Pokémon: 2Awesome Version is one of those fan-made GBA hacks that actually feels like a proper, polished game—not just some slapped-together ROM edit. Right off the bat, you get a fresh starter lineup (no more default Charmander/Bulbasaur/Squirtle), and the maps have been tweaked just enough to feel familiar but surprising. Like, why is there a Growlithe just chilling on Route 1? No idea, but I’m not complaining.

The battles are snappy, and the trainers actually put up a fight—none of that "level 3 Pidgey" nonsense. You’ll hit a few difficulty spikes, but it never feels unfair, just… motivated. And yeah, the title’s a little goofy, but once you’re knee-deep in revamped gyms and weirdly cool post-game stuff, you’ll forget all about it. If you’ve burned through the official games and want something with personality, this one’s a solid pick.

Runs smooth on emulators, too—just saying.