Imagine diving into a unique crossover project that blends the worlds of Pokémon, Made in Abyss, and Etrian Odyssey into one epic dungeon-crawling adventure, that's Pokémon Odyssey! But don’t worry, you don’t need to know anything about Etrian Odyssey or Made in Abyss to dive right into this game and enjoy it to the fullest!

The adventure begins on the island of Talrega, home to the entrance of the Yggdrasil Labyrinth, a vast and mysterious maze that has drawn adventurers from all over the world with its promises of treasure and glory. Whether you’re after riches, fame, or just looking to test your trainer skills, the labyrinth awaits. But beware, there’s more to this maze than meets the eye. You’ll step into the shoes of Nyx, a young adventurer eager to take on the labyrinth’s challenges and surpass her older sister, Aimée, a legendary explorer. Along the way, you’ll meet companions like Ethan, an introverted boy with a mysterious connection to Aimée, and Olympia, a strange girl who claims to be a robot and shares a similar link to Nyx’s sister. As you descend deeper into the labyrinth, things start to go wrong, and an unforgettable journey unfolds.

What’s really cool about this romhack is how it flips the usual Pokémon formula on its head. Forget Gym Leaders and evil teams; it’s all about exploring this massive maze. Double battles only? Hell yeah, that amps up the strategy. Plus, the whole rebalancing of Pokémon and the introduction of Etrian Variants adds a fresh layer to the game.

And can we talk about the mechanics? No healing items in battle? Gotta be on your A-game! The mining and gathering points, alongside the naval exploration, pull in that Etrian vibe perfectly. The fact that every Pokémon has max IVs means you can jump right into the action without grinding forever for decent stats.

The quality-of-life features, like the sidequest tracker and the EV-IV screenare just maginifique. And let’s not forget that sweet, new soundtrack to keep the vibes just right while you’re exploring the labyrinth.

Pokémon Sword & Shield Ultimate Plus

Pokémon Sword & Shield Ultimate Plus [Latest update with Performance patch]

Pokémon Sword & Shield Ultimate Plus [Latest update with Casual and Performance patches]

Pokémon Emerald Seaglass

POKÉMON EMERALD SEAGLASS
Base game	Pokémon Emerald
Generation	IX
Released	2024
Category	Full revamp
Author	Nemo622

Pokémon R.O.W.E.

Let's follow up with another Emerald hack, R.O.W.E.! This game is a revolutionary twist on the beloved Hoenn region, transforming it into an open-world where you can embark on your journey in any direction you choose. 

Picture this: you’re wandering through the lush landscapes of Hoenn, your trusty Pokémon by your side, and suddenly, you decide to switch up your team. Pokémon R.O.W.E makes this seamless with its plethora of quality-of-life features! Want to customize your trainer’s look? Go for it! How about picking from not just three, but NINE different starters? Yes, please! Plus, there’s an Egg Move Tutor at your beck and call to help you craft your team.

And hold onto your Poké Balls because the fun doesn’t stop there! It has many game modes like Randomized Mode and Inverse Mode, they're true tests of strategy! Not to mention the engaging regional music options that let you vibe to your favorite soundtracks from Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh as you journey through this incredible world.

Oh, and did I mention the daily Gym Leader rematches? Keep sharpening your skills and challenge yourself as you rise to the top! With features like Mega Evolutions and a DexNav for hunting down rare Pokémon, this game is packed with surprises that keep you on your toes.

POKÉMON R.O.W.E.
Base game	Pokémon Emerald
Generation	IX
Released	2021
Updated	2024
Category	Full revamp
Author	Rioluwott

Pokémon Gaia

Pokémon Gaia is a FireRed hack that stands out as one of the most polished and complete fan-made Pokémon experiences available. Instead of reinventing the wheel, it takes the classic Pokémon formula and enhances it with modern mechanics, creating a game that feels like a legitimate main-series entry. The story follows a fresh adventure in the Orbtus region, where ancient ruins and increasing seismic activity hint at a looming disaster. Professor Redwood recruits you to investigate these mysteries, leading to encounters with the enigmatic Elder Knights and a journey that blends traditional Pokémon storytelling with deeper archaeological intrigue. The narrative isn’t groundbreaking, but it’s well-paced and engaging, offering a more mature take on the usual "stop the evil team" plot.  

