Play Pokemon Extreme Red Online

Pokemon Extreme Red is a fan-made GBA rom that feels like a harder, faster version of the classic games. You start in the usual way, picking your starter and heading out, but the difficulty spikes pretty quick. Wild pokemon hit harder, trainers have smarter teams, and gym leaders will wreck you if you're not prepared.

I remember walking into the first gym thinking it'd be easy, only to get steamrolled by a level 16 pokemon when mine were barely 12. Grinding feels necessary here, but it's not mindless—you actually have to think about type matchups and movesets. The game also throws in some later-gen pokemon and moves, which keeps things fresh if you're used to the original FireRed.

It's not perfect—some of the dialogue is rough, and the balancing can feel brutal at times. But if you want a pokemon game that makes you work for every victory, Pokemon Extreme Red delivers.