value] or 1,
         onDone = function(qty)
           if not qty then return end
-          list.footer = ("Toss %s?"):format(itemName(game, item.value))
+          list.footer = Strings("Toss %s?", itemName(game, item.value))
           game.stack:push(ChoiceBox.new(game, function(yes)
             if yes then
               pc[item.value] = pc[item.value] - qty
               if pc[item.value] <= 0 then pc[item.value] = nil end
               refreshRow(list, pc, item.value)
-              list.footer = ("Threw away %s."):format(itemName(game, item.value))
+              list.footer = Strings("Threw away %s.", itemName(game, item.value))
             else
               list.footer = nil
             end
@@ -160,10 +161,13 @@ end
 function PlayerPC.new(game)
   game.save.pcItems = game.save.pcItems or {}
   return Menu.new(game, {
-    { label = "WITHDRAW ITEM", onSelect = function() withdraw(game) end },
-    { label = "DEPOSIT ITEM", onSelect = function() deposit(game) end },
-    { label = "TOSS ITEM", onSelect = function() toss(game) end },
-    { label = "LOG OFF" },
+    -- keepOpen so B in the item lists returns here instead of dropping the
+    -- whole PC session (players_pc.asm re-shows the PC menu); same pattern
+    -- as BoxMenu's rows
+    { label = Strings("WITHDRAW ITEM"), keepOpen = true, onSelect = function() withdraw(game) end },
+    { label = Strings("DEPOSIT ITEM"), keepOpen = true, onSelect = function() deposit(game) end },
+    { label = Strings("TOSS ITEM"), keepOpen = true, onSelect = function() toss(game) end },
+    { label = Strings("LOG OFF") },
     -- silent PC session (BIT_NO_MENU_BUTTON_SOUND); players_pc.asm
     -- PlayersPCMenu TextBoxBorder (0,0) b=8 c=14 → 16x10
   }, { tx = 0, ty = 0, tw = 16, th = 10, noSound = true })

src/ui/PokedexMenu.lua

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 -- Minimal Pokédex: dex-ordered list with seen/owned markers.
 
 local ListMenu = require("src.ui.ListMenu")
+local Strings = require("src.core.Strings")
 
 local PokedexMenu = {}
 
@@ -9,7 +10,8 @@ function PokedexMenu:sgbPalettes(game)
   return require("src.render.PaletteFX").wholeNamed(game.data, "BROWNMON")
 end
 
-function PokedexMenu.new(game)
+function PokedexMenu.new(game, opts)
+  opts = opts or {}
   local dex = game.save.pokedex or { seen = {}, owned = {} }
   local byDex = {}
   for species, def in pairs(game.data.pokemon) do
@@ -45,8 +47,9 @@ function PokedexMenu.new(game)
     end
   end
   local list = ListMenu.new(game, "POKéDEX", items, {
-    footer = ("SEEN %d  OWNED %d"):format(seen, owned),
+    footer = Strings("SEEN %d  OWNED %d", seen, owned),
     pageJump = true, -- Left/Right page jumps like the original
+    onCancel = opts.onCancel, -- B returns to the start menu when opened from it
     onChoose = function(item)
       if not item.value then return end
       -- the DATA / CRY / AREA / QUIT choice (engine/menus/pokedex.asm
@@ -55,16 +58,16 @@ function PokedexMenu.new(game)
       local Menu = require("src.ui.Menu")
       local Screens = require("src.ui.Screens")
       game.stack:push(Menu.new(game, {
-        { label = "DATA", onSelect = function()
+        { label = Strings("DATA"), onSelect = function()
             Screens.push(game, "DexEntryMenu", item.value)
           end },
-        { label = "CRY", keepOpen = true, onSelect = function()
+        { label = Strings("CRY"), keepOpen = true, onSelect = function()
             require("src.core.Sound").playCry(game.data, item.value)
           end },
-        { label = "AREA", onSelect = function()
+        { label = Strings("AREA"), onSelect = function()
             Screens.push(game, "TownMap", { nestSpecies = item.value })
           end },
-        { label = "QUIT" },
+        { label = Strings("QUIT") },
       }, { tx = 12, ty = 8, tw = 8, th = 10 }))
     end,
   })

src/ui/QuarantineReport.lua

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 
 local Font = require("src.render.Font")
 local SaveData = require("src.core.SaveData")
+local Strings = require("src.core.Strings")
 
