Pokémon Omega Ruby Update 1.4 was released on April 23, 2015, primarily as a mandatory patch to ensure continued access to online features. Update Details
Purpose: The official patch notes from Nintendo and Game Freak stated that "various bugs have been fixed to provide a smoother gaming experience".
Mandatory Requirement: Players were required to download this version to access the Player Search System (PSS), Wonder Trade, Global Trade Station (GTS), and to redeem Mystery Gifts.
File Size: The update occupied approximately 271 blocks of space on the Nintendo 3DS SD card.
Bug Fixes: While not explicitly detailed by Nintendo, reports indicate it resolved glitches introduced by the previous 1.3 patch, specifically affecting online matchmaking and stability.
Note: As of April 8, 2024, online communication for the Nintendo 3DS family, including these features in Omega Ruby, has officially ended. Context for "Paper"
If you are looking for a physical "paper" reference, the term most commonly appears in the community regarding:
Update 1.4: The Mysterious Meteorite of Mt. Pyre
It's been a few months since you saved the Hoenn region from the evil Team Magma and their plans to awaken the powerful Groudon. Life has been peaceful in the region, with Pokémon trainers continuing to explore the vast lands and catch new Pokémon.
However, a strange occurrence has been reported in the vicinity of Mt. Pyre, a sacred mountain where Pokémon trainers often come to reflect and pay their respects to the departed. A bright, glowing meteorite has been spotted crashing into the mountain, sending shockwaves throughout the region.
Professor Birch, the renowned Pokémon researcher, has received a distress call from his colleague, Professor Cozmo, who was studying the meteorite's impact. It seems that the meteorite has brought with it a strange, otherworldly energy that is affecting the Pokémon in the area.
As you arrive at Mt. Pyre, you notice that the usually calm Pokémon in the area are behaving erratically. Some are acting agitated, while others seem to be imbued with an unusual, cosmic energy.
The Quest:
Professor Birch asks for your help in investigating the mysterious meteorite and its effects on the Pokémon in the area. He tasks you with:
New Features and Pokémon:
Gameplay Changes:
Rewards:
The update aims to provide a fresh and exciting experience for players, with new challenges, features, and Pokémon to discover. The story offers a chance for players to explore a new area, interact with familiar characters, and catch a rare, otherworldly Pokémon.
Pokémon Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire ) Version 1.4 was released on April 2, 2015
, as a mandatory title update. This update was primarily a maintenance patch focused on stability and minor bug fixes rather than adding significant new gameplay content. PocketMonsters.net Key Update Details Release Date: April 2, 2015. Mandatory Status: Required for all online features, including Wonder Trade Global Trade Station (GTS) , and official tournaments. File Size: Approximately 250 to 270 blocks Official Patch Note:
"Various bugs have been fixed in order to provide a smoother gaming experience". BREATHEcast Major Fixes & Adjustments
While official notes were brief, community observations and technical analysis identified several specific changes: Battle Spot Stability: Addressed a critical glitch that caused international Random Matchups on the Battle Spot to crash after team selection. Species Name Display:
To prevent crashes related to language differences, the server was modified to display Pokémon
instead of species names in certain online modes during this period. Security & Legality Checks:
Improved online checks to prevent the use of certain "illegal" or impossibly modified Pokémon in online battles. Hoopa Compatibility:
Updated internal data to support the eventual release of the Mythical Pokémon BREATHEcast How to Update Players can download the update directly from the Nintendo eShop
or by launching the game while connected to the internet. Once installed, the version number will be visible on the game's title screen. Nintendo Support in the game, or do you need a guide for unlocking content like Hoopa?
How to Update Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire
Released on April 22, 2015, the 1.4 update for Pokémon Omega Ruby Pokemon Omega Ruby Update 1.4
and Alpha Sapphire (ORAS) was a crucial technical patch designed to maintain the integrity of the Hoenn region's online landscape. While it didn't introduce massive story expansions like the Delta Episode, it remains a mandatory download for anyone looking to engage with the global Pokémon community. Why the Update is Essential
The primary purpose of Version 1.4 was to ensure a "smoother gaming experience" by addressing various technical hurdles. For most players, the update is required to access the following core features:
Player Search System (PSS): For trading and battling with friends or strangers online.
Wonder Trade: The chaotic and beloved random trading mechanic.
Global Trade Station (GTS): Searching for specific Pokémon from players worldwide.
