The GBA is the one console where the Pokemon formula finally felt complete, which makes listing the best Pokemon GBA ROM hacks even more exciting!
Out of all the best Pokemon ROM hacks, these adaptations of the titles that dropped on Nintendo’s portable purple powerhouse are some of our all time favourites.
They take us back down memory lane while offering something new and exciting to play through at the same time…
… and it’s all thanks to the epic retro gaming community!
Dont worry if you’re new to the confusing world of the best Pokemon emulators.
Just click the buttons under each ROM entry and port them onto your PC/Mac or even onto some of the best retro handhelds that we’ve covered over the years!
We have featured links to eBay where you can buy custom fan made carts with ROM hacks installed, we earn a small commission from these purchases. You can also find the files to these ROM hacks online for free.
Table of Contents
1. Pokemon Flora Sky
2. Pokemon Mega Power
3. Pokemon GS Chronicles
4. Pokemon Dark Rising
5. Pokemon Light Platinum
6. Pokemon Dark Cry
7. Pokemon Gaia
8. Pokemon Liquid Crystal
9. Pokemon Glazed
10. Pokemon Ultra Shiny Gold Sigma
1. Pokemon Flora Sky
Pokemon Flora Sky kickstarts our best Pokemon GBA ROM hacks list, bringing an epic showdown between Dialga and Palkia to the table.
The battle is so fierce that they actually tear a hole in reality, opening a portal that releases Giratina into the world.
Now’s the time where you are supposed to say ‘Uh oh!’.
As well as collecting and battling with Pokemon, it’s the players job to seal the rift and stop chaos from ensuing before it’s too late. Square off against Team Magma and Team Aqua and pull off epic moves with Mew, Shaymin, and more.
Flora Sky has a well executed day/night system too that allows for time-specific events.
It’s simple to use and doesn’t require lots of brain power to play, one for relaxing with once you get home from work!
MORE INFO HERE
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2. Pokemon Mega Power
Everyone loves Pokemon Emerald, which instantly makes Pokemon Mega Power one of the best Pokemon GBA ROM hacks by default.
That game can do no wrong!
In a move away from tradition, Mega Power makes pocket monsters more powerful through experimenting on them.
Funding the character’s adventure is a mysterious figure with lots and lots of cash. It’s unclear whether they want to find out more about Pokemon or just make a roid-raged team of super fighters…
… probably the second one, in all honesty.
With three new regions to play through and Pokemon from generations four through to seven, there’s plenty of familiar faces to encounter as you battle new characters and uncover just what the heck is going on!
MORE INFO HERE
3. Pokemon GS Chronicles
Pokemon GS Chronicles is often considered to be the best of the best Pokemon GBA ROM hacks in existence. Based on Gold and Silver, this version is basically a more in-depth edition of the original adventures with exciting new features.
In short, it’s the same storyline but with more Pokemon, new locations, and Mega Evolutions.
Everything is better with Mega Evolutions!
Unlike some ROM hacks, GS Chronicles receives regular updates. We’re talking oodles of time spent sorting out bugs that might occur and producing new content.
Plus, there’s always help available from the team behind it and other users if you stumble upon a problem while playing.
If we had a Retro Dodo stamp of approval, I’d stick one on your screen right now!
DOWNLOAD HERE
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4. Pokemon Dark Rising
Dark Rising could be one of the trippiest Pokemon GBA ROM hacks out there.
We’ve all had dreams about Pokemon (not like that; get your brain out of the gutter!), but Dark Rising takes things to a new level.
A Pokemon comes to you in a dream and asks you to help it save the world. If this kind of thing really happened, I’d be trying to sleep 24/7 in the off-chance that I got chosen!
Oh, and your in-game best friend had the same dream too… coincidence?
Dark Rising isn’t a massive ROM, but it’s still a big game that gamers can sink their teeth into without it being over too quickly. Play through classic regions from Kanto to Unova collecting 380 Pokemon.
Compete to become the best trainer by battling gyms, solving puzzles, and all the other usual Pokemon RPG trials and tribulations.
Listen, if you like all the old Pokemon games but wish they had some modern features to spice them up a little bit, then Dark Rising is going to blow your mind. Download it now and get in on the action!