 local QuarantineReport = {}
 QuarantineReport.__index = QuarantineReport
@@ -38,12 +39,12 @@ local function buildLines(report, meta)
   end
   local rows = {}
   for _, mon in ipairs(report.lostMons or {}) do
-    rows[#rows + 1] = ("%s (%s)"):format(mon.species or "?", mon.from or "?")
+    rows[#rows + 1] = Strings("%s (%s)", mon.species or "?", mon.from or "?")
   end
   section(lines, "Moved to LOST box:", rows)
   rows = {}
   for _, item in ipairs(report.lostItems or {}) do
-    rows[#rows + 1] = ("%s x%d"):format(item.id or "?", item.count or 1)
+    rows[#rows + 1] = Strings("%s x%d", item.id or "?", item.count or 1)
   end
   section(lines, "Items removed:", rows)
   rows = {}
@@ -51,16 +52,16 @@ local function buildLines(report, meta)
     if map.to then
       rows[#rows + 1] = ("%s>%s"):format(map.id or "?", map.to)
     else
-      rows[#rows + 1] = ("%s (%s)"):format(map.id or "?", map.field or "?")
+      rows[#rows + 1] = Strings("%s (%s)", map.id or "?", map.field or "?")
     end
   end
   section(lines, "Location reset:", rows)
   rows = {}
   for _, mon in ipairs(report.restoredMons or {}) do
-    rows[#rows + 1] = ("%s to box %d"):format(mon.species or "?", mon.box or 0)
+    rows[#rows + 1] = Strings("%s to box %d", mon.species or "?", mon.box or 0)
   end
   for _, item in ipairs(report.restoredItems or {}) do
-    rows[#rows + 1] = ("%s x%d"):format(item.id or "?", item.count or 1)
+    rows[#rows + 1] = Strings("%s x%d", item.id or "?", item.count or 1)
   end
   section(lines, "Restored:", rows)
   local notice = SaveData.modsDiffNotice(report.modsDiff, meta)
@@ -113,7 +114,7 @@ function QuarantineReport:draw()
   love.graphics.rectangle("fill", 0, 0, 160, 144)
   Font.drawBox(0, 0, 20, 18)
   love.graphics.setColor(0, 0, 0, 1)
-  Font.draw("LOAD REPORT", 8, 8)
+  Font.draw(Strings("LOAD REPORT"), 8, 8)
   for row = 1, VISIBLE do
     local line = self.lines[self.offset + row]
     if line then Font.draw(line, 8, 12 + row * 8) end
@@ -121,7 +122,7 @@ function QuarantineReport:draw()
   if self.offset < self:maxOffset() then
     Font.drawCode(require("src.ui.Theme").moreArrow, 144, 124)
   end
-  Font.draw("A:CONTINUE", 8, 130)
+  Font.draw(Strings("A:CONTINUE"), 8, 130)
   love.graphics.setColor(1, 1, 1, 1)
 end
 

src/ui/ShopMenu.lua

@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ local ChoiceBox = require("src.ui.ChoiceBox")
 local ListMenu = require("src.ui.ListMenu")
 local Menu = require("src.ui.Menu")
 local QuantityBox = require("src.ui.QuantityBox")
+local Strings = require("src.core.Strings")
 