What truly sets Gaia apart is its seamless integration of modern Pokémon features into the Gen III engine. The Physical/Special split, Fairy-type, Mega Evolution, and reusable TMs all work flawlessly, bringing the gameplay up to Gen VI standards. The region itself is meticulously designed, with hidden grottos, Dive spots, and climbable walls encouraging thorough exploration. The difficulty is perfectly balanced, challenging enough to keep veterans on their toes without resorting to cheap AI tricks or excessive grinding. Gym leaders and major battles require real strategy, and the postgame Battle Marsh provides endless replayability for competitive-minded players.  

Visually, Gaia looks nice, with updated sprites, custom music, and environments that feel fresh yet familiar. The soundtrack is particularly impressive, featuring original tracks that wouldn’t feel out of place in an official release. Quality-of-life improvements like indoor running shoes, EXP gain from captures, and reusable Repels make the experience smoother without sacrificing the classic Pokémon feel. There’s even a Bug-Catching Contest and other side activities to break up the main adventure.  

In short, Pokémon Gaia is the gold standard for "official-style" ROM hacks. It doesn’t rely on gimmicks or extreme difficulty, just a well-crafted, content-rich Pokémon journey that respects the player’s time. It’s proof of how much passion and talent exists in the fangame community and a reminder of how good Pokémon can be when it’s not held back by corporate conservatism.

POKÉMON GAIA
Base game	Pokémon FireRed
Generation	VI
Released	2014
Updated	2018
Category	Brand new game
Author	Spherical Ice

Pokémon Gaia [English]

Pokémon Vega

Now let’s talk about Pokémon Vega, one of the most hyped foreign-language romhacks out there, fully translated into English. This thing’s got a rep time ago for being brutal, packed with new ‘mons, a fresh region, and a story that’s way more involved than your average Pokémon game. But here’s the kicker: it’s actually a sequel to two other hacks, Altair and Sirius, which set up the whole mess you’re diving into. If you wanna go in fully prepped, you’ve got options: either play those first (they’re Emerald hacks, fyi) or just read the synopsis and save yourself the time.  

The story in Vega picks up after the chaos of Altair/Sirius, where Hoenn got wrecked by a meteor shower, new "Meteoric Pokémon" appeared, and two sketchy teams (BH and WH) tried to control legendary ‘mons for their own messed-up goals. You play as a kid returning to the Tohoak region, where your dad’s the local professor, and, shocker, things immediately go sideways. The plot’s dense, with callbacks to the previous games, a ton of original characters, and some wild twists involving artificial Pokémon and mind control. It’s not just "beat eight Gyms and stop evil team"; this hack’s got layers, including a postgame that dives even deeper into the lore.  

Now, the gameplay? Vega doesn’t hold your hand. The difficulty’s cranked up, with smarter AI, tougher trainers, and a bunch of new moves and Pokémon to learn. Some of these fakemon are legit creative, others might make you side-eye the designs, but either way, it keeps things fresh. The region itself is packed with secrets, and the postgame’s no joke, featuring a whole new area (Alto Mare, a nod to the Pokémon Heroes movie) and a battle facility for masochists who still aren’t satisfied.  

The hack’s got style, too. Custom music, updated sprites, and a ton of quality-of-life tweaks make it feel polished, even if some of the translation’s a little rough around the edges. But let’s be real: you’re here for the challenge and the novelty, and Vega delivers both in spades. So, worth playing? If you’re into hacks that push the limits of what a Pokémon game can be, absolutely. This one’s for the grinders and the lore junkies.

POKÉMON VEGA
Base game	Pokémon FireRed
Generation	VI
Released	2016
Updated	2020
Category	Brand new game
Group	Team Pokémon Vega

Pokémon Pisces

This one just came out, Pokémon Pisces! This is a fresh take on Hoenn that completely reimagines Emerald with a new storyline, redesigned map, and over 200 original Fakemon. Developed by the Pebbler Platoon team, known for their work on Pokémon Altered and Hodepodge Platoon, this hack doesn’t just tweak the original game; it rebuilds it from the ground up. The world feels familiar yet entirely new, with revamped cities, routes, and landmarks that make exploration exciting even for veteran Hoenn travelers. The plot shifts away from the standard Team Aqua/Magma conflict, introducing new characters, including a different professor and original rivals, giving the journey a distinct flavor.  

