Top 10 Best NEW Pokemon ROM Hacks of 2024

2024 is almost at its end, and the Pokémon community has already delivered some incredible ROM hacks and fan games this year as well. Thanks to the talented creators who dedicate their time and passion to bringing these games to life, there’s plenty to explore and enjoy.

Now is the perfect time to showcase some of the most amazing Pokémon ROM hacks and fan games of the year. Below, you’ll find brief descriptions and key features of each game, along with screenshots. We’ve also included download links for each ROM hack in this post.

So, without further ado, here are the Top 15 Best Pokémon ROM Hacks of 2024! (in no particular order)

Pokemon Mythic Silver

In this adventure set in the remote region of Johto, Red and Blue, two young trainers from Pallet Town, embark on a journey to become Pokémon Masters. Unlike usual regions, Johto is full of mysteries where Legendary Pokémon roam freely in the wild, and trainers can even choose Articuno, Moltres, or Zapdos as their starter Pokémon.

As they explore, Red and Blue uncover a secret group threatening to release ancient powers that could disrupt Johto’s balance. They delve into the region’s hidden history, uncovering ancient temples and forgotten crypts while forming strong bonds with their Legendary Pokémon to confront the looming threat and shape Johto’s future.

Features Summary

The story features Brenda from Hoenn and Blue and Red from Kanto.
Johto’s map has been completely redesigned, with new hidden areas and locations.
Most Legendary Pokémon can be found in the wild, with Articuno, Moltres, and Zapdos as starter options.
Pokémon from Generations 1-5 are included, along with new challenging battles and double battles.
The game introduces new animated events, an improved day and night system, and enhanced NDS-style graphics.
Infinite rare candies are available from the start, and the game’s difficulty and competitive systems have been significantly increased.

Pokemon Emerald Seaglass

Pokemon Emerald Seaglass reimagines the Hoenn region with a Game Boy Color-inspired aesthetic and exciting updates. Enjoy a complete visual overhaul, cozy graphics, and revamped battle backgrounds. All Pokémon from Generations 1-3 are obtainable, with added cross-generation evolutions and enhanced versions of weaker Pokémon.

Explore new minigames like Scuba Diving and Pinball, and visit Rustboro City’s Wishing Well to acquire random Pokémon using Wishing Stars. Experience quality-of-life improvements, a modernized battle engine, and an optional Hard Mode for an added challenge. Discover all Legendaries and hidden secrets in this nostalgic yet innovative adventure!

Features Summary

Visual Overhaul: The game has a cozy Game Boy Color-inspired aesthetic with revamped graphics.
Expanded Pokémon Roster: Includes all Pokémon from Generations 1-3, plus cross-generation evolutions.
Enhanced Underrated Pokémon: Some Pokémon have been updated with new typings and abilities (e.g., Ghost/Flying Noctowl).
Modern Battle Mechanics: Incorporates the Physical/Special split, Fairy type, and other modern features.
New Minigames and Events: Includes activities like a Scuba Diving competition and Pinball games that unlock rare items.
Following Pokémon: Your Pokémon can now follow you throughout the game.
Wishing Well Gacha System: Rustboro City offers a gacha-like system to obtain random Pokémon.
In-Game Cheat Codes: Accessible via the Player’s GameCube for customization.
Adjustable Difficulty: Players can toggle settings like Hard Mode and Soft Level Cap.
Improved Battle Backgrounds and Sprites: Enhanced visuals during battles.
Revamped HM System: HMs don’t take up move slots and are automatically usable outside of battle.
Quality of Life Features: Options for a GBC-like experience, difficulty adjustments, and more.
All Legendaries Available: Catch all Legendaries with expanded events, some accessible early in the game.
New Events and Items: Includes the Shiny Charm and future generation Pokémon like Tinkatink and Applin.

Pokemon Yellow Legacy

Pokemon Yellow Legacy is a prequel to Crystal Legacy by content creator Patrick Smith (TheSmithPlays), and the second installment in his Legacy series. Built on the Pokémon Yellow disassembly, the project aims to enhance the original game by improving quality of life and balancing it with two decades of player experience. While keeping the charm and quirks of the first generation, Yellow Legacy introduces tougher battles, especially against bosses, without altering core mechanics.

