The best Pokémon ROM hacks of Nintendo DS games

Steven Rondina Last updated 04/05/2026

There are many impressive Pokémon ROM hacks, but the Nintendo DS offers some of the most interesting and ambitious.

The Game Boy Advance is home to many of the best Pokémon ROM hacks. Pokémon Emerald, FireRed, and LeafGreen are some of the most beloved Pokémon games, and serve as a great canvas for some creative ideas. But when it comes to the “best Pokémon games,” many fans will point to Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, Black 2 and White 2, and Pokemon Platinum.

So how do Pokémon fans expand upon what many regard as the best Pokémon games ever? These ROM hacks answer that question.

Pokémon Garbage Gold

Don’t let the name fool you on this one. Pokémon Garbage Gold is one of the best Pokémon ROM hacks for the Nintendo DS.

When Pokémon ROM hacks look to make the game harder, it’s usually by giving NPCs stronger Pokémon with optimized stats. Pokémon Garbage Gold is different; it makes it so the player only has access to either weak Pokémon or ones that aren’t fully evolved. Players will have to make their way through eight gyms and the Elite Four using a hodgepodge party of Pokémon like Minun, Gothorita, and Linoone.

It’s not just “Pokémon HeartGold, but without as many Pokémon,” though. There’s a new story that brings together familiar characters and numerous balance tweaks to moves and stats. It also adds Pokémon from future generations to give players as many options as possible. This makes it a brand-new way to tackle old-school Pokémon.

This particular ROM hack is good for hardcore Nuzlocke players. Fans of difficult games will be right at home, whereas those who prefer a more casual, stress-free playthrough will not have the best time.

What’s new in Garbage Gold is a post-war Johto region that totally changes the storyline. It also features plenty of “bad” Pokémon, hence the “trashlocke” designation.

Pokémon Blaze Black 2 and Volt White 2 Redux

Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 are regarded by many as the best Pokémon games ever. Pokémon Blaze Black 2 Redux and Volt White 2 Redux don’t try to reinvent the wheel, and instead just let the base game carry it to being one of the best DS ROM hacks.

Many Pokémon games actively try to make the game harder. That’s not really the case here.

Pokémon Blaze Black 2 Redux instead rescales the game to make more Pokémon viable in the long haul. It also makes it easier to have a fully realized lineup, making it so a Pokémon like Hydreigon doesn’t take until the post-game to evolve.

Pokémon Blaze Black 2 Redux is good for players who want a challenge, but it is definitely a level below the above ROM, which was designed for Nuzlocke gamers. If you’re an experienced Pokémon player, this is the one for you. Otherwise, you might try some other options.

What’s interesting about Blaze Black 2 and Volt White Redux 2 is that it allows you to catch all 649 Pokémon that were around through Gen 5. It also includes quality-of-life changes to movesets, base stats, and items.

Pokémon Renegade Platinum

While Pokémon Blaze Black 2 and Volt White 2 offer a more comprehensive experience for a classic game, Pokémon Renegade Platinum goes in a different direction. It wants to beat the hell out of the player.

Making things harder is a common approach to Pokémon ROM hacks, and Renegade Platinum takes this to the extreme. The game is a common option for hardcore Nuzlocke players, thanks to its brutal difficulty.

It isn’t just a difficulty upgrade, though. It introduces a number of changes that streamline the standard Pokémon experience and set it apart from the original.

Fans of competitive battling in Pokémon games will enjoy Pokémon Renegade Platinum. It’s another high-difficulty one, though, so be warned before loading this one up. It won’t be easy.

This ROM allows you to catch all the Pokémon available through this Generation without trading, which is one major downside to the mainline games. The gameplay is also much faster, which is a huge bonus.

Pokémon: Shadows of Time

Pokémon ROM hackers have really made the GBA their home. Because of that, ROM hacks that have completely original maps and stories are relatively few. Pokémon: Shadows of Time is one of the key releases that is changing that.

The game has a new story and new region, with “dark world” alternate timeline that players need to jump from. This gives it a feel that combines The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Pokémon Legends: Arceus, but within the framework of Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver. This helps Pokémon: Shadows of Time stand as one of the best DS ROM hacks, and it may go down as one of the most influential.

Among Pokémon ROM hacks, Shadows of Time is one of the most narrative-oriented experiences out there. If you’re into fast-paced story-based gameplay, this is the one for you. If you’re just looking to catch and battle, then you might get bogged down with story beats and other parts of this one. Plus, what sets this one apart is the two-part time travel. You can visit the past and present of the region, which is unheard of in other games.

Pokémon MindCrystal

The second Pokémon generation is regarded as the best by many, and the sheer quality of Crystal is a big part of that. That makes it a bit of a shame that it was left in the past while Gold and Silver got highly popular remakes in HeartGold and SoulSilver.

Pokémon MindCrystal rights that mistake, somewhat. The DS ROM hack brings all the extra elements of Crystal onto the Nintendo DS, alongside modern Pokémon and later mechanics, including mega evolution.

Once again, this one was designed with serious, dedicated players in mind. It’s not for the weak, and it’s most enjoyable when players are seeking out a challenge. It’s not impossible to play, but just keep that in mind. When we say challenge, we mean it. This ROM introduces major changes, including prohibiting items in battle, upgrading difficulty, and forcing a particular battle style every time.

Steven Rondina

About Steven Rondina

Steven Rondina is a true lifelong gamer. His earliest memories are of playing video games, and he has continued playing them throughout his life with no plans to stop any time soon. Steven’s favorite franchises in gaming include Pokemon, Dark Souls, and Counter-Strike. He has previously published with Bleacher Report and other gaming outlets.

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