I understand how satisfying it can feel to playthe same old ROM hacksover and over again. I mean, at this point, I could run throughPokemon FireRedwith my eyes closed. I know the story, I know the enemy teams, and I know how to progress effectively. But sometimes, it’s important to branch out and to give new creators a try.
Because, of course, every once in a while, an absolute gem comes along which blows the others out of the water. So many Pokémon ROM hacks are constantly being released by new and talented developers and fans alike. And while not everything is gold, there are some diamonds in the rough, ready to be discovered.
8 Best Pokémon ROM Hacks, Ranked By Story
Fancy a break from the Pokemon formula? These rom-hacks will feel like a breath of fresh air.
So today,give nostalgia the bootand dive into one of these new 2025 ROM Hacks.
Some of these are Fan Games rather than ROM Hacks, built on a different engine, but they still deserve as much attention!
8Pokémon Emerald Imperium
A Fresh Coat Of Paint
Download Link
How many times have you been through Hoenn’s world now? Don’t answer that, I don’t want to know. What I do know is that you are in dire need of an upgrade, so take a look at Pokémon Emerald Imperium!
Inspired by the difficulty hackRadical Red, which many of you may have suffered through already, this game aims to give Hoenn that same kind of punishing revival, greatly enhancing the teams of trainers and gym leaders alike and adding Pokémon fromevery single generation.
However, alongside this, you’ll be blessed with a bunch of amazing quality-of-life features to make the grinding a bit less boring. These features includeinfinite rare candies, stat editors, ability capsules, reusable TMsand pretty much anything you can imagine that helps you customise your team.
Think that’s too easy? Well, go ahead and try it for yourself! But don’t come crying to me when the Gym Leaders knock you to the ground.
7Pokémon Lazarus
A World From The Good Old Days
A little while back, a hack calledPokémon Seaglasscame out, and fans worldwide were floored by its simplistic yet endlessly charming visuals that were a call back to a simpler time.
This hack takes the visual style of that game and builds upon it, with a whole new region based on real-world Greece. This hack has a brilliant selection of Pokémon to choose from, with a healthy bunch taken from every single generation.
In addition, Pokémon will now follow the trainer, similar to HGSS. There are two included difficulty modes, plenty of rewarding side-quests, and even day and night cycles. Of course,the real pull is the fantastic art direction Pokémon Lazarus has going for it.
While only the first 3 gyms are available right now, the hack is due to be finished by the end of 2025!That’s quick work!
6Pokémon Dreamstone Mysteries
A Somber Affair
Coinbirdface
Fancy diving into a whole new region with a fascinating new story? Well,Dreamstone Mysteries has story in spades!
A Pokémon professor has gone missing, and thethreatening evil Team Somberseek to acquire and abuse the power of the Dreamstones that are scattered across the Cormoria Region.
While this game uses the same tileset as base Emerald, there are, of course, a bunch of Pokémon from all generations to pick from, andbrilliant new battle backgroundsto enjoy while you demolish your enemies. The routes are superbly designed,instead of just being typical straight roadsfrom town to town, and the battles are certainly challenging but fair.
So grab your starter and get ready to immerse yourself in a brand-new adventure.
5Pokémon Pisces
Hoenn, But Not As You Know It
Pebbler Platoon
Another Hoenn adventure? Wait, before you skip, this is Hoenn like you’ve never seen it before!Not only has the entire region been completely redesigned,but it’s been filled with a bunch of Pokémon that you’ve never seen before!
Instead of starting in Littleroot, like usual, you’ll begin your quest in Pacifidlog, travelling a whole new way around the region to experience everything this hack has to offer. Assist old reformed enemies in events set after the mainline games and utilise the brand-new cast of Fakemon to create unique and powerful strategies.
10 Hardest Pokemon ROM Hacks Of All Time
Game Freak doesn’t make hard games, so allow the Pokemon community to test your mettle.
But players beware, this is no walk in the park.Pisces is going to challenge you with its focus on double battles, and having you learn new evolution mechanics and typesets. So if you think you’re up for the task, then swivel that cap backwards and be prepared to give it your all.
