Pokémon Blue Sea Edition is one of those GBA ROM hacks that actually feels like a proper game—not just some slapped-together mod. You start off with the usual Pokémon charm, but the map’s been completely redone, with way more water routes and islands to explore. At first, I thought it’d just be a reskin, but there are new wild encounters, tweaked gyms, and even some unexpected legendaries lurking in the deep.

The sprites are crisp, and the surfing sections actually feel fun instead of tedious. Just don’t expect to breeze through—some of the trainer battles are brutal if you’re not prepared. If you’ve played the original to death, this one’s a solid way to dive back in.