Pokémon Advanced Adventure is one of those GBA ROM hacks that actually feels like a proper upgrade—not just some slapped-together mod. Right off the bat, you get a bigger world to explore, new Pokémon mixes, and tougher trainers who don’t just spam Tackle over and over. The starters are different too, so you’re not stuck picking between the same old three.

What I like is how it tweaks the difficulty just enough to keep you on your toes. Gym leaders actually have strategy now, and wild Pokémon levels scale better so grinding doesn’t feel like a chore. Plus, there’s some extra post-game stuff if you’re into that. It’s still classic Pokémon at its core, just… better.

If you’ve played the original games to death, this one’s a solid way to relive the nostalgia without feeling like you’re retreading the exact same path.