The game encourages players to build diverse teams, with balanced changes that make each Pokémon unique. All 151 Pokémon are obtainable in a single playthrough, and some post-game content is included. Although not a “Kaizo” project, Yellow Legacy increases the battle difficulty to create a more engaging and rewarding experience while preserving the original feel of Pokémon Yellow.

Features Summary

Yellow Legacy introduces a variety of quality-of-life improvements to enhance gameplay while retaining the original feel of Pokémon Yellow. Key changes include:

Menu Enhancements: Extended bag capacity, sortable items, HM usage from the overworld, and descriptions for items.
World & NPC Updates: Running Shoes, faster in-game activities (saving, healing), improved in-game shops, and easier access to essential items and locations.
Visual & Audio Upgrades: New character sprites, enhanced Pokémon palettes, and improved battle UI with an EXP bar and icons.
Battle System Adjustments: Increased difficulty with better AI, dynamic gym scaling, changes to type effectiveness, and rebalanced move sets.
Bug Fixes and Updates: Various game bugs have been addressed, and several Pokémon and move mechanics have been reworked for a more balanced experience.

The changes aim to modernize Pokémon Yellow while maintaining the game’s nostalgic charm, offering both new and returning players a more polished and challenging experience.

Pokemon Super Cool Spot Version

Pokémon: SUPER Cool Spot Version brings the ultimate update to the original ROM hack with exciting new features and enhancements. This final version amps up the cool factor with:

Expanded Areas of Hoenn: Explore new locations and regions.
Brand-New Pokémon & Legendaries: Meet fresh faces and capture powerful new creatures.
New Storyline & Boss Battles: Dive into a revamped plot with new challenges.
Postgame Content: Keep the adventure going with extended gameplay after the main quest.

Grab your 7-Up, and get ready for the coolest adventure yet with Pokémon: SUPER Cool Spot Version!

Features Summary

A whole plethora of quality-of-life changes has been added to SUPER Cool Spot version! Including:

Player characters now wear COOL Sunglasses!! So does Nurse Joy!
A whole set of new, cool 7-Up and Cool Spot-themed items!
Purchaseable Important items such as Exp. Share, Lucky Egg, Heart Scales, and cheaper Vitamins
Pokemon have an EV limit of 252, and no longer have a limit on the amount of vitamins they can take!
Over 40 new custom music tracks across the game for your listening pleasure!
New Gym Leaders and Bosses!
Increased Difficulty
A Black Market Area
All Legendaries have been replaced by cool, new Legendaries! Have fun exploring!
& Much More!

Pokemon Shadows Of Time

Pokemon Shadows of Time is a story-driven hack of HeartGold featuring two large custom regions—the “past” and “present” versions of the Himitsu region—that players can explore alongside Celebi. It introduces a shadow Pokémon cult, where shadow Pokémon can be caught and purified. Though the demo is not a full game, it offers a sneak peek into the map and showcases various proof-of-concepts and features.

Features Summary

Explore the Himitsu region in both the “past” and “present,” offering a unique time-travel experience.
Capture and purify shadow Pokémon, adding depth to the story and battles.
New Pokémon (Fakemon)
New Legendary Backstory
A cult surrounding shadow Pokemon
Complete trials in the past to unlock new Mega Evolutions
Explore ruined settlements in the present, discover how they once flourished in the past, and understand what led to their downfall

Pokemon Legends Celebi

There’s a threat to Ilex Forest, and Celebi can’t handle it alone.

Embark on a time-traveling adventure through Johto, featuring Hisui Pokémon starters and a new story set in a reimagined Johto Region!

Features Summary

A new region with a new story.
Physical/Special Split (PSS) and updated abilities.
Fairy type and Hisuian Pokémon.
Running Shoes are available from the start.
Modern items and $1 Rare Candies for easy leveling.
Complete the Pokédex with all available Pokémon.
IVs, EVs, and natures within the game.
Nuzlocke mode available for a challenging experience.

Pokemon Scorched Silver

Travel back to the majestic lands of Johto through the perspective of a boy or girl from Cherrygrove City on their way to becoming a great Pokémon Master! Set 20 years after the events of Gold and Silver, you’ll meet many new and old characters along your journey, as well as uncover more of the region’s secrets. Discover a wide variety of Pokémon and an all-new storyline as your path intertwines with a mysterious group calling themselves Team Phoenix, who seem determined to capture Celebi for some nefarious scheme.