 local ShopMenu = {}
 
@@ -33,7 +34,7 @@ local function buy(game, stock)
   end
   local greet = txt(game, "_PokemartBuyingGreetingText", "Take your time.")
   local notEnough = txt(game, "_PokemartNotEnoughMoneyText",
-                        "You don't have\nenough money.")
+                        Strings("You don't have\nenough money."))
   local list
   list = ListMenu.new(game, "BUY", items, {
     dialogue = true,
@@ -56,7 +57,7 @@ local function buy(game, stock)
           end
           local cost = qty * def.price
           -- _PokemartTellBuyPriceText + yes/no confirm
-          list.footer = ("%s?\nThat will be\n¥%d. OK?"):format(def.name, cost)
+          list.footer = Strings("%s?\nThat will be\n¥%d. OK?", def.name, cost)
           game.stack:push(ChoiceBox.new(game, function(yes)
             if not yes then
               list.footer = greet
@@ -68,13 +69,13 @@ local function buy(game, stock)
             end
             if not Bag.add(game.save, item.value, qty) then
               list.footer = txt(game, "_PokemartItemBagFullText",
-                                "You can't carry\nany more items.")
+                                Strings("You can't carry\nany more items."))
               return
             end
             require("src.core.Sound").play(game.data, "Purchase")
             game.save.money = game.save.money - cost
             list.footer = txt(game, "_PokemartBoughtItemText",
-                              "Here you are!\nThank you!")
+                              Strings("Here you are!\nThank you!"))
           end))
         end,
       }))
@@ -112,7 +113,7 @@ local function sell(game)
       -- ITEM_NONE "0" from Blue's House before that pickup was fixed (#11).
       if not def or def.keyItem or item.value:find("^HM_") then
         list.footer = txt(game, "_PokemartUnsellableItemText",
-                          "I can't put a\nprice on that.")
+                          Strings("I can't put a\nprice on that."))
         return
       end
       local unit = math.floor(def.price / 2)
@@ -125,7 +126,7 @@ local function sell(game)
             return
           end
           -- _PokemartTellSellPriceText + yes/no confirm
-          list.footer = ("I can pay you\n¥%d for that."):format(unit * qty)
+          list.footer = Strings("I can pay you\n¥%d for that.", unit * qty)
           game.stack:push(ChoiceBox.new(game, function(yes)
             if not yes then
               list.footer = greet
@@ -152,9 +153,9 @@ function ShopMenu.new(game, stock, onQuit)
   -- keepOpen: the mart menu stays underneath its list so closing the
   -- list lands back here; only QUIT (or B) leaves and fires onQuit
   local menu = Menu.new(game, {
-    { label = "BUY", keepOpen = true, onSelect = function() buy(game, stock) end },
-    { label = "SELL", keepOpen = true, onSelect = function() sell(game) end },
-    { label = "QUIT", onSelect = onQuit },
+    { label = Strings("BUY"), keepOpen = true, onSelect = function() buy(game, stock) end },
+    { label = Strings("SELL"), keepOpen = true, onSelect = function() sell(game) end },
+    { label = Strings("QUIT"), onSelect = onQuit },
   }, { tx = 0, ty = 0, tw = 8, th = 8 })
   menu.onCancel = onQuit
   return menu

src/ui/SlotMachine.lua

@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@
 
 local Font = require("src.render.Font")
 local Sound = require("src.core.Sound")
+local Strings = require("src.core.Strings")
 
 local SlotMachine = {}
 SlotMachine.__index = SlotMachine
@@ -356,7 +357,7 @@ function SlotMachine:resolveWin(win)
   -- SlotReward300Func prints "Yeah!" (text_pause) before the flash; the port
   -- shows it in the box while the screen flashes.  LinedUpText follows.
   self.yeah = (sym == "7")
-  self.message = ("%s lined up!\nScored %d coins!"):format(sym, pay)
+  self.message = Strings("%s lined up!\nScored %d coins!", sym, pay)
   -- .flashScreenLoop: flip rBGP, wait 5 frames, b times.  The coins are not
   -- credited until the player dismisses the "lined up" text (see startPayout).
   self.stage = "flash"
@@ -394,7 +395,7 @@ end
 -- delay then CloseTextDisplay), otherwise ask "One more go?".
 function SlotMachine:afterSpin()
   if coins(self) == 0 then
-    self.message = "Darn!\nRan out of coins!"
+    self.message = Strings("Darn!\nRan out of coins!")
     self.stage = "message"
     self.afterMessage = nil
     self.exitTimer = 60
@@ -515,7 +516,7 @@ function SlotMachine:update(dt)
     self.bet = 3 - self.betIndex
     if input:wasPressed("a") then
       if coins(self) < self.bet then
-        self.message = "Not enough\ncoins!"
+        self.message = Strings("Not enough\ncoins!")
         self.afterMessage = "bet"
         self.stage = "message"
         return
@@ -671,8 +672,8 @@ function SlotMachine:drawBottom()
     local by = self.stage == "intro" and 6 or 11
     Font.drawBox(13, by, 6, 5)
     love.graphics.setColor(0, 0, 0, 1)
-    Font.draw("YES", 15 * 8, (by + 1) * 8)
-    Font.draw("NO", 15 * 8, (by + 2) * 8)
+    Font.draw(Strings("YES"), 15 * 8, (by + 1) * 8)
+    Font.draw(Strings("NO"), 15 * 8, (by + 2) * 8)
     Font.drawCode(0xED, 14 * 8, (by + 1 + (self.yesno == 1 and 0 or 1)) * 8)
   end
   love.graphics.setColor(1, 1, 1, 1)
@@ -723,8 +724,8 @@ function SlotMachine:drawPlain(art)
   love.graphics.setColor(1, 1, 1, 1)
   love.graphics.rectangle("fill", 0, 0, 160, 144)
   love.graphics.setColor(0, 0, 0, 1)
-  Font.draw("SLOT MACHINE", 32, 4)
-  Font.draw(("COINS %4d"):format(coins(self)), 8, 16)
+  Font.draw(Strings("SLOT MACHINE"), 32, 4)
+  Font.draw(Strings("COINS %4d", coins(self)), 8, 16)
   if art then self:drawReels(art) end
   love.graphics.setColor(0, 0, 0, 1)
   Font.draw(">", 12, 56)

