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The 10 Best Pokémon GBA ROM Hacks

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The Best Pokemon GBA Rom Hacks

This is the complete collection of GameShark codes for Pokémon GBA ROM hacks.

The Game Boy Advance hosted some of the best Pokémon games ever to be released, and many fans have nostalgic memories of playing on these retro handhelds.

However, thanks to ROM hacks, you can relive some of your favorite classics in a new and exciting way.

Many of these games feature improvements to gameplay and, in some cases, a brand new story and area to explore.

We’ve rounded up the best Pokémon GBA ROM hacks available for download so you can jump in and play them yourself.

 

The 10 Best Pokémon GBA ROM Hacks

All of the Pokémon ROM hacks on our list have been gathered from reputable online sources and tested to ensure they’re the best.

This way, you can be sure that any of these you play will give you a great experience!

Here’s our list of the 10 best Pokémon GBA ROM Hacks:

 

10. Pokémon Liquid Crystal

Best Pokemon GBA Rom Hacks - Pokemon Liquid Crystal

Kicking off our list, we have Pokémon Liquid Crystal, which feels like a trip down memory lane!

This ROM hack uses FireRed as its base, and it is a complete remake of the classic Pokémon Crystal.

While it has the same story as Crystal, making it very familiar to fans, it also boasts a load of new features that make it incredibly fun to play through.

All of the graphics have been updated, battles have been revamped, new places have been added to explore, and a real weather system has been added.

In Liquid Crystal, the battle mechanics have also been overhauled, allowing you to earn EXP like in Pokémon Black and White.

Furthermore, while you can revisit the Kanto and Johto regions, you can also experience a whole new story in the new Orange Islands region.

You can also use the best Pokémon Liquid Crystal cheats to shake up things even more!

 

9. Pokémon Glazed

Best Pokemon GBA Rom Hacks - Pokemon Glazed

Pokémon Glazed is a ROM hack of Pokémon Emerald, and it features a really fascinating story that keeps you engaged until the very end.

Set in the Rankor, Tunod, and Johto regions, Glazed tasks you with discovering why the Pokémon world and the real world are on a collision course.

This game also features many new features, including new out-of-battle effects, trainer rematches, legendary Pokémon from all the regions, and new fairy-type Pokémon.

There are also five starter Pokémon to choose from instead of three, though you can catch them all.

Glazed gives you the ability to build a seriously powerful team filled with legendary Pokémon that can dish out some serious moves in every battle.

Additionally, since you can have rematches with trainers and gym leaders, you have a chance to earn a lot of EXP.

You can also use some of the best Pokémon Glazed cheats to customize your gaming experience further.

Not only is this game incredibly fun to play, but it stands out as one of the most unique and creative ROM hacks you can download.

 

8. Pokémon Ultra Shiny Gold Sigma

Best Pokemon GBA Rom Hacks - Pokemon Ultra Shiny Gold Sigma

A ROM hack of Pokémon FireRed, Ultra Shiny Gold Sigma offers fans a new take on Silver, Gold, and Crystal.

This game features over 800 Pokémon to catch, support for mega evolutions, and changes to certain moves and abilities.

A dynamic time system based on the system’s clock has also been added, as well as a weather system with seven distinct weather times.

All the graphics have been improved to make the game appear more modern, and the sounds have also been remastered so they sound crisp and clear.

Ultra Shiny Gold Sigma has been jammed packed with new features and updates that make it look and feel amazing to play.

It definitely can even rival Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, which currently sports terrible review scores due to the lackluster graphics and numerous glitches.

Sometimes you really can’t beat the classics, and Ultra Shiny Gold Sigma is the type of quality revamped classic that Pokémon fans deserve!

 

7. Pokémon Emerald Rogue

Best Pokemon GBA Rom Hacks - Pokemon Emerald Rogue

Pokémon Emerald Rogue is unlike any other ROM hack, and it is incredibly addicting to play.

In this game, all routes, items, and encounters are procedurally generated based on your progress, so you can never quite predict what’s going to happen next.

The further you get into the game, the more difficult the trainers’ and gym leaders’ setups will become, forcing you to stay on your toes at all times.

Once you complete a run by defeating the champion, you will go back to a central hub area where you can catch new starter Pokémon and buy items to help you on your next playthrough.

When you progress further into a run, you will unlock new NPCs and buildings in the hub area that you can then use and interact with before your next go-through.

Each run can take between three to four hours, but you can quicksave at any time and return when you want.

If you’re looking for a new take on a classic franchise, Pokémon Emerald Rogue is a game we highly recommend checking out!

 

6. Pokémon Gaia

Best Pokemon GBA Rom Hacks - Pokemon Gaia

Pokémon Gaia takes players to the Orbtus region, which once held a thriving civilization, now ruined by a series of devastating earthquakes.

The world itself is decorated with loads of ruins, relics, and ancient idols that you can explore and unearth to discover more about this lost culture and how to prevent future destruction.

While the story and setting are definitely engaging, there are also loads of new features that make it stand out even more from a classic Pokémon game.

Gaia allows you to dive underwater, climb walls, and use an in-battle mega-evolution system.

There are also Pokémon you can catch from the Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, Kalos, and Kanto regions.

Fairy-type Pokémon have also been added, as have many secret temples that provide unique move sets when you explore them.

Oh, and there are even original songs that were created just for this ROM hack!

