With a bunch of Pokemon FireRed ROM hacks out there, it’s not easy to tell which ones are worth your time.
But don’t worry, you just found the right article for you!
Here is a definitive list of the 10 best Pokemon FireRed ROM hacks you can play this year.
Just remember that the links provided below are not pre-patched files, which means they won’t be able to run on your GBA emulator right away.
Patch them with your own FireRed ROM, pick an appropriate GBA emulator, and you’re good to go.
Editors’ Note (February 5, 2024): Despite being a classic game, fans still can’t enough of the Pokemon FireRed craze with the release of more ROM hacks in 2024.
Other Related Topics
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- Pokemon Rom Hacks Compilation (GB/GBC, GBA, and NDS)
- Top 10 Pokemon ROM Hacks with a New Story
- 20 Best Completed Pokemon ROM Hacks
- How To Patch A BPS ROM Hack File
Table of Contents
Best Pokemon FireRed ROM Hacks
The following FireRed ROM hacks are the most played and well-received hacks:
10. Pokemon Adventure Red Chapter
Starting off this list of the best Pokemon FireRed ROM hacks is Pokemon Adventure Red Chapter. This hack was based on the manga of the same title Pokemon Adventure Red Chapter.
This hack somewhat follows the manga but not entirely, because it’s very hard to create a perfect video game adaptation.
Different characters will appear from the manga. Players can get Pokemon based on the main character Red’s Pokemon roster
Notable Features:
- Physical and Special Split
- TMs are reusable
- Two Rivals
9. Pokemon Gaia
Pokemon Gaia is considered one of the best ROM hacks ever made, not among the FireRed ROM hacks.
While it scored higher in previous lists, Gaia has been around for almost 10 years now. It’s only natural that some hacks would overtake it because some of them are new and some of them have updates.
Gaia is a complete hack and is one of those that have been played in speed-running events.
Notable Features:
- Pokemon roster goes up to Gen 6
- Higher difficulty level for Pokemon battles
- Mega Evolution
8. Pokemon AshGray
This version is obviously for FireRed because there’s another Pokemon Ash Gray that is a fan-made game.
If Adventure Red Chapter was based on the manga, AshGray follows the story of the anime series. We’re talking about season 1 of the Pokemon anime which is also called the Indigo League.
You play as Ash Ketchum and the story follows the anime’s story to a certain degree. Players can get the Pokemon that Ash will get throughout his journey.
His starter is Pikachu and later on gets the Gen 1 starters and more. Embark on this adventure with Ash and a lot of the features available.
Notable Features:
- New tiles, sprites, and maps
- HMs are replaced with tools
- Follow the anime’s story
7. Pokemon The Last Fire Red
Last Fire Red is pretty much Pokemon FireRed with a whole lot of changes and improvements.
The story is still the same but you’ll notice that the game has improved graphics. It actually looks like the Pokemon Black and White games from the Nintendo DS.
Aside from upgraded graphics, there are also additional features in the hack. The roster itself goes up to Gen 7 with updated types, stats, moves, and more.
Notable Features:
- Mega Evolution
- Dynamax in battle
- Enemy Pokemon trainer levels scale with you
6. Pokemon FireRed Rocket Edition
You’ve always played as a character who is the hero of the story. In FireRed Rocket Edition, you play as a Team Rocket Grunt.
That’s right, you’re the bad guy but not entirely. The game has a morality system where you can do good or bad, however you want.
While your goal isn’t to be the best Trainer around, you’re still going to catch some Pokemon. If catching isn’t your thing, you can steal Pokemon from the enemy Trainer that you beat.
Follow the story of the original Fire Red but from the perspective of the Grunt.
Notable Features:
- Get all 151 Gen 1 Pokemon
- Use FLY at the start of the game
- Fairy-types included
5. Pokemon SORS
We’re halfway through our list of the 10 best Pokemon FireRed ROM hacks. We have Pokemon SORS which doesn’t seem to stand for anything.
It also has a sequel but this one is better or rather the sequel doesn’t seem to be finished yet. Pokemon SORS has an original story and involves something called the Eclipse.
n fact, the hack has the unique Eclipse-type Pokemon where it has its own set of strengths and weaknesses. The graphics look like the NDS games such as HeartGold and SoulSilver.
Notable Features:
- Pokemon roster goes up to Gen 7
- Eclipse-types
- Soaring (Fly Over Terrains)
4. Pokemon Dark Rising
This hack is the start of a series of hacks bearing the Dark Rising name. There are many sequels but we’ll be discussing the first and original one, and it has been updated.
Pokemon Dark Rising has its original story taking place in the Core Region. It does follow the usual Pokemon experience such as fighting Gym Leaders, getting badges, and catching a ton of Pokemon.
The Pokemon roster stretches up to Gen 5 but not all are available to catch.
Notable Features:
- 386 Pokemon to catch
- Later-generation moves have been added
- EVs have been removed
3. Pokemon Liquid Crystal
If you’re looking for an unofficial remake of the Gen 2 games, then Pokemon Liquid Crystal is the one for you.
It’s a nice take on the original game releases for Gen 2, although it follows the plot of Crystal much closer.
The updated graphics and being able to play as Kris is such a treat. It has a lot of the original concepts of the Gen 2 games such as crafting Poke Balls from acorns, day and night cycle, and so much more.
The only other game we can recommend such as this is Ultra Shiny Gold Sigma.
Notable Features:
- Explore Johto, Kanto, and even the Orange Islands
- Day and Night cycle
- Weather System
2. Pokemon Radical Red
What started as a ROM hack meant to be a challenge, Radical Red has changed over the years.
Nowadays, it is a ROM hack worthy of your time. For starters, it does have the same story as the base game of FireRed.
It’s the features that make it different and a whole lot better. From, the beginning, you can choose the variables of your game.
Do you want to make it easy? Do you want to make it random? Are EV and IV stats available?
There are so many choices that we haven’t even tackled the quality of life improvements yet.
The hack has Mega Evolutions, Raid Battles, Dynamax, Z-Moves, and rich post-game content.
Notable Features:
- Choose the settings you want your game to be at the start
- Raid Battles
- Updated graphics
1. Pokemon Unbound
The number one game on our 10 best Pokemon FireRed ROM hacks list is Pokemon Unbound.
There’s a reason why this FireRed hack is or has been number one in a lot of lists because it is that good.
The story elements are good and it will also allow you to customize how you want to play it at the start.
Character customization is also an option and more. It has updated sprites and graphics, special quest progression, and mini-games.
It has Pokemon spanning from numerous Generations. It also has Mega Evolution and Special Forms for other specific Pokemon.
You won’t get bored with so much content in this game.
Notable Features:
- Daily events and special events
- Mini-games
- Mega Evolution
In Closing
That concludes our list of the 10 best Pokemon FireRed ROM hacks. These are just those hacks that utilize FireRed as its base.
We’ll have a different list of hacks based on Pokemon Emerald. Do you agree with our list? Do you have hacks that you like that aren’t here?
The experience is always different since different ROM hacks provide different content. We didn’t include the ones that are so weird or out of place.
These hacks are good if you want to experience a good hack with a lot of content and maybe have hints of FireRed or some of the other official games.