One of the biggest draws is the Fakemon roster, which replaces every Pokémon in the game with unique designs. Some feel like natural evolutions of classic creatures, while others take bold creative risks, love them or hate them, they ensure battles stay unpredictable. New moves and abilities add strategic depth, making team-building more engaging than in vanilla Emerald. The decompilation base also means smoother mechanics, with fewer glitches than typical romhacks. That said, the sheer volume of Fakemon will overwhelm you if you prefer traditional Pokémon.  

Visually, Pisces delivers a polished experience with custom sprites, updated tiles, and a coherent art style. The world feels cohesive, and the remapped Hoenn offers surprises around every corner. Since the game is marked as complete, players can dive in without worrying about unfinished content, though future updates may refine balance or add minor features.  

POKÉMON PISCES
Base game	Pokémon Emerald
Generation	IX
Released	2025
Category	Brand new game
Author	The Pebbler Platoon

Pokémon Lazarus

Originally announced as Pokémon Sunset, Jack Wellman's project has been reborn as Pokémon Lazarus, a name that perfectly captures its themes of rediscovery and revival! Inspired by the concept of "Lazarus Taxa" (species thought extinct but later found alive), the game promises a strong focus on exploration and the thrill of encountering rare creatures in a living, breathing world. While still in development, the details shared so far suggest a fresh take on the classic Pokémon formula with some clever twists.  

One of the standout features is the*dynamic Day/Night system, which goes beyond mere aesthetic changes. Every outdoor area will have unique encounter tables depending on the time of day, effectively doubling the variety of Pokémon you can find in certain locations. The day/night cycle moves quickly (about 45 minutes for a full rotation), meaning players won’t have to wait forever to catch time-exclusive species. This mechanic not only adds depth to exploration but also reinforces the game’s emphasis on ecosystems and biodiversity, a refreshing change from static encounter tables in mainline games.  

For now we only got the demo, covering the first few gyms and story segments. Given that Lazarus is a solo project, it could be delayed. While much remains to be seen, Pokémon Lazarus has potential. Keep an eye out for this title!

Pokémon Lazarus Development Update #02 - New Name, Bigger Vision!
byu/JackWellman101 inPokemonROMhacks

POKÉMON LAZARUS
Base game	Pokémon Emerald
Generation	IX
Released	2025
Category	Brand new game
Author	Nemo622

Pokémon: The Pit of 100 Trials

 

If you’ve ever wanted a Pokémon roguelike that throws randomness, strategy, and sheer madness into a blender, The Pit of 100 Trials delivers exactly that. Inspired by Paper Mario’s infamous challenge dungeon, this hack turns Hoenn (or a randomized map) into an endurance run where survival depends on luck, adaptability, and smart resource management. You start with three random Pokémon and dive into a spiraling gauntlet of procedurally generated trainers, each with their own randomized teams. The further you go, the harder it gets: enemy levels scale with floor numbers (from 1 to 100), and the number of trainers per floor increases, maxing out at four by the end. Every victory nets you random item drops, but the real test comes every 25 floors, where a brutal boss battle awaits. Win, and you can recruit one of their Pokémon, lose, and it’s back to the start.  

What makes The Pit stand out is its sheer modular chaos. You can tweak almost everything: battle formats (singles, doubles, or mixed), randomization (moves, abilities, even Pokémon types), and difficulty (adjusting EXP gains, trainer EVs, and cash rewards). There’s even a 50-floor "short mode" for those who don’t want to commit to the full 100. The game doesn’t just randomize battles, it randomizes maps, music, and even secret bases, making each run feel fresh. Quality-of-life features like battle speed-up, a dark-mode UI, and a Gen 9 TM list keep things smooth, while the HGSS-style Pokédex helps track your progress.  

The Pit also loves throwing curveballs. Move Tutors appear every 10 floors to patch up your team’s weaknesses, and heal/shop floors every 5 floors offer brief respites. But the true madness begins after Floor 100, if you clear it, you can keep going indefinitely, chasing highscores like a true glutton for punishment. And yes, you can play as any Pokémon species (including Shedinja, if you’re masochistic enough to complete the Seen Dex first).  

