Pokémon Distorted Realms is one of those GBA ROM hacks that actually feels fresh—like stumbling onto a weird alternate universe where someone remixed your favorite game. You start off in a familiar-but-not-quite-right region, picking from these twisted versions of classic starters (I went with the ghost-type Eevee, which was a mistake at first because everything hits way harder here).

The maps are rearranged, some Pokémon have bizarre new typings, and the trainers don’t mess around. First gym leader had a team that wrecked me twice before I grinded up a counter. The distortion gimmick means you’ll run into glitchy-looking areas or wild Pokémon with moves they shouldn’t have, which keeps you on your toes. Not for beginners, but if you’ve played a dozen vanilla Pokémon games and want something with teeth, this’ll scratch that itch.

Just save often—some of those random trainer battles feel like they’re out for blood.