21 Best Pokemon DS ROM Hacks For 2026

Pokemon DS ROM hacks can be just as fun as any GBA or GBC hacks. The issue is that DS ROMs are way harder to alter, so there aren’t many of them around.

Patching DS ROMs can also be very tricky as well, but most DS rom hacks have their individual patching instructions already included in the download.

Nevertheless, we’re here to present a list of the best Pokemon DS ROM hacks for 2026.

Remember, you need to have a DS emulator to play them. Patching them is also needed, so just be aware of that, and you should have the right tools to patch them. We’ll give you good reasons why these games are good enough.

Other DS topics to see:

• Cheats Still Active After Disabling? Here’s How to Fix It on DS!
• 7 Best Nintendo DS Emulators for Cheating
• 5 Best Nintendo DS Emulators for Android
• 5 Best DS Emulators for PC
• List of Pokemon DS ROM Hacks

Editor’s Update (March 2026): Added some new hacks that fans can try.

Top 21 Pokemon DS ROM Hacks

21. Pokemon Shadows of Time

Based on Pokemon HeartGold, Pokemon Shadows of Time is an NDS hack with a time-driven storyline. Here, your character will travel around the Himitsu region in two timelines: the past and the present.

As you explore the region and learn more about the creatures inhabiting your world, your goal is to uncover the secrets behind the mysterious plague caused by Darkrai.

Like in Pokemon GO, you can also encounter “Shadow” Fakemon that you can capture and purify. And of course, to complete the mainline-like formula, you’ll have to face an evil organization called the Shadow Pokemon cult.

Notable Features

• Celebi will help you to time travel.
• Well-designed Fakemon roster.
• Mega Evolution.

20. Pokemon Following Renegade Platinum

With the aim of creating the “perfect Gen IV experience,” the creators of this hack used Pokemon Platinum as a base to combine the elements found in two of the most successful NDS hacks: Pokemon Following Platinum and Pokemon Renegade Platinum.

This hack retained some features of the vanilla Platinum with a plethora of improvements in terms of Trainer battles, Shiny odds, and Pokemon stats.

Notable Features

• Following Pokemon mechanics.
• New Pokemon roster for each Trainer
• Increased gameplay speed.

19. Pokemon Altered Platinum

If you’re looking to revisit Sinnoh in a different way, Pokemon Altered Platinum might be a must-play hack for you.

Just like other “altered” ROM hacks, this one sticks to the original Pokemon formula, with some improvements in terms of Pokemon roster, difficulty, and moves.

This hack also introduced a unique boss as part of its post-game content, but we’re not gonna disclose anything here to prevent spoilers.

Notable Features

• 30 Fakemon that are labeled as Sinnohan forms.
• Tougher battles than Pokemon Renegade Platinum.
• Gym leaders’ Pokemon rosters aren’t reliant on types anymore.

18. Platinum Unlocked

In a literal sense, Platinum Unlocked did provide access to specific features to improve the quality of life of its base game, Pokemon Platinum.

The hack’s creator admitted that Pokemon Unlocked doesn’t have that much massive changes compared to other Platinum-based hacks, but it’s designed to capture every Gen 4 Pokemon and make the original game more enjoyable.

Platinum Unlocked also boast some graphical improvements, so check it out if you want to try this one.

Notable Features

• Pocket PC replaces Pokemon Platinum’s VS Seeker.
• You’ll get National Dex at the start of the game.
• Shiny odds have been significantly increased to 1/257.

17. Pokemon Refined Gold

For those who loved completing the Pokedex, Pokemon Refined Gold lets you capture those Pokemon that are almost impossible to find in the vanilla version.

This hack also made the difficulty a bit more challenging for a more engaging Pokemon battle experience.

Pokemon Refined Gold just got released in January 2025, so it’s still getting updates every now and then.

Notable Features

• Access to every Pokemon in Generation 4’s National Dex.
• Easier access to evolution items.
• Legendaries can infinitely spawn after the first encounter to allow players to shiny hunt them.

16. Pokemon Garbage Gold

This hack does have the word “garbage” to it, but you’ll be surprised how cool and unique it actually is.

Pokemon Garbage gold is a HeartGold-based hack where you only get to capture trash Pokemon (the developer’s term for Pokemon with less than 425 base stat total).

Since you will only be limited to Pokemon with low stats, expect that this hack will be extremely challenging for new players.

This hack still features a revamped version of the Johto region with a brand-new story.

