Note: This essay avoids direct promotion of piracy. If you are interested in challenging Pokémon content legally, consider fan games that do not require original ROMs (e.g., Pokémon Uranium ) or official challenge modes (e.g., Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl ’s post-game).

Playing a Nintendo DS ROM hack requires a bit of setup, as sharing pre-patched game files (the actual game data) infringes on copyrights. To play legally and safely, you must create the file yourself. Step 1: Gather Your Tools