This isn’t a hack for the faint of heart. It’s all about unpredictability, where a run can be saved by a lucky item drop or ruined by a trainer with randomized Legendaries. But for players who crave endless replayability, absurd challenges, and the thrill of making broken teams out of pure RNG, The Pit of 100 Trials is a masterpiece of controlled chaos.

POKÉMON: THE PIT OF 100 TRIALS
Base game	Pokémon Emerald
Generation	IX
Released	2020
Updated	2025
Category	Brand new game
Group	Team Aqua Leader Archie

Pokémon Royal Sapphire

Pokémon Royal Sapphire takes our familiar Hoenn and reinvents it with the depth and challenge of modern enhancement hacks like Renegade Platinum, while preserving the core feel of Gen III. This ain't just a difficulty mod, it's a full reimagining of Sapphire with redesigned maps, expanded storylines, and meticulous balance changes. The core premise remains the same, Team Aqua seeks to expand the oceans, but their ambitions are grander, now targeting Lugia alongside Kyogre. Key characters like Archie, Matt, and Shelly get more screen time, making the conflict feel weightier. The Gym order stays intact but every location has been visually tweaked with custom tilesets and updated NPC dialogues, ensuring even veterans rediscover Hoenn with fresh eyes.

As I said, Royal Sapphire leans into Renegade Platinum's philosophy: every trainer (even randoms) has optimized teams. Roxanne's Geodude and Nosepass duo is now a six mon squad featuring Hisuian Growlithe and Kabuto. Boss fights are brutal but fair: no AI potion spam, just smarter movesets and held items. The Gen III mechanics (no Physical/Special split, 1/16 crits) are preserved, but abilities and movesets are reworked to compensate. Sharpedo gets Speed Boost, Slowbro has Shell Armor and useless moves like Horn Drill are replaced (Drill Run now). Trade evolutions are replaced with level based triggers and evolution levels are streamlined, like Slugma, which evolves at level 20.  

Some Pokémon are cut, like Ditto and Smeargle, while others like Meltan and Sneasler are added. The UI gets a sleek blue overhaul and QoL touches abound, like cheap Rare Candies (just 1₱!), Game Corner TMs at 10 coins, and Pokémon Center «sponsor corners» housing tutors and shops. Shiny odds are boosted to 1/2048, and the postgame is packed with gym leaders rematches, legendary hunts and secret bosses like Gongas (the dev) await.

POKÉMON ROYAL SAPPHIRE
Base game	Pokémon Sapphire
Generation	IX
Released	2025
Category	Reimagination Revamp
Author	ShockinglyGongas

PokéTransform

Now, imagine a Pokémon hack where you don't play as a ten year old on a quest to be the very best, but as a single, very confused Ditto trying to solve one of the franchise's oldest mysteries: where do eggs actually come from lol? That's PokéTransform in a nutshell. It's a short, quirky, and brilliantly conceptualized puzzle-adventure that drops you into the hooves of a Ditto left at the Route 117 daycare.

The entire game is built around its namesake transformation mechanic. You can copy the appearance of other Pokémon both in the overworld and in battle, and this isn't just for show. NPCs will react to you differently based on your current form, and you'll need specific transformations to solve puzzles and progress. The presentation is a love letter to the Mystery Dungeon series, complete with its iconic music and character mugshots during dialogues, which adds a ton of charm. It's a tightly designed experience that takes under three hours, making it a cozy bite sized adventure. While it's a puzzle game at heart, it doesn't shy away from a few tricky battles. If you're looking for a genuinely unique, clever and charming departure from the standard Pokémon formula, PokéTransform is an absolute gem.