src/ui/StartMenu.lua

@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ local Menu = require("src.ui.Menu")
 local Renderer = require("src.render.Renderer")
 local Runtime = require("src.mods.Runtime")
 local Screens = require("src.ui.Screens")
+local Strings = require("src.core.Strings")
 
 local StartMenu = {}
 
@@ -19,33 +20,38 @@ function StartMenu.new(game)
   local flags = game.save.flags or {}
   local items = {}
 
+  -- vanilla start submenus return here on B (RedisplayStartMenu): the
+  -- generic Menu pops the start menu when a row is selected, so each
+  -- submenu gets an onCancel that re-opens it
+  local function reopen() Screens.push(game, "StartMenu") end
+
   -- POKéDEX: only after Oak hands it over
   if flags.EVENT_GOT_POKEDEX then
-    table.insert(items, { label = "POKéDEX", onSelect = function()
-      Screens.push(game, "PokedexMenu")
+    table.insert(items, { label = Strings("POKéDEX"), onSelect = function()
+      Screens.push(game, "PokedexMenu", { onCancel = reopen })
     end })
   end
 
   -- POKéMON is always listed (draw_start_menu.asm prints it even with
   -- an empty party; selecting it then just no-ops)
-  table.insert(items, { label = "POKéMON", onSelect = function()
+  table.insert(items, { label = Strings("POKéMON"), onSelect = function()
     if #game.save.party == 0 then return end
-    Screens.push(game, "PartyMenu")
+    Screens.push(game, "PartyMenu", { onCancel = reopen })
   end })
 
-  table.insert(items, { label = "ITEM", onSelect = function()
-    Screens.push(game, "BagMenu")
+  table.insert(items, { label = Strings("ITEM"), onSelect = function()
+    Screens.push(game, "BagMenu", { onCancel = reopen })
   end })
 
   -- the player's name opens the trainer card (StartMenu_TrainerInfo)
   table.insert(items, { label = game.save.player.name or "RED",
     onSelect = function()
-      Screens.push(game, "TrainerCard")
+      Screens.push(game, "TrainerCard", { onCancel = reopen })
     end })
 
   -- SAVE shows the player/badges/dex/time panel then asks to confirm
   -- (PrintSaveScreenText)
-  table.insert(items, { label = "SAVE", onSelect = function()
+  table.insert(items, { label = Strings("SAVE"), onSelect = function()
     local TextBox = require("src.render.TextBox")
     local ChoiceBox = require("src.ui.ChoiceBox")
     local badges = require("src.inventory.Badges").count(game.data, game.save)
@@ -54,32 +60,32 @@ function StartMenu.new(game)
       owned = owned + 1
     end
     local t = math.floor(game.save.playTime or 0)
-    local panel = ("PLAYER %s\nBADGES    %d\nPOKéDEX %3d\nTIME %6d:%02d")
-      :format(game.save.player.name or "RED", badges, owned,
-              math.floor(t / 3600), math.floor(t / 60) % 60)
+    local panel = Strings("PLAYER %s\nBADGES    %d\nPOKéDEX %3d\nTIME %6d:%02d",
+                          game.save.player.name or "RED", badges, owned,
+                          math.floor(t / 3600), math.floor(t / 60) % 60)
     game.stack:push(TextBox.new(game,
-      panel .. "\fWould you like to\nSAVE the game?", function()
+      panel .. Strings("\fWould you like to\nSAVE the game?"), function()
       game.stack:push(ChoiceBox.new(game, function(yes)
         if not yes then return end
         -- "Now saving..." beat before the write (save.asm
         -- NowSavingString), then GameSavedText + SFX_SAVE
-        game.stack:push(TextBox.new(game, "Now saving...", function()
+        game.stack:push(TextBox.new(game, Strings("Now saving..."), function()
           game:writeSave()
           require("src.core.Sound").play(game.data, "Save")
           game.stack:push(TextBox.new(game,
-            (game.save.player.name or "RED") .. " saved\nthe game!"))
+            Strings("%s saved\nthe game!", game.save.player.name or "RED")))
         end))
       end))
     end))
   end })
 
