FAQ & EMULATOR GUIDE
Everything you need to know about playing Pokémon ROM hacks, from emulator recommendations to site navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Gohan's Tips is a curated database and community hub for Pokémon ROM hacks and fangames. I hand-pick, or played every game on my channel featured on the site, make detailed guides, and provide author's links (source links) so you can just download from their links or sites.
As I always say: "There are other sites out there, but those have something missing - I wanted to make something that has everything."
Whether you're looking for a completed GBA hack, a challenging fangame, or a nostalgia-filled GBC adventure, you'll find it here with all the information before you decide to play the game.
TL;DR: Yes, it's safe.
I personally play and verify every game before it's listed. Most downloads are author's links, mainly patches or direct links depending on what they prefer, so you can just come here and get to know about a ROM hack then leave and download from somewhere else - up to you. At least you got to know it because of me, that makes me happy.
You can also check using VirusTotal on your own to see if it's a virus if you have no trust in me. I personally play them and had no issues so far.
Confused? Don't worry, here's the gist of it:
- →
- →"Just show me the best ones." Check the curated lists: Top GBA ROM HacksTop NDS ROM Hacks or Top Fangames
- →"I'm stuck on a game." We got step-by-step Guides and Walkthroughs
- →"I want to see everything." Go to All Posts for the full list.
Still lost? Hit up the guide or just DM me on any socials and I will help you. You can also watch our video linked on the homepage in our hero section to learn how to find games to play.
Head to the Discover page where you'll find Popular Posts, Browse by Platform, Top ROM Hacks, and Master Resources like guides and walkthroughs.
You can also filter by tags on the platform pages: GBAGBCNDS or RPGXP to narrow down exactly what you're in the mood for:
Or just use the search bar on the top pages to look up any game by name. Mix and match tags to find something new - that's what the site is built for.
Head over to the Request Games page and fill out the form. We're always looking for new ROM hacks and fangames to feature!
You can also join the community on Discord to suggest games directly.
- GBAGame Boy Advance games, the most popular category. Most Pokémon ROM hacks are built on the GBA (FireRed / Emerald) engine.
- GBCGame Boy Color games (hacks built on the original GBC engine). Note: GBC emulators cannot play GBA games and vice versa.
- NDSNintendo DS games (hacks using the DS engine). Requires a DS-capable emulator.
- RPGXPFangames built with RPG Maker. These are standalone PC games (not ROM hacks). They can be played on Android via JoiPlay, Kirin, or NaviaXP.
This is one of the most common confusion points, so let's break it down:
GBA ROM Hacks
These are modified versions of actual Game Boy Advance cartridges (like FireRed or Emerald). They run on a GBA emulator that mimics the GBA hardware. The emulator reads a .gba ROM file and tricks the game into thinking it's running on a real Game Boy Advance.
RPGXP Fangames
These are standalone PC games built with RPG Maker XP. They are not ROMs, they are full .exe applications with their own assets (graphics, music, scripts). They need a runtime environment like JoiPlay or Kirin to execute them on Android, or just run natively on PC.
Think of it like this: you can't play a PlayStation game on a Nintendo console, not because of power, but because they speak completely different languages. GBA emulators understand GBA code. RPGXP fangames need an RPG Maker interpreter. One tool simply cannot do both jobs.
So which emulator do I need?
For GBA ROM Hacks: mGBA or Pizza Boy GBA, or check the Emulator Section below for the full list.
For RPGXP Fangames: Just run the .exe directly on PC, or use JoiPlay, Kirin, or NaviaXP on Android.
Quick tip: Each game post on this site clearly labels the platform (GBA, GBC, NDS, or RPGXP) and shows only the compatible emulators, so you'll always know which one to grab.
Jailbroken phone? No. For all games including RPGXP fangames. You don't need a jailbroken device.
Powerful PC? No for ROM hacks (GBA, GBC, NDS). Even basic hardware will run them fine. But sometimes yes for RPGXP fangames. Some of these games are very heavy.
Some emulators support multiple platforms (e.g., VBA-M works for both GBA and GBC games). We note this in the "Platform" column of the reference table below. If you see "GBA, GB, GBC" that means the emulator can handle all three.
When browsing a post page, we only show emulators compatible with that specific game's platform, so you won't see NDS emulators on a GBA game page.
Fangame Emulators Note
For RPGXP fangames, there is currently no iOS emulator available. On Android, Kirin is the new optimized option and JoiPlay is also good.
Some games on the site are part of a series — like Pokémon Nebula 1, 2, and 3. Related Games is a feature that links these connected games together so you can easily navigate between them.
You'll see a Related Games section on game posts that are part of a series. It shows cards for each connected game with a badge describing the relationship.
Relationship Types:
Which games have this? You'll find Related Games on GBA, GBC, NDS, RPGXP, Guide, and Walkthrough posts. If a walkthrough or guide is for a game that has a sequel or prequel, you'll see those linked there too — so you always know what to play next.
Only games that are part of a series or connected to other games on the site will show this section. If a game stands alone with no sequels or prequels, you won't see it.
EMULATOR GUIDE
Complete emulator compatibility table by platform. Recommended emulators are highlighted with stars.
