The main series of Pokemon games, developed by Game Freak, have built up a huge fanbase globally. The franchise has launched multiple anime series, a trading card game, and countless spin-off games, which has expanded the fanbase even more. With a fanbase of that size, pleasing everyone with everything is virtually impossible, and some fans are going to feel like Game Freak isn't catering to their desires.
For some fans, this amounts to little more than complaining online, but for others, it can be a spark of creativity. Many members of the Pokemon community have gotten together over the years and have created their own Pokemon games that do things Game Freak would never even dream of.
Updated on November 2, 2021 By Ryan Woodrow: As the Pokemon franchise brings out games like it's never done before, such as Pokemon Legends: Arceus, fans continue to push the boundaries of what's possible with the series. Everyone has a slightly different take on what a "perfect" game looks like, meaning the Pokemon fan games scene is alive and well, churning out new high-quality titles by the boatload. While these projects might not be official Nintendo or Game Freak releases, they are still worthy additions to the Pokemon universe, serving as a way to experience new stories and ideas that might never be explored by the main games.
13 Pokemon Sage
Putting the tools together to create an expansive and high-quality Pokemon experience is a tough challenge in and of itself, but that trial becomes even greater when designing 200+ original Pokemon. Still in development, Pokemon Sage looks to do just that.
With the current demo consisting of 117 original Pokemon based primarily on Latin & South American mythology, Pokemon Sage offers a truly unique experience. A plot about calming a vengeful God will have players in for a wild ride while still hitting all the usual aspects of Pokemon fan games, with challenging Gyms and a big variety of monsters to catch.
12 Pokemon MMO 3D
This is a game that won't be for everyone, but Pokemon MMO 3D definitely has a great appeal to it and is the kind of thing the fanbase has been after for a long time. Doing pretty much exactly what it says on the tin, Pokemon MMO 3D utilizes full 3D graphics to bring the Pokemon world to life.
As is to be expected from such a huge fan game, it lacks polish, but the fundamentals are all there and work well. Pokemon Legends: Arceus may finally be stepping the franchise into this territory, but for those who want to experience the original games in a 3D environment, this will be perfect.
11 Pixelmon
Another option for 3D Pokemon, Pixelmon is a rather famous mod for Minecraft. It was briefly taken offline but has since been revived and now includes all 898 Pokemon as spawnable somewhere across the game's three different dimensions.
The mod even allows some degree of exploration around the world. A variety of Gyms can spawn as parts of villages, and quests were recently added, meaning there's more than ever before for players to do in the already expansive landscapes of Minecraft.
10 Pokemon Phoenix Rising
A common theme throughout many Pokemon fan games is a more mature story. Gone are the days of friendly rivals showing players how to catch Pokemon in a friendly world. Pokemon Phoenix Rising is no exception, as the premise is that of a war-torn world that the player must help restore.
Phoenix Rising features things never seen before in Pokemon. Skill trees, side-quests, and a narrative driven by player choice are all a part of the game, along with some of the most visually impressive areas in the fan game world right now. The only downside is that it is currently unfinished, and progress on the game is extremely slow. However, what's already available for download is worth a look.
9 Pokemon Light Platinum
A well-known fan game from the early days of ROM Hacks, Pokemon Light Platinum is more of a touch-up on the usual formula than anything brand-new. The plot is intriguing enough but doesn't push the boundaries of maturity in the way others do.
With Pokemon from the first four Generations available - including all Legendary Pokemon - Light Platinum will keep players occupied for a while. It may not be a revolution in Pokemon games, but for fans who want something similar to the regular main series experience, but with a bit more challenge, this will have them covered.
8 Pokemon Uranium
Pokemon Uranium made headlines in 2016 due to getting a Cease & Desist notice from Nintendo as it launched. Thankfully, it is back online now, and all the better, as it is a unique Pokemon experience worth trying out.
With over 150 high-quality, brand-new Pokemon, Uranium injects the feeling of discovery back into Pokemon. The game plays with a very serious tone, featuring a story that deals with death and nuclear fallout. It also has a matching difficulty, so players shouldn't take this adventure lightly.
