In this article, we will showcase the best Pokémon Game Boy Advance or GBA ROM hacks that you should know. First things first, what are Pokémon GBA ROM hacks?
The word “hack” may sound scary, but do not worry. These Pokémon GBA ROM hacks are completely safe as long as you follow the download guide.
Pokémon ROM hacks are simply Pokémon games that have been modified by a programmer in order to add features to the game. Or, in particular cases, perform a complete overhaul of the story and Pokémon.
These hacks are a wonderful way to rejuvenate and rekindle your love for your favorite Pokémon games. They offer new stories, Pokémons, and worlds to explore. Some also offer very nifty features, like Gym Leader rematches and extra starter Pokémon.
How You Can Play Pokémon GBA ROM Hacks
Players will be required to visit a ROM site to find the ROM or ROM hack. Using websites like emulatorgames.net as examples, you just need to download the game’s files. If the player has the correct emulator for the game, they just need to click on it, and it will start.
The Best Pokémon GBA ROM Hacks
Now, without further ado, let us start exploring the best Pokémon GBA ROM hacks. We will also share our personal take on some of these from time to time. There will also be Pokémon GBA ROM hacks download links later in this article.
A. Pokémon Vega
You have followed the buff Pikachu breadcrumb trail all the way here, and it has finally paid off. Pokémon Vega is a FireRed ROM hack, and while Pikachu may look silly, this is among the best Pokémon ROMs you can pick up.
Vega offers more than 150 new Pokémon (Fakemon) to capture, several new movies for your Pokémon to learn, and a few quality of life changes such as Trainer rematches.
Pokémon Vega takes place in the Tohoak region, created by the developers, and offers a new story and great post-game content.
1. Fakemon
As you may have noticed (Buff Pickachu), this hack includes its own custom-made Pokémon. They are all crafted with the pixel art we all know and love, and we think they matched the original style perfectly.
Vega also brings over several of our favorite Pokémon from Hoenn, Unova, and Signet, so do not worry; you can still find your OGs.
2. Tohoak (The Story)
The Story happens in the Tohoak region, which is made up of brand new cities and routes to explore. The Story remains true to the classics. Kick Gym Leaders, take badges, and defeat the Elite Four.
The characters are quirky and original, and the extensive post-game allows for continued play even after you have beaten the main storyline, making this one of the most well-rounded Pokémon ROMs.
B. Pokémon FireRed: Rocket Edition
Time for some weird ROMs. Do you remember when Team Rocket asks if you would like to join them?
Did your devious little fingers spam the “Yes” button only to be disappointed by the unfair restriction on Evil in the game? Well then, if this is what happened, this is the ROM hack for you.
In Pokémon FireRed: Rocket Edition, you can join Team Rocket as a grunt and explore a new side of the Kanto region. This ROM offers a very unique insight into all of the classic characters and situations from the originals, and is a favorite hack among the rest.
1. Steal!!!
Continuing on, you would not really be a member of Team Rocket if you were not trying to snag Pokémon from other weaker and more pathetic trainers. Now, would you?
In Pokémon FireRed: Rocket Edition, you get to do just that, and it is just as fun as it sounds.
2. Morality System
You read that right, a Pokémon game with a morality system. This system makes the game more immersive and adds quite a bit of replayability to the game, which is superb.
3. The True Story
Know that Rocket Edition includes branching sidequests and a story fit for M. Night Shyamalan himself. But we are not going to spoil anything for you.
However, we will leave you with a couple of questions. Is there a possibility of a connection between Oak and Giovanni? What really went down in the fabled Pokémon war?
C. Pokémon Snakewood
We have included the controversial Snakewood on this list for the edgier readers. Snakewood is a Pokémon Ruby ROM hack that players either love or hate. There really is no in-between. There is a lot of fun here.
1. A Darker Timeline
Pokémon Snakewood takes place in an apocalyptic world filled with zombies and edgy characters. The story is a lot darker than anything seen in the original games. So if you crave an edgy Pokémon game, here you go!