Notable Features

• New overworld map.
• Some Pokemon won’t evolve, while some only evolves at higher levels.
• New set of fan-made moves.

15. Pokemon HeartGold Generations

If you’re looking for an NDS ROM hack with Gen IX Pokemon, you should give Pokemon HeartGold Generations a try.

Although this hack had the same story as the vanilla HeartGold, you’ll find its gameplay quite refreshing with all the newest Pokemon roaming Johto. For older players, Pokemon HeartGold Generations has a difficulty designed to at least make every battle fulfilling as a Trainer.

Notable Features

• 100+ legendary Pokemon.
• Portable PC.
• 60 FPS framerate.

14. Pokemon Platinum Redux

Do you dislike grinding your team for levels? Pokemon Platinum Redux doesn’t require you to spend hours to beat other Trainers in the game, as this hack’s difficulty has been tweaked to have challenging but fair battles.

While there’s no EV training mechanics in Pokemon Platinum Redux, you still get to fight Trainers with champion-level AI, more competitive movesets, as well as better held items.

You don’t even need to worry about how you can encounter certain rare Pokemon, as all mons in this hack are capturable in the tall grass.

Notable Features

• Fully evolved Pokemon can be used for a specific purpose.
• New custom move animations.
• Various type chart changes.

13. Pokemon Azure Platinum

If you’re after the story when playing Pokemon games, you can try Pokemon Azure Platinum, as its creator added new characters and more story-arcs to the vanilla version.

This hack also has a built-in Nuzlocke feature, so you don’t need to self-impose the rules if you want to run one.

Like Pokemon Platinum Redux, Pokemon Azure Platinum also eliminated the need to grinding since you can buy as many Rare Candies as you can for your team.

Notable Features

• You can use a Porta-PC to heal or change your team.
• Anime-inspired tournaments.
• More bosses to fight.

12. Pokemon Sacred Gold and Storm Silver

Pokemon Sacred Gold and Storm Silver are basically Heart Gold and Soul Silver with an array of exciting features. Use the ROM corresponding to the game, like Gold to Gold and Silver to Silver.

The difficulty is slightly harder, and some aspects have been changed, making it a bit different but at the same time similar to HGSS.

Notable Features

• 493 Pokemon to catch from multiple Generations.
• Trainers have different Pokemon teams.
• Certain items have been restricted and limited.

11. Pokemon Infinite Black 2

One of the most recent ROM hacks on our list, the update for Pokemon Infinite Black 2 came out last December 2025, adding new sets of moves and Pokemon.

Some of the hack’s fan-made abilities, such as Rampage (which boosts the power of moves when performed repeatedly), offer a new layer of complexity to Pokemon battles.

While you’ll experience the same story as Pokemon Black 2, this hack introduces a wealth of new content, with every Pokemon reworked and the overall battle mechanics adjusted to accommodate the effects of new moves.

Notable Features

• Lots of new and interesting Pokemon abilities.
• No trade evolutions.
• Optional story content added to the vanilla storyline.

10. Pokemon Garbage Gold Deluxe

As another trashlocke hack of Pokemon HeartGold, Pokemon Garbage Gold Deluxe is arguably the best NDS hack bearing such a unique and annoying gimmick.

Again, the “garbage” aspect of this hack derives from the same feature as Pokemon Garbage Gold, where you can only train and use trashmons in battles.

Many trashmons in Pokemon Garbage Gold Deluxe can’t evolve, or if they do, they only undergo the process at higher levels. Since you’re stuck at playing weak Pokemon in battles, expect a hell-like difficulty that will truly test your patience and strategic thinking.

Notable Features

• Includes battle challenges like no heals, trick room, item limits, and weather effects.
• New story focused on post-war Johto.
• New items and custom moves.

9. Pokemon Vintage White

As the name suggest, Pokemon Vintage is an NDS hack that only features “vintage Pokemon,” particularly those from the first three generations.

However, the distinctive characteristics of this hack doesn’t end there. The hack’s creator made major changes to gameplay that we’re used to, making it extremely difficult compared to the original Pokemon White.

One specific feature that we liked in Vintage White is that several Pokemon moves and types have been altered, so you’ll need lots of strategic adjustments if you want to beat this game.

Notable Features

• New moves, and types for some Pokemon.
• Pokemon giving out EVs after battles have been disabled for increased difficulty.
• Trainers and Gym leaders around the region can fight with stronger and more advanced Pokemon teams.

