I am someone who longs for the Pokémon games of old. The 3D outings like Arceus and Scarlet/Violet have been excellent in their own way, but when push comes to shove, there is nothing that can quite sate my hunger for creature taming fun quite like a GBC or GBA Pokémon game.
10 Weak Pokemon With Insane Potential
Ever wanted to use some new Pokemon instead of the usual favourites? These weak Pokemon have insane potential to carry you through the game and beyond
The only issue with those games, however, is that they were made to be super accessible to all gamers, and as a result, they are incredibly easy.
But, if you’re someone like me who is willing to seek out new and devastatingly hard challenges, you’ll likely know that there are a series of excruciatingly trickyROM hacksout there that test your Pokémon mastery to its limits.
But, the question remains, what are the hardest Pokémon ROM hacks out there? Well, allow me to give you my two cents on the matter.
10Pokémon Snakewood
Wait, Pokémon Can Die?!
Download Link
We kick things off with a bit of a wildcard entry, mainly because all the other entries find themselves on this list because of their harder difficulty modes and tailored designs that force you to be a Pokémon tactician.
Whereas Pokémon Snakewood is a game that is difficult for two reasons. The absolutely absurd puzzle design that makes you want to rip your hair out, and the insane difficulty spikes that come out of nowhere, usually in areas where you have very few ways to grind for levels or change tactics.
Every boss feels like a mountain to climb, with insane teams, cheap tactics, and strange Fakemons that need a trial and error approach to feel out in the first place.
It’s not so much a test of skill as it is a test of endurance, but this zombie-fuelled Pokémon ROM hack is still a stern test regardless.
9Pokémon Inclement Emerald
A Gateway Challenge
Buffel Saft
Not all Pokémon ROM Hacks need to be insanely difficult, and having the option to play a game that is tough, but manageable, is a nice way to ease yourself into games such as this. So, I thought I would feature at least one, and my pick is Inclement Emerald.
This is a tougher Emerald experience with more intelligent AI, a challenge mode that stops players from spamming healing items, and level scaling to ensure rival trainers are still a stern test.
But, equally, the difficulty is pretty fair, your EXP share makes building strong teams fairly easy without a need for excessive grinding, and the rival teams aren’t custom made to beat you to a pulp.
It’s the one that I would say is perfect for a blind Nuzlocke run if you really want to test your skills beyond that of a vanilla Pokémon experience. A gateway to harder and more punishing ROMs.
8Pokémon Crystal Kaizo
A Bit Of Gen II Action
SinisterHoodedFigure
I always feel like I’m in the minority when I say this, which is a tough position to be in, but I was never a huge fan of the Gen II Pokémon experience. However, slap the word ‘Kaizo’ on the end, and I’m pretty much game for anything.
Crystal Kaizo offers the same route of progression as the vanilla game, but with a series of changes that make every single route, encounter, and Gym Leader a much harder prospect.
Encounters feel like they happen every few steps, enemy trainers all have Pokémon that have movesets that serve as a puzzle to solve, and grinding levels really feels like a grind, as even these wins are hard-earned.
Its design is a little cheap at times, but whether that’s the case or not, it still ends up being a brutal Pokémon outing, one that even veterans will struggle with.
The creator of Pokémon Crystal Kaizo also created Blue Kaizo, so give that a try, too.
7Pokémon Renegade Platinum
A Sinnoh Showdown
Just as Gen II wasn’t a winner for me, Gen IV was a bit of a drop-off after my visit to Hoenn. However, upon returning to Platinum in this new, devastating ROM hack form, I found a new appreciation for this generation of Poke Pals.
This is probably the first game we have featured thus far that actually leans into competitive Pokémon tactics, as players will need to tap into established tactics, check EVs, know opponent typings, and movesets inside and out. Otherwise, you’re in for a bad time.
However, having your tactics down is no guarantee, as the game has plenty of curveballs and RNG considerations to take into account.
We only rank it this low because you could feasibly wing this one if you’re an adaptable Pokémon trainer that can plan on the fly, and the game has very clear tactics that can cheese the whole game. But, all in all, a solid ROM for anyone seeking a challenge.
6Pokémon Vega
What Happens in Vega…
Pokémon Vega is not just a hard game; it’s also a very intriguing prospect for casual ROM hack fans looking for a unique Pokémon experience. It has unique regions, awesome Fakemons, and so much more. But, to witness all it has to offer, you’ll need to bring your A-game.
