Austin Carroll is a writer and web designer from Eugene, Oregon. He's been at HGG for five years and maintains an active role designing and develop... Read more
Reviewed by Benjamin Barr
Gotta catch ‘em all… Pokemon! Are you a Pokemon master? Tired of the same old grind, and ready for something new? We’ve got you covered with this list of the best Pokemon fan games ever created.
Inspired by the original titles, the best fan made Pokemon games take you on a journey of discovery. From humble beginnings, embark on your quest to complete the Pokedex and become the world’s greatest trainer! Catch Pokemon, battle gym leaders, and navigate the storyline in turn-based action packed excitement.
The best thing about Pokemon fan games? They take the original concept you know and love, and add exciting new features, mechanics, and regions for you to explore. The best part? They’re absolutely free to play!
So what are you waiting for? Grab your Pokedex, and let’s get started.
The 10 Best Pokemon Fan Games
Let’s get down to business with an in-depth look at each of the 10 best Pokemon fan games ever created.
1. Pokemon Reborn
Our pick for one of the best Pokemon spin-off games
- Website: https://www.rebornevo.com/index.php?/pr/index.html/
- Platform: PC
- Genre: RPG
Pack your bags and head over to Reborn City, a once thriving metropolis in need of repair. Your mission? To save the city and bring peace back to the Reborn Region. Are you up for the challenge?
Explore Pokemon Reborn’s innovative game world that features new field effects, terrain, and an action packed storyline. The game boasts over 800 Pokemon for you to catch, and over 50 gym leaders that’ll put your skills to the test. Estimated playtime? Over 55 hours of Poke-filled excitement.
2. Pokemon Insurgence
Our pick for one of the best Pokemon RPG games
- Website: https://p-insurgence.com/
- Platform: PC, Mac
- Genre: RPG
Things take a dark turn in Pokemon Insurgence. It’s not all rainbows and Butterfrees here–cults and thugs have infiltrated the region of Torren, and no one is safe.
These serious matters aside, Insurgence is home to many exciting new mechanics. This includes the never-before-seen Delta Species and their corresponding Mega Evolutions. Your options are limitless as you play through different modes in search of all 722 Pokemon ranging from generation 1 to 6.
Think you’ve got what it takes to catch ‘em all and cleanse the region of goons? Download Pokemon Insurgence for PC or Mac today.
3. Pokemon Uranium
Our pick for one of Pokemon’s best fan games
- Website: https://pokemonuranium.co/
- Platform: PC
- Genre: RPG
Things have gone nuclear! Hop into Pokemon Uranium to explore an entirely new region known as Tandor. This new area features the original 150 Pokemon, as well as the rare Nuclear Type, which boasts hidden powers and untapped potential.
The wonderful world of Pokemon Uranium uses the RPG Maker XP game engine to provide endless new content, including 8 gyms and the fabled Tandor League. Discover the source of the uranium anomalies, and be prepared to use the nuclear option to protect the denizens of the world. The adventure awaits those brave enough to enter the realm.
4. PokeMMO
Our pick for one of the best Pokemon RPG online games
- Website: https://pokemmo.eu/
- Platform: PC, Mac, Linux, Android
- Genre: MMORPG
What do you get when you mesh Pokemon with massively multiplayer online play? PokeMMO, of course!
Hop aboard the free-to-play online servers and explore 3 new regions, exciting new puzzles, and an insanely epic storyline. Cooperate with your friends, and battle it out to see who’s the real Pokemon master.
The best part? PokeMMO features regular updates and a friendly community that’s excited to welcome you home.
5. Pokemon Prism
Our pick for one of the best Pokemon ROMs
- Website: http://pokemonprism.com/
- Platform: Emulator
- Genre: RPG
Introducing the first ROM on our list, Pokemon Prism. Pokemon Prism is technically a hack of the GBC’s Crystal Version, and you’ll need an emulator or cartridge to play it.
Create your character and explore the new Naljo Region, where you’ll find a hodgepodge of over 200 Pokemon! The game boasts a ton of unique features, including new mini-games, elemental types, and over 20 gym battles. Oh, and then there’s the ability to play as your Pokemon!
Intrigued? Head over to the main website and give Pokemon Prism a (poly)whirl.
6. Pokemon Ash Gray
Our pick for one of the best fake Pokemon games
- Website: http://pokemonashgray.com/
- Platform: Emulator
- Genre: RPG
Feeling nostalgic? Head back to the region that started it all, and play as the protagonist from the critically acclaimed series.
Assume control of Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town as he heads out on his adventure. This ROM game is built atop Pokemon Fire Red and follows the path Ash and friends took on the original TV show. Meet up with Pikachu, Misty, and Brock, then follow the narrative all the way to the Elite 4.
Pokemon Ash Gray features a redrawn map, stronger enemies, and gym battles that’ll knock your socks off.
7. Pokemon Phoenix Rising
Our pick for one of the best Pokemon RPG Maker games
- Website: https://www.pokecommunity.com/showthread.php?t=351035
- Platform: PC
- Genre: RPG
Rise from the ashes of the war-torn nation, and unite the Oracles to bring peace back to the forgotten realm.
This traditional RPG-meets-Pokemon is a surefire hit that’s guaranteed to satisfy your craving for adventure. In addition to classic Pokemon mechanics, Phoenix Rising boasts a robust quest system, skill trees, and the exclusive PokeStrap. And that’s on top of all-new stories, towns, and Pokemon.
What are you waiting for? Take your favorite monsters into battle, and show the world what you’re made of.