POKÉTRANSFORM
Base game	Pokémon Emerald
Generation	IX
Released	2025
Category	Brand new game
Author	Phantonomy Zatsu

Pokémon Hearth

Pokémon Hearth is shaping up to be one of the most visually distinct and heartwarming romhacks in recent memory. Just like Eva's previous romhack, Pokémon SpinSpinSpin, it prioritizes a cozy lighthearted atmosphere above all else, but it aims to be a full length adventure in a new region freely inspired by premodern Japan and China. The first thing that hits you is the gorgeous custom aesthetic: every tile, sprite and environment has been lovingly crafted to create a world that feels both fresh and inviting. It's a hack that understands the assignment of being comfy, offering a classic Pokémon formula with vanilla difficulty that focuses more on exploration and charm than brutal challenge, and I'm beyond thankful for this!

Beyond the charming visuals, the hack is packed with thoughtful details that make the world feel alive. NPCs have daily schedules, moving to different locations depending on the time of day and your first encounter with a Pokémon gives it a temporary childlike nickname like «Money cat» or «Warm horse» lol. Features like following Pokémon, the beautiful day/night cycle and creative regional variants, such as a bug/electric Sewaddle line show a deep level of care and curation. It's currently a demo and the full release is still a ways off but the overwhelming positivity from the community highlights this'll be one of the greatest hacks when it's complete.

POKÉMON HEARTH
Base game	Pokémon Emerald
Generation	IX
Released	2025
Category	Brand new game
Author	Purrfect Doodle

Pokémon Palimpsest

Now let's talk about Palimpsest, a fiercely creative hyperstylized battle puzzle experience that feels more like a tactical RPG than a traditional Pokémon game. The premise is instantly gripping: our protagonist Rae, overslept for a sacred exam and her only shot at redemption is a Pokémon that starts with no moves and can't level up, all while being cursed with the absolute worst luck in every encounter. Your salvation comes from a brilliant prayer system, four divine interventions that let you steal an opponent's species, swap items, swap abilities or Sketch one of their moves. This turns every battle into a highstakes puzzle where you're not just trying to win, but strategically pilfering the exact tools you need to survive the next fight.

But oh God… the presentation… is just mindblowing. The isometric, grid based overworld is a direct and incredibly slick homage to games like Mega Man Battle Network, a visual style almost never seen in Pokémon hacking. Rae moves with diagonal fluidity and makes the world feel dynamic and fresh with. It's a testament to what's possible in the scene right now, especially considering this was made in two months. While it's a short experience and it's self-aware of its bugs, it's densely packed with clever challenges. If you get truly stumped, the devs provided solutions, you can check 'em here and thank them for having mercy for a romhack this hard.

POKÉMON PALIMPSEST
Base game	Pokémon Emerald
Generation	IX
Released	2025
Category	Brand new game
Author	KittyPBoxx Sabato

Pokémon Light Platinum

Pokémon Light Platinum is one of those legendary names in the romhack scene, often remembered as a foundational title that showed what was possible long before tools got as sophisticated as they are today. Let's be real, for its time this hack was a monumental achievement, packing in all 600+ Pokémon 'til Gen V into a brand new region with a new story. The custom graphics and mapping are good, creating a world that feels expansive and, at a glance, could almost pass for an official release. But the difficulty curve is kinda whack, the early game can be brutally punishing if you didn't pick the fire starter, mostly due to a bizarre obsession with bug and grass types and shops that, for some reason, only sell expensive late-game items at the start. It's a grind. While it's a classic that deserves respect for paving the way, modern hacks have since refined its ideas with better writing, smoother balancing and more polished design. It's a solid piece of romhack history, but it feels dated compared to what's out there now.

POKÉMON LIGHT PLATINUM
Base game	Pokémon Emerald
Generation	V
Released	2009
Category	Brand new game
Author	WesleyFG

Super Mariomon

Super Mariomon is an awesome creative mashup of Pokémon and Super Mario, transforming the Mushroom Kingdom into a full-fledged Pokémon region with 151 unique "captures" (Mario-themed creatures). The game’s premise is charmingly simple: Peach hosts a competition to collect eight Power Stars before Bowser does, blending Mario’s whimsy with Pokémon’s RPG mechanics. The overworld is packed with familiar locales reimagined as Pokémon-style routes and towns, while battles feature custom sprites and a fresh MIDI soundtrack remixing classic tunes.  

