15 Pokémon Fan Games Every Nintendo Fan Should Know About
Pokémon is a nostalgic series for many people and every time a new game in the series is released, new fans are created. Despite the fairly recent release of Pokémon Sword & Shield many fans have 100 percent completed the game and are looking for something else to sink their teeth into.
While you may be out of official Pokémon games to play, there are a ton of really well-made fan games that deserve some love and attention. So we've compiled a list of 10 that you should maybe try out.
Updated by Adriano Valente on April 11th, 2021: The announcement of the Diamond & Pearl remakes alongside the new Legends Arceus title have fans ready to jump back into the world of Pokemon. Game Freak has done an amazing job with creating unique regions and adventures over the years. So much so that fans have taken it upon themselves to create their own spin on the Pokemon universe. Fan games usually add a unique twist to the standard Pokemon formula that though tried and true, can be somewhat stale at times. These fan made titles let you experience Pokemon in a way that you’d never dreamed you could.
15 Pokemon Showdown
Pokemon Showdown is probably one of the oldest fan games on this list, and certainly has its place as one of the most well known within the community. Unlike other fan projects, Showdown doesn’t bother with the adventure and exploration elements of your typical Pokemon game. Instead, the focus is set on battles.
Players face off against each other online, utilizing Showdown’s many features to customize and build their ideal party. Meticulous fans can make use of the damage calculator to strategically plan for certain scenarios, but even if you’re going into it with a more laidback attitude, Showdown has plenty to offer. Players can choose between various formats and make use of the teambuilder feature to craft the perfect group of Pokemon. Everything from a Pokemon’s ability, held item, moves and stats can be customized.
14 Pokemon Adventures Red Chapter
Not many fan games make use of the Pokemon manga as inspiration when crafting their world, but Pokemon Adventures Red Chapter does just that. The game follows the events of the manga, but makes various narrative additions which add a level of severity typically unseen in official titles.
The game features various Pokemon from the first seven generations, as well as Shadow Pokemon , fusions and beta designs. Characters from the anime can be found as well, with Ash, Jessie, James, Meowth and others making appearances throughout the narrative. One feature that really stands out is the increased level cap, going from the traditional 100 all the way to 255.
13 Pokemon Uranium
Developed with the help of Pokemon Essentials, Pokemon Uranium gained quite a bit of interest throughout its development and release. It even gained enough attention that the original team behind the game had to abandon it due to multiple DMCA takedowns. Uranium takes place in the Tandor region and is home to more than 150 new Pokemon.
The player assumes the role of a young Pokemon trainer who ventures out into the world ten years following a nuclear catastrophe that claimed the life of their mother. The most notable feature in the game is the addition of the Nuclear-type, which is both super effective and weak against all other types. Other interesting features include a trainer test which determines the player’s compatibility with one of the three starters, various sidequests and a speech translator that allows players to understand Pokemon.
12 Pokemon Phoenix Rising
Though currently still in development, Pokemon Phoenix Rising seems like an interesting reimagining of the standard Pokemon formula. The project is being spearheaded by Gav, and also makes use of Pokemon Essentials.
Phoenix Rising takes place in the Hawthorne Region and promises new Mega Evolutions and a multi-choice storyline. The game also introduces Relic Pokemon, and the player gets one of Relic Koffing, Tentacool or Skiddo depending on their choice of starter. Relic Pokemon seem to be one of the most intriguing aspects of this fan project, and much like regional variants in the official games, add some sort of new spin on old favorites.
11 Pokemon Clockwork
Another game still in development, Pokemon Clockwork makes use of some interesting concepts and features. The game takes place in the Rosari Region, where players can explore various areas and take part in a number of quests. Players will have to try and save the region while going up against the mysterious Team Epsilon.
Clockwork makes use of a day/night cycle and also includes timed encounters. Players will be able to travel between the past and present in a game that offers up to 40 hours off gameplay so far in its unfinished state.
