Including all 1025 Pokemon from all 9 generations in a single ROM hack is no easy task, especially since the new generation creatures also require modern moves, abilities and mechanics to be imported into the hack to make it all work properly.
ROM hacks that long time Pokemon fans should know
There are many fan made Pokemon Game/ROM hacks out there that are great all round adventures.
Most Pokemon ROM hacks that include the full list use Pokemon Emerald as a base. This is mainly due to the GBA ROM hack base Pokeemerald Expansion (created by DizzyEggg), a tool that allows creators to import a plethora of mechanics from later generations into Emerald. As a result, Emerald remains the best for those who want to include Pokemon from all 9 generations in their game.
Updated March 11, 2026 by Hamza Haq: The Pokemon fan community has been developing new and exciting Pokemon ROM hack tools for a long time, and enthusiasts continue to use them to great effect to reinvent beloved mainline Pokemon games time and time again. With the release of Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen on Switch and Switch 2, interest in old-school ROM hacks is at an all-time high, especially for hacks that add Pokemon from later generations to older games, allowing aspiring trainers to bridge the gap between nostalgia and modern iterations of Pokemon. This article has been updated with two more Pokemon ROM hacks that include Pokemon from Gen 1 to 9.
Pokemon Black Pearl Emerald
Streamlined gameplay with QoL features
Pokemon Black Pearl Emerald is an enhancement ROM hack, aiming to modernize the Emerald experience with new quality of life features, advanced custom trainer AI, multiple difficulty options and, of course, all Pokémon from Gen 1-9, obtainable via wild encounters.
Black Pearl Emerald also features Mega Evolutions, updated Battle UI, increased Shiny odds, and a dedicated Nuzlocke mode for those looking for a challenge. Players can find a full encounter list in an accompanying Google Doc, making planning ahead a breeze.
Pokemon ROWE 2.0
Open-World Gen 3 Exploration
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Created by: Rioluwott
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Game: Pokemon Emerald
Pokemon ROWE 2.0 is an open world version of the Hoenn and Sevii regions, offering players a non-linear experience carefully balanced to remain as fair as possible while allowing complete freedom. Pokemon from all nine generations appear in the game.
With a total of 16 gyms to tackle, there is more than enough content to keep players busy for a while, and the many QoL additions like move tutorial, reusable TMs, faster in-game battles and many others make the experience memorable. Players can also choose between three difficulty modes, as well as multiple game modes to drastically change each run.
Pokemon Emerald Crest
Classic emerald with modern enhancements
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Created by: Aaghat
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Game: Pokemon Emerald
Pokemon Emerald Crest is a vanilla plus enhancement ROM hack that keeps the main story of Emerald but adds features, mechanics and creatures from later generations to spice up the gameplay loop. The ROM hack contains all 1025 Pokemon up to Gen 9, including regional variants from Hisui, Galar, and Alola, as well as the exclusive The Teal Mask DLC.
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While Emerald Crest isn't necessarily a difficulty ROM hack, the updated battle AI and trainer scaling can result in a challenging experience, especially for players attempting the Nuzlocke challenge. The various QoL features included in the hack drastically reduce the amount of time players have to spend grinding, making the overall experience much more enjoyable.
Pokemon Emerald Rogue
Infinite replayability with unique runs
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Created by: Pokabbie
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Game: Pokemon Emerald
Pokemon Emerald Rogue is a rogue-like game where players engage in one battle after another against random trainers with progressively more powerful teams. Wild encounters and items found in the game are procedurally generated according to the power level of the player's team, although rare legendary encounters are still possible. Each run is different as available Pokemon, opposing teams, and even gym leaders change from run to run.
A “run” ends either when the player's entire party passes out or they defeat the champion. In Modern Encounters mode, every Pokémon from Gens 1-9 becomes available, although not all of them can be caught in a single run.
