Pokémon Rebirth is one of those fan-made GBA hacks that actually feels like a proper Pokémon game—just with way more edge. You start off in a region that’s seen better days, with a darker story and some wild twists on classic mechanics. The usual gyms are there, but the trainers don’t mess around, and your rival? Let’s just say they’re not here to make friends.

First thing you’ll notice is the sprites—some Pokémon look totally different, and there are a few new evolutions that actually make sense (finally, a proper evolution for Farfetch’d). The battles are tougher too, so you can’t just spam one move and expect to win. I got wrecked by the first gym leader’s team because I wasn’t paying attention.

If you’ve burned through the official games and want something with a bit more bite, this one’s worth a look. Just don’t expect a cozy nostalgia trip.