Pokémon Dark Rising (Beta 2) is one of those fan-made GBA hacks that actually feels like a proper, full-fledged game—just with way tougher battles and a darker story. You start off with the usual Pokémon setup, but things take a sharp turn when you realize trainers don’t mess around here. Gym leaders? They’ll wreck you if you’re not prepared.

The new Pokémon and custom sprites are a nice touch, though some of the difficulty spikes can feel brutal if you’re not grinding. And yeah, it’s still a beta, so expect a few rough edges—but if you’re into hacks that actually challenge you, this one’s worth a shot. Just don’t go in expecting a breezy nostalgia trip.