DOWNLOAD HERE
VIEW ON EBAY
5. Pokemon Light Platinum
We’re keeping the best Pokemon GBA ROM hacks rolling with Pokemon Light Platinum Version, a spectacular reimagining of the original Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire games.
Normally, vanilla Pokemon games only let you move around one region. Light Platinum, however, lets you play through two regions: Zhery and Lauren.
There are so many different Pokemon from all the previous regions in the Pokemon series and the Elite Four Rivals to beat back, as well tough-as-nails gym leaders out to retain their positions.
Oh, and did I mention that you can travel between dimensions too?
Yeah, this is the ROM that keeps on giving! Plus, at the very end you take part in the Pokemon World Championship… pretty cool, huh?
DOWNLOAD HERE
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6. Pokemon Dark Cry
Pokemon Dark Cry jumps into 6th position in our best Pokemon GBA ROM hacks list. Like Dark Rising, this ROM has a pretty in-depth storyline with some tricky, trippy twists.
After waking up in a strange cave, a shadow approaches you during a massive earthquake. You wake up again, realising that it was all a dream… but that dream is about to become more real than you could ever imagine.
Play through the brand new region of Trion, taking information on what to do at each stage from a publication called the PokePaper.
Take part in cool mini-games, delve into side-quests, and revel in a brand new Pokemon adventure! It’s one of our favourites and definitely one you should consider downloading!
DOWNLOAD HERE
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7. Pokemon Gaia
Named after the Titaness of the Earth, Pokemon Gaia is one of the best Pokemon Fire Red hacks with a secret twist that we can’t get enough of.
I’m a huge fan of the fact that you can climb up walls and walk around underwater in this game. It’s almost like a very miniature, incredibly scaled down BOTW with Pokemon instead of Moblins.
Collect Pokemon from Kanto to Kalos creating the ultimate team of pocket fighters from across the years, going into battle with updated trainers in enhanced fights throughout fantastic locations.
Plus, you can teach all these old Pokemon new abilities and even have them Mega Evolve too!
DOWNLOAD HERE
VIEW ON EBAY
8. Pokemon Liquid Crystal
A lot of the ROM hacks in this list are quite full on, but Liquid Crystal feels like a comfortable stroll down memory lane, accompanied by a hug from a warm marshmallow.
Rather than taking players on a story that requires maximum concentration, this feels more like an easy play, something that you can tackle while listening to the radio or watching your favourite show.
A brain calmer, as it were.
Explore the brand new area of the Orange Islands, play through the original Johto and Kanto regions, and discover new time-sensitive features and areas thanks to the day/night system.
If you loved the original Crystal version, then this should feel like a breath of crystal clear air!
DOWNLOAD HERE
VIEW ON EBAY
9. Pokemon Glazed
Pokemon Glazed comes in at Number 9 in our list of the best Pokemon GBA ROM hacks of all time!
If you’re looking for a mysterious game where players have to explore ancient ruins and discover why the Pokemon world and real world are about to collide, then this is the game for you.
I realise that’s a very specific request to look for, but just roll with it.
Pick from one of five starter Pokemon as you collect and battle with monsters from the Rankor, Tunod, and Johto regions.
There’s also legendary rascals to capture from all the regions including eight from Unova.
Talk about making the ultimate team!
DOWNLOAD HERE
VIEW ON EBAY
10. Pokemon Ultra Shiny Gold Sigma
Last, but by no means least, we have Pokemon Ultra Shiny Gold Sigma, a game based on not only Pokemon FireRed but also Gold, Silver, and Crystal.
Basically, all of the best ones!
There are over 800 Pokemon to collect in this game, with characters spanning from first generation to seventh gen.
It’s crammed full of modern feature such as Miracle Exchange and Mega Evolutions aswell.
With new sprites, new evolution stones, and new items to collect, this is a truly spectacular remake that pays homage to some of my favourite titles in the series while feeling utterly new at the same time.
Give this one a go; you won’t be disappointed!
DOWNLOAD HERE
And that’s a wrap!
Thank you to all of the people involved with making the best Pokemon GBA ROM hacks listed above. We all appreciate the countless hours you put into bringing us these new adventures!
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