Pokémon Legends Johto Step Aside, We Just Got The Next Best Thing

The Pokémon Legends spin-off series has made a solid enough start, and Z-A continues to maintain a very active player base, some eight months after its original launch. That said, there’s definitely some room for improvement in the next iteration, though we don’t know too much about what that will actually look like when it gets here.

One oft-discussed project is the supposedly canceled Legends game that would have taken us all the way back to the second region ever introduced into the game, in Johto. It certainly would have been very exciting to see what Game Freak cooked up, but in lieu of that ever happening, there is another release that could strike all the same notes.

Who Needs Pokémon Legends Johto?

A terrified Trainer runs away from a Crobat and two Golbats in Pokémon Legends: Z-A.

Over on Twitter/X, Pokémon Fangame News shared a post detailing the release of Pokémon Crystal Inheritance, a ROM hack that adapts the titular Pokémon Crystal into an entirely new experience. The game takes place in a historical version of Johto, though you’ll be able to catch ‘mons from across Kanto, Johto, Sinnoh and Hisui.

The fun doesn’t stop there though, as the fan game makes a bunch of tangible changes to the gameplay that will really make the experience feel fresh, even if you’re an experienced franchise fan. As mentioned earlier, the game features a fully custom Pokédex, as well as two possible endings, and all the changes to the region that come with its earlier timeline.

It also adds the Apricorn system to the game, which is essentially a crafting function that allows players to make new, and entirely original, Poké Balls. These include the Bub Ball, Herb Ball, Deci Ball, Jeze Ball, and Geode, all of which are made using materials you find in the game’s overworld.

To get your Master Ball, you’ll have to do some trading throughout your journey, eventually working up towards the item by the time you come to the game’s conclusion. It also comes with a sandbox room that allows players to spawn items or ‘mons, so you can play through the game in exactly the way you wish.

Pokemon Fans Do Seriously Impressive Work

A close-up on Mega Garchomp Z's head in Pokemon Legends Z-A. — A close-up on Mega Garchomp Z’s head in Pokemon Legends Z-A.

Pokémon Crystal Inheritance is just the latest in an incredible series of games from Pokémon fans, who continue to resurrect old games, and create entirely new experiences from them. Whichever generation you happen to be a fan of, there’s undoubtedly a ROM hack or fan game out there for you, so it’s well worth having a look at which downloads have just hit a full release.