15 Best Pokemon Fan Games in 2023

Many people who love Pokemon are also interested in becoming game designers themselves. Pokemon provides not only a game franchise but also a creative outlet for its fans. This is evident in the vast array of Pokemon fan-made games that can be found online. While some of these games may be more popular than others, the truly exceptional ones are like precious gems waiting to be discovered.

Pokemon games can get a bit dull at times. But if you’re on the hunt for something fresh and exciting, there are some awesome Pokemon fan games out there that can give you a whole new perspective on the franchise. These games are definitely worth checking out if you’re looking to shake things up a bit in 2023!

Pokemon Ash Gray

Pokemon Ash Gray is a really cool rom hack that’s based on the Pokemon FireRed game. Like a lot of other Pokemon rom hacks out there, it puts a new spin on the original game. In this one, you get to play as Ash Ketchum and experience the events of the Pokemon anime, rather than the ones from the original games.

Out of all the Pokemon fan games featuring Ash, Ash Gray is often considered to be the best one. The developers clearly put a lot of time and effort into making it, and it shows. For example, they replaced HMs with items like rafts and hatchets, which is a neat idea. They also redesigned many of the sprites and tiles, so the game looks better than ever before. All in all, it’s a really fun game that Pokemon fans are sure to enjoy!

Pokemon Creepy Black

So have you heard of Pokemon Creepy Black? It all started as a Creepypasta about a player who had a seriously spooky experience with a haunted gen 1 Pokemon game. But since then, lots of fans have made their own versions of the game. And the best one by far is the one based on Pokemon FireRed!

What’s so great about it? Well, the creator did an amazing job of bringing all the creepy elements from the original Creepypasta into the game. And they did it with both the visuals and the dialogue, which creates a really eerie atmosphere. This makes it stand out from other fan-made Pokemon games out there, and it’s definitely worth playing if you’re into that sort of thing.

Pokemon Godra: Remastered Version

In Pokemon Godra, you get to choose from a bunch of Pokemon spanning six generations of games. It’s pretty cool because you have a lot of freedom to do what you want – like get a job or start from different places. The game even asks you some questions to figure out which Pokemon you should start with.

They remastered the game in mid-2020, which updated the graphics to look more like Gen 4. Plus, they added some quality-of-life updates to make things smoother. Depending on where you start your journey – either East or West Godra – you’ll get to visit different places and make different choices. That means your adventure will be totally unique to you!

Pokemon Emerald Kaizo

Many of the games mentioned in this list are completely original, but some fan-game developers took a different approach and simply made the official games more challenging. If you’re interested in that type of game, then Pokemon Emerald Kaizo might be right up your alley.

According to its PokeCommunity post, Pokemon Emerald Kaizo is like playing Pokemon Emerald on “super hard mode”. The changes made by this ROM hack are pretty straightforward: more Pokemon to catch, a few additional boss battles, and most importantly, much more difficult AI. It has gained notoriety within the Pokemon community, especially among Twitch streamers, for being one of the toughest games to Nuzlocke due to the unforgiving AI that will punish every mistake you make.

Pokemon Light Platinum

Pokemon Light Platinum is one of the pioneers of the ROM hack trend in the Pokemon community, and it still holds up well compared to newer fan games and even the official games’ latest features. The game is set in the Zhery region, where you can catch Pokemon from Kanto to Unova.

What sets Pokemon Light Platinum apart is that it’s a well-executed original ROM hack. The game features new and improved tilesets that look fantastic, and the storyline is engaging enough to capture your interest. Additionally, there’s a satisfying post-game experience that takes you to a new region.

Pokemon Dark Rising

Pokemon Dark Rising is a fan-made game that’s pretty impressive. It’s packed with new stuff like abilities, items, and even 386 different Pokemon! And you get to explore the first five regions from the official Pokemon games, which is pretty cool.

The game was such a hit that it spawned not just one but two sequels, plus a super-tough version called Kaizo. So if you’re itching for something to play while you wait for the next mainline Pokemon game to come out, you could definitely do worse than checking out the Dark Rising trilogy.

PokeMMO

PokeMMO basically an online version of Pokemon where you can journey with other players from around the world. You’ll get to explore four different regions and catch hundreds of different Pokemon. Plus, the community is super friendly and always willing to lend a helping hand to newcomers.

Believe it or not, PokeMMO has been around since 2012 and has undergone a ton of updates and improvements over the years. It’s hard to decide what’s more impressive – the sheer amount of work that’s gone into developing the game or the fact that Nintendo hasn’t shut it down yet. If you’re a fan of the Pokemon series, PokeMMO is definitely worth checking out!

Pokemon Prism

Have you heard of Pokemon Prism and its prequel, Pokemon Brown? They’re hacks of games that came out before the GBA era. It might be a bit jarring at first to go back to the older graphics if you’re used to the newer games, but trust me, there’s a ton of content that makes it worth it.