What sets Super Mariomon apart are its player friendly QoL features: optional level caps, scaling, EV-disabling, and even a built in Nuzlocke mode. Infinite Rare Candies and skipable dialogue make replays painless, and the post-game offers extra content for completionists. While some interiors reuse Emerald / FRLG assets, the custom tilesets and UI give the game a distinct identity. The tone is lighthearted, focusing on fun over deep narrative: perfect for a casual, nostalgia-twinged adventure. Definitely a must play for any Nintendo fan.

SUPER MARIOMON
Base game	Pokémon Emerald
Generation	IX
Released	2025
Category	Brand new game
Author	Alpharad Too Many Productions

Pokémon SkyBlue

Next up is SkyBlue, and let me tell you, it’s one of the most polished hacks I’ve ever laid my eyes on!  This game takes you on an adventure with Adam, Sofía, and Nacho as they hunt down five mysterious star fragments.

Here’s the scoop: Adam grew up with this outgoing girl named Goretti. They promised to meet every day in the park, but one day she just... vanished. Fast forward eight years, and Adam is still keeping that promise, waiting for her return. Talk about dedication, right?

Now, things get really trippy when Adam and his pals get into this bizarre place called the Distortion World. And guess what? Goretti is tangled up in all of this! Will Adam ever reconnect with his long-lost friend in this crazy new universe? You’ll have to play to find out!

Oh, and the game itself? We could say it's an open world, and has a ton of awesome tilesets, characters with expressive mugshots, a good soundtrack, and it even has some voicelines! SkyBlue is a total must-play for anyone looking for a heartfelt adventure.

POKÉMON SKYBLUE
Base game	Pokémon FireRed
Generation	VIII
Released	2020
Updated	2024
Category	Brand new game
Authoress	MAIDEN

Pokémon SkyBlue (English)

Pokémon SkyBlue (Español)

Pokémon Unbound

Welcome to Borrius, a region steeped in history and drama. Picture this: centuries ago, the Borrian people were locked in a brutal war with a foreign land. Just when it looked like hope was lost, their king summoned an incredible force to shift the battle’s tide. But plot twist! The foreign king unleashed a devastating weapon, leading to defeat and a furious coup against the Borrian king. Fast forward to today, and a shady group known as the "Shadows" is trying to unleash that dark force again. Are they out for chaos, or is there something deeper going on? Time for you to find out! 

Pokémon Unbound has a custom battle engine which feels almost like Gen 8, and you can catch Pokémon from Gen 1 to Gen 7 while enjoying all your favorite moves and abilities. Plus, say goodbye to bag clutter with Unlimited Bag Space and hello to Auto-Run and the DexNav!

The new HM system lets you use HMs right away without those pesky HM slaves. If your Pokémon can learn it, they can use it in the overworld, easy peasy! And visually, it’s stunning with Gen 4 graphics and a dynamic day/night cycle, making Borrius feel vibrant and alive.

Feeling up for a challenge? Choose from four difficulty modes, from Easy to Insane, and see if you can tackle the brand new AI! There are also over 80 unique missions to complete, character customization with 300 combinations, and even daily events and mini-games like Cloud Burst and Safari Sniper.

And let's not forget the post-game, there's a treasure trove of content waiting for you, including battle facilities and Legendary Pokémon! To top it all off, enjoy over 180 original tracks in the custom OST to keep the vibes going.

POKÉMON UNBOUND
Base game	Pokémon FireRed
Generation	VIII
Released	2021
Updated	2024
Category	Brand new game
Author	Skeli

Pokémon Unbound (English)

Pokémon Unbound (Español)

Pokémon True Soul

 

POKÉMON PURE HEART & POKÉMON TRUE SOUL
Base game	Pokémon HeartGold Pokémon SoulSilver
Generation	IV
Released	2024
Category	Vanilla+
Author	gunsho

Pokémon Refined Gold: Overhaul Version & Coarse Version

Pokémon Refined Gold is currently the ultimate HeartGold love letter, fixing its infamous flaws while preserving its soul. This hack tackles Johto’s brutal level curve head-on, smoothing progression so wild Pokémon and trainers scale meaningfully. The Overhaul Version shines brightest, offering nonlinear paths after Morty (choose between Mahogany or Olivine first) and a reworked Kanto postgame that feels alive, not empty. Team Rocket’s grunts now wield cohesive Poison/Ground/Normal teams, while executives like Petrel get full revamps, no more being the Koffing guy.

