For over twenty years, Pokémon has persisted as one of the largest, most well-known franchises in the gaming industry. It provides fans with endless characters, possibilities, storylines, and games.
Fans have even found a way to create their own versions of some of the most classic games. These games carry on the essence of the main Pokémon games while taking paths that haven’t been explored by the franchise’s designers.
But that’s not all that Pokémon fans do with their gaming experience. Some very clever players have found ways to modify the existing Pokémon games. That’s beyond my technical knowledge, but you better believe I’ll happily take advantage of their Pokémon ROM hacks.
This article will break down the best Pokémon ROM hacks and games created by fans.
Grab your Pokeballs because it’s time to catch them all.
Pokémon Mega Power
If you're a fan of the video game Pokémon Emerald, then you'll want to check out Mega Power. This Pokémon ROM hack takes the characters on a quest to make the strongest Pokémon through lots and lots of experimentation. But all of that experimentation comes at a hefty cost. Just as funds start to run out, a mysterious fancier turns up and sends you on a new adventure.
Could it be that your fancier is not on a quest for knowledge but rather a quest to manipulate your strongest Pokémon creations? You'll have to play the game to find out more.
Pokémon Mega Power contains three new areas (or regions), and it builds on the available Pokémon found in the original game. It even features all of the Mega Evolutions and Generations IV, V, VI, and VII.
Pokémon Light Platinum
Pokémon Light Platinum builds on the popular Pokémon Ruby game, allowing you to explore the Zhery Region while meeting and battling brand new rivals. You can put your skills against the region's awesome Gym Leaders, Elite Four, and of course, the Champion. You can even capture and train new Pokémon from the Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh Regions.
Don't forget to check out all of the neat moves and items you can collect while playing the game. You can even participate in special events and the Pokémon World Championship! This game boasts over twenty hours of gameplay, building on an already incredible Pokémon game.
Pokémon Flora Sky
Pokémon Emerald is a game that keeps giving thanks to all of the talented gamers who create Pokémon ROM hacks, and Pokémon Flora Sky is another great addition to the world. In this brand-new story, you can catch over 360 Pokémon, encounter animated sprites, and find new moves and items.
Pokémon Flora Sky may not be perfect, but Nintendo liked it enough to borrow some of the story elements for their new releases. The progression system in Pokémon Flora Sky is next level because it doesn't require grinding. This means to complete the story and progress through the areas; you get to go on a treasure hunt!
If you're familiar with Pokémon Emerald, you'll be pleased to know that Rotom is much easier to catch in the ROM hack, but Ralts proves to be a bit more challenging. This happens to be a reversal of how the original game allowed Pokémon to be caught.
Pokémon Blazed Glazed
Pokémon Blazed Glazed is another ROM hack of Pokémon Emerald adapted from an older version of Pokémon Glazed (another ROM hack). Once your characters reach the age of maturity, you're given a Pokémon of your choice to start on your brand new quest. Of course, to further the storyline along, you'll quickly find that the world has dissolved into chaos, and you'll have to become the savior of both the real and Pokémon world.
In a shocking turn of events, Pikachu is stalking you for revenge (uh-oh!), and you'll have to deal with them throughout the game.
If you played the previous ROM hack, you'd be pleased to know that Pokémon Blazed Glazed has been loaded with many improvements. The biggest one is that you're able to choose five starters, explore new regions, and play with Dream World Pokémon. They also added Pokémon from Generation IV through VI, included new moves, and changed the spawn locations of the Pokémon.
Pokémon Glazed
If the last Pokémon ROM hack caught your interest, you might want to try out the original Pokémon Glazes. While Pokémon Blazed Glazed is an improved version of this hack, it's undeniable that Pokémon Glazed is a fantastic ROM hack.
It's a coming-of-age story set to the world's backdrop falling apart the main character as he works to become a full-fledged Pokémon trainer. Fortunately, part of his journey is saving the world. When it comes to gameplay, it's similar to its predecessor. You can choose from five different starters, explore three regions (Tunod, Johto, and Rankor), and you get to catch Dream World and Legendary Pokémon.
This game features some fun opportunities to gain experience and money as you battle trainers and Gym Leaders. This Pokémon ROM hack is a lot of fun, even if there is a better update available.
