In our previous articles, we already made many lists of the best ROM hacks based on different categories, such as the platform, storylines, and base game.
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But for this time, we’re going to be a bit bolder by sharing our list of the best Pokemon ROM hacks of all time, regardless of what game and platform they’re based on!
We understand that as long as we’re talking about the best Pokemon ROM hacks, the answer will always be subjective considering that all of us have different preferences.
However, we’re doing this anyway for our fellow ROM hack enthusiasts who never tried playing some of the games that are about to be featured on this list.
This post will provide you with ideas as to why these hacks deserve a spot on your personal lists.
We’ll also be sharing the features that make them qualify as one of the best ROM hacks of all time.
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10. Pokemon Prism
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Base ROM: Crystal
Difficulty: Challenging
Let’s start this list with a GBC ROM hack. Prism introduces an original story in a new region.
You can even play as your Pokemon in some parts of the game. HMs are changed into tools and Prism has a crafting system to boot.
Enjoy the available customization features in the hack and a lot of custom sprites in the overworld and Pokemon.
Features
- Larvitar is your Starter Pokemon
- 2D side-scrolling sections
- Crafting system
- Explore multiple regions
9. Pokemon Ash Gray
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Base ROM: FireRed
Difficulty: Normal
If you loved watching the first season of the Pokemon anime, then you’ll love Pokemon Ash Gray.
This hack allows you to play as Ash Ketchum. You can play through the events of the story.
While the story may force you to follow the path, you can still do your own thing until you want to progress the story.
Players can also get the Pokemon that Ash gets in the anime. Whether you use them or not is up to you, since you can still catch your own Pokemon.
Features
- Play as Ash Ketchum
- Play through the events of the first season of the anime
- Custom sprites
- HMs are replaced by tools
8. Pokemon Light Platinum
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Base ROM: Ruby
Difficulty: Challenging
Explore the new region of Zhery along with older regions such as Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh. A ROM hack with a good graphical update and a lot of new additions.
It is your typical Pokemon game where you have to be the best trainer around. Play through the content with Pokemon going beyond Gen 3 and a lot of events to partake in post-game.
Features
- Explore multiple regions
- Pokemon roster goes up to Gen 5 (not all available)
- Multiple Events
- Pokemon World Championship
7. Pokemon Adventure Red Chapter
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Base ROM: FireRed
Difficulty: Normal
While Ash Gray is based on the anime, Adventure Red Chapter is based on the manga with the same title.
This hack follows the story of the manga to a certain degree. You play as Red and you encounter your rivals Leaf and Green as well as other characters from the manga.
While this is based on the manga, the Pokemon roster goes beyond the source material.
Features
- Follow the Events of the manga
- Graphical update
- Certain characters have portraits during dialogues
- Pokemon roster goes beyond Gen 3
- TMs are reusable
- Mega Evolution
6. Pokemon Liquid Crystal
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Base ROM: FireRed
Difficulty: Challenging
Liquid Crystal is an attempt to remake everyone’s favorite Gen 2 Pokemon Crystal. This hack has the same story and some custom sprites.
In fact, you can play as the first female Pokemon playable character, Krys. There are some changes such as not having the bugs and some updated stats.
A lot of the same features are still around, like picking Acorns, Bug Catching events, a day and night cycle, and more.
Liquid Crystal does make it look like a good Crystal remake, despite not being official.
Features
- Explore Johto and Kanto, and now with the Orange Islands
- Day and Night cycle
- Weather system
5. Pokemon FireRed Rocket Edition
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Base ROM: FireRed
Difficulty: Easy
We’re halfway through our list of the 10 best Pokemon ROM hacks of all time. FireRed Rocket Edition takes place during the events of FireRed and LeafGreen.
The twist is that you’ll be playing as a Team Rocket Grunt. As the heroes are doing their thing, you as a Grunt are out to do some mischievous stuff.
One of the features of the hack allows you to steal an enemy trainer’s Pokemon like any Team Rocket Grunt would.
Features
- Play as a Team Rocket Grunt
- Have a Rattatta as a Starter
- Use Fly early on in the game
- All 151 Pokemon from Gen 1 are available
- Fairy-type added
- Steal Pokemon from defeated Trainers
4. Pokemon Glazed
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Base ROM: Emerald
Difficulty: Challenging
One of the most beloved hacks around is Glazed. It’s been around for almost a decade, and it has numerous versions of itself.
Pokemon Glazed introduces you to a new story in a new region called Tunod. Choose from 5 Starters at the beginning of the game.
Do the usual stuff like exploring, catching Pokemon, and thwarting off the usual Evil Team. There’s also a Pikachu with a red scarf stalking you.
Features
- Explore multiple regions aside from Tunod
- 5 Starters to choose from
- Mega Evolution
- More than 8 Gyms to Fight
- Fairy-type added
3. Pokemon Gaia
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Base ROM: FireRed
Difficulty: Normal
The theme of this hack is about the earth, hence the name Gaia. Earthquakes are happening and it’s up to you to uncover the mysteries around it as well as be able to do your usual Pokemon stuff.
The Pokemon roster goes up to Gen 6 but not all are available. A lot of the moves and stats are updated up to Gen 6.
A lot of other features have also been added, such as a Bug Catching contest and Hidden Grottoes.
Features
- Gen 4 to 6 moves, abilities, and items
- Pokemon roster goes up to Gen 6
- Custom events
- Black 2 and White 2 Repel System
- Physical and Special split
2. Pokemon Radical Red
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Base ROM: FireRed
Difficulty: Customizable
Radical Red started off as one of your typical difficulty hacks. The purpose was to make FireRed a lot more challenging.
However, after numerous versions, this hack has gotten better over the years. It has been packed with numerous features, and what was once a hard hack has become customizable.
The story is still FireRed, but it has a lot of content to boot, even with the roster going up to Gen 8.
Features
- Customize your game settings
- Nuzlocke available
- Randomizer available
- Mega Evolution
- Roster goes up to Gen 8
- Dynamax and Gigantamax
- Fairy-type added
1. Pokemon Unbound
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Base ROM: FireRed
Difficulty: Customizable
As far as the best Pokemon ROM hack of all time, a lot of people, including us, conclude that Pokemon Unbound gets it.
It has nice updated graphics. Customize your character at the beginning and dive into a deep and wide story.
Other excellent features of this hack include the Fairy-type, Mega Evolution, Dynamax, and other added stuff from later games.
The mission or questing system is also a great boon for this hack allowing players to do some exploration and other side content to do.
Features
- Customize your character
- Unique questing system
- Daily events
- Mega Evolution
- Fairy-type added
In Closing
There you have it, the 10 best Pokemon ROM hacks of all time, according to Pokemoncoders.
More and more ROM hacks are being made every year. This list may change in the future, but if you haven’t played any of these hacks, why not try them today?
Feel free to comment if we left out a hack that you like or consider all-time best. Everyone’s list is different, so why not put your top 10 hacks in the comments so we can all check them out?