8. Pokemon RoseGold

Pokemon RoseGold is centered around the region of Tohjo, a new area that the protagonist can access after the events of Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen.

As a highly experienced Trainer, you’ll get to battle Trainers that are almost skilled as you and explore the region that doesn’t take much of your time.

For those who don’t have that much time for playing games, completing this hack only takes around 2 hours, so feel free to play the strongest Pokemon team that you can build early in the game.

Notable Features

• Original storyline.
• You can capture Pokemon from Generations I-IX.
• Enhanced difficulty.

7. Pokemon Hoenn White

This game would be a hack of White, if it wasn’t already that obvious. This hack has the same story as Black and White, but the unlike Pokemon Vintage White, the main gimmick here is that the hack only features Gen 3 or Hoenn Pokemon.

You get the three Hoenn Starters and pretty much everything else in Gen 3. The Trainers, Gym Leaders, Elite Four, and Champion who is Steven are all from Gen 3. You even get some Gen 3 music playing in the background.

Notable Features

• All Gen 3 Pokemon only.
• Stat Changes and Updates.
• Game is slightly difficult.

6. Pokemon Heart Red

We’re halfway through our Top 10 Pokemon DS ROM hacks for 2026. We’re focusing on Pokemon Heart Red this time. This hack specializes in making a remake of Pokemon Red which is one of the Gen 1 games.

Speaking of Gen 1, the initial Pokemon are all from Gen 1, and while this is a recreation of Pokemon Red, a lot of dialogues have been taken from FireRed and LeafGreen as a form of an update and more.

Notable Features

• Pokemon follows you.
• Fairy-type included.
• Day and Night Cycle.

5. Pokemon Renegade Platinum

Renegade Platinum is a hack of Platinum which makes the game a bit harder than normal. It’s a basic hack with added features since you’re playing the same game with some elements to it changed.

It is the same story, but some changes are made, like Trainers having different Pokemon. Speaking of the Pokemon, you can catch or obtain all available Pokemon in Platinum.

Notable Features

• 493 Available Pokemon.
• Harder battles.
• Fairy-type included.

4. Pokemon Silver Yellow

We’re almost done with our top 10 Pokemon DS ROM hacks of the year list. Silver Yellow is a hack where you are given Gen 1 Pokemon as your initial ones.

Your Starter Pokemon is actually Pikachu, and you can obtain Charmander, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur later through the story. This kind of reminds you of Pokemon Yellow, which is why it is in the title. It still uses story elements from Soul Silver which makes it all the more interesting.

Notable Features

• Pikachu as a Starter.
• Mega Evolution included.
• Some locations added.

3. Pokemon Omega Paradox

Omega Paradox is a hack of another DS ROM hack called Pokemon Volt White. The creator made sure to acknowledge that, and the story is a continuation of it.

It has an original story going for it as well as features such as New Gym Leaders and notable Trainers since the original ones were either replaced or just died. The Pokemon roster also includes those from the later Generations but not all of them.

Notable Features

• Choose from a mixture of Starter Pokemon.
• Mega Evolution included.
• New Trainer Classes added.

2. Pokemon Light Platinum

There is also a Pokemon Light Platinum ROM hack for the GBA. Don’t be confused because it is the DS version you would want to download. Anyway, this game has its own story going for it, and the visuals are very good.

The graphics and altered sprites, as well as animations, make this hack better than most. The gameplay aspect is also having Pokemon from different Generations and having more than the GBA version.

Notable Features

• Pokemon Roster goes up to Gen 6 but not all of them.
• Maps have been edited to be larger.
• Pokemon will follow you.

1. Pokemon Moon Black 2

The number one game in our top 10 Pokemon DS ROM hacks for this year goes to Pokemon Moon Black 2. It is a hack of Pokemon Black 2. The story incorporates elements from the Pokemon Sun and Moon games utilizing the system and other features from Black 2.

The game even has Pokemon from the later Generations making it very intriguing. Unova and Alola Forms are also added in this hack, as well as updated stats and more.

Notable Features

• Pokemon goes up to Gen 6, although not all are available.
• Alolan Forms included.
• Mega Evolution added.

In Closing

That concludes our recommendation for the best Pokemon DS ROM Hacks of the year. There are other DS ROM hacks out there that may be just as good.

If you feel we missed a few of them on our list, feel free to hit the comments so that others might know.

Always remember that getting DS ROM hacks is trickier. The process of patching the files is just as tricky. You need to have the necessary tools if you want to play them.

The good thing is that some of them are already available from the start.