Do you like Pokemon ROM hacks with new storylines? The main Pokemon games’ stories are good but there aren’t enough of them coming out.
This is why ROM hacks are good sources of original Pokemon storylines, even if some of them are weird.
We’re putting up a list of 10 of the best Pokemon ROM hacks with new and very interesting stories.
Just remember, these games are not officially made by Nintendo. So, don’t let any storylines affect your perception of other main games.
Other Related Topics
- 10 Best Pokemon Emerald ROM Hacks
- 10 Best Pokemon FireRed ROM Hacks
- 20 Best Pokemon GBA ROM Hacks
- 20 Best Completed Pokemon ROM Hacks
10. Pokemon Gold and Silver 97: Reforged
Base ROM: Crystal
Difficulty: Challenging
Story:
Gold and Silver 97: Reforged is an unofficial follow-up to Pokemon Red and Blue. The story was supposed to be the continuation of the Gen 1 games, but was all scrapped.
This game takes place in the Nihon region where your trainer character is off on their own quest to be a Pokemon master. This game is also the first GBC hack where you could play as a female trainer until Crystal came along.
Features:
- Use Beta (Sample/Unused) Pokemon who were supposed to be in Gen 2
- Play as a Female trainer as well
- More Pokemon trainers have been added
- Space World Maps are included (from the 97 Demo Version of Gen 2)
9. Pokemon Exceeded Emerald
Base ROM: Emerald
Difficulty: Medium
Story:
In this hack, the characters from FireRed and LeafGreen (Red and Leaf) start their journey in the Hoenn region.
Since this is an alternate storytelling, there is no one to stop Team Rocket in the Kanto region.
Some time through the story, the characters have to take on Team Rocket and Giovanni as they are trying to take over Hoenn.
Features:
- Pokemon roster goes up to Gen 8 (not all are available)
- Added side quests to do
- Day and Night cycle
- Mega Evolution
- Over 150 Moves and Abilities
8. Pokemon Prism
Base ROM: Crystal
Difficulty: Normal
Story:
The game takes place in the Naljo region and begins very differently from the other games.
Your character is out in a forest until you get separated from your guardian. Now, you have to make your way through a cave and meet a Larvitar as your starter Pokemon.
From here on in, instead of just immediately going home, you set out on your Pokemon journey exploring not only the Nalji region but more along the way.
Features:
- Multiple customization choices for your character
- Catch all 251 Pokemon in the game
- Explore up to 6 regions
- Control your Pokemon in some parts
7. Pokemon Odyssey
Base ROM: FireRed
Difficulty: Customizable
Story:
The game takes place in the Talrega region or in this case, Talrega Island.
There is a place called the Yggdrasil Labyrinth where brave trainers venture into. They say there’s treasure and glory to be made when you venture into the Labyrinth.
This is also where the game’s protagonist Nyx comes in as he too dreams of conquering the Labyrinth for fame and everything that comes with it.
Features:
- Choose from any of the available difficulty
- Pokemon roster goes up to Gen 3
- Only Double Battles all the time (even if you have just 1 Pokemon)
- Can’t use Healing Items during battle
- Increased Shiny encounter rate
6. Pokemon Clover
Base ROM: FireRed
Difficulty: Challenging
Story:
This hack originally started as just another FireRed hack using the same story.
Clover has evolved into something with an original story with the same elements such as becoming a great trainer.
Taking place in the Fochun region and later on in the Ebin Isles, you can catch a lot of different Fakemon available.
Features:
- 386 original Fakemon to catch
- A bit hard in terms of difficulty spikes
- Black 2 and White 2 Repel system
- TMs can be reused
- HMs can be deleted
5. Dragon Ball Z Team Training
Base ROM: FireRed
Difficulty: Easy
Story:
If you like Dragon Ball, then this hack is for you. This hack utilizes part of FireRed’s story, but you’ll notice some differences along the way.
You’ll also know and find out some references to the Dragon Ball series.
Aside from using the characters as your Pokemon, you can pretty much unfold the story as you go along.
Features:
- 200 Dragon Ball characters to use (Fakemon)
- Original and Unique typing
- Around 170 Moves
- Item names have been changed
4. Yu-Gi-Oh PokeDuel
Base ROM: FireRed
Difficulty: Customizable
Story:
Another hack that utilizes elements of FireRed’s story and adds their own charm. This hack’s story follows the events of FireRed but this uses Yu-Gi-Oh cards as the Pokemon.
Travel through the Kanto region using your Battle Cards to be the best trainer or duelist that you can be.
Features:
- 357 Yu-Gi-Oh Cards (Fakemon)
- Mechanics like Abilities, Moves, and DexNav updated to Gen 9
- Multiple Difficulty Settings
- Fairy-type included
- New Locations added
3. Pokemon Super Gold 97
Base ROM: Gold
Difficulty: Normal
Story:
The story of Super Gold 97 is based on the Gen 2 demo games released in the game expos back in 1997.
While this isn’t a 100% imitation, elements of it were based on and inspired by the demo.
The trainer travels through the Nihon region to be a great Pokemon master. The rival is also a more exciting enemy compared to Gen 2 game’s rival Silver.
Features:
- 251 Pokemon to catch
- New items have been added
- Typings have been updated
- Decorate your own bedroom
2. Pokemon Crown
Base ROM: FireRed
Difficulty: Challenging
Story:
Pokemon Crown takes you back to the past with the story taking place in the region of Guelder.
Set in the medieval period, Guelder is recovering from a war. In order to entertain and take away the grief from war, the king forms the Crown League.
Trainers from all parts of the world take place in this competition for glory and fame. On the side, there’s a prophecy that is waiting to unfold.
Features:
- Different combat from traditional Pokemon games
- A different catching system as well
- Day and Night cycle
- Pokemon roster from different Generations (not all)
- Side quests
1. Pokemon Unbound
Base ROM: FireRed
Difficulty: Customizable
Story:
The story begins in a flashback sequence where the Borrian King has to fight back against an ancient evil.
Unfortunately, the King’s forces lost but were able to seal this evil. Years later, a group called the Shadows is trying to unseal this ancient evil so that chaos will come back.
Enter the player character who had initial contact with the Shadows. Life goes on, but as the character’s journey continues, the mysteries of the Borrian region will be uncovered.
Features:
- Different difficulty settings to choose from
- Customize your character to certain degrees
- Pokemon from different Generations
- Mega Evolution
- Questing Progression System
In Closing
That concludes our look into the 10 best Pokemon ROM hacks with new storylines. We got a list of GBC and GBA games for you to choose from.
A good mixture of new, original, and some familiar story elements depending on the base ROMs they use.
If there’s a hack here that you feel deserves a mention, feel free to hit the comments.
There are hundreds of ROM hacks out there and there should be a couple of them we missed that you might have enjoyed.
