Pokémon Topaz is one of those fan-made GBA hacks that actually feels like a proper Pokémon game—just with way more polish and some cool twists. You start off in a new region with a mix of familiar Pokémon and some custom ones, and the sprites look surprisingly clean for a ROM hack. The first gym’s tougher than you’d expect, though, so don’t go in with just your starter.

What I like is that it doesn’t just rehash the same old Kanto or Johto story. There’s a new evil team (because what’s a Pokémon game without one?), and some of the route designs actually make you think instead of just mashing A through tall grass. The music’s a mix of remixed tracks and original stuff, and it’s weirdly catchy for a fan project.

If you’ve burned through the official games and want something that feels fresh but still classic, this one’s a solid pick. Just save before the third gym leader—trust me.