You see, Pokémon Vega puts you in a position where you’ll almost always be about 10 levels behind your opponent’s team, and they’ll have competitive movesets with well-rounded coverage. Which means, you either come to each fight with a plan, or you’ll get rinsed in seconds.
However, we do place this one a little further down the list, as the difficulty does feel a little bit unfair at times, with Pokémon on opponents' rosters with moves they can’t possibly learn naturally.
But, if you can deal with some cheap measures to keep you sweating, you’ll surely be able to find the fun in this excellent fan-made epic.
If you’re struggling with Pokémon Vega, you should try the easier ROM offering the same experience, titled Pokemon Vega Minus.
5Pokémon Garbage Green
One Man’s Trashmons…
Spegasparce
A Pokémon Nuzlocke is mainly about building a team of reliable, OP Pokémon that can sweep teams, and stay alive long enough to rip through the Elite Four. However, Garbage Green flips the script and forces the player to invest their time and trust in genuinely terrible Pokémon.
You would never choose these Pokémon for a run, and that is the crux of why Garbage Green is so difficult. As you need to make use of what little you have to come out on top.
It’s the traditional Leaf Green formula with some key changes to streamline the adventure, adding gauntlets at regular intervals that lock you into areas with frequent trainer battles that you will dread each time they present themselves.
It’s a little repetitive, battle variety is sometimes lacking, and you could argue that it’s always the most fun experience. But, it is unique, and it is tough. So, it’s worth checking out at the very least.
4Pokémon Obsidian Emerald
Double Trouble
It’s not often that we get a game that is as unique as it is challenging, but in the case of Obsidian Emerald, we have a game that does both.
Obsidian Emerald is not only a game that offers a much more challenging version of the Gen III experience, including gauntlets similar to that of Garbage Green.
It’s also a game that leans fully into doubles, ensuring that absolutely every encounter within the game is a doubles battle.
Rival trainer AI is geared toward intelligent doubles tactics, movesets, and Pokémon duos, and only those that know how to ace these specific Pokémon battles will stand a chance.
I can’t say I’m a huge doubles fan myself, but I know plenty that are, and if you’re one such trainer, this ROM hack is a must-play.
3Pokémon Radical Red
Red With Rage
We are officially into the big leagues now, featuring one of the first ROM hacks that made me rage quit,Radical Red.
I eventually struggled through and finished this one, but my goodness, it was one of the most brutal experiences, and one that tested my resolve to the fullest.
Every trainer is tough, with Pokémon roided out beyond belief, with powerful movesets, and annoying abilities and types that ensure good coverage.
It takes planning, grinding, and a bit of luck just to stand a chance, and even then, the RNG might still get you.
The only reason we don’t place this one higher is that the teams aren’t all that well crafted, and with good planning, you can breeze through large sections of the game. But, unless you’re a veteran trainer, this one is sure to make you sweat.
2Pokémon Run & Bun
Cute Name, Brutal Experience
It was a toss-up as to which of the top two we went with to be our winner, and, sadly for Run & Bun, I’ve decided it just falls slightly short of the mark.
The game offers an excellent blend of tactical, methodical Pokémon strategy and moments of pure luck and RNG, making it ideal for Nuzlockes.
Not to mention, the game isn’t an all-out Kaizo that forces you to calculate every metric, have a PokePaste open at all times.
However, the game leans into gimmicks a little too much, to the point that some sections feel that there is only one proper means of success, which can make portions of the game a little dull.
Plus, the luck-based aspect does make getting runs off the ground rather irritating. Nonetheless, it’s easily one of the toughest ROM hacks out there, and it’s a must-play for Pokemon fanatics who need a new obstacle to overcome.
1Pokémon Emerald Kaizo
The OG Challenge Run
When it comes to tough-as-nails ROM hacks, sometimes you can’t beat a classic, and that’s exactly what Emerald Kaizo is.
Many regard it as the most optimized, well-designed, harsh but fair Pokémon ROM hack in existence, and I would be inclined to agree with that.
It forces you to plan and grind (a little) and doesn’t reward you with progressively easier gameplay as you progress. The game arguably gets steadily harder no matter how good your team is.
In my humble opinion, it’s the purest, non-cheese ROM hack out there, yet it still provides a true test of your trainer abilities.
The game never lets you feel comfortable, forces you to use every little thing you have at your disposal to progress, and every failure feels like it was your fault rather than some cheap tactic.
It’s the best hard ROM hack out there, and I’ll die on this hill.
10 Metroidvanias With Satisfying Platforming
For if you love taking a step back from combat to do something fun, for once.
