Pokémon Delta Emerald Is A Gorgeous New Hoenn Remake By Fans, For Fans

Published Sep 27, 2026, 5:00 AM EDT

Known as 'Cyberpunk 2077's' biggest fan, Angharad is a Welsh games writer who thrives in anything related to digital storytelling. If a video game explores the intricacies and horrors of womanhood, she is there.

Thanks to previous work at GAMINGbible, GameByte, The Loadout, Game Luster, Angharad has built a strong understanding of both the digital world and what fans want from it and is eager to share her thoughts and expertise with readers.

It was back in 2004 that Pokémon Emerald launched on the Game Boy Advance as the final game in the third generation of the Pokémon video game franchise. Taking place in the Hoenn Region, players are tasked with conquering a series of eight Pokémon Gyms in order to challenge the Elite Four and the Hoenn League Champion. However, with a criminal organization threatening to harness Pokémon's power for their own goals, taking part in friendly battles may not always be the priority.

Praised for its addition of the Battle Frontier and improvements made to story beats from Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, Pokémon Emerald was met with mainly positive reviews, but much like the majority of Pokémon releases, it gained favor over time and now, Emerald is remembered fondly.

Game Freak

Whilst there may not be an official remake coming anytime soon, it seems as though fans are once again stepping in, as one developer has showcased a brand-new ROM hack titled Pokémon Delta Emerald Redux.

Created by zarraywrld, Pokémon Delta Emerald Redux aims to recreate Hoenn on the Nintendo DS, with the project having been in development since November 2025. In a clip shared by Twitter/X user Reticent, we can see the ROM hack in action, showcasing some of Littleroot Town, as well as early-game routes, the custom Pokémon Center, Oldale, and Route 103.

With Hoenn being one of the most beloved regions in Pokémon history, it is no wonder that many recent ROM hacks are taking us back, and this stunning new addition to the ever-growing library is no exception. It may only be a brief clip, but it is clear to see that zarraywrld has captured the magic of Pokémon Emerald whilst also adding their own spin.

Over on r/PokemonROMhacks, the creator shared an update on the project, "The hack is still in progress, but things have gotten busier in my personal life, so it may be some time before I post some more. Here's a look at Littleroot, some early game routes, my custom Pokémon Center, Oldale, and Route 103! I've gotten feedback on the overworld camera, and trust me I haven't forgotten, but it is simply not on the list of priorities at the moment while I get things stitched back together. Nonetheless, thank you all for the kind words and feedback on everything I've been able to show so far. More to come soon!"

As you can imagine, fans are eager to get stuck into this stunning project, and took to the comments to share their thoughts. "I keep saying this, but seriously, what a time to be alive and experience Pokèmon ROM Hacks. This would have broken my mind merely 6 years ago."

Another shared, "Holy s*it, this looks amazing. Remake level of amazing."

As mentioned, Pokémon Delta Emerald Redux is still in development and so there is currently no word of a release date, however, this is definitely a ROM hack worth keeping up to date with.