9 Best Pokemon Red ROM Hacks of 2024

Pokemon Red is a timeless classic as far as Pokemon games go. It set the groundwork for what the franchise is today. Over the years they’ve expanded on and improved the core formula, but even to date, Pokemon Red and Blue (and Pokemon Yellow) still hold up as some great experiences. It’s no surprise that Pokemon Red ROM hacks are extremely popular and there are many.

Because there are so many out there, it can be a bit difficult to find the gems. In this article, we’ll be covering which games you need to try out, the features they each have, and will be giving a breakdown as we go.

For those new to ROM hacks, they’re just modifications that alter the original game, offering innovative features, engaging plotlines, and enhanced gameplay mechanics. It takes the core game and uses it as a base to build some really cool hacks from.

We recently wrote a review of the Pokemon Dark Rising ROM hack as well, but today we’ll be going over Pokemon Red ROM hacks.

So let’s head on back to the Kanto region and meet back up with Professor Oak after all these years. Each hack provides a unique twist on the traditional experience. Without further ado, let’s rediscover the Pokémon Red game through the lens of ROM hacks.

What Are The Best Pokemon Red ROM Hacks?

10. Pokemon Brown 2014

Improvements

Pokemon Brown has lots of enhancements that elevate the original game’s experience. Strict attention has been given to fixing bugs and implementing fresh features.

• A Larger Region To Explore: There are now 10 bustling cities within the Rijon area in addition to one city in Johto. Over 20 different routes means you’ll always come across numerous locations along your journey.
• An Expanded Pokedex: Pokemon Brown now has an expanded Pokedex that includes around 70 new creatures to catch, train, and battle with.
• New Moves: Over 40 new moves have been added to Pokemon move sets.
• TMs Have Been Reworked: There’s a major overhaul of TMs in the game.
• Brand New Pokemon Types: Seven new Pokemon types are in this hack that weren’t in the original Pokemon Red.
• Dynamic Characters: A diverse range of new characters all with their own unique, distinctive stories and motivations appear throughout the Rijon region.

9. Pokemon TRE: Team Rocket Edition

In Pokemon Team Rocket Edition, players are competing for a role as a Team Rocket commander. Giovanni, the evil leader of Team Rocket, sets siblings against each other in a demanding series of challenges to prove their worth as his successor.

The journey is filled with obstacles as players work to outperform their rivals, taking on various gyms and the Elite Four. The path to the top tests not only the participants’ skills in battle but also their strategy and how they on their feet.

This game draws inspiration from Pokemon Brown and it does a good job of creating an interesting story and uses fun gameplay elements that lead players to really want to progress and see what happens next.

Pokemon TRE: Team Rocket Edition will push you to get better at the game in order to progress. It’s challenging yet fair, all while still remaining rewarding. From defeating gym leaders to facing the Elite Four, you’ll need to really work hard to claim the title of Team Rocket commander and earn your spot on the esteemed Team Rocket.

8. Pokemon TPP Version (Red Anniversary)

Pokemon TPP Version (Red Anniversary) is a unique challenge hack designed for Pokemon Red version fans. You can catch all 151 original Pokemon while simultaneously facing increasingly powerful trainers as you progress through the game. It does a good job of testing your critical thinking and strategy during Pokemon battles.

This hack was initially created for the Twitch channel TwitchPlaysPokemon and incorporates references from the TwitchPlaysPokemon community. It was originally released back on the first year’s anniversary of the channel and it marked the beginning of the TwitchPlaysPokemon second season.

The Pokemon TPP Version (Red Anniversary) kept players and viewers engaged for a total of 39 days and 920 hours while they worked to complete the game at a full 100%. This Pokemon Red ROM hack is a good changing game that’s fun to play through, especially if you’re a fan of the TwitchPlaysPokemon Twitch channel, but can absolutely be enjoyed by anyone regardless.

7. Pokemon Black

Pokemon Black is a unique ROM hack and is technically referred to by fans as an “art hack”. In it, you embark on an unsettling journey based on a story from 4chan. This adventure quickly turns into a horror genre that unfolds within the Pokemon universe.

When your first start out, things seem rather normal and it appears surprisingly similar to the classic Pokemon Red and Blue that you’re familiar with. However, it’s hard to miss the “Black Version” beneath the Pokemon emblem on the game’s title screen. The eerie tone in this hack is immediately established and you know once you begin that you’re in for something spooky.

You eventually meet up with Professor Oak and his preliminary speech greets you, however, an unexpected twist happens when you’re introduced to an unusual new starter Pokemon: GHOST.

GHOST is a level 1 Pokemon resembling the ghostly beings in Lavender Tower when searching for the Silph Scope. Instead of standard moves, this GHOST creature has only one move called “Curse,” which is completely unique to this hack. Unlike standard Pokemon moves, Pokemon in the game that you use this move on end up becoming paralyzed with fear and are unable to attack back at GHOST.

Eventually, you learn another move for your GHOST known as “Curse”. When you use it, the screen goes dark and the Pokemon it is used on will let out a disturbing cry before it disappears completely from the battle. The aftermath of this move hints at a disturbing fate for the other Pokemon. Pokemon Black is a truly unique experience and it will leave you on edge as you play through it.

It’s equal parts odd yet satisfyingly intriguing and we can’t recommend it enough.

6. Pokemon Red – Proud Eyes Edition

Pokemon Red – Proud Eyes Edition brings numerous tweaks to the original game that improve the core gameplay and increase the difficulty level.

It also features improved graphics and the battles are much more engaging.

