Pokémon Crystal Kaizo is like someone took the original Crystal and cranked the difficulty up to eleven—in the best way possible. Wild Pokémon hit harder, trainers actually use strategy, and gym leaders? Forget about sweeping them with one overleveled 'mon. You'll actually have to think about type matchups and team balance.

At first, I thought my usual Cyndaquil pick would carry me, but nope—even the early routes feel like a proper challenge. The game tweaks movesets, adds new evolutions, and throws in some surprises that keep you on your toes. If you’ve ever wanted Crystal to feel less like a victory lap and more like a real fight, this is it.

Just don’t blame me when you lose to Falkner’s buffed-up Pidgeotto for the fifth time.