Pokémon Orchid is one of those fan-made GBA hacks that actually feels like a proper Pokémon game—just with way more personality. The starters are all new (no more picking between the same old fire/water/grass trio), and the region’s got this weirdly cool mix of tropical vibes and ancient ruins. First time I played, I spent way too long staring at the starter selection screen because they all looked awesome.

Battles are snappy, the sprite work is clean, and there’s just enough little tweaks to keep it from feeling like a rehash. Some of the new Pokémon designs are hit-or-miss, but when they hit, they really hit. Also, the rival’s kind of a jerk in the best way possible.

If you’ve burned through the official games and want something fresh but familiar, this one’s a solid pick.