You can also use the best Pokémon Gaia cheats to make the game easier or even more interesting if you want.

Pokémon Gaia definitely is one of the most inventive ROM hacks you can download, and it has a load of replayability.

 

5. Pokémon Dark Rising

Best Pokemon GBA Rom Hacks - Pokemon Dark Rising

Dark Rising is one of the best Pokémon fan games ever made, and it kicks off when a Pokémon comes to you in a dream and asks for your help saving the world.

Although the story itself isn’t very large, there is still a lot to do, including catching the 386 Pokémon that inhabit the Unova and Kanto regions.

There are also eight gym leaders to defeat, each with their own signature Pokémon to give you a really unique challenge every time.

While the story is new, you still need to work your way through the ranks to become the best trainer by battling others and solving puzzles.

It is both familiar and refreshingly new, and the modern features really help give it a new twist.

Pokémon Dark Rising is the perfect game to play if you love the classic Pokémon gameplay but also enjoy the modern additions of newer games.

Plus, it isn’t terribly long, and the story is worth experiencing for yourself, as it really keeps you on your toes until the end.

 

4. Pokémon Light Platinum

Best Pokemon GBA Rom Hacks - Pokemon Light Platinum

Pokémon Light Platinum is a fantastic reimagining of the classic Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire games, and it boasts tons of new features and updated graphics.

This game features two new regions, new gym leaders, new rivals, and Pokémon from the Sinnoh, Hoenn, Kanto, and Johto regions.

You can even catch all of the Pokémon legendaries to make your team exceptionally strong.

Additionally, there are new events, new tiles, and new sprites spread out across the world that you can discover.

There are even the best Pokémon Light Platinum cheats you can use to give yourself an edge or shake up the game even more.

The graphics are also exceptionally crisp and vibrant, which helps every Pokémon stand out.

Oh, and you can also travel between dimensions, which is something never seen before in a Pokémon game like this!

Light Platinum is a very unique game, and once you start playing, it is really hard to stop!

 

3. Pokémon Mega Power

Best Pokemon GBA Rom Hacks - Pokemon Mega Power

This game is like the mega-evolved version of Pokémon Emerald; nearly everything in it has been updated and improved.

In this game, a genius scientist dreams of making the strongest Pokémon, and they receive funding from a shady businessman who wants them to share their achievements with him.

Unfortunately, nothing is as straightforward as it seems, and players will have to work to unravel the mysterious plot that will lead to some very dark corners.

Some of the most notable changes to this game include battle scene enhancements, new music, new game design, and new combat features.

While Pokémon Emerald serves as a solid foundation, Mega Power kicks everything up a notch to become its own unforgettable game.

Just remember to be on the lookout for Team Delta because they will definitely give you a run for your money!

 

2. Pokémon Radical Red

Best Pokemon GBA Rom Hacks - Pokemon Radical Red

Radical Red is one of the most well-known Pokémon ROM hacks, and for good reason.

While it mainly serves as a difficulty hack, it also boasts loads of features that have helped make it incredibly popular.

In this game, you can catch all Pokémon up to Gen VIII and unlock moves and abilities from up to the same generation.

There are also raid battles, mega evolutions, expanded TMs, and special hidden abilities that you can unlock.

Although the difficulty has been scaled up, there are many quality-of-life improvements to help you deal with it.

Some of the most notable include a Pokémon nature changer in every Pokémon center, a reduced potion cost, and toggleable EXP share.

If you ever end up stuck, you can use the best Pokémon Radical Red cheats to get out of tough situations or give your Pokémon an edge.

Pokémon Radical Red may not boast a wholly original story, but the improvements and changes to the gameplay make it one of the best ROM hacks to play.

 

1. Pokémon Unbound

Best Pokemon GBA Rom Hacks - Pokemon Unbound

Taking first place is one of the best Pokémon ROM Hacks of all time, Pokémon Unbound.

While this is another hack that uses FireRed as its base, it flips the script by having a completely original story.

This game takes players to the region of Borrius, where, long ago, the people waged war against a foreign land that ended in defeat.

Shortly after, the people rebelled and used a dark force to try and usurp the King of Borrius but were thwarted when he sealed it away.

Now an organization called the Shadows wants to unleash this dark power, and it is up to players and their Pokémon to stop it!

Not only is the story absolutely captivating, but Unbound also boasts many features that make it the best Pokémon GBA ROM hack you can play.

There are tons of daily events dotted across the map, numerous mini-games, four different difficulty modes, a new HM system, over 80 unique story missions to complete, and an extensive post-game.

Players can also customize their characters with over 300 different combinations of skin tones, hair colors, and outfits.

Furthermore, there are even 180 original songs to enjoy while playing Pokémon Unbound, which really helps bring the game to life!

Unbound really has something for everyone to enjoy, and we definitely recommend experiencing it for yourself.

 

Summary

There are many great Pokémon GBA ROM hacks that you can download right now, but only a few that really go above and beyond.

These ten ROM hacks stand out from the rest as being the most well-designed, engaging, and creative games created for GBA emulators.

If you haven’t yet played any of these titles, you are really missing out on some great Pokémon content, so stop putting it off and start gaming!

What do you think of the best Pokémon GBA ROM Hacks? Leave a comment below.

Shawna Schofield is a professional freelance writer and part-time YouTuber. When not writing or recording she spends her time playing Fallout, Elder Scrolls, and Dragon Age.

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