Pokémon Theta Emerald Ex
It should come as no surprise that Pokémon Emerald, one of the franchise's most popular games, is also one of the most popular games to create ROM hacks from. Pokémon Theta Emerald EX is another one of these hacks that improves something that is already beloved.
There are over 700 Pokémon to catch in the game, compared to the 600 that you can catch in previous game versions. This includes new abilities, TMs, HMs, and Mega Evolutions, as well as Primal Revisions. You can even find new Fairy-types in the game, with the new Repel mechanic.
Another fun and purely aesthetic element are that you can run inside of buildings!
Pokémon Mega Emerald X and Y Edition
After waiting and waiting, Pokémon Mega Emerald X and Y Edition are finally complete. This Pokémon ROM hack is a bit mundane, but it follows the typical Pokémon adventure game route with a few fun twists and turns along the way.
Overall, this game is similar to Pokémon Emerald, but you'll be pleased to discover that the new Pokémon have sprites edited into the game! Pokémon Mega Emerald X and Y also prides itself on having Generation I to VI (though not all of them) available throughout the game. You can, however, find all of the Legendary Pokémon, which is a fun treat!
If you are looking to spend a bunch of hours into a variation of Emerald, then this is the one to go for!
Pokémon Liquid Crystal
If you're anything like most fans who played Pokémon Dark Rising, you're probably still traumatized. Fortunately, Pokémon Liquid Crystal is here to soothe your wounds. The game is bright, colorful, and lends itself to leisurely gameplay.
You can revisit the Kanto and Johto regions, embracing that sense of adventure that Pokémon games do so well.
While the game doesn't bring a lot of new content to the table, it serves as an apology to fans who were disappointed that they couldn't keep their Pokémon when the game progressed from Gameboy Advance Nintendo DS.
Pokémon Gaia
Pokémon Gaia is a ROM hack that uses Pokémon FireRed as its base, spawning a far more intricate story than the original. Thousands of years ago, the old civilization worshiped gods until an earthquake consumed the upper areas — now you are tasked to prevent another cataclysmic calamity.
Travel through the regions of Kanto, Johto, Sinnoh, Unova, and Kalos while you fight against time to save the Region of Orbetus and complete the task Professor Redwood has set you out on. The mechanics are new, allowing players to use Mega Evolutions, Fairy-types, and explore underwater locations.
This game is truly a fantastic ROM hack and could easily feel like a spin-off game created by the developers themselves.
Pokémon Ultra Shiny Gold Sigma
While this ROM hack is another game based on Pokémon FireRed, Pokémon Ultra Shiny Gold Sigma is based on the classic Gold, Silver, and Crystal games. But there are new and exciting plot points and elements that are well worth the playthrough.
When you start, you have a roster of over 800 Pokémon (from Generation I to VII) to choose from. You also have Mega Evolutions, Miracle Exchange, and many other cool trading evolutions. EVs and IVs are shown on the menu so that you can avoid complicated calculations during your trades.
Pokémon Adventures Red Chapter
This ROM hack emerged as a front runner in the Poke Community Hack of the Year contest from 2013 and 2015, which makes it no surprise that we're still talking about it five years later. This hack is based on Pokémon FireRed and is part of the official Pokémon Adventure Collections.
The story follows along with the Pokémon Adventure Manga and contains most of the events, with a few events expanded upon for longer gameplay. Since it follows a canonical story so closely, you can't pick your own starter Pokémon. Don't worry; you will be able to choose your own later in the game.
This Best Pokémon ROM hack features many cool details; a full catalog of catchable Pokémon, root fossils, and so much more.
Pokémon Dark Cry
Pokémon Dark Cry has one of the most intricate stories on this list. At the start of the game, you wake up and realize you're in a mysterious cavern. As you explore the cavern, you find a man with an “R” on his shirt and attempt to stop him without success. From there, a giant earthquake occurs, and a shadow approaches you… just in time for you to wake up a second time and discover you had been dreaming.
Only… your dream slowly becomes a reality.
Pokémon Dark Cry features a new region called Trion, and you can read the PokéPaper to get your daily news while you attempt side quests, mini-games, and so many other neat features. Don't miss out on this Pokémon ROM hack.