Features Summary

New, original story
Over 750+ Pokémon
Physical/Special Split (PSS), Fairy type, Gen 8 Pokémon & Gen 7 movepools
Mega Evolution available in the post-game
Battle nurse available in most Pokémon Centers for leveling up
Black/White-style repel system
and much more!

Pokemon Weird Type Fun

Pokemon Weird Type Fun is a simple rom hack with an even simpler premise: confuse even series veterans about type matchups. Pokemon Weird Type Fun introduces 18 entirely new types and a completely reimagined pokedex, making the ever-present Kanto feel a little less familiar.

While Pokemon Weird Type Fun follows the basic FireRed story and structure, some characters and lore have been rearranged to keep things interesting. Event-only areas (also known as Navel Rock and Birth Island) are now playable, and a few new locations and events have been added.

Features Summary

All types have been replaced with newer alternatives. Type matchups do not match the original.
400-ish pokémon gathered from up to Generation 9 (including Hisui and Paldea). There are also a few beta Pokémon and Fakemon.
Each Pokémon has been redesigned to fit its new type (think Fool’s Gold, but more nonsensical).
Moves and items are updated to match the new types.
Mostly faithful to Gen III Kanto, with some new twists.

Pokemon Sword and Shield Ultimate Plus

Get ready to relive the excitement of the Pokémon world on your Game Boy Advance with Pokémon Sword and Shield Ultimate Plus. This version brings the epic adventure of the Galar region straight to your GBA, faithfully recreating the storyline from Pokémon Sword and Shield. But the adventure doesn’t stop there—this edition also includes all the additional content from the Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra DLCs, giving you the complete experience.

What sets this game apart are its impressive features. Mega Evolution is back, allowing you to power up your Pokémon to new heights. You can also Dynamax and Gigantamax your Pokémon for larger-than-life battles, and even join forces with friends in thrilling raid battles. Pokémon Sword and Shield Ultimate Plus offers the perfect mix of classic gameplay and modern features, delivering an unforgettable Pokémon journey.

Features Summary

Updated sprites and some new music tracks.
New battle backgrounds and graphics enhancements.
Corviknight Taxi System replaced with a more convenient Fly Map Key Item.
Added new side quests and reworked maps.
Diving feature for faster navigation.
Reworked Dynamax Adventures and shop system.
General bug fixes and more improvements.
Explore the Galar Region and follow the Pokémon Sword and Shield storyline.
Includes Pokémon from Generations 1 to 8, with Alolan, Galarian, and Hisuian forms.
Features Mega Evolution, Z-Moves, Gigantamax, and Dynamax mechanics.
Includes DexNav, Isle of Armor, and Crown Tundra.
Battle Towers, Wild Area, and Pokémon in the overworld.
Enhanced with new graphics, moves, menus, and music.
Added Fairy type, Exp. All, Dynamax Raid Battles, and trade evolutions for Pokémon across generations.
Incorporates the IV and EV system and CFRU system.

Pokemon Super Dark Worship

Super 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 Sacred 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 Evil Sect.

Features Summary

New Region and Story.
Generation 9 Pokemon.
Mega Evolution, Z-Movesm Dynamax, and Gigantamax.
YouTubers In the Game.
Shared Experience.
27 Starter Pokémon.
Several Side Quests that give you important items.
Graphics similar to NDS.

BONUS: Pokemon Brown

Twenty years ago, the first complete Pokémon Red mod to completely change the region and story was released. Since then, it has inspired thousands of creative visions, and beautiful games, and kickstarted hundreds of careers. Today, we give the game its biggest update ever, and the love and care it deserves. Play the classic that started it all – Pokemon Brown.

Featuring 231 Pokémon, an updated region to explore, upgraded graphics, new characters, overhauled maps, extra story, modern features, Pokémon Prism integration, and so much more. The twentieth-anniversary update adds a level of polish so far unseen with this earliest entry in the Rijon saga. And all still in classic binary!

Features Summary

231 Pokemon to catch and train
Brand new region: Explore the region of Rijon, a vast, new, and unique landscape.
Choose your trainer: Select between two characters to play as. Switch anytime!
Modern mechanics: Modern Stat EXP calculations, critical captures, new level-ups, physical/special split, and so much more!
Breathtaking buildings: Experience new and unique graphics and maps.
New Pokemon: More Pokémon to collect than any previous version of Brown!
Play with a pal: Full link support with other Pokémon Brown players.