-  table.insert(items, { label = "OPTION", onSelect = function()
-    Screens.push(game, "OptionsMenu")
+  table.insert(items, { label = Strings("OPTION"), onSelect = function()
+    Screens.push(game, "OptionsMenu", { onCancel = reopen })
   end })
 
   -- LINK needs a party
   if #game.save.party > 0 then
-    table.insert(items, { label = "LINK", onSelect = function()
+    table.insert(items, { label = Strings("LINK"), onSelect = function()
       local LinkState = require("src.link.LinkState")
       game.stack:push(LinkState.new(game))
     end })
@@ -89,7 +95,7 @@ function StartMenu.new(game)
   -- one discovered mod so a vanilla install's menu is unchanged
   local status = game.modStatus
   if status and #(status.available or {}) > 0 then
-    table.insert(items, { label = "MODS", onSelect = function()
+    table.insert(items, { label = Strings("MODS"), onSelect = function()
       Screens.push(game, "ManagerState")
     end })
   end
@@ -97,10 +103,10 @@ function StartMenu.new(game)
   -- the original's EXIT just closed the menu (CloseStartMenu); with a
   -- window close button covering that, QUIT instead power-cycles back
   -- to the title after a confirm (defaultNo guards accidental quits)
-  table.insert(items, { label = "QUIT", onSelect = function()
+  table.insert(items, { label = Strings("QUIT"), onSelect = function()
     local TextBox = require("src.render.TextBox")
     local ChoiceBox = require("src.ui.ChoiceBox")
-    game.stack:push(TextBox.new(game, "RETURN TO MAIN\nMENU?", function()
+    game.stack:push(TextBox.new(game, Strings("RETURN TO MAIN\nMENU?"), function()
       game.stack:push(ChoiceBox.new(game, function(yes)
         if yes then game:returnToTitle() end
       end, { defaultNo = true }))
@@ -150,7 +156,7 @@ function StartMenu.new(game)
       love.graphics.setColor(0, 0, 0, 1)
       Font.draw(("%3d"):format(math.floor(safari.steps or 0)), 8, 8)
       Font.draw("/500", 32, 8)
-      Font.draw("BALL", 8, 24)
+      Font.draw(Strings("BALL"), 8, 24)
       Font.draw(("%2d"):format(math.floor(safari.balls or 0)), 48, 24)
       love.graphics.setColor(1, 1, 1, 1)
     end

src/ui/SummaryMenu.lua

@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@ local Font = require("src.render.Font")
 -- TypeChart.displayName maps it back to "PSYCHIC", like HallOfFame and the
 -- battle move-type box already do (#214).
 local TypeChart = require("src.battle.TypeChart")
+local Strings = require("src.core.Strings")
+local Stats = require("src.pokemon.Stats")
 
 local SummaryMenu = {}
 SummaryMenu.__index = SummaryMenu
@@ -29,6 +31,16 @@ function SummaryMenu:sgbPalettes(game)
 end
 
