Pokémon Fan games allow creative game makers to design brand new custom adventures, often with fake, new regions, new storylines, and new game modes. Free from the constraints of what has come before, fan games are free to put their own spin on it Pokémon formula, resulting in games that are jam-packed with custom features and QoL additions that sometimes make them more fun than regular games in the series.
Best Pokemon mobile games and apps, ranked
There are many ways to enjoy Pokemon on mobile devices, and these are some of the best ways to do so.
Most Pokémon fan games are made in RPG Maker XP using the Pokémon Essentials toolbox, which gives creators access to scripts that mimic the main games in the series, while giving them the freedom to change the look and feel of their games in ways that Pokémon ROM hacks simply cannot. Given the size of the community and the amount of love poured into these projects over the years, you chose best Pokémon fan game is no easy task.
Updated March 12, 2026 by Hamza Haq: With the release of the Switch and Switch 2 versions of Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen, interest in the old 2D era of Pokemon games is at an all-time high, and Pokemon fan games made using RPG Maker XP and the Pokemon Essentials toolbox are perfect for scratching that itch. This list has been updated with three more Pokémon fan games, each putting their own unique spin on the tried-and-true formula.
Pokemon Reborn
Feature-rich, story-driven adventure
Pokemon Reborn is a difficult, narrative fan game acclaimed for its mature themes, feature-rich content, and intricate puzzles. The game features a new region, all Pokémon up to generation 7, and unique field effects and terrain systems that drastically change battle encounters and add a new layer of depth to the battle.
Reborn has 21 starters, 18 gyms, custom shinys and many more quality of life addons that make it one of the most loved Pokémon fan game of all time. For those looking for a challenge, the game even has a built-in Nuzlocke mode, but given its challenging nature, it's much harder to beat than the vanilla Pokémon game.
Pokemon Realidea System
A complete package with modern features
Pokemon Realidea System is a masterclass in visual presentation, using clever lighting and fog effects to lift the otherwise bland Pokémon color schemes to incredible heights. Originally released as a Spanish-only fan game, Realidea System has since received an English version, allowing the wider community to enjoy what it has to offer.
Set in the region called Esoteria, the game tasks players with collecting eight gym badges and challenging the league, the traditional Pokémon journey with a twist that is revealed as the story progresses. Fakemon is prevalent Realidea Systemall with animated battle sprites and attacks to fully integrate them into the game. Quality of life features like speed up, dialogue skip, nature change, free movement relearning and many more streamline the experience.
PokeRogue
A Roguelite Twist on Pokemon Battle
PokeRogue is a unique fan game that turns the typical explore, collect and fight formula on its head. Instead of the classic Pokemon League challenge, PokeRogue works like a roguelite game where each “run” is a series of endless random battles that players must complete to advance to the next stage.
9 Best Mobile Games Like Pokemon
If you're burnt out on Pokemon but fancy a similar experience on the go, check out these Pokemon mobile games.
To defeat a Pokemon Pokerogue giving players the choice of three random rewards. Things like Potions, Pokeballs and held items can only be obtained this way. Catching a Pokémon during a run unlocks it as a starter, with the exact same Nature, EVs, and IVs as the captured Moon, encouraging multiple catches.
Pokemon Infinite Fusion
Limitless fusion system for endless replayability
Pokemon Infinite Fusion is perhaps the most technically impressive fan game ever made. In it, any two Pokémon can be fused to create a new one, with a new sprite, stat spread, and unique traits that make them stand out from the rest.
The base version of Pokemon Infinite Fusion has nearly 200,000 custom sprites, and more are added with new updates and community contributions. 400 Pokémon from Generations 1-5 are included, with a built-in encounter randomizer for even more fun. Given the large number of possible fusion players can create Infinite fusionno two runs will ever be the same.
Pokemon reloads
Pokemon battles in real time
For players looking for a unique experience that is a departure from the traditional turn-based combat seen in most Pokemon games, Pokemon reloads is worth considering. The defining feature of the game is top-down real-time battles, where players actually control Pokémon on the field during battles, letting them perform moves and avoid attacks manually.
The real-time battle where players control the Pokemon themselves is something that has been a fantasy for many fans, and Pokemon reloads do it justice. The format is not only unique, but it is also very well balanced.
Pokemon bioterror
A Nuclear Twist on Pokemon
Pokemon bioterror is a narrative fan project that takes players to the Chimea region, where they can find Pokemon from Generations 1-9, fakemon, and new regional forms of existing Pokemon. There are 18 different Gym Brands to claim, a massive, worldwide threat to stop, and a whole new region to discover.
Players are also offered two different difficulty settings, one for casual players who want a relaxed experience and another for the more hardcore crowd. Quality of life features like switchable Exp. Sharing for all Pokemon, EV allocation on command, streamlined Move Relearner, and boosted shiny prizes are also included in the game.
Pokemon Tectonic
An experiential trip to the Makya region
Pokemon Tectonic Set in the Makya Region, it features all Pokémon up to Generation 8, new regional forms exclusive to the Makya Region, and 30+ new evolutions for existing Pokémon. The game reworks the stats, abilities, and movesets of a large majority of Pokémon to make Pokémon traditionally considered trash-tier choices viable options for a playthrough. To that end, the developers have created over 500 new moves and abilities and spread them across all 1000+ species of Pokemon in the game to give everyone a fighting chance.
Pokemon Tectonic also features new terrain changes, Typechart touchups, status state reworks, and experience gain overhauls to streamline the experience for maximum fun. Additionally, a MasterDex, MoveDex, and Battle Guide are incorporated directly into the game, giving players built-in documentation to refer to when needed. It's a visually distinct, mechanically impressive Pokémon fan game that ticks many of the boxes enthusiasts look for in a project, and as such is definitely worth a look.
Pokemon Xenoverse
A polished professional quality fan game
Pokemon Xenoverse is one of the most polished, high-quality fan games currently available for download, featuring over 500 Fakemon and original Pokemon in a brand new region called Eldiw. In addition, the game also features audio type, a new, fully integrated typing that adds another dimension to combat.
Best of all, Xenoverse features perhaps the most impressive cutscenes of any fan game ever made, with fully animated action sequences that play out like anime clips, bringing the game's story to life. Another highlight of the game is the X Pokemon, special regional variants of existing Pokemon with a different typing, color and moveset that are very prominent throughout.
Pokemon Uranium
Pokemon Uranium is one of the most famous fan games for the franchise, as it came into the limelight when its development was shut down outright by Nintendo. Fortunately, despite the takedown, Pokemon Uranium remains active thanks to dedicated community members and fans who take up the task of adding new content and updates that helped the game reach the finish line.
10 Best Pokemon Games for Exploration, Ranked
Pokemon fans who like their games with a hefty side of exploration won't be disappointed with the following titles.
Uranium is a visually impressive fan game set in the Brazil-inspired Tandor region, featuring 160+ Fakemon and a small selection of original Pokémon. Players take on the classic gym challenge in the new region, featuring 8 gyms, an Elite Four and a champion to crown themselves the region's best trainer.
Pokemon Eon Guardians
A Lazio adventure
Pokemon Eon Guardians is a visually stunning fan game set in the all-new Terre region featuring all Pokémon from Generations 1 to 4. The game offers approximately 50 hours of gameplay, eight gym badges, and tons of post-game content.
For hardcore players, there are multiple difficulty levels, a built-in randomizer, Nuzlocke support, and enforced level caps. Pokemon stats and movepools have also been tweaked to make weak Pokemon stronger, giving players more reason to bring them on their travels.
