The Best NDS Pokemon ROM Hacks Worth Playing
Updated October 14, 2026 · 8 picks
Overview
Nintendo DS hacking works differently from the GBA scene. The games are bigger and harder to edit, so instead of brand-new regions, the best NDS Pokemon ROM hacks usually take Platinum, HeartGold, SoulSilver or Black 2 and White 2 and rebuild them from the inside: new wild encounters, smarter trainers, rebalanced Pokemon and every species obtainable without trading.
That approach suits the DS games well. Gen 4 and Gen 5 already have physical/special split, abilities and great presentation, so a good hack only needs to fix what held them back — limited Pokedexes, easy bosses and trade evolutions. Many of the picks below come from the same author, Drayano, whose hacks set the template that newer projects follow.
For each hack we list the base game you need, how hard it is and whether it is finished. All of them are distributed as patches, which you apply to your own clean DS ROM. On PC, melonDS or DeSmuME run them; on Android, DraStic is the standard choice; on iPhone, Delta plays DS games once you add the required BIOS and firmware files.
The List
1. Pokemon Renegade Platinum
If you only play one DS hack, make it Renegade Platinum. Drayano's v1.3.0 makes all 493 Pokemon from Generations 1 to 4 catchable, swaps the unused ??? type for Fairy, updates types and stats to Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon values and lets you choose from all four sets of starters. Trainers are rebuilt with real strategies, so Sinnoh's gyms finally feel like obstacles. It is complete, stable and probably the most-recommended Nuzlocke game on any platform.
2. Pokemon Blaze Black 2 Redux / Volt White 2 Redux
The Redux project, led mainly by AphexCubed with Drayano contributing, remakes his original Blaze Black 2 and Volt White 2 from scratch. v1.4.1 from June 2023 offers Easy, Normal and Challenge modes, a Complete or Classic data set, all 649 Pokemon, optional Fairy typing and a 1/512 shiny rate. Unova's post-game is expanded too. Blaze Black 2 Redux uses a Black 2 ROM and Volt White 2 Redux uses White 2 — the content is the same, so choose by the version you own.
3. Pokemon Sacred Gold
Sacred Gold is Drayano's 2012 rework of HeartGold. Every one of the 493 Gen 1-4 Pokemon can be caught without trading, Gym Leaders and the Elite Four field six Pokemon, and Kanto is levelled into a real second half instead of an easy epilogue. New events, such as an early Eevee from Cynthia and a Rocket takeover of Route 47, add variety. A Complete patch changes Pokemon stats and movesets; a Classic patch leaves them as they were.
4. Pokemon Storm Silver
Storm Silver is the SoulSilver twin of Sacred Gold, with the same trainers, encounters and difficulty but the Lugia-themed base game. It is a natural pick if SoulSilver was your childhood version or the ROM you have. Like its sibling, v1.05 is the final release, it runs on every common DS emulator and flash cards, and it remains one of the most-played Gen 4 hacks for Nuzlocke runs thanks to its balanced difficulty and the variety of early catches.
5. Pokemon Blaze Black 2 / Volt White 2 (original)
Drayano's original Blaze Black 2 and Volt White 2, released in October 2012 and updated to v1.1 in November 2012, are the hacks the Redux project grew out of. They already made all 649 Pokemon catchable, edited every area's wild Pokemon, gave Gym Leaders three to five Pokemon in Normal Mode and a full six in Challenge Mode, and swapped weak TMs like Sky Drop for Hurricane. Redux is the better pick today, but the originals are still a solid, lighter alternative.
6. Pokemon Following Platinum
Following Platinum, by Mikelan98 and AdAstra, does one thing beautifully: it adds HeartGold-style walking Pokemon to Platinum. Your lead follows you, interacts with you and even reacts to Sinnoh features such as sand slopes, berry watering and the Hearthome Gym's lights. v1.1.2 from November 2021 also rearranges the battle music and adds an optional framerate unlock. Difficulty stays close to vanilla, so it is ideal for a cosy Sinnoh replay rather than a challenge.
7. Pokemon Platinum Unlocked
Platinum Unlocked by Yosammy is a newer project focused on removing Platinum's waiting and trading. The National Dex is available from the start, swarm and GBA-slot species can be caught without special conditions, trade evolutions use items or levels instead, TMs are reusable and field moves can be used from the bag. Gym Leaders, the Elite Four and Cynthia have revamped teams. It is still in beta (v1.3, last updated April 2025), with both a vanilla and a hard patch.
8. Pokemon Light Platinum DS
Light Platinum is a GBA classic, and its DS remake on a HeartGold base is one of the most exciting DS projects in progress. Its first English demo, released in April 2026, runs up to the fifth gym and moves the story onto the DS engine. It is not finished, so this is a pick for players who want to follow a project as it grows; the original GBA version is still the way to experience the whole story today.
Final Thoughts
If you are unsure where to start, Renegade Platinum is the safest first choice, followed by Sacred Gold or Storm Silver for Johto and Blaze Black 2 Redux for Unova. Want something gentler? Following Platinum keeps Sinnoh's difficulty but adds following Pokemon. Whatever you pick, use a clean, unmodified ROM of the correct base game — DS patches will fail or break if the ROM is from the wrong region or has already been patched.
FAQ
What is the best NDS Pokemon ROM hack?
Renegade Platinum is the most widely recommended, thanks to all 493 Pokemon, the Fairy type and a well-designed difficulty curve. Blaze Black 2 Redux is the top Gen 5 option.
Can I play NDS Pokemon ROM hacks on my phone?
Yes. DraStic is the usual choice on Android, and Delta runs DS games on iPhone once you add the DS BIOS and firmware files.
Why are there fewer NDS hacks than GBA hacks?
DS games are larger and harder to edit, and tools arrived later. That is why most DS hacks rework an existing game rather than building a new region.
Which DS hack is best for a Nuzlocke?
Renegade Platinum, Sacred Gold, Storm Silver and Blaze Black 2 Redux are all popular Nuzlocke choices because they offer many early catches and fair but tough bosses.
Do NDS hacks need a specific ROM version?
Yes. Most need a clean US ROM of the right base game; for example, Sacred Gold needs HeartGold and Storm Silver needs SoulSilver.