Summary
Here are some of the best Pokemon ROM hacks that fans have created
The Pokemon journey is one that fans look forward to whenever a new game is announced, even if recent titles have not always garnered widespread acclaim. While the games have strayed in recent years with new titles and mechanics, Pokemon games are ultimately comfort food that many people look forward to consuming every few years. That said, the main projects do not always succeed in impressing everyone who has been along for the ride since the late 1990s; consequently, some fans have come forward to create their own games.
Although Nintendo has, on several occasions, unplugged and halted the production of several projects, many contain new and exciting features and mechanics that completely change the Pokemon game experience. As such, let’s highlight some of the coolest Pokemon ROM hacks.
Updated May 1, 2025 by Mark Sammut: Pokemon ROM hacks are pretty much a staple by this point, similar to other franchises like Sonic the Hedgehog and Mario. Each year seems to produce at least a couple of major projects that are either loving tributes to official entries or shake up the status quo so greatly, they almost become something entirely new. To highlight the latter, Pokemon Nameless has been added as a recommendation.
This article highlights impressive works that showcase their creators’ love for Pokemon, so it is not a conventional recommendation list.
24
Pokemon Let’s Go Eevee/Pikachu GBA Version
Modern Update On A Classic Formula
Game: Pokemon FireRed
Created By Kevin PokeFan
The Nintendo Switch’s Let’s Go Eevee & Pikachu might not be considered the best Pokemon games of all time, but they are pleasant throwbacks to the classic Kanto-era games. Fittingly enough, a ROM hack is available that returns these titles to their roots; well, to be exact, Pokemon FireRed.
The biggest changes come in the form of modern Pokemon, improved gameplay, and some quality of life changes. Pokemon Let’s Go Eevee/Pikachu GBA Version is not ultimately anything too original and, for the most part, will probably only be loved by those who are already infatuated with the Switch games.
23
Pokemon Nameless
A Dark Change Of Pace
Game: Pokemon FireRed
Created By Wind1158
Although most projects are presented as stand-alone, some creators have crafted a series of games that loosely connect. Pokemon Nameless is, technically, the third game in a trilogy, with Resolute and Mega Power coming out before it. However, the story is set in-between those two titles, so it is not the final chapter in the saga. More importantly, players can just opt to try this game and mostly ignore the other two, which are decent but have quite a few quirks that can make them frustrating to sit through at times.
“Dark” Pokemon ROMs are not all that uncommon, and plenty of fans have put together stories that are tailor-made for older players. Considering many creators likely fell in love with the franchise when they were kids, the yearning for a more mature version that matches their current ages makes sense. That said, just because something is dark does not automatically make it good. Nameless is not perfect by any means, but it offers a relatively refreshing attempt to shake up the formula by moving away from the road to the Pokemon League structure. Instead, the story follows a girl who is trying to escape from an empire, and things get heavy and intense very quickly. The campaign even goes through a time-skip.
22
Dragon Ball Z: Team Training
A Super Saiyan Twist
Game: Pokemon FireRed
Created By Z-Max
Now for something slightly different, Dragon Ball Z: Team Training takes Pokemon Fire Red and gives it a Saiyan-themed makeover. Combining two of the most popular Japanese anime properties of all time, Team Training drops players into a world filled with wild Nappas and Krillins; in fact, the game has over 150 Fighters that are just waiting to be caught. While the game largely plays out like a standard Pokemon title, it is exciting to head into a Gym and find Bulma armed with a Super Saiyan 2 Gohan.
Unlike many of the best Pokemon ROM hacks that are meant specifically for die-hard fans of Game Freak’s franchise, Team Training is one of those rare cases of a project that can mainly be recommended to people who love a completely different IP. Considering great Dragon Ball RPGs are not plentiful, this hack might be one of the better options out there.
21
Pokemon Adventure Red Chapter
Adapting The Pokemon Adventures Manga
Game: Pokemon FireRed
Created By Aethestode
Pokemon Adventure Red Chapter draws heavy inspiration from the Pokemon Adventures manga, pulling its storyline and characters. The player takes control of Red, who embarks on a long journey alongside his rivals Blue and Green, among other new rivals. Divided into chapters, the player joins Red as he learns about the deeper schemes occurring around him as he attempts to conquer various Pokemon Leagues.
