Pokémon Cyan (beta 2) is one of those fan-made GBA hacks that actually feels polished—like someone took FireRed and gave it a fresh coat of paint. You start off in a new region with some familiar Pokémon mixed in, and the sprites have this cool, slightly updated look without losing that classic GBA charm.

First thing I noticed? The rival’s team isn’t just the usual early-game pushover. They actually switch up their strategy, which keeps you on your toes. And the new areas? Some of the route designs are way more creative than the official games, with little hidden paths and optional trainers that make exploring feel worth it.

It’s still a beta, so there are a few rough edges—some dialogue typos, one gym puzzle that had me stuck for way too long—but if you’re into ROM hacks, this one’s got enough personality to stand out. Just don’t expect a full 8-badge run yet.