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One of the most popular ways to keep you coming back to old Pokémon games is simply by ramping up the difficulty.

These are not just the regular Pokemon Game Boy Advance games, but Pokemon GBA ROM hacks that can be played on any emulator supporting Game Boy Advance emulation, including PC emulators and mobile devices running Android or iOS. The best way to play the classic Pokemon games on your PC or mobile devices is by Pokemon GBA ROM hacks.

More powerful wild encounters, devastating enemy trainer teams, and impossible gym gauntlets are only some ways we can turn up the heat.

Some people just can’t get enough of barely getting through a Gym or losing their favorite Pokémon in a particularly intense Nuzlocke run.

And if that’s you, well then you’ll love our ranking of the absolute hardest Pokémon ROM hacks ever created. Have a look.

15. Touhoumon World Link

Let’s start the list with an unorthodox pick.

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Replacing Pokémon with cute anime girls is simply the logical next step after learning about ROM hacking.

And Touhoumon World Link was one of the first complete products to achieve
Pokémon Emerald’s critters are replaced with girls from the Touhou franchise, known for its extensive cast of cute female characters and for having a dedicated fanbase – as you can tell from Touhoumon.it.

While not its main appeal, the game is tough. The level curve is wacky at times, and some of the game’s custom ‘mons are simply too OP.

Get ready to get OHKO’d often.

14. Pokémon Snakewood

Long-time ROM hack enthusiasts will remember Pokémon Snakewood from back in 2007.

It’s one of the most cited games when people look around for the hardest Pokémon ROM hack others have played.

This hack of Pokémon Ruby for the Game Boy Advance portrays a zombie a-poké-lypse engulfing the Hoenn region.

Your journey toward survival will also be rife with occult villains like demons and witches.

In this game, the enemy AI is aggressive and won’t cut you any slack if they can help it. They have unique Fakemon with absurd stats that’re tough to overcome.

Pokemon

The puzzles are also among the most obtuse I’ve ever tried to solve. And I’ve played some real odd games.

13. Pokémon Insurgence

Pokémon Insurgence is one of the most enjoyable Pokémon fan-games around. And it’ll offer a tough challenge for trainers willing to try its Hard difficulty.

The game deals with the problem of over-leveling by placing a Pokémon level cap on all the main fights throughout your exploration of the Torren region.

You’ll be forced to strategize and make full use of the tools the game gives you, just to make your Pokémon stronger beyond leveling.

The game does away with HMs altogether, too. So your party can focus 100% on combat strategy.

Other than its steep difficulty, the game also shines for its customizable main character, new “Delta” form Pokémon, and new Mega Evolutions.

12. Pokémon Blue Kaizo

If you’re fond of the gen 1 classics, Pokémon Blue Kaizo will offer a more challenging take on this seminal title.

This hack goes beyond making some trainers stronger along your adventure.

All routes and dungeons now have some of the most brutal map layouts I’ve ever faced.

All Gym Leaders have full teams, and their AI is surprisingly good at predicting your moves.

Getting through the Victory Road in this game is just a titanic ordeal. Anyone who manages to Nuzlocke this hack deserves their spot in the Hall of Fame.

11. Pokémon FireRed Omega

Pokémon FireRed Omega is the first in a long list of fantastic, hard-as-nails hacks by creator Drayano.

This hack was an inspiration for many fans to create their own ROM hacks, and it’s become a bit of a standard by which to measure Pokémon ROM hacks and fan-games.

This hack of FireRed retains the same story and visuals as the original. But it supercharges enemy trainers to pose a real challenge to even the best Pokémon trainers.

Every trainer has better Pokémon, competent movesets, and some unique critters here and there that’ll unexpectedly wipe the floor with you.

10. Pokémon Crystal Kaizo

I only know a couple of people who can claim to have beat Pokémon Crystal Kaizo, let alone any funny business like doing a Nuzlocke run.

This game is brutal from start to finish.

Routes have been altered to be merciless, enemy bosses have incredible movesets and razor-sharp AI, and some even have shiny Pokémon – because demoralizing the opponent is half the battle.

But it’s not all bad.

The game lets you catch and evolve all Pokémon from the first two generations, allowing you to construct whatever competitive team you wish – if you’re willing to put in the effort.

9. Pokémon Sacred Gold / Storm Silver

Another challenging ROM hack taking place in Johto:

Pokémon Sacred Gold & Storm Silver by Drayano.

Like most Drayano hacks, SG/SS increases the difficulty by tweaking map layouts, making some puzzles harder, and generally elevating enemy trainers from casual-level to competitive pros.

Many Pokémon in SG/SS have been altered to make them more viable in combat as well. Rival trainers will take full advantage of this by employing unique strategies you won’t see coming. Better come up with some of your own.

8. Pokémon Blaze Black / Volt White 1 & 2

Also from Drayano comes a Pokémon Black & White hack with much of what makes his other hacks so good.

A fair but steep difficulty curve, relentless AI, and enemy team compositions worthy of real competitive play.

A total of 649 Pokémon are available to battle and catch somewhere in the game, and you’ll have access to most of them before the Elite IV.

You’re expected to go all-out and put together the very best team you can.

If you’re looking for some extra action, Challenge Mode is also fantastic.

