Pokémon Emerald is one of the most beloved and replayed Pokémon games of all time. Next to Pokémon Fire Red and games like Pokémon Radical Red, Pokémon Emerald might just have the most fanmade ROM hacks of all time! When it comes to deciding the best Pokemon Emerald ROM hacks of 2023, the task is not so easily done.
However, we have compiled the best of the best here today and hope to finish this argument once and for all.
From brutally difficult Kaizo ROM hacks, to more narrative-driven Fakémon games, these are the best Pokémon Emerald ROM hacks of 2023!
Let’s get started!
12. Pokémon Flora Sky
With Shaymin as its mascot, Pokémon Flora Sky takes players through an expansive and beautiful world. Similar to Shaymin, Pokémon that have yet to find a role to play in a major story event are given time to shine in this narrative (such as Mew). A lot of legendaries are, unfortunately, relegated to side games or Pokémon cards, but Flora Sky gives them a chance to shine.
There are tons of Pokémon to encounter in Pokémon Flora Sky, with over 380 to meet and capture. The ROM hack takes the basics from Pokémon Emerald but also includes tons of new content.
Such things include new minigames, new items, and new characters, all designed to keep the experience feeling fresh.
11. Pokémon Mega Power
Pokémon Mega Power, as the name would suggest, is all about bringing Mega Evolution Pokémon into the world of Pokémon Emerald. Mega Evolution is such a cool mechanic that Game Freak refuses to revisit (likely in favor of creating more regional variants).
Thankfully, Mega Evolution does not have to die out thanks to ROM hacks like Pokémon Mega Power. Nearly everything has changed in this game, from the battle scenes, the features, the music, and the game design.
Although Pokémon Mega Power borrows from old and arguably outdated mechanics, the game couldn’t feel newer!
10. Pokémon Theta Emerald EX
Pokémon Theta Emerald EX is a sequel to the wildly popular Pokémon Theta Emerald. The game features 700+ catchable Pokémon, 600+ moves, a proper physical and special split, the Fairy type, and so much more.
Pokémon Theta Emerald is truly a passion project, and it shows how much care and attention has been put into making it the definitive Pokémon Emerald experience.
Pokémon Theta Emerald is the second in a three-part trilogy, and don’t worry, we’ll be covering the third, final, and best version later in the list!
9. Pokémon Mega Emerald X and Y Edition
If you can’t get enough of Mega Evolution, Pokémon Mega Emerald X and Y are the games for you. Much like Pokémon Mega Power, Mega Evolution is the name of the game here.
However, as the name would suggest, Mega Emerald X and Y includes Pokémon through the first six generations. It also has its own music, a new tileset, and added weather effects to differentiate it from the original game even more.
Mega Evolution will always be one of the coolest mechanics in all of Pokémon, and we’re thankful not to have a shortage of legendary Pokémon Mega Evolution ROM hacks.
8. Pokémon Blazed Glazed
The original Pokémon Glazed involved the blending of our modern-day world with the world of Pokémon. While a cute novelty at first, it soon becomes apparent that disaster is on the horizon unless you can revert each universe back to its original state.
Blazed Glazed is a pseudo-sequel that diverges from a set point in Pokémon Glazed. It features new moves, new trainer teams, and, most importantly, new Eeveelutions!
7. Pokémon CAWPS
Pokémon CAWPS allows you to play through Pokémon Emerald as a police officer (hence the title sounding like “cops”).
The game adopts a very mature tone as you are no longer playing as a small child but as a grown adult.
As such, you are even given an additional starter when starting the game. The main draw to playing Pokémon CAWPS is the unique experience and clever writing. Pokémon CAWPS is definitely a very unique Pokémon Emerald ROM hack.
6. Pokémon R.O.W.E
Pokémon Legends Arceus showed us how great a real open-world Pokémon game could be. Similarly, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet have also adopted a freer stance allowing players to explore the new region in any way they choose.
So, when it comes to Pokémon “R.Open.World.Emerald” (with the R being the name of the creator “Rioluwott”), it is clear that the fans agree with what Nintendo is only just now laying down.
Pokémon R.O.W.E is an open-world version of Emerald where players can explore the region in any order they choose. Additionally, all Pokémon up to gen 8 are included, along with several quality of life changes designed to make teambuilding easier.
5. Pokémon Emerald Kaizo
Pokémon Emerald Kaizo is the original challenge run Pokémon Emerald ROM hack. It is often considered to be not only the most difficult Pokémon Emerald ROM hack but one of the most difficult Pokémon ROM hacks of all time.
The game features stronger opponents, more tactical trainers, and more encounters with the evil villains, Team Aqua and Magma. Even Pokémon veterans will struggle to beat this game, and it requires genuine strategy instead of just basic type advantage.
And, if you’re a real sadist, feel free to try a Nuzlocke run!
4. Pokémon Inclement Emerald
If Pokémon Emerald Kaizo is a little too hard, Pokémon Inclement Emerald still offers more of a challenge than a modern Pokémon game, but with less overall stress.
The game features Pokémon from 8 generations as well as Mega Evolution. It also features an expanded bag (something that many people forget was a limitation of the original generation 3 games).
3. Pokémon Victory Fire
Pokémon Victory Fire creates an entirely new region and story while still using Pokémon Emerald as its inspiratory source. The game includes a day-night cycle, a weather system, and several generations of Pokémon to encounter and add to your team.
A lot of Pokémon Emerald ROM hacks take place in the Hoenn region, making Pokémon Victory Fire a true gem as a Pokémon Emerald ROM hack.
2. Pokémon Theta Emerald Renev
As mentioned, Pokémon Theta Emerald Renev is the third entry into the Pokémon Theta Emerald series. It comes with more of what Theta Emerald fans know and love, including tons of Pokémon, new TMs and HMs, and more.
When it comes to overall game feel, available Pokémon, and content on offer, the Pokémon Theta Emerald games are a trilogy you don’t want to miss out on.
1. Pokémon Glazed Version
Pokémon Glazed is an OG when it comes to a Pokémon Emerald ROM hack. As mentioned, the main story focuses on what would happen if the world of Pokémon and our world collided.
It’s clear that fans of the Pokémon world love these kinds of ideas, as evidenced by the huge success of Pokémon GO.
Bringing Pokémon to life is a childhood dream many gaming veterans have held since childhood, and both fortunately and unfortunately, Pokémon Glazed is probably the closest we’re ever going to get to making that a reality!
FAQs
The best Pokémon ROM hack is Pokémon Renegade Platinum. It combines the most challenging content with a thoroughly enjoyable base experience.
The best Pokémon GBA ROM hack is Pokémon Glazed or Emerald Kaizo. Depending on whether you prefer a more challenging experience or a new world with tons of fresh content, either of these respective games could be considered the best.
You can download a Pokémon Emerald emulator by downloading a GBA emulator. A quick Google will allow you to find several options, one of which includes mGBA.
There are tons of Pokémon ROM hacks out there to play. Make sure to check out our list of the best 40 Pokémon ROM hacks.
The best Pokémon ROM hack is Pokémon Renegade Platinum. It combines the most challenging content with a thoroughly enjoyable base experience.
A gaming lover from a very young age, Justin has always had a keen eye for building his own computers or racing sims so that he can race his identical twin (and usually lose at the actual race).
Justin in the founder of BeStreamer and sees it as a free resource to help all gamers around the world
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