Hyped Pokemon ROM hack gets its 1.0 release next week with a Greek region, 400+ cross-gen monsters, Mega Evolutions, mini games, side quests, and more

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Pokemon Legends: Z-A is about to be the second best Pokémon game of the year

A Pokemon called Magikarp looking stressed on screen
(Image credit: The Pokemon Company)

Sure Pokemon Legends: Z-A just released last month but what if I told you that the most exciting Pokemon game actually comes out next week? While Nintendo's hot new thing has its pros (and cons) fans of the series may be more interested in Pokemon Lazarus, a much-hyped ROM hack finally releasing its 1.0 version on November 14.

Lazarus's creator, Nemo622, made the announcement in a post on the r/PokemonROMhacks subreddit. The 1.0 release will mark the culmination of nearly a year of development, as the project was initially revealed in December 2024 under the name Pokemon Sunset. A demo for the ROM hack released this March and received plenty of buzz in the community, which isn't that surprising given Nemo622 previously developed the successful Pokemon ROM hack Emerald Seaglass.

Pixelated graphic of a sunset over the water with a Greek temple in the foreground. Text reads "Pokémon Lazarus releases on November 14."

(Image credit: Nemo622)

When the launch version releases next week you'll be able to dive into the Greek-inspired region of Ilios. The region comes with an entirely original story and cast of characters. Some of the impressive features Nemo622 is bringing to Lazarus include over 400 Pokemon that span all current generations, with "many weaker Pokemon receiving changes to make them team-worthy!" according to the Reddit post. There will also be Mega Evolutions for many of said monsters.

Beyond the titular pocket monsters we all love so dearly, Lazarus will have plenty more for trainers to do. That includes "numerous" minigames and over 60 sidequests. For the style-minded player there will also be more than a dozen outfits to choose from. In summary, Lazarus has a lot going on. Though it had me hooked as soon as I saw its Game Boy Color era visuals, which will never not look good.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A's DLC is making a change to the level cap Game Freak has "never dared touch," and a VGC World Champion thinks "there's no telling how difficult the game can get" now

Willa Rowe
Willa Rowe
Contributor

Willa Rowe is a queer games critic based in New York City whose writing has been featured in Endless Mode, Digital Trends, Kotaku, and more. She also hosts the Girl Mode podcast. When she isn’t talking games she can be found on Bluesky bemoaning the state of the New York Mets.

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