Pokemon Scarlet Rom

Pokémon has always been about the journey — from walking through tall grass to discovering new regions, and now, exploring massive open worlds that actually feel alive. Scarlet was a real shift for the series: it kept that classic feel but gave you full freedom to roam. A lot of players who already own the game are just looking for more flexible ways to enjoy it, and that’s where interest in the Pokemon Scarlet Rom really started picking up.

For me, Pokémon’s been a part of my life since childhood — I still have my old Game Boy Color lying around somewhere, battle scars and all. Playing Scarlet on the Switch felt fresh in a good way. No hand-holding, no forced path — just open exploration across the Paldea region. The thing is, I travel a lot and don’t always carry my Switch. That’s what got me into emulation. Not as a replacement, but as a way to take my games with me. Since I already owned the game, trying out a ROM felt like unlocking a different side of something I’d paid for. I set it up on my Steam Deck, tweaked the settings a bit, and honestly? It ran smoother than I expected.

Then I found something even cooler — a fan-made ROM hack of Fire Red called Pokemon Scarlet Rom, inspired by the official Scarlet and Violet titles from 2022. It dropped on July 25, 2023, and it’s only 5.5MB — but packed with content. You get to explore Paldea in pixel-art form using a GBA emulator, catch and train Pokémon across lakes, towns, and mountains, and start your journey with Sprigatito, Fuecoco, or Quaxly. Depending on your version, you can even ride around on Miraidon or Koraidon.

This fan-made version isn’t trying to outdo the real game — it’s more like a heartfelt tribute. A love letter to the series, blending modern concepts with that old-school Pokémon charm. And honestly, it brings a totally different vibe that long-time fans will definitely appreciate.

• More Rom Hack? Try Pokemon Infinite Fusion Rom