Top 10 Best Pokemon ROM Hacks of 2023

We’re already halfway through 2023, and so far, we’ve had some really amazing Pokemon ROM Hacks this year, thanks to the incredibly talented Pokemon community who spend their time creating these games.

So we thought now would be a good time to highlight some amazing Pokemon ROM Hacks for you to check out.

We will provide a brief description as well as some of the key features of each game, as well as screenshots. We can’t provide download links for the ROM Hacks listed in this post because it would be illegal, but you can search the name of the game on Google to download it elsewhere.

So, without further ado, here are the Top 10 Best Pokemon ROM Hacks 2023! Read till the end for a bonus mention.

Best Pokemon ROM Hacks

10. Pokemon TCG: Neo

Featuring your favorites from Neo Genesis to Skyridge, so many cards have been added and replaced that the game’s gameplay has been completely altered. To create a new battling experience, Pokémon, attacks, abilities, and even a few trainer cards were altered. If you’re looking for a TCG hack that includes brand-new Pokémon cards, look no further.

All 187 Pokémon in this game have been replaced with generation 2 cards from real-life sets, completing the Johto Pokedex while also including some Kanto Pokémon. The attacks and abilities of the cards are either identical to their real-life counterparts or have been tweaked for better gameplay. Trainer cards have also been altered, with the replacement of Super Energy Removal with the Master Ball being the most notable change.

The game has been balanced to emphasise weaker cards while weakening stronger ones, shifting the emphasis away from trainers and towards Pokémon strategies. Dialogue, trades, and text have all been updated to reflect the new cards, and every card is now available, removing deck building restrictions. NPC decks and auto deck machines have been modified to provide new strategies and deck ideas. The tutorial duel has been removed, as it is assumed that players are already familiar with the game, but the learning dialogue has remained unchanged for reference.

9. Pokemon Ultimate Fusion

Begin your adventure in Littleroot town, where you save the professor of the region. As in the original Pokemon Emerald, your reward for saving him is a starter Pokemon.

However, all of the starters are fusions of two different Pokemon! The same is true for all of the other Pokemon in the game.

Pokemon Ultimate Fusion is essentially an Emerald hack with Fusion Pokémon instead of regular ones and some minor tweaks to improve your experience.

8. Pokemon Odyssey

The entrance to the Yggdrasil labyrinth, a massive desert carved from the roots of the tree of life over millennia and filled with treasures and other valuable items, is located on the island of Talrega. What exactly are you looking for? Fame? Money? Or do you simply want to put your coaching skills to the test by navigating the maze? What happens at the end?

Some of the key features include — New Story, Graphics, Map and Soundtrack, Labyrinth, EVs-IVs Screen, Double Battles, and much more!

7. Pokemon Mirage of Tales 2.0

In 2013-2014, a hack known as “Mirage of Tales: A New Age Dawns” gained popularity due to its comically poor quality. Inspired by class-based RPGs and “Choose Your Own Adventure” books, the creator began the project with little planning and quickly learned ROM hacking. As a result, the gameplay was extremely subpar.

Following the initial failure of “Mirage of Tales: A New Age Dawns,” the creator focused on improving their ROM hacking skills and realizing their original vision. Until 2020, the project was a solo effort, when a partner named mgriffin joined the development team. They are now pleased to present “Mirage of Tales 2.0” due to their collaborative efforts.

Some of the key features include — Choice-based gameplay, Day/Night and Seasons, Can choose your character’s personality, Houses you can own, New Moves & Abilities, PSS, Custom Regional Variants & much more!

6. Pokemon Emerald Multiplayer

Pokemon Emerald Multiplayer is a multiplayer remake of the original Pokemon Emerald. There are 44 different starters to choose from. You can also engage in a Pokemon battle with your friends!

Some of the key features include — Multiplayer (local and online), Following Pokemon, 44 Starters, Upto 6 Following Pokemon, Choose from 13 Playable Characters, Trade & Battle with other players, Spectate other players, Customizable shiny rate & much more!

5. Pokemon Blaze Black 2/Volt White 2 Redux

This REDUX Project Is An More Enhanced Edition Of Original Blaze Black 2 & Volt White 2!

The game includes all features introduced in the original blaze black 3 & volt white 2 games + Features Introduced in the Redux Version:

Maximum Evolution Methods Changed!
More Good Variety Of Gift Pokemon.
Used Drayno’s Engine & New Important NPCs.
3 Game Modes: Easy, Challenge, Black City!
Every Legendary & Mythical Can Be Captured.
Redux Documentation Added In The Game File!
Item Locations Changes & Updated Pokemon Moves.
Changes For Type Combo, Trainers, Trade & Wild Area!

