10 Best Pokémon ROM Hacks, Ranked

Long-time players likely know that there are a lot of unofficial titles that are just as good as their official counterparts. These fan-made games are referred to as ROM hacks and are created by players accessing the Read-Only Memory (ROM) of an original game and making changes to it. Some ROM hacks are as simple as quality-of-life updates to improve on annoying aspects of an existing game, while others completely redesign the game’s story and style of play.

ROM hacks for games have been around for ages at this point, meaning there is an overwhelming number of them to choose from. Some will likely appeal to certain players' niche interests but fail to gain widespread popularity. However, some of the better ROM hacks have become widely accepted as the best of their kind, with some players even preferring them to even the bestgames.

Pokémon Scarlet & Violet is engrossing at its best but clunky at its worst, offering an uneven but ultimately exceptional experience on Switch.

is a unique take on s second-generation games by PokéCommunity user celadonk and a team of devs. Despite what the name suggests, this isn’t a hack of, but. What sets this ROM hack apart from the original games is that every Pokémon has been fully redesigned. They all have new Pokémon types and unique new sprites to match. It is similar to how introduced special Alolan versions of Pokémon, only this time it is every Pokémon in the game.

’s second-generation games already hold a special place in players’ hearts, as they were the first games in the series that allowed players to play through multiple regions. With players can rediscover some of their favorite games from the series with brand-new Pokémon to keep them fresh. It’s always exciting to discover a new version of a Pokémon in this ROM hack and see how it has been changed from its original form. This ROM’s perfect balance of nostalgia and exciting new additions make it an excellent choice for veteran players.

is one of the most