One of the most anticipated events of the early 2000s was the debut of Pokémon’s second generation.
To fans, it was proof that two years of development could have such an influence on a long-running property like Pokémon.
Hardcore supporters, on the other hand, have a fondness for bygone times.
They can also pull older games apart and put them back together in fascinating new ways by current developers.
With this, we may relive our childhood memories of traveling around Kanto and Johto.
There are 10 fantastic GBC ROM hacks worth checking out if you’d like to revisit these classic regions or try something new from the GBC era.
10. Pokémon Crystal Kaizo
Pokmon Crystal Kaizo, an improved variant of Crystal, is a continuation of the Kaizo heritage of being abusively difficult.
Just calling it challenging isn’t doing it credit.
All over Kanto and Johto, there are superior Pokémon with deadly move sets and a more intelligent AI.
A fully leveled team will have a difficult time defeating any one of the Elite Four or the eventual champion.
To get around this, though, you may use any of the 251 Pokémon that are accessible in the game to your advantage.
Moreover, it gives you more options at the beginning of the game, allowing you to assemble a wild squad before facing Falkner.
9. Pokémon Liquid Crystal
Relive your Pokémon Crystal experience in Gen III graphics with this FireRed hack, which lets you enjoy the most adorable visuals of the series before 3D came along!
It features all 251 Pokémon, as well as the regions of Johto, Kanto, and a large portion of the Orange Islands.
The new music is a standout feature of this modification.
With better GBA sound quality, several of the original tunes from Pokémon Crystal are re-imagined in this game.
Consider Pokémon Gold/Silver for the Game Boy Advance.
Here you go.
8. Pokémon Kalos Crystal
Pokémon Unova Red, a hack that replaces the whole Pokédex in the first-generation games with the Unova region’s Pokédex, must be mentioned before introducing Pokémon Kalos Crystal.
Since the Unova Pokédex has been released for Generation I games, the next natural step is for Generation II games to have the Kalos Pokédex released.
This ROM hack fulfills that goal.
However, every Pokémon have been swapped with its Kalos equivalents, although the story, artwork, and map from the original Pokémon Crystal have been left intact.
Victini and Volcanion, two legendary Pokémon, are included!
Battle systems have been changed to meet gen VI, including the addition of Fairy-type, the addition of Physical/Special divide, and the move sets.
A wonderful game for younger fans that like the newer monsters but want to experience the classic visuals and soundtracks.
7. Pokémon Orange
What if you were a child from the Orange Islands instead of New Bark Town?
Pokémon Orange is based on this idea.
The most vibrant Pokémon ROM hack to date.
After arriving on Valencia Island, Samson Oak, an Alolan Pokémon Researcher, demands you to deliver to him the GS Ball.
The rest of it is history.
Throughout the Orange Archipelago, you’ll encounter Alolan’s variety of Generation II Pokémon, face off against characters from the anime series Team Rocket, and much more!
6. Pokémon Crystal Clear
Pokémon Crystal Clear is one of the most ambitious projects developed using the game as a framework, and it aims to make the game into an open-world epic that allows the player as much freedom as possible
As a player, you may select your gender, pick from a wide variety of characters (including those with more melanin than Game Freak gives), and adopt one of 24 distinct beginning Pokémon.
A crazy ride with a slew of alternatives for tailor-made excursions.
Defeating the Elite Four and becoming the Champion remains your ultimate objective.
Regardless of the order in which you choose to visit gyms, battle Gym Leaders, and capture all 251 Pokémon, you’re free to do as you like.
Sounds like a good time, don’t you think?
You can try looking for a copy on this page if the link above doesn’t work.
Try a Google search if that page disappears; it’s out there!
5. Pokémon Coral
One of the greatest Pokémon ROM hacks ever made, Pokémon Coral shows that attention to detail can be an important factor in product quality.
Assuming that it ever gets done.
While working on this game for some time, CoralDev has created several stunning environments, such as eerie woods and cherry blossom-filled meadows.
There is a variety of Pokémon from all generations that can be found in the brand-new Onwa Region.
The hack’s redesigned HM system eliminates the need for HM slaves, easily in one of its finest features.
This is advantageous for both your virtual animals and you, since your team may be built to focus on combat rather than navigating past obstacles such as rocks and waterfalls.
4. Pokémon Prism
Pokémon Prism is another ambitious hack that develops a whole new game from the ground up using gen II as a starting point.
However, this was a difficult selection, and some may argue that this should be at the top of the list.
I wouldn’t disagree.
There are simply so many fantastic titles to choose from.
Prism is taken to the enigmatic Naljo area during the game’s opening prologue.
New Pokémon kinds, including wood, gas, wind, and sound, will be introduced to them as they investigate Naljo’s unexpected technological advancement.
Also, if you’re interested in another recreation of Red and Blue, consider checking out Pokémon Brown, which is a follow-up to the generation I ROM hack.
3. Pokémon Perfect Crystal
It’s okay to keep things basic every now and again.
As a result, I’ve put together a simple ROM hack that makes Pokémon Crystal exactly as it should have been.
Gen II Pokémon, even event-locked ones like Celebi, will be available for capture and evolution.
Every item you’d normally get as a Mystery Gift will be available for purchase in stores all around Kanto and Johto as well.
Also, after defeating gym leaders, they may be fought again at full strength, and sprites that had been altered for Western distribution owing to censorship are restored.
Pokédex Crystal Version 1.0: The Final Version!
You won’t be able to go back to vanilla after playing this one.
2. Pokémon Polished Crystal
This is one of the best Pokémon games ever made.
In spite of this, there are several ways by which it may be enhanced without sacrificing its core.
Adding Fairy-types and updated type benefits are the sole changes in Pokémon Polished Crystal.
It also has all of the existing Eeveelutions, which is quite an accomplishment!
Nuzlocke mode, in which Pokémon cannot be resurrected after fainting and you can only catch the first creature you see in each area, is one of my favorite new additions.
You have complete control over the pace and difficulty of this game.
1. Pokémon Ultra Shiny Gold Sigma
As far as Pokémon fanatics are concerned, there’s nothing better than having access to as many as they want.
In terms of satisfying the need for gen II games, Ultra Shiny Gold Sigma comes out on top.
Alolan forms are included in this ROM hack’s collection of 807 Pokémon from throughout the globe.
Every Pokémon in the game may organically develop without the need to transfer it around.
Sounds like a good time, don’t you think?
Mega Evolution is supported, which is unheard in a GBA game.
Pokémon ROM hack fans should not miss this.