Pokemon Radical Red
One of the toughest Pokemon ROM hacks ever
Pokemon Radical Red considered one of the most difficult Pokémon ROM hacks out there and offers players a brutal challenge that not only tests the extent of their knowledge of the game, but also the ability to strategize. Enemy trainers come with custom teams that are tailored to make encounters hellishly difficult, especially on higher difficulties.
In addition, Radical Red also offers a host of new quality-of-life features, gameplay improvements, game modes, and Pokemon from all 9 generations. Players who want a less punishing run can lower the difficulty. But even on the lowest setting, the game remains tougher than vanilla, but still easier than Hardcore mode.
Pokemon Elite Redux
Unique Multi-Ability Difficulty Hack
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Created by: darkyy92
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Game: Pokemon Emerald
Pokemon Elite Redux is a difficulty hack full of quality-of-life features and game additions that help it stand out from the rest. Elite Redux gives each Pokemon four individual abilities, three of which are fixed, while the last can be switched between multiple options, opening the door to building experiments unlike anything else out there. To accommodate this, the creator has made more than 200 custom abilities distributed among different creatures.
Additionally, Elite Redux offers enemy trainer teams with custom movesets that use the smartest version of battle AI. The need to level up has been removed via built-in infinite rare candies, EV setters and automatic perfect IVs, allowing players to fully focus on the battles ahead. And, of course, all 1025 Pokémon are catchable in Elite Redux.
Pokemon Blue Stars 4
GBA ROM Hack Perfect for Nuzlockers
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Created by: Jean Stars
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Game: Pokemon FireRed
Pokemon Blue Stars 4 is one Fire red ROM hack takes place in a new region called Shinstar. The story revolves around Mewtwo's escape from Team Cosmic, an organization that wants to use its power to revive an ancient Pokémon.
Pokemon Blue Stars 4 includes all Pokemon up to Gen 9, Hisuian forms, as well as gimmicks like Mega Evolution and Dynamaxing. For players who like difficult ROM hacks, it also offers a built-in level cap system to encourage Nuzlocking, as well as three different difficulty levels to increase the challenge.
Pokémon Emerald Empire
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Created by: iriv24
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Game: Pokemon Emerald
Pokémon Emerald Empire is an increased difficulty ROM hack that tries to get Pokemon Radical Reds QoL and balance changes in the Hoenn region, including new abilities, stat changes, script changes, new movesets, and alternative evolution methods popularized by RR.
Almost all Pokemon from Generations 1-9 can be caught, including Mega Evolutions and Gigantamax forms. For Nuzlockers, the game also offers built-in randomizers, enforced level caps, and different difficulty modes. On top of that, there are a whole host of QoL improvements added to the game such as Reusable TMs, IV Perfecter NPC, Stat Editor for EVs and IVs, Toggleable Repel and Auto Run, and much, much more!
Pokemon Sacred Red World
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Created by: SacredGBC
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Game: Pokemon FireRed
Pokemon holy red world is a GBA ROM hack of Pokemon FireRed which transforms the traditionally linear Kanto region into an open world by introducing shortcuts to every major city in the game. Players can take on the eight gym leaders in any order they want, and their teams will scale to match the trainer's badge level.
Pokemon Sacred Red World offers trainers the chance to catch Pokémon from Generations 1 to 9, including Paradox forms, Gigantamax and Dynamax forms, Mega Evolutions, as well as regional forms. For gamers interested in a Gen 1 game that can do it all, this is one to try.
Pokemon Chaos Purple
The classic Kanto journey with Gen 5 Flair
Pokemon Chaos Purple offers a classic retelling of the original Kanto story with graphics and tilesets from Gen 4 and 5. A ROM hack of Pokemon Heart Goldit contains all Pokemon up to generation 9, including regional variants from Hisui and Galar to complete the Pokedex.
The game's story centers around Team Rocket's efforts to bring Mewtwo to life using Mew's DNA. In addition to Kanto, the game also features the Sevii Islands, where post-Gen 1 Pokemon can be obtained in the wild. For players looking for a modern take on Pokemon Red and Blue, this is a great option.
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