In Pokemon Prism, for example, you can access Pokemon up to Generation IV, explore five different regions, and encounter two new types: Gas and Sound (and if you’re counting, Fairy is also added in this version). The game is so well made that it received a cease-and-desist order from Nintendo, but thankfully the developers were able to continue updating it after picking it up from a 4chan leak.

Pokemon Fire Ash

Have you ever imagined what it would be like to be Ash Ketchum from Pokemon, even just for a day? Maybe you wanted to relive your childhood hero or fix a decision he made that you didn’t agree with. Well, you’re not alone! Many Pokemon fans have had that same thought, and some fan games have tried to make that a reality.

Out of all those games, Pokemon Fire Ash stands out as one of the best. It’s incredibly comprehensive and jam-packed with content, taking you on Ash’s journey from the earliest seasons of the anime all the way up to Sun and Moon. You’ll have access to Pokemon from the first seven generations, Pikachu will follow you around, you can battle Ash’s rivals and companions, and you’ll even get to experience special Pokemon forms like Ash-Greninja and Mega Evolutions.

Pokemon Radical Red

Have you heard about the latest Pokemon game that’s taken the community by storm? It’s called Pokemon Radical Red, and it’s a ROM hack of FireRed that falls under the “difficulty hacks” category of Emerald Kaizo. This game has added some exciting brand-new features that players are really enjoying.

One of the most significant aspects of Pokemon Radical Red is that it incorporates full-on Generation VIII mechanics, which is unique among widely distributed ROM hacks. This means that you’ll see new abilities (including a few original ones), new moves, and quality-of-life features that weren’t present in the original game. You’ll even encounter Max Raid Battles that function identically to those in Sword and Shield.

Of course, as a difficulty hack, Pokemon Radical Red is still extremely challenging, so you’ll need to be prepared with some competitive strategies if you want to beat it. But with its new features and unique mechanics, it’s definitely worth checking out if you’re a fan of the series.

Pokemon Uranium

Pokemon Uranium closely follows the traditional Pokemon formula, just like Pokemon Prism. The game’s creators even received DMCA takedown notices from lawyers representing Nintendo because of how similar it is to an actual Pokemon game. If you’re looking for a game that captures the essence of a real Pokemon adventure, then Pokemon Uranium might be just what you’re looking for.

One of the unique features of Pokemon Uranium is its original Fakemon that make up the new Tandor region. While the game’s plot and Fakemon creation remain true to the classic Pokemon formula, there’s a fun twist with the introduction of the new Nuclear type and Nuclear-type variations of existing Pokemon.

Pokemon Clover

Just a heads up, this game is known for being pretty crude and politically incorrect. It’s a parody of the offensive content that you might see on 4Chan servers. The creators have made some changes to tone it down a bit in recent updates, but it’s still pretty crass. If that’s not your cup of tea, I totally get it.

That being said, Pokemon Clover has still managed to gain a lot of popularity as one of the most well-crafted ROM hacks out there. If you can look past the dark humor, you’ll find a game that’s full of content, incredibly creative, and super challenging. All the Fakemon (fake Pokemon) in the game’s two regions are original creations, and the AI does a pretty good job of mimicking real competitive strategies.

Pokemon Reborn

Pokemon Reborn is an incredibly extensive game that many fans of Pokemon Essentials adore. It’s set in the Reborn region, and the main plot revolves around the player character bringing the region back to its former glory after it was devastated by crime and destruction.

One of the game’s standout features is its captivating storyline and memorable characters. Plus, the game is fully updated with all the Pokemon and mechanics of Generation VII. With a Gym Leader representing each type and the new Field Effects mechanic, which adds a new twist to battles, Pokemon Reborn has plenty to offer. In short, there’s nothing you can’t do in this game, and it’s bound to keep you hooked for a while.

Pokemon Phoenix Rising

This fan-made Pokemon game is truly impressive! It’s called Pokemon Phoenix Rising, and the developers really went above and beyond to create an experience that feels like a PC game. They changed up the whole campaign mechanics and added some amazing features like skill trees similar to those in Skyrim, a quest system that’s reminiscent of traditional RPGs, and a plot that allows for player choice.

While they may not have fully achieved their goal, the developers of Phoenix Rising got pretty close to creating a PC game-like experience. And on top of all that, the game also features stunningly designed Mega Evolutions and Relic Forms. It’s truly a game that any Pokemon fan should check out!

Pokemon Insurgence

When you think about the best pokemon fan game, Pokemon Insurgence deserves to be at the top of the list. It’s super popular in the Pokemon community and for good reason. It has everything you could want in a fan-made Pokemon game.

Looking for a new region? It’s got one. Want an extensive list of Pokemon? Check. Quality-of-life features? You got it. New Mega Evolutions? Absolutely. And let’s not forget the gripping plot that keeps you engaged from start to finish. Oh, and there’s also the Delta Species – official Pokemon with a fresh coat of paint, brand-new types, abilities, and designs.

So if you’re looking for a Pokemon game that feels like the real deal, but also offers something new and exciting, Pokemon Insurgence is definitely worth checking out.

FAQs on Best Fan-Made Pokemon Games