What is the BEST Pokemon ROM-hack ever made?

Today we're going to be trying to answer the two decade old question of "What is the best Pokemon ROM-hack?" While that answer might be somewhat obvious to a few veteran ROM-hack players, I hope you'll stick around to hear everything I have to say about each project.

Make sure you subscribe to keep up with the latest Pokemon fan game and ROM-hack content!

Looking for completed fan games you've probably never played? Give this video a watch!

Take a look at the best Pokemon fan games I've ever played! Maybe you'll find something new to play?

The best Pokemon fan games and ROM-hacks of October 2024! Oh I'm sure you'll find something new to play here!

0:00 Intro
0:51 Hack 1
3:54 Hack 2
5:58 Hack 3
8:45 Hack 4
11:17 Hack 5
14:00 Honorable Mention
15:43 Closing Thoughts

All the hacks I discussed in this video can be found here:

[ayrei]

Every month I make a video about the best Pokemon ROM-hacks and Fan Games released in those last 30 days. So make sure you subscribe to keep up with all of them!

[eyoshinthemaximum]

I like games like Gaia and Unbound because it’s the classic Pokemon formula, I enjoy that formula, it’s fun and unique to Pokemon. I don’t think Romhacks need to differ from the formula to be good, sometimes it’s nice to just have a classic styled Pokemon game but with a new region and more recent Pokemon

[austinish]

I can 100% understand the love Gaia still gets. Pokemon games recently have been moving further and further away from the original formula (and, arguably, quality) of the first few generations, so I think it's natural that many people would look for a game that feels like another Pokemon game in the same vein as the originals. Not everyone is looking for a completely unique experience from romhacks, and I think that's just as valid as the people who want to see something new.

[authorindisguise]

Pokemon Odyssey is my favorite right now. I love the artstyle, theme, and worldspace mechanics. Thanks for showing it previously.

[wasiansari]

So glad im subscribed to this channel there have been so many amazing fangames i have played because of your channel thanks a lot!

[DanBalan]

16:15 I think your channel is becoming the solution to this problem! If incentive structures for ROM Hack developers weren't so dire, we would see more creative ROM Hacks. A vocal segement of the fandom is appalled by developers taking donations for their work, therefore appealing to the tastes of popular streamers (and their large audiences) in exchange for notoriety is a much safer incentive to chase.

Creating a platform to directly shout-out hard work is the best way to counter this trend, and I really appreciate your efforts here.

[CybeleVG]

Crazy that Pokemon Odyssey is probably bringing more attention to its inspiration series, Etrian Odyssey, than rereleasing the first 3 games on modern consoles did. Can't wait to give it a play soon!

[audrenlive]

im shocked to hear you say pokemon unbound "falls flat" in the writing, when i just recently finished the story segment occuring at thundercap mountain and ithe story so far is PHENOMENAL. i LOVE it.

[rayeon]

Joined to keep an eye on vanguard development, was pleasantly surprised to receive a bunch of new ideas for fangames and romhacks to play! Keep up the good work!

[Espabii]

Pokemon Elite redux was a solid game for anyone who wants a fresh experience with a lot of new features, by far one of the best combat focused hack roms ever made

[marx]

"I'm not here to talk about why Radical Red deserves to be on this list, i'm here to talk about why it shouldn't be"

AYREI MY

[respi]

It's crazy how i realized why Unbound never got me playing it fully.

[RaefGall]

I've just started getting into Pokémon fan-games and romhacks, and I really appreciate the analysis you put into your lists. Thanks for the great content!

[angeloooz]

Honorable mensions: Pokémon Sors and Saiph2 which are very underrated

[Pax_Mayn]

Emerald Rogue, Clover and Unbound are all you need, theres also Infinite Fusion. With those 4 there is every kind of experience you could want from a pokemon game. Infinite fusion gives you the fantasy fusion mons, Emerald Rogue is the fantasy gameplay, Clover is a silly fever dream with good balancing and features, Unbound is the classic format elevated and expanded.

[thedarudecactus]

Pokémon Uranium will always hold the crown for me, so good Pokemon forced them to take it down.

It has the greatest Fakemon I’ve seen, the story was insanely good, the gyms and towns were incredible, front to back I love that game.

[ZarifBinImran]

One of the best channels I've subscribed.Also hope you make a series of all these and more romhack reviews

[Sizzyl]

I like games similar to mainline pokemon because you can only replay the mainline games so much. If pokemon company didnt go to full 3d and make a lot of changes I dont like I would never really play many romhacks to begin with and would probably still just be playing official titles.

[galroy]

If i have to mention one hackrom that i consider one of the best, it would be Pokemon Team Rocket Edition by Dragonsden, the game is in spanish but it has soo many good things, the history, the overworld, the characters, the battles, i can say many more things, for me...one of the most memorable gba hackroms.

Nice video 😊

[TheZerech]

Re: Pokemon Gaia

People liking Pokemon games wanting their Pokemon games to play like better versions of the core Pokemon gameplay loop and narrative structure without fundamentally changing them should not be shocking. Not trying to be combative, but personally Gaia is my favorite hack. I don't mind additional features, and QoL, which Gaia doesn't lack. My main qualm with lots of romhacks are story based. I do not mind a change to the Pokemon story formula, even a fundamental ones, but when I want a pokemon story I want it to hold to the general tone of the world. I hate edgy Pokemon stories, firstly, I've yet to find a single one I thought was well written, secondly, I don't play Pokemon games to explore the depths of human depravity, the gameplay loop just isn't built for that type of narrative.

Anyways, I appreciate the inclusion of Gaia on the list, even if you don't personally love it.