4Super Mariomon
Pocket Monsters In The Mushroom Kingdom
Kobazco (Team)
Mario? In my Pokémon game? What on earth is going on here? It sounds like a weird concept, I know, and at first I was pretty skeptical, but it turns out this is actually one of themost polished rom-hacks there is right now.
If you followAlpharadon YouTube, then you may be aware of this already, but Super Mariomon replaces all of your beloved cast of characters withMario-themed alternatives, pulling from pretty much every game in the franchise.
It has a charming new art style while keeping the same turn-based, type-focused experience that you’ll be very much used to by now. While it may seem jarring at the start, you’ll soon begin to see this hack as its very own title, a brand-new experience compared to many other paint-by-numbers hacks that claim to offer a similar promise.
This game really focuses onrandomisation and replayability,so once you’ve beaten it, you’re sure to be tempted to go through the experience all over again! What’s more, this ROM Hack is pretty hilarious. So if you’retired of the edginessand fancy a giggle, give this one a go!
3Pokémon Awakening
A Brilliant Blend Of Genres
While I do love the Pokémon formula, going through new regions and challenging the Elite Four, sometimes it’s nice to try a new take on the franchise. Enter Pokémon Awakening.
If you’ve ever played aFire Emblemgame and fallen in love with the storytelling, then this is perfect for you. I love a good story-focused hack, so I was immediately entranced by the great writing and character portraits.
In addition, the world and tilesets areabsolutely stunning,featuring tonnes of glorious environments and a great selection of Pokémon to choose from.
But what’s more is that this game has a bunch of new features never before seen in the Pokémon games. There is a class system that offersin-battle bonuses,a relationship systemthat mirrors games likePersona, anddifferent story pathsto take based on your decisions. So if all that sounds like your cup of tea, then give Pokémon Awakening a try!
2Pokémon Reminiscencia
Discover The Secret Of The Guardian Of The Seas
Legendary Pokémon… being turned into humans? Is this some kind ofPokemon Mystery Dungeonfan game?Not even close.
In fact, Pokémon Reminiscencia isn’t a normal Pokémon experience at all! This game takes you diving deep into procedurally generated dungeons to progress through the region, with team members that don’t level up. Weird, right?But it works somehow!
10 Most Underrated Pokemon ROM Hacks You Need To Play
Hidden gems that are well worth checking out.
And yet the most charming part of this game is the visuals. Each character has amazingly drawn portraits which react to the world and the surrounding events. The story is unlike anything seen before in the Pokémon universe, and the cutscenes are stunning. This game is worth taking a look at simply to enjoy the pristine art style!
The most recent 2025 update brought fortha ton of new contentwith minigames and interesting battle styles for you to check out. Don’t sleep on this one, as it may be your new favourite!
1Pokémon Odyssey
The Abyssals Awaken
PacoScarso
Prepare your team and get ready to dive into theYggdrasil Labyrinthand uncover the secrets that lie hidden below.
Fully released this year, Pokémon Odyssey summons forth a journey the likes of which have never been seen, featuring a war between ancient evils and all-powerful deities with twists and turns that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat.
This new region features no gyms or Elite Four, but instead a series of dungeons, each with a unique and captivating theme. This is an exploration-focused experience, with the Pokémon formula taking centre stage, wrapped around an intriguing and heartfelt story.
The tilesets are brilliantly designed, with levels of painstaking detail I’ve never seen in ROM Hack maps before. And the level of difficulty is spot on. In addition, I’m a sucker for good double battles, seeing as though one of my favourite games isPokemon Colosseum, so this hit all of my boxes from the get-go.
Featuring pretty much every quality of life feature you’re able to imagine, once you’ve had a taste of this game, it may be hard to return to your average rom-hack. Honestly, I don’t see this one being topped anytime soon!
Pokemon Emerald
WHERE TO PLAY
10 Best Pokemon ROM Hacks For Beginners
Forget all the nuzlockes and kaizos and chill out with these ROMs.
