Top Pokemon 3DS ROM Hacks of 2023: A Comprehensive Insight

Last update: Aug 29, 2023

As an aficionado of Pokemon 3DS ROM hacks, you've landed on the right article. We delve into the best hacks for your beloved Pokemon games including Omega Ruby, Alpha Sapphire, X and Y, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon!

The beauty of these ROM hacks is their ability to breathe new life into the classic games, offering unprecedented ways to enjoy them. From an increased roster of Pokemon, more dynamic battles, to fresh features not found in the original versions, get ready to be immersed in a whole new Pokemon world.

What Are The Leading Pokemon 3DS ROM Hacks?

Let's explore the top picks:

1. Pokemon Rising Sun and Waning Moon

At the top of our list is Pokemon Rising Sun and Waning Moon. These hacks elevate the original Sun and Moon games by providing a stiffer challenge and quality of life enhancements that are more than welcome.

The original creator used pk3DS, a 3DS ROM editor and randomizer, to modify trainers and Pokemon move sets in Pokemon Sun and Moon, thereby creating a challenge mode akin to Blaze Black and Volt White.

In this ROM hack, Trial Captains and Kahunas now have 6 Pokemon each, a steeper level curve, and trainers possess Pokemon not typically native to the Alola region. Plus, there's custom music for returning trainers in the post-game, and nearly every Pokemon has access to hidden abilities.

2. Pokemon Supernova Sun and Penumbra Moon

As inferred from the name, these are hacks of the original Sun and Moon games. The same creator behind Nova Sun, Umbra Moon, Rutile Ruby, and Star Sapphire is responsible for these challenging hacks.

Supernova Sun and Penumbra Moon overhaul Pokemon Trainers in the game's world to make for more challenging battles. Every single trainer in the game has been modified, and the level curve expects the use of the Experience Share feature, leveling players up rather swiftly. The Elite 4 and Champion are even Level 100!

This ROM hack is inspired by the Super Smash Bros. Melee 20XX Hack Pack, which aimed to enhance competitive players' grinding and practice. Everything in this hack is 100% legal and legitimate for real online battles and trades.

3. Pokemon Eternal X and Wilting Y

These hacks include all 721 Pokemon in the games, with trade evolutions obtainable throughout. Both Pokemon Eternal X and Wilting Y offer a heightened difficulty level and are significantly more challenging than the original X and Y games.

They come in four separate versions: Legal, Rebalanced, Insanity Mode, and Online. These versions offer different gameplay experiences, including changes in hidden abilities, base stats, move-pool, and challenging trainer battles.

4. Pokemon Rising Ruby and Sinking Sapphire

These hacks take the original Ruby and Sapphire games and incorporate numerous quality of life improvements. All 721 different Pokemon are catchable in these hacks, but the difficulty level has been significantly cranked up.

Rising Ruby and Sinking Sapphire make substantial changes to trainers, items, Pokemon, evolutions, encounters, and attacks.

5. Pokemon Rutile Ruby and Star Sapphire

Lastly, we have Pokemon Rutile Ruby and Star Sapphire. Hacks of the original Ruby and Sapphire games for the 3DS, these versions are much tougher than the original titles, providing a significantly challenging experience.

Regardless of the increased difficulty, Pokemon will level up faster due to the sheer challenge of the hacks. All changes included in these ROM hacks are legal and can be used in competitive online play.

These ROM hacks offer a tough yet rewarding experience. For those who can conquer these challenges, you'll have a finely tuned team ready for competitive play.