Pokémon Ash Gray
Pokémon Ash Gray is another Pokémon FireRed hack that you won't want to miss out on. You play as Ash Ketchum, including through the events of the first episode of the beloved Pokémon series. So yes, you get to play with Pikachu, just like Ash himself.
The game embarks on a quest that parallels events from the series and some of the movies. Which we happen to think is a nice little bonus to an already awesome game. As you play, you can catch all the same Pokémon Ash finds during the series, but don't worry; you don't have to play with them.
Pokémon Ash Gray lacks a few features, like Mega Evolution, that some of the previous ROM hacks boast, but it captures all of your favorite Pokémon games' standard gameplay. Who can say “no” to that?
Now onto some of our favorite entirely fan-made Pokémon games. Seriously, it's not fair that these gamers are so talented that they can… create entire Pokémon games.
Pokémon Prism
Pokémon Prism is an insanely fun ROM hack based on Pokémon Crystal for Game Boy Color. You'll need to ensure that you have an emulator or cartridge to play Pokémon Prism, but it's worth the effort to set it up.
The game begins with the Dragon Trainer's child, Lance, playing in a minecart that suddenly loses control and flies down an old track in the region of Naljo. From there, the player adopts a Lavitar and sets off through Naljo to collect gym badges, play mini-games, and encounter over 200 different Pokémon species.
Pokémon 3D
Pokémon 3D is a truly remarkable fan-made game that simulates classic Pokémon in a 3D pop-up style. Players take direct control of their Pokémon's movements and attack sequences, allowing you to choose to retreat while they have their cool-off periods. You can explore the 3D environment and interact with other trainers and Pokémon throughout the game.
This game came out in 2015, and players are still playing the game today. There's a vibrant and active community on the Pokémon 3D site, discussing past and future updates. It's a fun one to try out!
Pokémon Reborn
If you're looking for a lengthy Pokémon game to try out, Pokémon Reborn provides players with over 55 hours of gameplay! This fan-made game was designed in an RPG Maker rather than in ROM, so it's not quite a ROM hack.
The game is set in Reborn City, a polluted mess of a metropolis plagued with crime. You are tasked with collaborating with the other Pokémon trainers to stop the evil organization that has taken control of the city!
Sounds fun, right? Pokémon Reborn features 18 different gyms to battle in and introduces the concept of Field Effects into the game. These effects can be used to change up the battlefield to favor different types of Pokémon.
Pokémon Godra
Out of all of the other fan-made Pokémon games, Pokémon Godra focuses on the trainer rather than the Pokémon. This popular ROM hack allows you to choose your career path: Trainer Coalition Leader, Military General, Safari Zone Warden, and many other fun careers. From there, you can find Pokémon from various versions of the classic games, delve into new quests, storylines, and explore the Western and Eastern portions of the map.
Pokémon Dark Rising
Often described as the Dark Souls of Pokémon games, you'll want to download Pokémon Dark Rising if you love complex and difficult games. You play as a young trainer from the Core Region who wakes up from a strange dream to find a peculiar Pokémon you've never seen before. Once Pokémon choose you as its trainer, you'll have to work together to save the world!
This game has a similar premise to a few mentioned above, but the perk to Pokémon Dark Rising is that you can start with all Dragon-types and discover Pokémon from the first five generations.
Pokémon Phoenix Rising
Set in the region Hawthorne, a war-torn region under the mercy of a tyrannical king, Pokémon Phoenix Rising is a fan-made game developed using RPG Maker XP. Trainers are tasked with finding and resurrecting the legendary Ho-oh to restore peace and harmony throughout the region of Hawthorne.
Pokémon Phoenix Rising features so many impressive features that you'll never find in a mainstream Pokémon game. You control the game's outcome by making choice-based decisions that will affect the quests and in-game events you encounter. You can even customize your skill trees to design different players with different play-styes.
Pokémon Uranium
Following the events of a nuclear explosion in the Tandor region, a young Pokémon trainer sets off on a discovery journey as they face strange occurrences and irradiated Pokémon. Pokémon Uranium took nine years to develop before its release in 2016, and this fan-made Pokémon game is one of the most popular ones available to download.
The game features 150 original Pokémon and features some new irradiated Pokémon you've never seen before. Trainers can obtain eight badges, defeat the Tandor league, and work to stop nuclear meltdowns through the region.
