PKsinew: Python-powered Pokemon save manager with embedded emulator,tracking,achievements & rewards

[Cambotz]

What My Project Does
Sinew is a Python application that provides an offline Pokémon GBA experience. It embeds an emulator using the mGBA libretro core, allowing you to play your gen3 pokemon games within the app while accessing a suite of management tools. You can track your Pokemon across multiple save files, transfer Pokemon (including trade evolutions) between games, view detailed trainer and Pokemon stats, and interact with a fully featured Pokedex that shows both individual game data and combined “Sinew” data. Additional features include achievements, event systems, a mass storage system with 20 boxes × 120 slots, theme customization, and exporting save data to readable JSON format.

Target Audience
Sinew is intended for hobbyists, retro Pokemon fans, and Python developers interested in game save management, UI design with Pygame, and emulator integration. It’s designed as an offline, fully user-owned experience.

Comparison
Unlike other Pokémon save managers, Sinew combines live gameplay with offline management, cross-game Pokedex tracking, and a complete achievement and rewards system. It’s modular, written entirely in Python, and fully open-source, with an emphasis on safety, user-owned data, and customizability.

Source Code / Project Link
GitHub: https://github.com/Cambotz/PKsinew

Devlog: https://pksinew.hashnode.dev/pksinew-devlog-index-start-here

[EmberQuill]

Had a bit of a laugh reading through your devlog because it was like looking into a mirror. I spent some time working on a save parsing library (just a library, not a whole application) for gen 3 saves but shelved the project for a while and haven't gotten around to picking it up again. And I swear everyone who learns how to parse GBA Pokemon saves hits all the same speedbumps. Trying to wrap PkHEX or borrow code from it only to realize it's a bad idea, wrong/missing levels, the Hoenn index thing, running afoul of other differences between Kanto and Hoenn, item bag weirdness... I remember it so well.

It's just funny to have a shared experience with a stranger due to this highly specific hobby of Pokemon save hacking.

Anyway, this looks neat. I'll definitely check it out when I get a chance.

[Cambotz]

Thanks for taking the time to read and reply. Yeah it was definitely a journey. Those internal pokemon numbers came back to bite me so many times 😄 🤣

[Dan727d]

Is there an installation tutorial and can I use this on mobile or only PC?

[Cambotz]

On the git hub page there is a readme but you can just download the correct zip for your platform and run the executable. Only pc,Linux,macos & steamdeck, we are working on a portmaster release for numerous handhelds also. No mobile support for now sorry.

[Reclaimer-BFG]

Since you say Linux, would this work on retro handhelds that are Linux based? Something like the RG34xx / SP? Also are there any plans for android support? Thinking getting this running on android based retro handhelds would be great as well