10 Pokémon Creepy Black
Pokémon Creepy Black is the first entry on our list because it is definitely the most unremarkable title on the list but it is unique in its own way and deserves mention. Pokémon Creepy Black is a fan game based on a fairly famous Pokémon creepypasta that was circulating online about a cursed copy of Pokémon Red.
The game depicts the events that supposedly happened in real life as told by the story and the game does a good job of creating a creepy atmosphere out of the usually cheery Pokémon world and assets.
9 Pokémon Ash Gray
Pokémon Ash Grey is a version of Pokémon: Firered that follows the tales of Ash, instead of Red, as he journeys through the Kanto region and its various gyms. The game pretty much follows the Kanto era of the TV show, with Ash starting off with Pikachu and meeting up with old friends that we all know like Misty and Brock.
Ash Grey makes the original Firered game harder to provide additional challenges, especially with the gym leaders, and even has a redrawn map.
8 Pokémon Light Platinum
Pokémon Light Platinum is one of the most complete ROM based fan games to date, at least that's what the fanbase says. The game is based on Pokémon Ruby and pits new Pokémon generations against older ones with updated graphics, a large variety of Pokémon, different regions, and gyms.
The game has 16 badges and trainers are able to compete in two Pokémon leagues and a World Championship, so this game will last for a long time.
7 Pokémon Godra
Pokémon Godra is a fairly unique take on the world of Pokémon, as the fan game places a lot more focus on the trainer, rather than the Pokémon themselves. In this ROM, the player can choose to become any number of professions in the Pokémon world, including a Military General, a Safari Zone Warden, and much more.
Godra also includes a wide area of Pokémon from different regions. The game's map is split between the east and west regions, each with their own unique storylines and missions.
6 Pokémon 3D
As you can tell from the title, a big part of this game is that it is a Pokémon game, in 3D! The game was made using the Unreal engine and it looks amazing for just a simple fangame made by a small group of developers.
In this game, the player directly controls their Pokémons movement and attacks, you can even choose to retreat whenever you want in case you feel like the fight isn't going your way. The original website for the game may be down but this game can still be found with a simple google search.
5 Pokémon Prism
We're back to ROM hacks fro this entry. Pokémon Prism is a ROM based on Pokémon Crystal from the original GameBoy Color. In this game, you take control of the Son or Daugther of the famous dragon trainer Lance and through some misadventures involving a Minecart, you end up in a region called Naljo.
From there you adopt a Larvitar as your first Pokémon and set off on a quest to defeat the regions 20 gym leaders and collect all of their badges. and the over 200 Pokémon in the region.
4 Pixelmon
This entry on our list can be considered more of a mod than a true fan game, but it changes the base game so much that it earns its place here. Pixelmon is a mod for Minecraft that adds Pokémon and a bunch of Pokémon-related things to the game.
This means that in order to catch Pokémon you need to craft Pokéballs and build a Pokécenter to heal them. This mod combines the best of both worlds when it comes to these two games and creates something completely unique.
3 Pokémon Reborn
This fangame is another one that isn't made from a ROM of an official Pokémon game, instead, this game is made using RPG Maker. The game takes place in Reborn city, a city riddled with pollution and corruption far from its heyday.
The player is tasked with working with other trainers to help stop the criminal organization that is terrorizing the town. The game features 18 different gyms. If you want a darker take on the Pokémon world, then this game is for you.
2 Pokémon Dark Rising
Pokémon Dark Rising is an interesting game on this list, as it is considered the Dark Souls of Pokémon games if that was even possible. Dark Rising takes place in the Core region and follows the adventures of a young Pokémon trainer.
This game is really hard, considered one of the hardest Pokémon games ever created by the people who have played it. The game starts off with a Pokémon picking you to be its trainer and then you set off on your adventure, which includes Pokémon form the first 5 generations.
1 Pokémon Insurgence
This is another fan game that was made in RPG Maker and the amount of detail that went into making it is insane. The game is set in a region called Torren where cults and gangs have made their way into the region and are now fighting for control of it.
The game includes features like trainer-customization, mega evolutions, secret bases, and delta species, which are combinations of Pokémon that create whole new species!
Post a Comment