Best Complete Pokémon ROM Hacks You Can Play Right Now
The Pokémon games may have helped create some of the fondest memories for many gamers around the world, but they’re also fairly straightforward. They don’t offer much in terms of replayability, and they’re too easy for most players to want to return to. That’s where Pokémon ROM hacks come in.
Some of the best Pokémon ROM hacks offer completely unique experiences by using Pokémon games as their baselines. From the extremely popular Pokémon Unbound to the iconic Pokémon Radical Red, here are some of the best complete Pokémon ROM hacks that you can play from start to finish right now!
1. Pokémon Unbound
- Mod of: Pokémon FireRed
It isn’t a stretch to say that Pokémon Unbound is the single best complete Pokémon ROM hack around. The game has a completely original region, an immersive story that features completely new characters, and music that feels like it belongs in an actual Pokémon game. It also features modern mechanics that were introduced in later generations, all while utilizing the GBA game to its full extent.
Pokémon Unbound is the complete package if you’re looking to get into playing Pokémon ROM hacks. It has over 80 side missions, multiple difficulty settings, and even an extensive post-game. You’re looking at around 50 hours worth of gameplay from one single ROM hack, and that number can go much higher because of the replayability factor.
2. Pokémon Radical Red
- Mod of: Pokémon FireRed
Radical Red is one of the most popular Pokémon ROM hacks, and it makes sense why. The game takes the same FireRed game that so many people know and love, and takes it to the next level. It makes things much more challenging and incorporates modern battle mechanics that make this game a dream for competitive Pokémon players or those who want an actual challenge while retaining the same mechanics that they know and love.
The competitive-quality gameplay is already excellent, but that isn’t the only thing Pokémon RadicalRed has. The game also has multiple quality-of-life improvements and a smarter AI that the original developers likely couldn’t have even dreamt of. Multiple difficulty options are available for those who want to personalise their experience, and Pokémon through Gen 9 are acquirable in this game.
3. Pokémon Gaia
- Mod of: Pokémon FireRed
Pokémon Gaia is the last FireRed mod we’re covering, but it definitely isn’t the least. The game features extremely polished graphics, featuring a completely original region and a story centered around an ancient civilization. The difficulty is fairly balanced here, and the visuals are so clean that some players may mistake it for an original Pokémon release.
This complete Pokémon ROM hack features mechanics that didn’t come out until years after FireRed’s release. These mechanics include Fairy-type Pokémon, Mega Evolutions, and reusable TMs. Pokémon Gaia also has hidden grottoes and secret temples with excellent map design that makes it ideal for all types of Pokémon fans.
4. Pokémon Glazed
- Mod of: Pokémon Emerald
Pokémon Glazed may not be nearly as new as the other entries on this list, but that doesn’t make it any worse. It’s easily one of the largest and most complete Pokémon ROM hacks, especially since it received constant updates and bug fixes that keep it relevant even today.
The game has a detailed story and an original region, ensuring it brings something new to the table. Not only this, but it features three completely explorable regions, including two original ones and the iconic Johto region. There are multiple new regional forms of known Pokémon, and its multiple story arcs continue even in the post-game.
5. Pokémon Renegade Platinum
- Mod of: Pokémon Platinum
It isn’t a stretch to say that Pokémon Platinum is one of the most iconic mainline Pokémon entries. However, it has been years since it first came out, which means that many players have already experienced every corner of it. Fortunately, Pokémon Renegade Platinum is here to improve on what makes the game so great.
Instead of adding a new story, this ROM hack tweaks the original’s gameplay. This includes ensuring every one of the original 493 Pokémon is obtainable in a single playthrough, having tougher boss battles, and adding quality-of-life improvements. Many of the most frustrating factors about the original are absent, including trade evolutions and a game that feels too easy.
