Pokémon Amber is one of those fan-made GBA hacks that actually feels polished—like it could’ve been an official release. You start off in a familiar-but-tweaked region with some wild new Pokémon designs mixed in with the classics. The sprites have this nice, slightly upgraded look without losing that classic Game Boy Advance charm.

First thing I noticed? The rival’s team isn’t just the usual early-game pushover. They actually adapt, and by the third gym, I was scrambling to adjust my lineup. Also, the TM selection is way more interesting—none of that "here’s another Normal-type move" filler. You’ll actually debate which one to teach your team.

It’s got that perfect balance of nostalgia and fresh surprises. If you’ve burned through the main games and want something that feels familiar but still keeps you on your toes, this one’s a solid pick.