Pokémon Insurgence
If you've ever played with RPG Maker XP, you'll be familiar with how this fan-made Pokémon game was created. Pokémon Insurgence takes a turn towards the dark side, taking players through the region of Torren where war has broken out between those who seek to obtain world domination. The game allows you to customize your trainer, use Mega Evolutions, access secret bases, and create delta species.
What's a delta species? You mix two species of Pokémon to create a brand-new Pokémon! Pokémon Insurgence gives players limitless options and opportunities to explore the world of Pokémon through a new world. There are over 720 Pokémon to play with as you venture through the region of Torren!
Pokémon Brown
Pokémon Brown is a modified version of Pokémon Red. It was initially released in 2004 and received updates for several years. It introduces new content, including a new region, story, gym leaders, and more. Pokémon Brown was a significant mod when it was released because it changed how everything worked. You could use the Pokémon engine to create your own game for the first time and it served as inspiration for many hacks over the years.
Pokémon Omega Red
Pokémon Omega Red introduced some new features and included Pokémon from generations four through eight. You can expect improved outdoor graphics, a day and night system, every Pokémon available at the time of release, and more. It takes place in the Kanto region. It also features increased difficulty compared to Pokémon Fire Red, so if you want a nice challenge, you will want to check this out.
Pokémon Tre: Team Rocket Edition
This one is a little different as you get to be part of Team Rocket. The premise is that Giovanni, the leader of Team Rocket, is looking for his successor. To prove yourself worthy, you must pass a test, which includes defeating the “elite four” as well as all of the gyms.
Other modifications to this game include the map, new text, and sprites being changed as well. This is a chance to play as one of the villains in the Pokémon universe, so give it a shot if you have ever wanted to be a part of Team Rocket.
Pokémon Unbound
Set in Borrius, this takes place in a land engulfed in a conflict with a foreign power. Things don't go as planned, and what was used to try and win the war now must be sealed away to prevent evil forces from using it.
Pokémon Unbound features a custom battle engine. There are also some updates that fans will appreciate, such as autorun and unlimited bag space. There are four difficulty modes for you to choose from, and once you do get past the main story, there is still a lot to do with all of the post-game content.
Pokémon Saffron
Azira is the locale for this game. This is where many Pokémon call home as they migrate across the world. Once every ten years, an event takes place that causes the population to explode in numbers, something known as the Great Migration. You will explore Azira as you try to learn about why this happens while also looking into what Team Rocket has planned.
This fan-made game features every Pokémon from generations one through eight. You also have Mega Evolution, Dynamax/Gigantamax, and Z-Move mechanics available. The graphical fidelity has been updated. There are also brand new mechanics, such as Bait Fishing which you can use during your adventure.
Pokémon Revolution Online
This online game features over 10,000 active members a day. You can create your own guild or join one of the many established ones already in the game.
The game has four regions with Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh. You can compete in competitive online gameplay in an environment built off of the generation seven format. You also have player vs. environment areas as well if you are someone that wants to avoid playing with other people.
Pokémon Rejuvenation
This fan-made game has content that goes through the eighth generation. It takes place in the Aevium region, and it is your job to try and keep everything from descending into chaos.
This one features all 898 Pokémon. It is a work in progress, but the developers claim over 80+ hours of gameplay, and 15 gyms are currently available, with more to come.
Pokémon Crystal Clear
This title features an open world you can explore with legendary starters. You will get to explore Johto, a place considered to be the origin of Pokémon. There is also Kanto, where you will find some gym leaders. This is also where you can battle with all of the available classes.
Some of the new features in this one include new tiles and sprites. You will also have access to infinite “technical machines” that will make your battles easier if used correctly. There are also some new animations and graphics that make everything look more realistic than before.
Pokémon Volt White
You will explore the Unova region full of new items and creatures to discover. There are 649 Pokémon available here for you to try and capture. Some new Pokémon are also introduced here, such as Zebstrika and Vanilish.
Some of the differences you will notice here are that there is an entirely white forest and a legendary focus for you to explore. Opelucid City has changed its appearance a bit as well. You will also learn details about the Black City, a common difference between the original White and Black versions of the game.