With nine regions to explore, the game provides endless entertainment and keeps players hooked with a compelling storyline. Additional features include a raised level cap (100 to 255), an overhaul of Pokemon (including new forms, fusions, shadow Pokemon, and beta Pokemon), character customization, and more.
20
Pokemon Light Platinum
A Typical Pokemon Adventure (& That Is A Good Thing)
Game: Pokemon Ruby
Created By Wesley FG
Although the name suggests the game is set in Sinnoh, Pokemon Light Platinum takes place in an entirely new region, Zhery. Boasting vibrant graphics, every Pokemon from Generation 1 to 4, and new Gym Leaders and rivals to fight, the creation is a traditional take on a Pokemon game. It provides an evil team, a League to conquer, and a Pokedex to complete — all while being a standalone experience.
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The game is a re-skin of Pokemon Ruby but takes elements from later Generations, such as the Distortion World and the Pokemon World Championship. It’s an easy-to-play, visually stimulating experience that fans unfamiliar with ROM hacks or fan games should begin with.
19
Pokemon One Piece
Catch All The Pirates & Marines
Game: Pokemon FireRed
Created By Nosta11
Similar to Dragon Ball Z: Team Training, Pokemon One Piece’s appeal lies in the unexpected mash-up of two major anime/manga franchises. The changes in this game do not go too far beyond the addition of One Piece characters, although the story does throw out a few curveballs along the way.
So, if anyone ever wishes to travel through Kanto with the Straw Hats, Pokemon One Piece will scratch that itch. It is also a pretty challenging game, so players will have to earn the right to call themselves a Pokemon Master (or Pirate King). Similar to the DBZ hack, this offering is just for fans of Eiichiro Oda’s manga, with the main change being primarily the character swaps. The hack is a lot of fun, as long as somebody can tell their Zoros from their Sanjis. And, there are way fewer great One Piece games than there are DBZ titles.
18
Pokemon AshGray
Ash’s Original Adventure
Game: Pokemon FireRed
Created By Metapod23
Game Freak’s Pokemon RPG series is not the only part of the franchise that holds a special place in the hearts of millions of people; the anime is also huge. In the late ’90s, Ash’s adventures helped introduce many children to Japanese animation, and the original series is still highly regarded today.
While the games and anime share plenty of things in common, Ash is not one of them, at least when it comes to official releases. AshGray rectifies this by turning FireRed into an adaptation of the anime’s first season. The Pokemon ROM hack gives players the freedom to decide how faithful their adventure is to the anime, although AshGray does reward those who willingly walk in Ketchum’s shoes.
17
Pokemon CAWPS
A More Adult Pokemon Adventure
Game: Pokemon Emerald
Created By Crizzle
The second entry in Crizzle’s Pokemon trilogy, CAWPS continues down the road starter by Outlaw. This Pokemon ROM hack is solely for adults, as its unique story contains plenty of mature content and humor that will likely be divisive with most people.
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In CAWPS, players take on the role of a police officer in Hoenn. Starting at the Police Academy and eventually making it onto the streets, this hack does away with standard Pokemon conventions such as Gym Badges, opting to deliver an experience that is quite unlike any other in the fan game scene.
16
Digimon Nova Red
A Challenging Digimon-Themed Pokemon ROM
Game: Pokemon FireRed
Created By Guzeinbuick
Pokemon and Digimon will be forever linked, regardless of whether their games or shows are actually all that similar. Plenty of fans have taken it upon themselves to fuse these licenses, producing quite a few solid games in the process. One of the best Pokemon ROM hacks to feature Agumon and company is Digimon Nova Red.
A hack of FireRed, Nova introduces 250 Digimon to the roster, including some monsters with five Digivolution stages. Along with swapping out Pokemon for Digimon, this ROM hack tweaks the difficulty so that the campaign provides a consistent challenge.
15
Pokemon Giratina Strikes Back
A Slow-Burn Bizarre Trip That Is, Ultimately, Great
Game: Pokemon Ruby
Created By Sloo
Pokemon Giratina Strikes Back lures players into a false sense of security since the opening few hours do not contain much in the way of surprises. Sure, the protagonist’s backstory is different from the norm, but it ultimately boils down to a kid venturing out on a great adventure to become a Pokemon Master.
However, Giratina Strikes Back gets stranger as it goes along, and that is a compliment. There are also Fakemon mixed in with the real ones, but the former do not reveal themselves until quite a while into the campaign. Giratina Strikes Back is a blast and one of the best Pokemon ROM hacks.