Mystery Gifts: Essential for receiving event-exclusive Pokémon or items. Key Patch Highlights
Though official patch notes were brief, the community and data-miners noted several important shifts:
Matchmaking Fixes: The patch reportedly resolved disconnect issues that plagued Random Matchups in previous versions.
Improved Formatting: Minor font issues and text errors that could slow down or hinder gameplay progress were addressed.
Hidden Data (The Hoopa Connection): Data mining of this version revealed that the Mythical Pokémon Hoopa had been formally integrated into the game's data, paving the way for its official release later that year. How to Install Update 1.4
If you are dusting off your 3DS, you can still verify your version on the game's title screen. Connect your Nintendo 3DS to the internet.
Launch the game; a prompt should automatically appear asking you to update.
Alternatively, search for "Pokémon Update" in the Nintendo eShop to download it manually.
The update requires approximately 271 blocks of free space on your SD card. Pokémon Omega Ruby Update 1
Pro-Tip: Remember that while online play for the 3DS officially ended in April 2024, these updates are still often necessary for certain local communication features or for those using specific community-run servers. Update Ver. 1.4 is more fun - RAM - Project Pokemon Forums
2 Apr 2015 — Posted April 2, 2015 (edited) Pokemon X/Y and OR/AS have a new update released today. http://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/ Project Pokemon Forums
For many trainers, Pokemon Omega Ruby remains the definitive way to experience the Hoenn region. With its stunning 3D remaster of the GBA classics, the introduction of Mega Evolution, and the beloved Delta Episode, it is a high-water mark for the franchise. However, like any massive RPG, the initial cartridge release wasn't without its quirks.
Enter Update 1.4.
While later entries in the series like Sun and Moon or Sword and Shield made patching a routine part of the online experience, patching was a newer concept for the 3DS era. Update 1.4 for Omega Ruby (and its counterpart Alpha Sapphire) was a crucial, albeit quiet, maintenance update that smoothed out the experience for millions of players.
If you are dusting off your old 3DS or popping the cartridge in for a nostalgia run, here is everything you need to know about Update 1.4, why it matters, and how to ensure your game is up to date.
While Omega Ruby’s online features (GTS, Wonder Trade, Battle Spot) were stable, Update 1.4 introduced backend changes to prevent desynchronization errors when battling against Pokémon Sun and Moon via the (now-defunct) Pokémon Global Link. This was primarily a server-side handshake update that required the client patch to function.
Today, Pokémon Omega Ruby Update 1.4 is a footnote. Most players have long since updated, and the competitive scene has moved on to Pokémon Sword and Shield and Scarlet and Violet. Yet, the patch endures as a symbol. It represents the moment when Game Freak and Nintendo signaled that their vision of “fair play” superseded the emergent creativity of their player base.
In the end, Version 1.4 did not make Omega Ruby more stable or more enjoyable for the average player—most never even knew the glitch existed. What it did was enforce a specific, narrower interpretation of how a Pokémon game should be played. It serves as a quiet reminder that updates are not neutral. They are acts of curation, and sometimes, the most significant thing a patch can do is take something away. The game you bought is not the game you own; it is a version, subject to the silent veto of a later patch. And in the case of Omega Ruby 1.4, that veto was absolute.
With the 1.4 patch installed, Pokemon Omega Ruby solidified its reputation. It allowed players to fully engage with features that defined the generation, such as:
Update Version 1.4, released in early December 2014, was unusually small for a modern patch—roughly 200 blocks on the Nintendo 3DS’s internal memory. Its official patch notes were famously opaque, stating only: “Fixes for issues to ensure a more pleasant gameplay experience.” This corporate vagueness has since become a meme in the Pokémon community.
Unofficially, dataminers and reverse-engineers quickly identified the changes:
The most notable change was the first. Nintendo did not remove QR scanning—a feature heavily marketed for the “Eon Ticket” event. Instead, they subtly changed the underlying mathematics, a ghost in the machine.
⚠️ Zero content for single-player fans – If you don’t play online or use Mystery Gift, you’ll see no difference.
⚠️ Slow download – Nintendo eShop on 3DS was sluggish for a 60+ MB patch.
⚠️ Some glitched trades remained – Pokémon with illegal pentagon markers still passed through Wonder Trade occasionally. Retrieving a sample of the meteorite from Mt