 function SummaryMenu.new(game, mon)
+  -- status_screen.asm:66-76: StatusScreen recalculates the stat block before
+  -- it draws anything when the mon came from a box or the daycare ("mon is
+  -- in a box or daycare" -> CalcStats), because box_struct carries none.
+  -- Bill's PC hands us that mon table directly (src/ui/BoxMenu.lua's STATS
+  -- submenu entry), and for a .sav imported through
+  -- src/save_convert/GenSave.lua it really does arrive with mon.stats nil,
+  -- which crashed the HP bar draw below (#233).  Redundant once
+  -- SaveData.validate has run over a loaded save, but this is the site the
+  -- original recomputes at, and it also covers a mon handed in by a mod.
+  Stats.ensure(game.data.pokemon[mon.species], mon)
   local self = setmetatable({ game = game, mon = mon, page = 1 }, SummaryMenu)
   local Sprites = require("src.pokemon.Sprites")
   local path = Sprites.path(game.data, mon.species, "front",
@@ -58,10 +70,31 @@ end
 -- drawn from the same HUD tiles the original loads
 local function drawLineBox(tx, ty, b, c)
   local HudTiles = require("src.render.HudTiles")
-  for i = 0, b - 1 do HudTiles.tile(0x73, tx * 8, (ty + i) * 8) end
-  HudTiles.tile(0x77, tx * 8, (ty + b) * 8)
-  for i = 1, c do HudTiles.tile(0x76, (tx - i) * 8, (ty + b) * 8) end
-  HudTiles.tile(0x6F, (tx - c - 1) * 8, (ty + b) * 8)
+  -- Under the status screen's overlay the vertical is $78 -- DrawLineBox
+  -- writes `ld [hl], $78` (status_screen.asm:222), and :90-93 is what puts
+  -- hud_2's single bar tile there.  $73 is the <ID> glyph on this screen,
+  -- not a line, so the whole box has to come off statusTile (#280).  The
+  -- drawn shapes are unchanged: hud_2 tile 0 is the same bar the battle
+  -- layout parks at $73.
+  for i = 0, b - 1 do HudTiles.statusTile(0x78, tx * 8, (ty + i) * 8) end
+  HudTiles.statusTile(0x77, tx * 8, (ty + b) * 8)
+  for i = 1, c do HudTiles.statusTile(0x76, (tx - i) * 8, (ty + b) * 8) end
+  HudTiles.statusTile(0x6F, (tx - c - 1) * 8, (ty + b) * 8)
+end
+
+-- home/pokemon.asm:335-345 PrintLevel: the "<LV>" (":L") tile at (tx,ty)
+-- then the level LEFT_ALIGNed after it; at level 100 hl is decremented so
+-- the third digit is written back OVER the ":L" tile.  Both status pages
+-- print a level this way, and src/ui/PartyMenu.lua models the same rule for
+-- its rows. #280
+local function printLevel(tx, ty, level)
+  local HudTiles = require("src.render.HudTiles")
+  local x = tx * 8
+  if level < 100 then
+    HudTiles.statusTile(0x6E, x, ty * 8)
+    x = x + 8
+  end
+  Font.draw(tostring(level), x, ty * 8)
 end
 
 function SummaryMenu:draw()
@@ -72,25 +105,37 @@ function SummaryMenu:draw()
   local data = game.data
   local def = data.pokemon[mon.species]
 
-  -- shared header: pic (1,0), name (9,1), <LV> (14,2), No. (1,7)
+  -- shared header: pic (1,0), name (9,1), № + dex number (1,7).  The pic is
+  -- MIRRORED -- status_screen.asm:170 draws it through
+  -- LoadFlippedFrontSpriteByMonIndex (home/pokemon.asm sets wSpriteFlipped),
+  -- the same routine the intro's NIDORINO show-off uses (OakSpeech picFlip:
+  -- negative x scale anchored at the pic's right edge). #280
   if self.sprite then
-    love.graphics.draw(self.sprite, 8,
-                       math.max(0, 56 - self.sprite:getHeight()))
+    love.graphics.draw(self.sprite, 8 + self.sprite:getWidth(),
+                       math.max(0, 56 - self.sprite:getHeight()), 0, -1, 1)
   end
   local HudTiles = require("src.render.HudTiles")
   love.graphics.setColor(0, 0, 0, 1)
   Font.draw(mon.nickname or def.name, 72, 8)
-  HudTiles.tile(0x6E, 112, 16) -- <LV>
-  Font.draw(tostring(mon.level), 120, 16)
-  Font.draw(("No.%03d"):format(def.dex or 0), 8, 56)
+  -- status_screen.asm:109-113 backs hl up from DrawLineBox's end to write
+  -- the single-tile '№' at (1,7) and '<DOT>' at (2,7); :143-146 then
+  -- PrintNumbers the dex number (LEADING_ZEROES, 3 digits) at (3,7).
+  -- Spelling "No." out of three letter tiles pushed every digit a column
+  -- right of the original. #280
+  HudTiles.statusTile(0x74, 8, 56)  -- №
+  Font.drawCode(0xF2, 16, 56)       -- <DOT> (charmap.asm:182)
+  Font.draw(("%03d"):format(def.dex or 0), 24, 56)
 
   if self.page == 1 then
     -- HP bar (11,3) + numbers row 4, STATUS/ (9,6), the DrawLineBox
-    -- bracket around the name/HP block
+    -- bracket around the name/HP block, and PrintLevel at (14,2).  The
+    -- level belongs to page 1 ONLY: StatusScreen2 opens with ClearScreenArea
+    -- over (9,2) 5x10 (status_screen.asm:303-305), which wipes it. #280
+    printLevel(14, 2, mon.level)
     drawLineBox(19, 1, 6, 10)
     HudTiles.drawHPBar(data, 11, 3, mon, 1) -- wHPBarType 1
     Font.draw(("%3d/%3d"):format(mon.hp, mon.stats.hp), 96, 32)
-    Font.draw("STATUS/", 72, 48)
+    Font.draw(Strings("STATUS/"), 72, 48)
     Font.draw(mon.status or "OK", 128, 48)
 
