It’s always fun to become the greatest Trainer of all time in every Pokemon game we play, but the experience becomes even better when there’s more to do, such as completing side quests.
In Pokemon ROM hacks, side quests can make the adventure more enjoyable and interactive, giving you more reasons to explore the world beyond simply winning battles. However, not all hacks today feature a separate quest system, so this post will provide you with a list of those who have it.
The best Pokemon ROM hacks with side quests right now include popular titles like Pokemon Unbound, Pokemon Odyssey, and Pokemon Emerald Enhanced. These unofficial Pokemon games offer extensive post-game content and plenty of quests that can keep you hooked for hours.
Read on to see the other ROM hacks that made our list! Keep in mind that every entry is based on our PokeCoders team’s firsthand experience playing these hacks. We selected titles that feature meaningful side quests and ranked them based on how much they added to our overall experience.
Editor’s Note (September 2026): Added more entries that received positive reactions from the community in 2026,. We also reviewed this article to make it more aligned with our editorial standards.
Top 10 ROM Hacks With Side Quests
| Hack | Quest Count | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Pokemon Emerald Horizons | 50 | Complete |
| Pokemon Clover | unspecified | Complete |
| Pokemon Eclipse | unspecified | Incomplete (Only contains four gyms) |
| Pokemon Sweet 2th | unspecified | Complete |
| Pokemon Sors | unspecified | Complete (With a sequel currently in development) |
| Pokemon Dark Cry: Legend of Giratina | 50+ | Incomplete |
| Pokemon Elysium | unspecified | Complete |
| Pokemon Emerald Enhanced | unspecified | Complete |
| Pokemon Odyssey | 38 | Complete |
| Pokemon Unbound | 84 | Complete |
10. Pokemon Emerald Horizons
Pokemon Emerald Horizons is a great choice for those who want to try the vanilla Hoenn adventure plus 50 side quests that you can complete in addition to the Pokedex and story.
The creator even added an original Team Rocket storyline, so be sure to check that out as well if you want to try this hack.
After beating the League, you can also try more things like the Boss Rush Mode if you want a short break from doing all the side quests.
Notable Features
- Level caps
- Contains Gen 1-8 Pokemon
- Opponents’ Pokemon team scale to your current level
- Badge-based Poke Marts
- Black and White repel system
9. Pokemon Elysium
A FireRed-based hack, Pokemon Elysium follows the story of a young girl who dreams of becoming a Pokemon Champion. To pursue her goal, she travels to Elysium Island, where a mysterious dark presence awaits her arrival.
This hack can take a while to complete, especially if you want to fully immerse yourself in its story and lore while completing all the available side quests.
The side quests are enjoyable to complete and easy to keep track of thanks to the hack’s simple, built-in Quest Log feature.
Notable Features
- Story-related Fakemon
- Multiple regions to explore
- The side quests reward you with rare Pokemon and items
- Black and White repel system
8. Pokemon Eclipse
Eclipse has an original story taking place in the Soala Region. It’s the usual stuff where you leave your home in Lapis Village to follow your dream to be a Master Trainer.
At the same time, there’s a mysterious phenomenon going around where Pokemon are becoming more violent, and some are acting strangely.
Then, you have to deal with the usual villains running amok. There are a few of the game’s side quests at the start, but they open up and become more available after you beat the main story first.
Notable Features
- Over 700 Pokemon
- Enter the Dream World
- Mechanics have been updated to Gen 6
- Fairy-type included
- New TMs added
7. Pokemon Sweet 2th
Pokemon Sweet 2th is an interesting one since it turns your Pokemon into delectable sweets from pastries, desserts, breakfast items, and more. The story is original, taking place in a world where it seems that the sweetness factor has overtaken it.
The interesting thing is that depending on your chosen starter, you can have a different path. That’s because a starter has an HM ability at the start.
Squirtle can Surf, so for now, you can only go the path where you can Surf. You cannot go the path where it requires a Cut because that’s where Bulbasaur’s route goes, and the route for Strength is Charmander’s.
The side quests will reward you with items and other things. Doing the side quests can help, but you don’t need to if you don’t want to. Plus, depending on the Starter as well, you can only do certain side quests until such a time.
Notable Features
- Over 300 Pokemon with the sweet look
- Mega Evolution for some Pokemon
- Crafting and Cooking available
- Fast travel system
- Customize your music
6. Pokemon Sors
In the world of Pokemon Sors, a mysterious eclipse once engulfed the Hupest region, causing Pokemon to undergo strange mutations that changed their colors, types, and even behavior.
Three hundred years later, an organization attempts to recreate the effects of the eclipse on modern Pokemon. As the protagonist, you’ll have to adapt to these changes while encountering Pokemon with unique Solar and Lunar forms.
Apart from competing in the Eclipse Tournament, you can also take on numerous side quests throughout your journey. These optional missions are organized through the hack’s built-in Quest Log, making it easier to keep track of the tasks you’ve accepted.
