What are Hack Roms and why you should try them
In short, they are video games created by fans, as is the case in literature and cinema with their respective fan fictions.
The Pokémon Community is one of the most grateful in this regard. And there are many people who have the ability to create their own video games and make them available to everyone for free and for the love of art. Unfortunately, most projects end on deaf ears, either because they never finish programming, because they are riddled with bugs or even because they are not translated into other languages.
Despite this, many of these versions deserve to be played. Some focus on improving the story, others simply Pokémon from other generations are added to classic games and others modify the difficulty, for example, adding game modes (nuzzlocke, randomlocke and so on). In the most extreme case, there is games with regions designed from scratch, with totally original plots and even with its own characters and Pokédex.
Within this type of game, we can catalog the titles in two large groups: those that are made modifying an original rom and those that are fully designed from scratch using an engine like RPG Maker or similar. In this post we will focus on the first group, highlighting some very well-developed video games that you will be able to play on your Android phone, or on your computer (either PC or Mac) using emulators.
Best Hack Roms based on original games
We leave you below with our selection.
Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu / Eevee for Game Boy Advance
Using the basis of Fire Red Pokémon Y Green leaf, this game is literally Pokémon Let’s Go for Switch with Game Boy Advance graphics. A replica of the game with incredibly well crafted gameplay.
Mainly, in this game we are not going to have random battles, but we will see wild creatures and we will be able to choose whether or not to fight against certain Pokémon. There are also all kinds of Pokémon up to the seventh generation. Regarding the difficulty, it is almost as simple as the game on which it is based and is available in Spanish.
Pokemon Ash Gray
As you know, the first season of the Pokémon series is based on the video game. Later, Pokémon Yellow is based on the animated series. As well, Pokemon Ash Gray it is a rom based on Red fire Y Green leaf that reproduces point by point everything that happens in the anime.
We will never be able to evolve Pikachu and Team Rocket will be especially interested in robbing us of our traveling companion. For the rest, it has Latin Spanish translation, and the difficulty of the game is in reproducing the events in the same conditions as Ash in the television series. Otherwise, we will not be able to advance.
Pokemon Crystal Clear
Based on Pokémon Crystal For Game Boy Color, Crystal Clear turns the second generation title into a open world experience, something that Game Freak has never dared to create. You can access all the cities of Johto and Kanto from the beginning, since physical barriers do not exist in this version. Similarly, you can pass the game on the order you prefer.
And if you wonder, the game difficulty it adapts depending on the number of medals you have. You can jump from region to region and complete your adventure completely as the game will adapt to your experience. The title also recovers parts of Kanto that disappeared in the second generation, and the story is very well spun, making it clear that it is a sequel to Pokémon Crystal. Finally, you can choose from several unusual starter Pokémon if you want the adventure to become a real challenge for you.
Pokémon Renegade Platinum
This other rom seeks to be a definitive version of Platinum Pokémon for Nintendo DS. Retains the story and Pokémon from the original game, but they have been added modern mechanics like the fairy type and the difficulty has been increased enough to make it a true challenge for the player. It is also available in Spanish.
Pokemon Mega Emerald X and Y
There are many roms based on Emerald Pokémon, as it is one of the most beloved titles in the series by far. On this occasion, its creator, jovefreak1993, brings us a modified version in which we will be able to capture Pokémon from the 1st to 6th generation. The metagame It is also updated and we can make use of mega evolutions. There is a total of three regions and the difficulty of the game is within the norm. There are also modifications in certain areas and specific alterations of the plot. As a negative point, it is available only in english, but if you know the original game by heart, it will not be an impediment for you.
Pokémon Glazed
Based on Emerald Pokémon, this game brings us a brand new region and a total of three maps different. You can choose between 5 starter Pokémon and all Pokémon appear from the first to the sixth generation, mega evolutions included. The graphic section is very successful and we have it in Spanish.
Pokémon Omega Red
Use a base of Fire Red Pokémon and it is fully translated into Spanish. The main novelty is that it includes many Graphics taken from Nintendo DS versions, as well as new routes. Has the complete Pokédex from 1st to 7th generation, mega evolutions and regional forms of Pokémon. In addition, it has a high difficulty, so do not miss this rom hack if you are looking for a real challenge playing a Pokémon of a lifetime.