8. Pokemon Shiny Gold
Our pick for one of the top fan-made Pokemon games
- Website: http://pokemonshinygold.com/
- Platform: Emulator
- Genre: RPG
Pokemon Shiny Gold is a classic. Built atop Pokemon Fire Red, this outstanding rendition follows the protagonist on his journey through Kanto. Catch exciting new Pokemon, explore a revamped map, and battle with all-new TMs. The world is your Cloyster.
Though you’ll need an emulator to play, this remastered version of Pokemon Gold is one you don’t want to miss.
9. Pokemon Showdown
Our pick for one of the best online Pokemon games
- Website: https://pokemonshowdown.com/
- Platform: Browser
- Genre: Turn-based strategy
Three, two, one… it’s show time!
Choose your team of 6 Pokemon and battle against other players from around the world–directly from your browser. There are different game modes and rulesets that you can customize to get the exact playing experience you desire. Plus, this game is kept up to date and features the latest Pokemon and rules for a riveting experience every time.
10. Pokemon 3D
Our pick for one of the best Pokemon fan games online
- Website: https://pokemon3d.net/
- Platform: PC
- Genre: MMORPG
Pokemon Sword and Shield just not cutting it with their limited 3D camera angles? Don’t sweat it. Now you can experience full 3D immersion with other players from around the world–for free! We’re talking about Pokemon 3D.
Explore the terrain, catch stunning low-poly Pokemon, and battle against real people in this open-world MMORPG. Travel across the land, searching far and wide. There’s a stunning map to explore and hundreds of Pokemon to catch. It’s your move.
General Thoughts on Pokemon Fan Games
We’ve penned our general thoughts on Pokemon fan games and the mechanics behind these popular adaptations.
1. Pokemon ROMs require an emulator.
A Pokemon ROM is an adaptation of an original title, e.g., Pokemon Red or Blue, for a legacy system. Instead of developing an entirely new game, developers build upon these pre-existing titles to speed up development and maintain a genuine feel. The catch? To play a ROM on your PC or Mac, you need an emulator. There are plenty of options out there, but our favorite is the Emulator Zone.
2. Choose between text-based, 2D, and 3D fan games.
Pick your poison! Whether you prefer browser-based text games, 2D games like Red or Blue, or full-scale 3D titles, there’s an option for you.
3. RPG Maker is a popular engine for Pokemon fan games.
RPG Maker has been around for a couple of decades now, and it remains a popular game engine for fans and indie developers seeking to build role-playing games. Naturally, many of the best fan-made Pokemon games are built atop RPG Maker.
4. Want to play Pokemon online? No problem.
Our list of Pokemon fan games includes titles that feature varying levels of online connectivity. Some use the internet exclusively for features like trading or battle, while others boast massively multiplayer worlds where players can meet and interact.
5. It’s raining nostalgia.
Pokemon was the gateway to gaming for many of us Millenials and Gen Z’ers. Not only that, but the beloved series remains incredibly popular among kids and adults alike. And, the best Pokemon fan games are a welcome source of nostalgia.
Further Reading
- Best Adventure Games
- Best Turn-Based Games
- Best MMO Games
- Best Story Games
Where is Rejuvenation?
Hey Singh!
I wanted to showcase a wide range of excellent options, and we already have Reborn on the list. That said, Rejuvenation is definitely a major player in the Pokésphere, so I’ll keep it in mind when we expand the article.
Thanks for your feedback!
– Austin
what about fire ash
Choosing a top 10 was tough, and Fire Ash didn’t quite make the list. That said, I’ll be updating this page to a top 15 in the near future, and Fire Ash will be on there!
you should consider adding Pokemon Desolation to your list. It’s like Reborn and Rejuvenation in terms of story and difficulty, and is definitely just as good, though currently isn’t as long as the other two
Duly noted. Thank you, Dr Bleh!
Idk if it would cut it bu there’s this really good game called pokemon planet 🙂
Hey Cézar,
I will absolutely look into Pokemon Planet when adding a new set of games. Thanks for the tip!
– Austin
IMO, Pokemon Reborn cannot hold a candle to Pokemon Insurgence. Insurgence is a piece of art, and feels finished. Reborn has some really interesting ideas, but the execution is often not clean, and the biggest problem which ruins the whole game for me is the vulgar dialogue.
I was pretty disappointed by the lack of Pokemon Unbound on this list. It’s a hack of FireRed built on the Complete FireRed Upgrade, which not only brings the Gen 8 battle system into Gen 3 (technically the Gen 8 parts are exclusive to Unbound, the CFRU only has up to Gen 7- but that includes Z-Moves, Mega Evolutions, Hidden Abilities, and a ton more) but also adds lots of QoL features like more PC boxes, reusable TMs & an improved UI for the TM/HM box, swarms of Pokemon that can occur, more field moves like Defog, and just a ton of other cool things.
Onto Unbound itself: it’s got a gripping story (no I’m not spoiling it), it’s set in the diverse and lively region of Borrius, and you can catch nearly every Pokemon in the National Pokedex as of Gen 7 (they have no plans to add Gen 8 Pokemon, it’s just too big of a task to take on). The postgame is full of content too, what with all the Legendaries to hunt down and that massive Pokedex to fill.
I highly recommend trying the hack, you’ll find a well-written story with complex characters you easily get invested in, and a well-made battle system that (along with the beautiful graphics) makes it easy to forget this runs on a GBA.
Why do ya’ll keep trying to push Phoenix Rising onto these rankings? It has barely any content (4-6 hours of playtime…?) Is close to abandoned (4 years since the release of episode 1, with the developer rarely giving any updates)