     -- stats box (0,8) 10x10: names rows 9/11/13/15, values indented
@@ -107,33 +152,42 @@ function SummaryMenu:draw()
 
     -- TYPE1/TYPE2/IDNo/OT column (10,9) with values indented (11,10)
     drawLineBox(19, 9, 8, 6)
-    Font.draw("TYPE1/", 80, 72)
+    Font.draw(Strings("TYPE1/"), 80, 72)
     Font.draw(def.types[1] and TypeChart.displayName(def.types[1]) or "", 88, 80)
     if def.types[2] then
-      Font.draw("TYPE2/", 80, 88)
+      Font.draw(Strings("TYPE2/"), 80, 88)
       Font.draw(TypeChart.displayName(def.types[2]), 88, 96)
     end
-    Font.draw("IDNo/", 80, 104)
+    -- TypesIDNoOTText's third row is "<ID>№/" (status_screen.asm:205-210):
+    -- two single-tile glyphs and a slash, three columns wide, not the five
+    -- letter tiles "IDNo/" this used to spell out. #280
+    HudTiles.statusTile(0x73, 80, 104) -- <ID>
+    HudTiles.statusTile(0x74, 88, 104) -- №
+    Font.draw("/", 96, 104)
     -- the trainer ID is rolled at new game (SaveData.newGame) and
     -- backfilled on load for old saves
     Font.draw(("%05d"):format(mon.otId or game.save.player.id or 0), 96, 112)
-    Font.draw("OT/", 80, 120)
+    Font.draw(Strings("OT/"), 80, 120)
     Font.draw(mon.ot or game.save.player.name or "RED", 96, 128)
   else
     -- page 2: EXP + the moves with PP (StatusScreen2)
     drawLineBox(19, 1, 6, 10)
-    Font.draw("EXP POINTS", 72, 24)
-    Font.draw(("%d"):format(mon.exp), 96, 32)
-    -- StatusScreen2: "LEVEL UP" at (9,5); next-exp PrintNumber 7 cols
-    -- at (7,6); space at (14,6); PrintLevel at (16,6).  The old
-    -- "%d to L%d" string at x=88 overflowed the DrawLineBox edge.
-    Font.draw("LEVEL UP", 72, 40)
+    Font.draw(Strings("EXP POINTS"), 72, 24)
+    -- PrintNumber at (12,4) with 7 columns: the exp is RIGHT-aligned into
+    -- cols 12-18 (status_screen.asm:400-403), not left-aligned from col 12.
+    -- #280
+    Font.draw(("%7d"):format(mon.exp), 96, 32)
+    -- StatusScreen2: "LEVEL UP" at (9,5); next-exp PrintNumber 7 cols at
+    -- (7,6); the narrow '<to>' tile at (14,6); PrintLevel at (16,6)
+    -- (status_screen.asm:393-403).  The old "%d to L%d" string at x=88
+    -- overflowed the DrawLineBox edge.
+    Font.draw(Strings("LEVEL UP"), 72, 40)
     local Growth = require("src.pokemon.Growth")
     local nextExp = mon.level < 100
       and (Growth.expForLevel(def.growthRate, mon.level + 1) - mon.exp) or 0
     Font.draw(("%7d"):format(math.max(0, nextExp)), 56, 48)
-    HudTiles.tile(0x6E, 128, 48) -- <LV>
-    Font.draw(tostring(math.min(100, mon.level + 1)), 136, 48)
+    HudTiles.statusTile(0x70, 112, 48) -- '<to>' at (14,6), was missing (#280)
+    printLevel(16, 6, math.min(100, mon.level + 1))
     Font.drawBox(0, 8, 20, 10)
     for i = 1, 4 do
       local mv = mon.moves[i]
@@ -141,7 +195,7 @@ function SummaryMenu:draw()
       if mv then
         local mdef = data.moves[mv.id]
         Font.draw(mdef.name, 16, y)
-        Font.draw("PP", 88, y + 8)
+        Font.draw(Strings("PP"), 88, y + 8)
         Font.draw(("%2d/%2d"):format(mv.pp, mdef.pp), 112, y + 8)
       else
         Font.draw("-", 16, y)

src/ui/TitleState.lua

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 local Font = require("src.render.Font")
 local Music = require("src.core.Music")
 local GameVersion = require("src.core.GameVersion")
+local Strings = require("src.core.Strings")
 
