Pokémon Priti Emerald is one of those fan-made GBA hacks that actually feels polished—like someone took Emerald and just dialed everything up a notch. The starters are different (no more picking between the same old three), and there’s a bunch of new Pokémon mixed in from later gens. At first, I thought it’d be weird seeing, say, a Riolu chilling in Petalburg Woods, but it actually fits.

Battles feel snappier, too. The AI isn’t brain-dead—gym leaders will switch out their Pokémon if you’re countering them too hard. And the level curve? Way better. No more grinding for hours just to keep up with the next gym. Plus, the maps have little tweaks that make exploring more fun, like hidden items in spots you’d never check in the original.

If you’ve played Emerald to death but still want that Hoenn vibe with some surprises, this one’s a solid pick.