Keep in mind while the game is “edgy,” it is not for everybody. And it can be quite campy or corny at times. However, if you are like the other players who love this, this just makes you want to play it more.
2. Denjuu And Zombiemon
It has a not-so-thrilling story, but Snakewood has awesome Fakemon, such as Skylax, the flying evolution of Snorlax. It also includes Zombiemon such as Boilbasaur and Electabugs. See the corniness in it?
Other than the Fakemon, Snakewood also features a new species known as Denjuu, which are creatures from where else? The Denjuu world. These creatures can actually talk and are integral to the Snakewood story. They also make Snakewood among the most unique Pokémon ROMs, whether you like it or not.
D. Pokémon Glazed
Finally, this is a game for Johto region lovers. Johto Journeys has been a favorite series in the anime and has some of the most well-loved Pokémon.
Unfortunately, we never saw a Gen 2 Pokémon game on the GBA. Pokémon Glazed happens across three regions, specifically, Tunod, Johto, and Rankor.
Glazed also has its own rich story, featuring a scarfed Pikachu seeking revenge. This will feel like a full game, and obviously had a lot of care and effort put into its development.
1. Five Starters
Pokémon Glazed allows you to choose between five starter Pokémon. You can choose between any Gen 4 starter Pokémon (which were never on the GBA, take note!), Riolu, or Shinx.
Lucario is a lot of people’s favorite Pokémon, so we think it was a brilliant move to include Riolu as a starter. It also helps the game stand out as distinct by diverting from the classic Fire, Grass, and Water trio.
We will also note that in Glazed, you can capture every starter Pokémon on your own. So no matter which one you choose, you are not limited to only having them at your Party.
2. Quality Of Life
Pokémon Glazed also has many of the quality of life features players have seen in previous Pokémon GBA ROM hacks.
As mentioned before, you can catch all of the game’s starters. You can also rematch trainers and Gym Leaders to train your Pokémon much more effortlessly. This is a fan favorite feature among these ROM hacks.
E. Pokémon Gaia
For the hardcore fans of the series, this is by far the best Pokémon GBA ROM hack. These fans pertain to players who love creating competitive teams and have played every game in the series (up to Omega Ruby and Alpha Saphhire, at least).
Pokémon Gaia has a fantastic story and several features that it feels like a modern Pokémon game created for the GBA.
1. Modern Battles
Well, not precisely modern since this ROM came out long before the Nintendo Switch games.
However, the battle system was created to be on par with Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire for the 3Ds. This means Pokémon Gaia has Mega Evolutions, competitive items such as choice specs and assault vests, and updated Pokémon moves to teach your Party.
F. THE POKEMON!!!
Our favorite part about Pokémon Gaia is that it includes Pokémon from Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, and Kalos.
There are so many Pokémon to find and collect. And it is beautiful and nostalgic to see newer Pokémon in a GBA game. It is challenging for us to describe the feeling, but we absolutely love it.
The Story
The Story is incredible, unlike Pokémon Snakewood and Vega. It is just a well-made story that does justice to the rest of the game.
Pokémon Gaia really made us feel like a kid firing up Pokémon FireRed for the first time. It is the perfect blend of nostalgia and modern Pokémon gameplay.
Honorable Mention: Pokémon Renegade Platinum
We decided to place Pokémon Renegade Platinum at the honorable mention spot in the Pokémon GBA ROM hacks list. This ROM hack is actually a Pokémon Platinum ROM hack for the Nintendo DS. We placed this ROM here because it is inarguably among the best Pokémon ROM hacks available today, especially if you are an avid follower of Gen 4.
To play this game, you will need to grab a DS emulator for your computer, which you can do so here:
Then, you will have to download the Pokémon Platinum ROM from here:
Lastly, you will need to download this Zip file and follow the instructions for patching your Pokemon Platinum game included in the folder:
Take note that this game takes a bit more work than the other Pokémon GBA games, but it is definitely worth the effort if you enjoy Pokémon Platinum.
It keeps the excellent Platinum story but adds many new features, like hundreds of new Pokémon, more challenging trainer battles, and the removal of trade-only evolutions.
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