 local TitleState = {}
 TitleState.__index = TitleState
@@ -165,19 +166,19 @@ function ContinueInfo:draw()
   -- box at (4,7), 8x14 content; labels double-spaced from (5,9)
   Font.drawBox(4, 7, 16, 10)
   love.graphics.setColor(0, 0, 0, 1)
-  Font.draw("PLAYER", 40, 72)
+  Font.draw(Strings("PLAYER"), 40, 72)
   Font.draw((save.player and save.player.name) or "RED", 96, 72)
   local badges = require("src.inventory.Badges").count(self.game.data, save)
-  Font.draw("BADGES", 40, 88)
+  Font.draw(Strings("BADGES"), 40, 88)
   Font.draw(("%2d"):format(badges), 128, 88)
   local owned = 0
   for _ in pairs(save.pokedex and save.pokedex.owned or {}) do
     owned = owned + 1
   end
-  Font.draw("POKéDEX", 40, 104)
+  Font.draw(Strings("POKéDEX"), 40, 104)
   Font.draw(("%3d"):format(owned), 120, 104)
   local t = math.floor(save.playTime or 0)
-  Font.draw("TIME", 40, 120)
+  Font.draw(Strings("TIME"), 40, 120)
   Font.draw(("%3d:%02d"):format(math.floor(t / 3600),
                                 math.floor(t / 60) % 60), 104, 120)
   love.graphics.setColor(1, 1, 1, 1)
@@ -188,7 +189,7 @@ function TitleState:openMenu()
   local game = self.game
   local items = {}
   if hasSave() then
-    table.insert(items, { label = "CONTINUE", onSelect = function()
+    table.insert(items, { label = Strings("CONTINUE"), onSelect = function()
       -- peek at the save for the info window; fall through if the
       -- file can't be read
       local ok, loaded = pcall(require("src.core.SaveData").load)
@@ -199,13 +200,13 @@ function TitleState:openMenu()
       end
     end })
   end
-  table.insert(items, { label = "NEW GAME", onSelect = function()
+  table.insert(items, { label = Strings("NEW GAME"), onSelect = function()
     if self.onNewGame then self.onNewGame() end
   end })
-  table.insert(items, { label = "OPTION", onSelect = function()
+  table.insert(items, { label = Strings("OPTION"), onSelect = function()
     require("src.ui.Screens").push(game, "OptionsMenu")
   end })
-  table.insert(items, { label = "EXIT GAME", onSelect = function()
+  table.insert(items, { label = Strings("EXIT GAME"), onSelect = function()
     if love.event and love.event.quit then
       love.event.quit()
     end
@@ -254,7 +255,7 @@ function TitleState:draw()
     love.graphics.draw(self.logo, 16, 8)
   else
     love.graphics.setColor(0, 0, 0, 1)
-    Font.draw(self.blue and "POKéMON BLUE" or "POKéMON RED",
+    Font.draw(self.blue and "POKéMON BLUE" or Strings("POKéMON RED"),
       (160 - 12 * 8) / 2, 24)
     love.graphics.setColor(1, 1, 1, 1)
   end
@@ -290,7 +291,7 @@ function TitleState:draw()
   love.graphics.setColor(0, 0, 0, 1)
   -- the copyright row (tile 2,17); copyrightText because field.title's
   -- copyright key already names the extracted image strip
-  Font.draw(self.title.copyrightText or "2026 bois club games", 1, 136)
+  Font.draw(self.title.copyrightText or Strings("2026 bois club games"), 1, 136)
   love.graphics.setColor(1, 1, 1, 1)
 end
 

src/ui/TradeAnim.lua

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 local Font = require("src.render.Font")
 local Sound = require("src.core.Sound")
 local TextBox = require("src.render.TextBox")
+local Strings = require("src.core.Strings")
 
 local TradeAnim = {}
 TradeAnim.__index = TradeAnim
@@ -343,7 +344,7 @@ function TradeAnim:drawMonInfo(mon, ot, otId, boxTy)
   love.graphics.setColor(0, 0, 0, 1)
   Font.draw(no, 56, y0)
   Font.draw(speciesName(self.game, mon), 40, y0 + 16)
-  Font.draw("OT/" .. (ot or "????"), 40, y0 + 32)
+  Font.draw(Strings("OT/%s", ot or "????"), 40, y0 + 32)
   Font.draw(("IDNo.%05d"):format(otId or 0), 40, y0 + 48)
   love.graphics.setColor(1, 1, 1, 1)
 end