7 Pokemon Prism
Somewhat of a rarity in the Pokemon fan game scene, Pokemon Prism is a ROM Hack of Pokemon Crystal, rather than any of the newer titles. The aesthetic of the original Game Boy games is a big selling point for Prism and is perfect for those seeking a nostalgic experience.
The game's plot is an interesting one, as one of the central issues is the debate between the old village traditions and the modern urbanization of the game's region. It doesn't sound exciting on paper, but it's a surprisingly nuanced discussion that is a breath of fresh air compared to the stand plots of Pokemon.
6 PokeMMO
Several variations of Pokemon as an MMO exist, but PokeMMO takes the crown for bringing in MMO elements while keeping relatively true to the original experiences. Currently, Kanto, Hoenn, Sinnoh & Unova are all playable in the game, with Johto in development. All of these regions use different assets from each game, meaning that each region feels just like players will remember them.
Additionally, all of the plot elements are retained, so players can adventure through each region as if they were playing the original games. The only difference is, players can now invite their friends along. It's a simple formula, but it's lovingly crafted and the purest form of multiplayer Pokemon currently out there.
5 Pokemon Zeta/Omicron
The first Pokemon fan game produced by TheSuzerian, Pokemon Zeta/Omicron, is what would happen if designers took the standard Pokemon experience and stuffed it full of everything fans have ever wanted from a Pokemon game.
All Pokemon from Generations 1 through 5 are catchable, along with a select few from Generation 6. That's not all, as there are one or two brand-new Pokemon, as well as new Mega Evolutions. But wait, there's more! This game's biggest innovation is the Delta Pokemon, which are type and design variants on existing Pokemon, implementing regional variants years before Game Freak thought of these unique type combinations.
4 Pokemon Fire Ash
It's not an uncommon desire amongst Pokemon fans to follow Ash Ketchum's adventures through the Pokemon world themselves. Pokemon Fire Ash fulfills that wish. From Kanto to Alola, players can play through all seven regions, following the path Ash took on his adventures, fighting his friends and foes.
For players who want to use Ash's Pokemon, all of them are available as gift Pokemon in the same locations Ash caught them. Although, for those who want to deviate, every other Pokemon is catchable too. Even without the element of following Ash's adventures, Pokemon Fire Ash is a brilliant trip down memory lane for any long-time Pokemon fan.
3 Pokemon Reborn
For players looking for a game that gets the difficulty level just right, Pokemon Reborn is arguably the best option. Tough but fair, this game isn't shy about giving the player a challenge and requiring them to plan ahead.
The story is one of the darkest out there, with domestic terrorism and other, more touchy subjects referenced and showcased at several points. The world is dark and unforgiving, but the story is deep enough to be interesting as players conquer the region, which features the majority of non-Legendary Pokemon from Generations 1 through 7.
2 Pokemon Showdown
Pokemon Showdown isn't a traditional Pokemon game. Players don't pick their starter and then go traveling around some region. Instead, Showdown is the Pokemon community's most popular battle simulation software to make competitively viable Pokemon.
Using Showdown's features, players have free reign to create a competitive Pokemon team all their own. Customization is available for everything from Items, Abilities, EVs & IVs. Once players have made their teams, they can take them online and see how they do in the different competitive categories until their team is ready to take into the main series games.
1 Pokemon Insurgence
The second title produced by TheSuzerain, Pokemon Insurgence is the best of the best when it comes to high-quality Pokemon fan games. Insurgence has customization options for everything. Players can alter the difficulty, select specific challenge runs (such as Nuzlockes), and even choose between a light or dark version of the story.
The game comes with a healthy dose of challenge too. The game's many Gyms are based on themes rather than types, so players will have to rely on more than just one or two Pokemon for each battle. Along with this comes two explorable regions, every Pokemon from Generations 1 through 6, as well as more new Mega Evolutions and Delta Pokemon from Pokemon Zeta/Omicron.
With a team that is still semi-actively working on patches & bug fixes, Insurgence is the ultimate Pokemon fan game experience.