10 Fantastic Fan Made Pokémon Games You Need To Check Out
In 1996, gamers were introduced to the legendary Pokémon franchise. A multimedia franchise that includes the all-important trading card game as well as several anime series and a best-selling video game franchise, the Pokémon fan base is still going strong over twenty years later with no sign of slowing.
Fans rejoice when a new game in the beloved franchise is announced, although, like most fandoms, they are impatient in between releases and take to creating their own entries. The practice of modding existing games or creating completely original games from scratch is nothing new. The homebrewing community is incredibly popular in the retro gaming community, and Pokémon is one of the most popular homebrews fans can find
10 Pokémon Uranium
One thing that makes Pokémon so celebrated is the world the games offer. Fans enjoy exploring the various regions, as well as training their favorite Pokémon. Pokémon Uranium adds to this experience by allowing players to explore an all-new, original world.
Following a nuclear explosion, the player travels to discover the truth behind it and must take on eight gym leaders along the way. Nintendo is infamous for ordering cease and desist on anything using their intellectual properties, and this game suffered a heavy blow in 2016. Because of this, the game officially stopped production, although fans are still making updates to this day, showing just how dedicated the fanbase is
9 Pokémon Ash Gray
The television series is what introduced many fans to the Pokémon franchise. The show follows Ash Ketchum on his way to become a Pokémon master, and many fans were disappointed when they finally played the game, only to find Ash absent. While unofficially in the game, his name is never spoken in these early entries.
That is what Pokémon Ash Gray is here to retcon. A ROM hack of Fire Red, the game follows Ash on his journey from the show. This game gave fans a chance to play the game they dreamt about as children. Ash Gray has developed a loyal fan base and continues to gain more popularity with each passing year.
8 Pokémon Reborn
The best kinds of ROM hacks are the ones that stand out in terms of creativity. As entertaining as it is to play a modded version of an already existing game, the experience of playing a fan game that was created from the ground up offers something truly special.
Pokémon Reborn was created from scratch in RPG Maker. The game is fully original, even going so far as to have its own original Pokémon. The game has a dark and foreboding atmosphere that fits perfectly with the world. The player truly feels like a hero and a Pokémon master at the same time, which is a dream many fans have had since they were young.
7 Pokémon Insurgence
There has been a debate for years regarding "Pokémon abuse." Many fans think that capturing and training these creatures for battle is immoral, while others believe that it is what they exist for and that, as long as they are taken care of, there is no problem.
Every player will agree, however, that experimenting on Pokémon to create new species probably isn't the sanest thing to do. That is exactly what happens in Pokémon Insurgence. The game is darker than most in terms of narrative, going so far as to involve cults. Players can use the DNA from two of their Pokémon to create another. As interesting as this mechanic is, it is also a tad disturbing at times.
6 Pokémon Dark Rising
The Pokémon games are typically fair in their difficulty. The games start simple and ramp up the difficulty as the player progresses, requiring them to level up their team. Pokémon Dark Rising, on the other hand, puts you right into the action with the hardest battles these games have ever seen.
Dark Rising is most definitely for gamers who are more than familiar with the gameplay of the franchise, as there isn't much time to get used to the mechanics. From gym leaders to random encounters, players are constantly kept on their toes in this original, insanely difficult entry.
5 Pokémon 3D
When famous Nintendo games began making the jump to 3D, many fans were expecting Pokémon to join the ranks, as well. While this would be realized years later in the form of Pokémon Legends: Arceus, fans took it upon themselves to create a genuine 3D Pokémon experience in the meantime.
Pokémon 3D is a fully 3D remake of Pokémon Gold & Silver. The game uses all-new sprites to bring the beloved characters into the third dimension. While there were 3D Pokémon games on the Nintendo 64, they weren't the traditional Pokémon experience fans were holding out for. This game is exactly what fans wanted and is still beloved by many, even though there are now official counterparts.
4 Pokémon Creepy Black
Gamingurban legends have existed as long as the gaming industry itself; from Luigi being in Mario 64 to an NSFW code for Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, these myths have been passed around between gamers for years.
One of the most infamous is the legend of a cursed Pokémon cartridge with a solid black case and label. While the legend is nothing more than a creepypasta, fans loved the idea so much that a version of the game was actually created. The game isn't the scariest thing in the world—or even the scariest Pokémon ROM Hack—but it serves as an entertaining companion to an entertaining story
3 Pokémon Showdown
For many fans, the heart of the Pokémon series is the battles. While exploring the world around the player is important, the battles are arguably the most important.
Pokémon Showdown caters to these fans by cutting out all of the fluff of traveling, and just featuring battles. Players are able to play with other people from around the world. The game allows players to upgrade and tweak their Pokémon to best suit their play style and battle methods. While a fun casual experience, many fans spend a large amount of time perfecting their team, making them a force to be reckoned with.
2 Pokémon Light Platinum
Every fan has their preferred generation Pokémon. From the original 151 to the astounding 493 of the current-gen, there are certainly plenty to choose from.
Pokémon Light Platinum takes Pokémon from each generation and puts them together. The game offers a traditional experience for players to enjoy while also allowing them to play with Pokémon they may not see together in an official capacity. The game is based on Pokémon Ruby, so the gameplay is familiar. Like many ROM hacks, this game draws in many loyal fans who continue to play year after year.
1 Pokémon Godra
The Pokémon games do not typically focus a lot of time on the trainer themselves. The player may have a parent, a friend, and a rival, and that is usually all they get. Pokémon Godra changes this by making the trainer the main focus.
The player can choose from a variety of professions they want their trainer to be. The game map is also split into two regions, with each one offering a different experience. This game is one of the more engaging fan games because it allows the player to go on an adventure that makes their trainer grow along with their Pokémon.
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