Notable Features
- Eclipsing battle mechanic
- Custom soundtrack
- Day/night cycle
- 758 Pokemon + 48 Eclipse forms
- Soaring feature (allows you to move through the region)
5. Pokemon Dark Cry: Legend of Giratina
We’re halfway through our list of the best Pokemon ROM hacks with side quests, and coming at number 5 is Pokemon Dark Cry: Legend of Giratina. The story begins with you dreaming that you’re in the cave.
You eventually make your way to the cave, and your Pokemon adventure begins, which is your standard stuff in any Pokemon game.
The game allows you to get side quests at a very early point. They’re optional, of course, and they are called Missions. Doing these missions will reward you, some of which are very tricky to complete.
Be sure to talk to other characters because you never know who will give you a side quest or Mission.
Notable Features
- Altered graphics and sprites
- Day and Night cycle
- Two Rivals
- Fakemon available
- Harder difficulty
4. Pokemon Clover
From its funny dialogues to an “interesting” set of Fakemon, Pokemon Clover offers more than just a hack with a lot of fan-made features.
While you are set to explore two new regions, your goal is not just all about dealing with other trainers, but also complete various side quests scattered all around the map!
Pokemon Clover is designed as a parody hack to the entire Pokemon franchise, so expect a lot of laughs and other funny things to encounter playing it.
Notable Features
- Contains 386 unique Fakemons
- More strategic AI-powered Pokemon trainers
- Custom Pokeballs
- Wonder trading
- New custom soundtrack
3. Pokemon Emerald Enhanced
Pokemon Emerald Enhanced is pretty much Pokemon Emerald, but as the name suggests, it’s enhanced. It has the same story as Emerald, with many new additions and improvements.
You can choose from three difficulty settings from the start: Easy, Normal, Nuzlocke, and Frontier. There’s even a Hardcore mode if you want to get tortured a lot.
The side quests are interesting because you can do multiple of them. They’re like quest chains that you have to complete one to unlock the next or other quests.
You can do all of these quests while maintaining the story of Emerald, so you’re enjoying the game again but with some different elements added.
Notable Features
- Choose from 7 Starters
- Over 600 Pokemon
- Achievements and Achievements Powers
- Multiple Difficulty settings
- DexNav available
2. Pokemon Odyssey
Pokemon Odyssey takes a different approach by focusing heavily on exploring a massive labyrinth rather than having players travel through a traditional region, challenge Gym Leaders, and battle evil organizations.
It features a dedicated side quest system alongside activities such as mining, gathering, naval exploration, shop upgrades, and encounters with FOEs, giving you plenty of things to discover outside the main progression.
The latest complete version, v4.1.1, makes this one of the more substantial choices on this list if you want a Pokemon adventure packed with optional content.
Notable Features
- All battles require two Pokemon
- Etrian forms
- EV and IV screen
- No healing items during battle
- Multiple difficulty levels
1. Pokemon Unbound
The number one game on our best Pokemon ROM hacks with side quests is Pokemon Unbound. This hack is one of the best hacks out there and not just for the side quests but a lot of the content itself.
Unbound has a lucrative story as vast as you might think. These side quests come in because they can be very beneficial.
In fact, one of the side quests will allow you to unlock Mega Evolution, which is a bit later in the game. If you don’t do the quest, you can’t Mega Evolve even if you use cheats to get the items for Mega Evolution.
They are also organized in your Journal for you to browse which quests you want to do or are already completed.
Notable Features
- Roster goes up to Gen 8, although not all are available
- Mega Evolution
- Several difficulty settings
- Altered graphics and sprites
- Daily events
ROM Hacks With Side Quests FAQs
What are the best Pokemon ROM hacks with side quests?
Pokemon Unbound, Pokemon Odyssey, Pokemon Elysium, Pokemon Sors, and Pokemon Emerald Horizons are among the best options if you want ROM hacks with plenty of optional quests and extra content.
Which Pokemon ROM hack has the most side quests?
Pokemon Unbound stands out for its large number of missions and optional activities, giving players plenty to do beyond the main story.
Are side quests important in Pokemon ROM hacks?
Side quests are usually optional, but they can reward you with useful items, Pokemon, money, or access to additional story content depending on the hack.
Do Pokemon ROM hacks have post-game side quests?
Yes, many modern ROM hacks include post-game missions and optional content that become available after completing major parts of the main story.
Other Related Topics
- 15 Best Pokemon ROM Hacks with Fairy-type
- 10 Best Pokemon DS ROM Hacks
- 10 Best Pokemon ROM Hacks with DS
- 15 Best Pokemon ROM Hacks with Physical and Special Split
In Closing
These are just the best Pokemon ROM hacks with side quests that you can play. Utilize the other features given to you to complete these quests and have fun with the game. Just to be clear, some of these quests aren’t really necessary, but they add a layer of fun.
There might be other hacks out there that have side quests that we may have missed. For now, these hacks will do the job, and if you want to find out more, you can play the games and uncover quests that you might have missed or others have.