7. Pokémon Reborn

Some people like games they can lose themselves in for weeks at a time.

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If you’re like that, you might like Pokémon Reborn.

There are 807 critters to catch, 18 different typed gyms, and a massive world to explore – but you’ll find some resistance on your way.

The game has a level cap on many key fights to prevent just grinding past the game’s challenges.

It will force you to plan and to think outside of the box. You’ll get a lot of use from usually overlooked Pokémon by trying different strategies.

The story may get a little too edgy for comfort, but that’s part of the challenge.

6. Pokémon Rejuvenation

If you liked Reborn but felt the challenge was still lacking, consider its spiritual successor – Pokémon Rejuvenation.

The game is modeled after Pokémon Emerald, but it’s a fan-game running on a different engine.

You can choose between three difficulty settings, including Intense – the one that earned it a place on the ranking.

You’ll fight fully-evolved Pokémon much more often, and they’ll make their appearance when you least expect it. On top of that, they’ll have much better coverage, which keeps trainers on their toes.

5. Pokémon Dark Rising

Pokémon Dark Rising has given people nightmares ever since it was released.

The game is brutally hard and often unfair toward the player.

The only way to get through it is to grind diligently. And even then, you’re never 100% safe.

This ROM hack of Pokémon FireRed includes Pokémon from Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, and Unova.

You’ll get a lot of chances to try out new Pokémon, as even Nurse Joy will challenge you to a Pokémon battle. Seriously.

Despite being poorly made in some regards, the game is very well-known and has a pretty large fanbase.

4. Pokémon Emerald Kaizo

One of the classic “hard ROM hacks” is Pokémon Emerald Kaizo, which leaves the base game’s storyline and progression intact while considerably increasing the difficulty.

Not only will you have to battle more often, but it’ll be considerably more demanding.

Trainer teams were overhauled, and their locations were made more problematic.

You’ll also run into robust and thought-out pairings in doubles when you least expect it.

Battles are not the only thing that’s different in this hack. Ice-sliding puzzles are even harder, and the Seafloor Cavern can be demoralizing.

Keep trying, and you’ll earn some serious bragging rights.

3. Pokémon Radical Red

One of the most recent releases to catch my eye when putting this ranking together is Pokémon Radical Red, a hack of Pokémon FireRed including Pokémon up to Gen VIII – and even some moves from the Isle of Armor DLC for Pokémon Sword & Shield.

It also includes some much-needed QoL improvements, new Raid Battles, and an expanded TM list.

That said, Pokémon Radical Red remains a difficulty hack at its core.

Enemy team compositions make great use of every Pokémon included in the hack, making them somewhat unpredictable and hard to counter reliably.

Of course, it doesn’t help that you can’t even use items while fighting Gym Leaders and other boss-level enemies. So yeah, this one’s tough.

2. Pokémon Renegade Platinum

A more recent hack by prolific creator Drayano is also one of the greatest – and it’s just as challenging as his other versions.

This is a ROM hack of Pokémon Platinum retaining the same story but revamping all trainers, making “boss” fights tougher, and making all 493 Pokémon obtainable in a single playthrough – most of them before you get to the Elite IV.

While Drayano usually tweaks map design to make routes more treacherous, here it’s also been changed so that only combat-viable HMs like Surf and Rock Smash are necessary to traverse the world.

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It’s got a good mix of difficulty, but also genuinely fun/casual gameplay. But still, it’s definitely harder than the original Platinum.

1. Pokémon Vega

The most fair-yet-challenging Pokémon ROM hack has to be Pokémon Vega – an ambitious hack of Pokémon FireRed made by a Japanese team, and translated to English by a group of fans.

This hack empowers enemy trainers by sharpening their AIs, letting their Pokémon use powerful hold items, and letting them use items to fully heal their Pokémon pretty often.

They also have superior team compositions, and Gym Leaders will have a couple of off-type wildcard Pokémon to take you by surprise.

If you value an excellent OST for a hack, and if exploring the region of Tohoak sounds entertaining, you can’t miss out on Pokémon Vega.

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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.

Did you know that fans have found a way to create their own versions of some of the most classic Pokémon games? These cames carry on the essence of 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.

In this article, we’re going to break down the best fan-created PokémonROM-hacks and games.

Grab your Pokeballs because it’s time to catch them all.

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Table of Contents

  • 1 The Best Pokémon ROM Hacks and Fan Made Games

The Best Pokémon ROM Hacks and Fan Made Games

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.

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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 pit 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 Pokemon, 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 game, 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 ish 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 completing 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.

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This 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 PokePaper 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

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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 PokémonCrystal for Game Boy Color. You'll need to ensure that you have an emulator or cartridge to play PokémonPrism, 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, PokémonReborn 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 own 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 the 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 Light Platinum

Pokémon Light Platinum pits old-generation and new-generation against one another, bringing the best of Pokémon Ruby with a variety of regions, gyms, and elite-level graphics you won't see in other Pokémon ROM hacks. The game keeps its players entertained with 16 badges and the ability to compete in two Pokémon leagues in pursuit of competing in the World Championship. PokémonLight Platinum makes for a great alternative to some of the original Pokémon games.

Pokémon Phoenix Rising

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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.

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What's a delta species? You mix two species of Pokémon to create a brand-new Pokémon! PokémonInsurgence 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!