Pokémon Intense Indigo is one of those fan-made ROM hacks that actually feels like a proper, polished game—not just some slapped-together mod. It’s built on the classic Gen 1 framework, but with way tougher trainers, rebalanced Pokémon, and a darker, more serious tone. The first rival battle? Brutal. Your starter choice actually matters now, and that Zubat in the cave? Yeah, it might just wreck you if you’re not careful.

They’ve tweaked the maps too—Viridian Forest feels denser, and some routes have hidden areas that make exploration way more rewarding. The dialogue’s been rewritten to feel less goofy, and Team Rocket’s actually intimidating for once. If you’ve played the original Red/Blue to death but still crave that retro feel with a fresh challenge, this one’s a solid pick.

Just don’t expect to breeze through it like the old days.