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Pokémon Reborn

Native Linux RPG (fan-made Pokemon game) v19.16 current; decade-long development other
Does it run on your Deck?

About

Pokémon Reborn is one of the most downloaded Pokemon fan games ever made. Set in a dark, crime-ridden region called Reborn City, it features 18 gym badges, a custom region, mature narrative themes, and a roster of Pokemon drawn from multiple generations. The game is a standalone free download from rebornevo.com and ships a native Linux build via the RPG Maker XP Linux runtime — no original Pokemon game required. Developed over more than a decade by Amethyst and the broader Reborn Evolved community, it offers 100+ hours of content for a full playthrough.

Identity

DeveloperAmethyst and the Reborn Evolved team (rebornevo.com)
PublisherIndependently released (free fan project)
Releasedv19.16 current; decade-long development
GenreRPG (fan-made Pokemon game)
ModesSingle-player
Engineother
TypeNative Linux
AliasesPokemon Reborn, Reborn, Reborn Evolved

Launch

Binary
Game.AppImage
Needs files
none beyond the binary

Runtime

Runs as
Native Linux
Proton
not needed

⚙ Setup notes

Native: Ships a native Linux build as Game.AppImage (mkxp-z / RPG Maker runtime) from rebornevo.com — no Proton needed. Mark the AppImage executable (chmod +x Game.AppImage or Properties > Permissions > Allow executing file as program) and add it as a non-Steam game. The official community guide recommends the native Linux build over the Windows .exe via Proton, which caused "very finicky" directional input issues.

Controller: Keyboard-driven game — use Steam Input to map a controller layout. Several keys are not rebindable in-game and should be assigned to grip/back buttons: Enter (the SteamOS virtual-keyboard Enter does not register in name-entry fields), M (turbo), F12 (soft reset). Press Steam + X to summon the on-screen keyboard when naming Pokémon. A community Steam Input layout may be available.

The one thing to know

Use the Linux AppImage, not Windows/Proton: Running the Windows .exe under Proton produces "very finicky" directional input — the community guide recommends the native Game.AppImage instead.

Steam Input required: Map a controller layout. Assign Enter, M (turbo), and F12 (soft reset) to grip/back buttons since they are not rebindable in-game. The SteamOS virtual-keyboard Enter does NOT register when typing names — bind a physical button to Enter. Press Steam + X for the on-screen keyboard during name entry.

Free download: Free standalone download from rebornevo.com — no original Pokemon game needed.

Length: Very long game (~100+ hours for a full playthrough).

Community guides

Write-ups and threads from people who got this (or a similar) game running. deckport links to them — it doesn't reproduce them.

Get the artwork

deckport never hosts game images. Open this game on SteamGridDB, pick the cover / hero / logo / icon you like, and drop them into the game folder under .deckport-art/ before you push it to the Deck. The importer files them under the right names automatically.

Run it on your Deck

Two files: the one-time importer (deckport.py) in your Deck's home folder, and this game's install helper. Copy the game into ~/Games and run the helper with Steam closed — it writes the recipe (binary, launch options) and registers the shortcut with artwork.