Pokémon Light Platinum DS is one of those ROM hacks that actually feels like a proper Pokémon game—just with way more to do. You start in this new region called Zhery, and right away, there are trainers everywhere itching for a fight. The sprites are cleaner than the usual DS-era stuff, and the wild Pokémon selection? Way more interesting than the usual early-game rodents and birds.

What I like is that it doesn’t just throw overpowered legendaries at you—you actually have to work for them. The gym leaders hit hard, too, so you can’t just steamroll with your starter. And yeah, the story’s got some twists that keep it from feeling like a rehash. If you’ve played the official games to death, this one’s got enough fresh stuff to feel worth your time.

Just don’t expect it to hold your hand—some of those rival battles will wreck you if you’re not prepared.