• Upgraded Gen 2 Graphics: You can now play Pokemon Red with freshly updated Generation 2 graphics.
• Modified Casino Prizes: New, more valuable prizes are available in the casinos with reworked rewards. Test your fortune and relish the excitement of new and improved items up for grabs in various new game content.
• Pokemart Changes: Pokemarts are now stocked with an assortment of different items.
• Changes To Rival Battles: Rival battles are much more engaging here. They are more challenging and the rival uses more diverse teams and strategies.

5. Pokemon – Battle Factory

Rental System: A Route to Victory

In Pokemon Battle Factory, you’ll have the ability to build out powerful teams of Pokemon and use the game’s new and unique rental system. A really cool mechanic in this ROM hack is that after winning any battle, you get the chance to swap one of the several Pokemon on your team for one from the defeated opponent’s squad. If you play your cards right, you can really use this ability to your advantage and it helps a ton.

Mastering the Win Streaks

At the Battle Factory, trainers partake in challenging streaks of seven consecutive battles. Beating all seven of these encounters is not an easy task to accomplish. After completing each streak, you’ll have to then reassess your performance and figure out what tactics to use moving forward.

Power Trade-Offs

One interesting aspect of the Battle Factory is just how much swapping single Pokemon impacts their strength. With every trade you make, the traded Pokemon’s power increases, and their abilities are boosted. The more you trade, the more your team’s power increases and this is key to increasing your chances of winning later on.

4. Pokemon PureRed

Enhancing Usability and Game Balance

The primary objective of this enhancement is to boost the usability and accessibility of the majority of the original 151 Pokémon during the early stages of the game. With improved movesets and balanced stats, these Pokemon evolve into formidable allies throughout your journey. The rebalancing of numerous moves adds strategic depth to battles, ensuring that even previously underutilized moves become valuable assets.

Refining Sprites and Pokemon Encounterability

A meticulous revision of the front sprites is performed, showcasing the finest images from the Red/Green/Blue/Spaceworld 1997 era. Embark on a visual adventure that offers polished aesthetics while maintaining the essence of the original games. Furthermore, all 151 Pokemon are now obtainable in every version of this hack, allowing players to complete their Pokedex and encounter every Pokemon the game has to offer.

Upgrades to Quality of Life

Numerous minor adjustments and bug fixes enhance the overall gameplay experience. These quality of life improvements rectify small issues and streamline several game mechanics. However, players can still exploit certain battle engine quirks, such as the leech seed/toxic glitch and the hyper beam no-recharge issue, both being game defects that can be used to one’s advantage.

3. Pokemon Factory Adventure

A Heartfelt Ode to The Pokémon Factory

Back in the late ’90s, a popular Pokemon fan site, Pokemon Factory was a pretty big deal. This Pokemon Factory ROM hack pays homage to the legacy of that site.

Fans who were children back in the 90s when the site was booming now being adults submitted ideas for a new Pokémon game they wanted to see created on the site. Artists on the site took fan-submitted ideas and created Pokédex entries and sprites for each Pokemon creation to bring the concepts to reality.

Over time, the Pokemon created in these drawings started to gain a fan following, and some of them were referred to as “Pokegods.” The Pokemon Factory Adventure ROM hack takes the collection of 190 Pokémon created by fans and puts them in the game.

2. Star Beasts – Meteor Version

An All-New Pokedex

Star Beasts – Meteor Version introduces an entirely new Pokedex with tons of new Pokemon all with their own unique designs and abilities. As you play through this hack, you’ll uncover the secrets of the Star Beasts and will work to complete and fill out your Pokedex.

New Movesets and Fresh Moves

Star Beasts breathes new life into the game with revamped movesets, offering strategic and exhilarating battles. Encounter a range of fresh moves that enhance the depth of combat and expand your collection of tactics. Adapt your strategies and master various techniques on your journey to becoming the ultimate Pokemon Master.

Steel and Dark Types

In Meteor Version, Star Beasts adds Steel and Dark type Pokemon to Gen 1. Steel-type Pokemon are known for their defense and tankiness. Work to master these new types in the game and use them to your advantage to progress the story.

1. Pokemon Carmine Red

Embracing Gen 1

Pokemon Carmine Red stays true to the essence of the original games and retains much of the good and bad that they have come to be known for. This ROM hack preserves the nostalgic charm and atmosphere of the Gen 1 experience while upping certain aspects of gameplay.

Upgraded Features

Pokemon Carmine Red offers a fresh experience in the familiar world of Gen 1 Pokémon and also improves on certain features. Some of these improvements are:

• Expanded Move Sets: Massive improvements to move sets, Pokemon have to access a broader range of moves.
• New Typings: Introduction of new typings for selected Pokemon.
• Modified Type Chart: Alterations to the type chart, changing the effectiveness of certain moves.
• Rebalanced Base Stats: Adjusted base stats for numerous Pokemon, balancing their strengths and weaknesses for more captivating battles.
• Overhauled Wild Encounters: Reworked wild encounters throughout the game, providing new chances to capture a diverse array of Pokemon.
• Revitalized Moves: Reimagined and repurposed underused moves.

Pokemon Carmine Red is an updated take on a timeless nostalgic classic. It’s a must playthrough and number one on our list for good reason.

Summary

We’ve covered some of the best Pokemon ROM hacks and there should really be something for just about everybody here. When looking back at the original games and seeing all of the fan creations that have come out over the years, it’s crazy to see the level of love that so many hold for these original titles.

The games were popularized around the time of the first Pokemon anime series release and still all these years later they’re cherished highly by so many in the Pokemon community.

Regardless of which of the games on this Pokemon ROM hacks list is your favorite, there are many different ROM hack Pokemon game options out there. Some change up the core formula a bit more than others, but all are a ton of fun to play through and enjoy.