If you fancy playing your favourite 3DS games with a twist, then check out the best Pokemon Nintendo 3DS ROM hacks right here!
Yes, it’s Pokemon but not as you know it, with ROM hacks of Omega Ruby, Alpha Sapphire, X, Y, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon!
If, like me, you’re looking for more of a challenge from your Pokemon games, something that really gets your blood pumping and those thumbs tapping, then this list will provide all the answers.
We’re talking more Pokemon, more battles, and brand new features to whet your appetite.
So what are you waiting for? Jump right in and discover the best Pokemon Nintendo 3DS ROM hacks of all time!
5. Pokemon Rutile Ruby and Star Sapphire
First up in our list of the best Pokemon Nintendo 3DS games is Pokemon Rutile Ruby and Star Sapphire, hacks of two of the best Nintendo 3DS games all time, Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.
In essence, Rutile Ruby and Star Sapphire are harder versions of the original adventures. They provide a much more challenging experience from the outset with player’s Pokemon levelling up much quicker due to the increased difficulty.
If you’re not at Lv 100 with your main Pokemon by the time you reach the final challenge of the Elite Four, then you’re in trouble
The changes are subtle enough for you to not just feel like you’re continually running into a brick wall too. It might be harder, but it’s still an enjoyable title to play.
If you’re big into your online battles, then you’ll also be pleased to know that all of the obtainable items are still legal in competitive online battles too. Plus, getting teams ready to fight is a doddle now too.
See, while it makes other things harder, the overall effect of this life is to make your life way easier!
4. Pokemon Rising Ruby and Sinking Sapphire
We’ve got a lot to thank Omega Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire for, not least of all the creation of Rising Ruby and Sinking Sapphire.
Not only can you play through the main Omega and Alpha titles, but you can also grab and use all 721 Pokemon up to this point.
The game is much more difficult too, with a Pokemon League that seriously takes some beating.
Because there are so many Pokemon in this game, you can’t exactly rely on getting the same Pokemon in the same place in the same time either. It’s one for the patient explorers who have a lot of time on their hands and not the quick bathroom breakers looking to make a few shocking discovers with Pikachu on the potty.
That last sentence ruined my article readability, but it was so worth it.
3. Pokemon Eternal X and Wilting Y
The third spot in our best Pokemon Nintendo 3DS ROM hacks list goes to Pokemon Eternal X and Wilting Y, another set of hacks that allow users to catch all 721 Pokemon.
That’s all the critters from every game. And to be honest, you’ll need them if you’re hoping to tackle this mammoth title.
As you might expect after reading the last two ROM hacks, Eternal and Wilting are more difficult than the original X and Y titles. They come in three different types: Legal, Rebalanced, and Insanity.
Legal mode adds some some extra abilities and special moves that are all still legal in competitive battles online, while Rebalanced makes weaker Pokemon more exciting to use by giving them some kick-ass stats.
Finally, a monster Caterpie that can take on the big leagues.
Insanity mode is basically the Rebalanced mode with even more difficult scenarios thrown into the mix. It’s for the tough trainers out there that seek to pull their hair out.
2. Pokemon Supernova Sun and Penumbra Moon 3DS
Supernove Sun and Penumbra Moon slide into the penultimate spot in out list, two ROM hacks that Make Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon even better.
I know you thought that wasn’t even possible, but just trust me, it is.
And how do these hacks make the games better?
Could they make them harder, by any chance?
Yes, that’s exactly how they do it! The original titles were a little easy for experienced players who have been catching pocket monsters since Red and Blue, so having more of a challenging ride makes them much more entertaining.
We’re talking updated trainers, Pokemon with items that make them harder to battle and catch, and, an all-round difficult cookie to crack from start to finish.
1. Pokemon Rising Sun and Waning Moon
The results are in, and Pokemon Rising Sun and Waning Moon are officially the best Pokemon Nintendo 3DS ROM hacks of all time!
As well as making things much more difficult, there are some neat little changes to the original games that make these hacks the ultimate Pokemon 3DS titles.
From messing around with the game music to finding and accessing hidden abilities within your Pokemon, the whole journey just feels more immersive and customisable from the get-go.
You’ll be pushed to work harder and think on your feet as you play, working with your Pokemon to come up with solutions to the new challenged you’re posed along the way.
Don’t worry though; it’s not as if you’re just thrown in at the deep end and are drowning from start to finish. The game does a great job of preparing you so that you don’t feel like you’re running before walking.
Or in this case, flying on a Charizard before you’re walking with a Charmander… or something like that.
Seb Santabarbara has bought every Nintendo console that has ever been released in his 31 years on Planet Earth. His favourite game franchise is Zelda, and he’s patiently waiting for Banjo-Kazooie to come back to the fold. When he’s not playing games, he’s travelling the world in his self-converted camper van.
