Completed Pokemon ROM Hacks You Can Finish Today
Updated October 20, 2026 · 12 picks
Overview
Nothing kills a playthrough like reaching the end of a beta. You beat the seventh gym, walk into a new town and hit a sign that says the rest is coming soon — sometimes years later, sometimes never. Plenty of famous Pokemon ROM hacks are in that state, which is why a list of completed Pokemon ROM hacks is one of the most useful things a new player can have.
Every hack below has a full story you can play through to the credits, and in most cases a post-game too. We define 'completed' the way the creators do: the main adventure is finished and the current release is a full version rather than a demo. Some still receive balance or bug-fix patches, which is a good sign, not a warning.
We have spread the picks across GBA, Nintendo DS and Game Boy Color and across difficulty levels, so there is something here whether you want a relaxed weekend game or a brutal Nuzlocke. Each entry links to a full page with the latest version, what you need to patch it and tips for the first hours.
The List
1. Pokemon Radical Red
Radical Red is finished in every sense that matters. soupercell's v4.1 covers the whole Kanto adventure plus a substantial post-game, with Pokemon up to Gen 9 and its DLC. The challenge is the selling point — competitive boss teams and level caps — but the Minimal Grinding option and adjustable EVs keep it from being a chore. If you want a complete hack that will test you, this is the obvious first choice.
2. Pokemon Unbound
Skeli's Unbound has been a complete game since version 2.1, and it ranks among the most content-rich finished hacks on any system. Borrius has its own story, dozens of side missions, raids and a big post-game. Four difficulty modes let anyone finish it, from Vanilla up to Insane. The latest build, v2.1.1.1 with the Unbound Fixes patch, cleaned up remaining bugs, so you can start knowing nothing major will change mid-run.
3. Pokemon Renegade Platinum
Drayano released Renegade Platinum v1.3.0 in 2019 and the game has been stable ever since. Every one of the 493 Gen 1-4 Pokemon can be caught, Fairy replaces the unused ??? type, and trainers across Sinnoh are rebuilt with real strategy. Because it has been finished for so long, guides and documentation are excellent. It is the safest finished DS hack for a first playthrough or a Nuzlocke.
4. Pokemon Blaze Black 2 Redux
The Redux remake of Blaze Black 2 and Volt White 2 reached v1.4.1 in June 2023 and covers the whole of Unova plus an expanded post-game at Unity Tower. AphexCubed did most of the work with Drayano contributing. Easy, Normal and Challenge modes, all 649 Pokemon and an optional Fairy type make it flexible. Patch Black 2 for Blaze Black 2 Redux or White 2 for the Volt White version.
5. Pokemon Sacred Gold / Storm Silver
Drayano's HeartGold and SoulSilver hacks were finished back in 2012 with v1.05 and remain the go-to way to replay Johto with a challenge. All 493 Pokemon are catchable without trading, the National Dex is available from the start, and every Gym Leader and Elite Four member brings six Pokemon. Choose the Complete patch for rebalanced stats or Classic to keep original ones.
6. Pokemon Polished Crystal
After years of betas, Polished Crystal declared itself complete with v3.2.0 in October 2025, and v3.2.3 followed as a hotfix that December. The finished game reworks Johto and Kanto with 289 species, regional forms, modern mechanics and a better level curve. Note that saves from older versions need the official Save Patcher, and the hack is not compatible with PKHeX.
7. Pokemon Emerald Imperium
Unlike many hacks that drip-feed content, Emerald Imperium was complete from its 1.0 release, with later updates focused on fixes and balance. iriv24's v1.3.1 from September 2025 gives you the full Hoenn story with Radical Red-style bosses, custom Mega Evolutions and level caps. An Easy mode lowers boss levels slightly if the default setting is too much.
8. Pokemon Run & Bun
Run & Bun is complete and has stayed on v1.07 since April 2023, which makes it a stable target for challenge runs. dekzeh designed around 500 trainer battles with no EVs, boss level caps and NPCs to adjust IVs and natures. It is very hard, but the game is fully playable from start to finish and well documented by the community.
9. Pokemon Scorched Silver
Scorched Silver hit v1.3 in August 2024 and is listed by its author, Sloo, as complete. The story picks up in Johto twenty years after Gold and Silver, with Team Phoenix and Celebi at its centre and over 750 Pokemon to collect. Difficulty is moderate, and modern conveniences such as running indoors and HMs you do not need to teach keep it smooth.
10. Pokemon Lazarus
Lazarus launched as a full release in November 2025 rather than as a demo, and its 2.0 update in February 2026 added content without breaking saves. Nemo622's Greek-inspired Ilios region has more than 400 Pokemon, nine starters and Normal or Hard modes. It is one of the newest finished hacks with an original region.
11. Pokemon Crystal Legacy
Crystal Legacy is a complete, polished upgrade of Crystal that you can finish in a normal Johto-length playthrough. Version 1.3.1 from August 2024 adds a Hardcore mode on top of level-scaled late gyms and a self-contained Kanto league. It changes little about the story, which is exactly why it suits players who want to finish something familiar.
12. Pokemon Clover
Clover's full game came out in April 2020 after roughly six years of community development, and v1.3.3 from October 2023 is the latest bug-fix release. You get a complete original region and 386 fakemon. Its parody humour is crude and intentionally offensive at times, but as a finished, fully original game it is hard to match.
Final Thoughts
A finished hack is not automatically bug-free, so keep a backup save before major story moments and use the emulator the creator recommends. If you prefer to follow a hack while it grows, our pages for in-development projects like Quetzal and Prism list what is already playable. For everyone else, any game on this list can be started tonight and finished without waiting for the next update.
FAQ
What is the best completed Pokemon ROM hack?
Pokemon Unbound and Radical Red are the most recommended completed GBA hacks, and Renegade Platinum is the top finished DS hack.
Is Pokemon Unbound finished?
Yes. Unbound has been complete since version 2.1, and v2.1.1.1 with the Unbound Fixes patch is the latest build.
Is Radical Red complete?
Yes. Radical Red v4.1 includes the full story and post-game; updates since release have added content and fixes.
Are there completed hacks with new regions?
Yes. Unbound, Lazarus and Clover all have finished original regions.
Which completed hack is easiest?
Crystal Legacy and Unbound's Vanilla mode are the most approachable, while Run & Bun is the hardest finished hack on this list.
Do completed hacks still get updates?
Some do. Polished Crystal and Lazarus received updates after completion, usually for bug fixes or extra content.