4. Pokemon Dark Worship

A Fire Red Hack with a New Region, New Story, Mega Evolution, Z Moves, Dynamax/Gigantamax, YouTubers as NPCs & Much More!

Dark Worship is a hack with its own story that takes place in the Seafood Region.
An Evil Sect invades the region to try to capture the Holy Pokémon.
Do they intend to do any harm to the Pokémon world?
Our protagonist will go on a journey to win the title of champion of the Seafood Region.
On your adventure, you will meet familiar characters from other games, make friends, and battle against the terrible Sect of Evil.

Some of the key features include — New Region, New Story, 24 Starters, Mega Evolution, Z Moves, Dynamaxing, Youtubers as NPCs, and much more!

3. Pokemon Radical Red

Radical Red may not have the best graphics or the most exciting story, but it is the BEST Fire Red enhancement hack to date! I also enjoy the original Fire Red. So, in my opinion, it qualifies for the top three.

This hack is essentially a difficulty hack with extra features, similar to Drayano60’s enhancement hacks, which provide access to nearly all Pokemon while also adding relevant buffs to make all sorts of different Pokémon and playstyles viable, and with an insane amount of QoL features added to make many grueling tasks far less tedious.

Some of the key features include — Much higher difficulty, All Pokémon up to Gen 8, Moves up to Gen 8, Mega Evolution, Raid Battles, Improved AI, Brand new abilities, An IV perfecter, Hidden Abilities & much more!

2. Pokemon Crown

Pokémon Crown is a completely new gaming experience. While it remains an exploration-focused RPG, we have incorporated many elements from other genres to create something truly unique. Using our new Auto Chess battle engine, you will rediscover each Pokémon and how they interact with one another in Pokémon Crown! Play against diverse teams while strategizing on synergy, placement, and type matchups! 6v6 combat, unlike anything you’ve ever seen!

It is a Mediaeval RPG set in the vast and magical Region of Guelder. Guelder, as a rich resource bastion, was dragged into a protracted war. Guelder won after many years, but not without a cost… While the region was being rebuilt, the King’s Diviner predicted a dual future for the kingdom: one of light and one of darkness. Based on these visions, the King realized that the kingdom was doomed to more war unless something changed.

Some of the key features include — Completely revamped battle engine (No more turn-based combat!), Unique Pokémon Battle System featuring Pokémon from all gens, Online PvP, New items, and previous items reimagined), New Catching Mechanics, Custom UI, Quest System, Boss battles, and challenge modes, Psuedo-Open World & much more!

1. Pokemon Unbound

Pokemon Unbound is one of the best Pokemon GBA ROM Hacks we’ve seen in years, and it’s been for a long time. Pokemon Unbound deserves to be on this list because it has a powerful engine, all Pokemon up to gen 8, and a slew of amazing features like Unlimited Bag Space, Auto-Run, DexNav, Daily Raids, Inverse Battles, and More. To get a better idea of the game’s plot, read the synopsis below:

Welcome to the Borrius Region, a region rich in history. Many years ago, the Borrius and Kalos regions fought a bloody war. The Borrius region summoned a dark force to assist them in defeating their enemies; however, the war ended in defeat when the king of the Kalos region unleashed the ultimate weapon. The dark force was sealed away after the war, never to be used again.

However, many years later, an organization simply known as “The Shadows” appears to be bent on re-releasing the dark force. It is up to you to stop them and save the Borrius region from annihilation.

Some of the key features include — A Powerful Engine, All Pokemon (Gen 1-8), New HM System, Custom OST, Updated Graphics, Difficulty Modes, Unique Mission System, Character Customization, Daily Events, Exciting Mini-Games, An amazing Post-Game & much more!

BONUS: Pokemon Stone Dragon 3

The game takes place in the Unova Region, with Pokémon from the first to the sixth generation. On your journey, you will be accompanied by Ash Ketchum.

Character choice changes the Pokémon you start the game with. The villainous team in the game is Team Plasma, the goal is to free people’s Pokémon including yours in case of defeat to them.

The starters will be the Pokémon from Unova, all three of which are shiny with perfect IVs. During your adventure it is possible to find shiny Pokémon on the route (route 101) it is already possible to find a Patrat without looking for it in the bush.

Some of the key features include — New Story and New Region, Pokémon from Gen 1-6, New Graphics, Mega Evolution, DexNav, etc.

That was it for the list, let us know what’s your favorite hack you’ve played this year in the comments below!

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