Pokémon Royal Sapphire Is Taking Players Back To Hoenn
By Published May 15, 2026, 8:00 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. Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap
Over the years, Hoenn has become one of the most beloved regions in history, so it is no surprise that fans are coming up with ways to return to the tropical-like environment. However, with it being well over a decade since Hoenn last starred in a mainline Pokémon entry, 2014's , to be exact, the nostalgia has gone into overdrive.
Well, fear not, as one fan and ROM hack creator has brought us Pokémon Royal Sapphire, which offers "a heavy enhancement-reimagined version of Pokémon Sapphire." Created by Gongas as their first ever GBA ROM hack, Pokémon Royal Sapphire was uploaded for the first time just last year, and already has a dedicated legion of fans who wish to see what the Gen 3 ROM hack has to offer.
"In a nutshell, I changed the storyline of Sapphire, while keeping the same nostalgic feel of it by keeping the same Gen 3 mechanics and general Dex," Gongas explained in a Reddit . "As well as the story beats remaining on a similar path, but expanded upon to make you feel as if it was your first time going through Hoenn once again. All maps, encounters, trainers, learnsets, and the general story are changed."
As such, they have released a full feature list, detailing what has been added to Pokémon Sapphire, and also what has been removed. For example, Sneasler, Overqwil, Meltan, and Melmetal have been added to Pokémon Royal Sapphire, whilst Ditto, Farfetch'd, Smeargle, and Chimecho have been removed. Additionally, there are new Starter Pokémon showcasing a poison trio with Fighting/Dark/Physics abilities. These include Hisui Sneasel, Hisui Qwilfish, and Galar Slowpoke.
As well as a change-up in the Pokédex, every map found in the original Pokémon Sapphire has been changed. With Gongas' main goal to make you feel as though you are exploring the Hoenn region for the first time all over again, there are a "few new or changed areas that you go to for additional storyline purposes or important item scavenger hunts such as key items and HMs."
There is lots to look forward to in Pokémon Royal Sapphire, including custom tilesets to make the region feel fresher, new trainer sprites, a new custom UI which makes the color blue the focus of the game, an expanded Team Aqua storyline, changed NPC dialogue, revamped trainer battles, harder bossfights, and much more.
Put simply, Pokémon Royal Sapphire may be an enhanced version of Pokémon Sapphire, but it plays as a completely standalone game, offering players the nostaglia of the original, whilst adding features and quality-of-life upgrades that completely revolutionize the 2014 Nintendo release.
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So, if you have been searching for a Pokémon ROM hack to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the franchise as a whole, make sure Pokémon Royal Sapphire is on your radar.
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