The encounter tables are a masterclass in balance, weaving in rare picks like Sneasel and Snubbull without bloating the regional dex. Postgame unlocks the full National Dex, with infinite legendary rebattles for shiny hunters. QoL touches abound: trade evolutions fixed, evo items accessible pre-League, and Shard Tutors (with better shard drops) for coverage moves. A new superboss questline pits you against familiar faces, offering both challenge and grinding options.

Coarse version keeps vanilla’s trainer teams for purists but still adds postgame depth. Overhaul buffs movepools (Johto starters are better!) and ups difficulty. Both versions drip with new dialogue (Blue’s snark, Whitney’s antics) and restored events (Celebi, Spiky-Eared Pichu).

Pokémon QoL Following Platinum

Designed as a vanilla+ experience, this hack smooths out the original’s rough edges while keeping its soul intact. Reusable TMs and faster HP bars cut down on tedious grinding, while HM overhauls (minus Surf/Fly/Defog) let you explore without sacrificing move slots. Honey Trees now trigger battles instantly, no more 6 hour waits, and trade evolutions are replaced with logical alternatives (e.g., Kadabra evolves via Link Cable item).

The expanded Pokédex lets you complete the National Dex solo, with added encounters for version exclusives and event Pokémon (like the Sinnoh starters at Rowan’s lab). Pal Park opens early for catching, and legendaries respawn for shiny hunting. Tiny touches, Gen 6-style icons, lowercase Pokémon names, and nature effects in summaries modernize the UI without clashing with the art style.

 

Unnamed HeartGold Hack

UGH (which stands for Unnamed HeartGold Hack) reimagines Johto with a bold mix of modern mechanics and brutal challenges. The expanded Pokédex includes Gen 9 Pokémon, pushing beyond the original 493, while Mega Evolution adds explosive depth to battles. Boss fights are overhauled for real difficulty, expect smarter AI, tougher teams, and no free wins.  

Grinding is gutted by hard level caps and scaling wild encounters, forcing strategic play. The Porta PC (access your boxes anywhere) cuts backtracking, and new shinies offer fresh hunt incentives. Yet, this isn’t just a harder HeartGold, it’s a rebalanced one, with progression tuned to keep pace with its own demands. 

Garbage Gold Deluxe cranks the trashlocke challenge to eleven while polishing it into one of the most ambitious DS hacks. This ain't just a tweaked rehash, it's a full overhaul with 420+ Pokémon, all saddled with custom late/no evolutions and scrambled learnsets to keep you on your toes. The game forces you to make do with weak, often gimped 'mons, but the sheer variety ensures no two runs feel the same. Modern touches like Gen 5 sprites, dynamic speed mechanics and terrains clash hilariously with the jank of your underpowered team. The fully custom AI (borrowed from the Iridium project) makes even random trainers deadly, while gauntlet battles and two new Gym Leaders ensure the pain never stops. Oh, and there's a PMD crossover storyline because why not.

It’s designed for masochists who love EXP management, optional level caps (set just one level above Gym Leaders) prevent cheesing but overleveling is still possible if you're careless. QoL stuff ain't ignored, you got Porta PC, move relearners and overworld followers soften the blow. The presentation is shockingly slick for a «garbage» theme, with 100+ custom music tracks, improved camera angles and original protagonist sprites. If you've played the original, Deluxe is a must replay, it’s like comparing a dumpster fire to a dumpster fire with neon lights and a killer soundtrack.

HeartGold Generations is a proof of concept that Gen. 4 ROMhacking has serious potential, packing in 835 Pokémon from every region, including crossgen evolutions like Ursaluna and Annihilape. Modern conveniences like buyable Nature Mints, Ability Capsules and free Heart Scales (post 7th Gym) smooth out the grind, while adjusted level curves and Gym Leader tweaks like Falkner's Pidgey becoming Hoothoot keep the challenge balanced. Mega Evolution works flawlessly and level caps prevent overleveling from trivializing fights. It's not just a «dump every Pokémon in» hack, it's a carefully curated love letter to HGSS's charm, now with Farigiraf and Sneasler joining the party.

Downloads