Best Pokémon ROM Hacks With Extra Regions
Pokémon Unbound is the top pick for most players: it offers a large, original region, a polished story, and modern quality-of-life features without relying on a second game’s map. If you specifically want to travel through regions from the official games, choose Pokémon FireRed: Rocket Edition only for its unusual Kanto story, or look to crossover projects such as Pokémon Liquid Crystal for Johto in a FireRed-style package.
What to Look For
“More regions” can mean two different things. Some hacks add a new, fan-made region; others remake or revisit a region from an official Pokémon game. A third category includes multiple connected regions, but these projects can be less polished or may still be unfinished. Decide which kind of travel you want before picking a game.
- Region scope and completion: Check whether the advertised areas are fully playable, whether the main story reaches an ending, and whether postgame content is complete. A large map is not the same as a finished adventure.
- Story and structure: Some hacks focus on a fresh journey, while others retell familiar events from a different perspective. Consider whether you want a traditional Gym challenge, a new plot, or an alternate take on canon.
- Pokémon and difficulty: The available roster, encounter balance, and battle difficulty vary widely. A broad Pokédex and adjustable difficulty can make a long game more flexible, but can also change the feel of the original games.
- Polish and convenience: Look for clear documentation, bug reports, save compatibility notes, and features such as faster text or updated battle mechanics. These affect day-to-day play more than a feature list alone.
- Platform and patching: Most projects are patches for a specific Pokémon game, not standalone downloads. Use the patch and base-game information supplied by the project, and check compatibility with your intended emulator or hardware before starting.
Pokémon Unbound
Best for: a polished, substantial adventure in a new region. Unbound takes place in the fan-made Borrius region and is known for a detailed main story, a large amount of side content, and extensive options for adjusting difficulty. It adds modern conveniences and a wide selection of Pokémon, making it a strong choice if your priority is a complete-feeling game rather than revisiting an official map.
Strengths: It has a clear sense of progression, substantial optional activities, and more flexibility than a straightforward remake. The difficulty settings help accommodate players who want either a gentler journey or more demanding battles.
Trade-offs: Borrius is not an official Pokémon region, and the abundance of features can feel busy if you want a simple, close-to-original experience. It is also not a multi-region tour of Kanto, Johto, or Hoenn. Choose it for a new region and strong overall scope, not for official-map nostalgia.
Pokémon Liquid Crystal
Best for: players who want a FireRed-style return to Johto. Liquid Crystal is a fan-made take on Pokémon Crystal built on a Game Boy Advance-style foundation. Its central appeal is familiar Johto territory presented with updated visuals and features associated with the FireRed era; the project also includes travel beyond the basic Johto journey.
Strengths: It offers a recognizable route through Johto while changing the presentation and adding content. It suits players who like the older Johto adventure but would rather play something with a more GBA-like look.
Trade-offs: It is a long-running fan project, so check the project’s current release notes and known-issue information before committing to a full playthrough. It is a reinterpretation, not a faithful official remake, and its scope or polish should not be assumed to match newer, more tightly finished hacks.
Pokémon FireRed: Rocket Edition
Best for: an alternate Kanto story, not a multi-region checklist. Rocket Edition reframes the familiar Kanto setting around Team Rocket and a protagonist operating on the wrong side of the law. Its region is not new, but the perspective gives well-known locations and events a different purpose.
Strengths: The writing and premise distinguish it from a conventional Gym-to-League journey. It is a good fit if you have already played Kanto and want to see the setting treated as a story rather than simply a route to repeat.
Trade-offs: It does not deliver a broad tour of several regions. Its appeal depends on enjoying its morally darker premise and narrative focus; players seeking a traditional team-building adventure or a large new map may prefer Unbound instead.
Pokémon Gaia
Best for: a traditional adventure in an original region. Gaia takes place in the fan-made Orbtus region and follows a familiar Pokémon structure with exploration, Gyms, and a new story. It is a sensible choice for players who want the shape of a classic handheld game but have already seen the official regions.
Strengths: The original setting gives exploration a fresh feel, while the familiar progression makes it easy to settle into. Its design is generally a better fit for someone who wants a straightforward journey than for someone seeking a radical format change.
Trade-offs: Orbtus is fan-made, not an additional official region, and Gaia’s scope is more focused than the most expansive hacks. Verify the status of the release you plan to play and its documented compatibility; do not assume every version or feature list is identical.
Pokémon Glazed
Best for: a big, multi-region-style journey. Glazed is notable for combining its own Tunod region with travel to other areas, including regions inspired by official games. That makes it one of the more direct fits for players whose main goal is to visit more than one region in a single hack.
Strengths: Its broad map scope and extended journey provide plenty to explore. If region count matters more to you than strict adherence to official canon, Glazed is an appealing way to get a longer adventure.
Trade-offs: A larger scope can come with uneven pacing and differences in polish compared with newer, more focused projects. Community versions and updates may differ, so check which release you are considering and what its documentation says about completion and bugs. Pick it for breadth, not necessarily the most refined presentation.
How to Choose
These hacks are generally fan projects rather than products sold at a retail price, so the practical “budget” is your time, setup effort, and tolerance for troubleshooting. Prefer a well-documented, complete-feeling experience? Start with Unbound. Want a familiar official setting? Liquid Crystal is the Johto-oriented option here, while Rocket Edition offers a different Kanto story. Want several regions in one run? Glazed is the clearest fit, with the caveat that broad scope can mean less consistency. Choose Gaia for a more traditional adventure in a new region.
Next, match the game to your use case. For a first ROM hack, prioritize clear documentation and a finished main story over maximum length. For a replay after the official games, choose a changed perspective or a new region rather than a near-identical retelling. For a long trip with lots of exploration, consider Glazed, but check its release details first.
Finally, check the project’s official documentation for its required base game, patch format, supported platforms, and version-specific notes. A patch is not the same as a standalone game, and compatibility can vary between emulators and devices. Use a legally obtained base copy and avoid downloads that bundle copyrighted game data; do not assume a patch will work with an arbitrary ROM or save file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which hack has the most regions?
Glazed is the strongest pick in this list for a multi-region-style journey. Confirm the scope of the specific release, since versions and documentation can differ.
Which one is best for a new region?
Unbound is the best all-round recommendation for a substantial original region, Borrius. Gaia is another good option if you prefer a more traditional structure.
Are these standalone Pokémon games?
Usually not. ROM hacks are typically patches that require a compatible base game; check the project’s own instructions and use a lawfully obtained copy.
Can I play them on a phone?
Possibly, if your device and emulator support the relevant game format and patch result. Compatibility depends on the emulator, operating system, and project release, so check current documentation.
Are all regions in these hacks official?
No. Borrius, Orbtus, and Tunod are fan-made settings. Some hacks revisit official regions, but the story, maps, and mechanics may be altered.
Bottom Line
For most players, start with Pokémon Unbound: it combines a distinctive new region with a substantial adventure and flexible difficulty. If your priority is visiting multiple regions, try Pokémon Glazed after checking the release notes. For Johto nostalgia, consider Liquid Crystal; for a very different Kanto story, choose Rocket Edition. The best fit depends on whether you value polish, familiar maps, or sheer scope most.
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