Pokemon Radical Red - ROM Hacked

So one would think that since I played through Pokemon Radical Red all the way up to the Elite 4 and Champion challenge on the absolute easiest mode possible, I'd be able to finish, at least, the main campaign, right? Right? I mean, I got all the way there, may as well.
I couldn't even get past Lorelai.
Even with a meta team I made using an infinite rare candy cheat code, I had to concede...
Maybe I am just a filthy casual (I'm sure everyone will say so in the comments) but damn, regardless of my incompetence, Radical Red is hard.
But even moreso than just being a rage-inducing difficulty hack, Radical Red is an an absolutely massive achievement in rom hacking.
It's a huge experience, with what some may even describe as having the problem of content overload. There is just so much in Radical Red, it's no wonder it's the most popular Pokemon ROM Hack.
But is it actually fun? Even for players like me who want a more casual experience, let's find out.
--
Yes, Radical Red, specifically the version I played for this video, version 4.1 was developed by Soupercell, with help from others and of course, the Complete Fire Red Upgrade.
But even since it's first completed version, Radical Red has been iconic, taking the original Pokemon FireRed and injecting it with the most powerful steroids known to man.
Radical Red, as stated before, is a difficulty hack, sure. Intended to create many levels of high level competitive gameplay in the shell of the GBA Kanto region classic.
But alongside that, there is just so much more.
You ready? Cause this is gonna get insane.
Pokemon from generations 1-9,
Custom, original versions of Pokemon
Fairy Typing,
The physical-special split,
Mega Evolution
Z moves,
Dynamaxing and Raid Battles,
Re-usable TMs and a much improved HM system with shortened animations,
Updated TMs, including moves from generations 1-9,
Almost every important battle item
Updated sprites
Hidden abilities,
EV training gear,
Options to streamline IV and EV training,
Dexnav,
a day and night system,
ability pop-ups in battle,
new move tutors all over the place,
the ability for Pokemon to follow behind you on the overworld,
faster speeds in just about every area you could think of,
field effects,
brand new, original abilities,
Battle style forced to SET, (unless you really wanna keep it as shift)
Boss fights don't allow access to the bag
New buffs for previously less useful Pokemon,
Additional rivals,
Additional story missions,
Additional recurring enemy bosses,
Level caps,
Many available new roaming legendary Pokemon to capture,
an upgraded game corner,
Generation 8 EXP share,
Nature changers in every Pokemon center,
And so many more quality of life improvements as well as notches to overall difficulty.
My God, it's just humongous.
Now as much as I appreciate all these wonderful features, even on the easiest difficulties, Pokeplebians like myself are still gonna be challenged, and the game warns you of that too, saying that it will never be as easy as a vanilla Pokemon playthrough.
So if that's a deal breaker for ya... maybe look elsewhere.
However, even despite that, I still have to say I had a wondrous time with the game.

[@mediatransmission]

There are many like Radical Red, but none come close to it's almost unnecessarily enormous magnitude.

[@rpgclipdatabase]

The community around this rom hack is huge and always in discussions. Your video is gonna come off like the most casual review to ever casual. 😂

[@meme.interzone]

Now you should play the equivalent in Pokemon Emerald or something like Incliment Emerald or Parallel Emerald

[@IYUSG]

Great channel, im working my way through all your rom hacks video's!

[@anotherblowncartridge]

Thank you! If you have any requests, please let me know!

[@missingnovgc]

As a now retired VGC player, I absolutely love this game. I just finished a playthrough on Hardcore mode and had an absolute blast. This is definitely a game i can not recommend to most of my friends though. Right now I'm wating for the next update for Pokemon Elite Redux. If you are looking for another challenging rom hack, I highly recommend. All Pokemon have 4 abilities active at once, freely change EVs and IVs, access to all tms, move tutor, egg and level up move sets from the start. New regional variants, new custom megas. Honestly more than i can say. It made me have to really think how to build everything perfect.

[@anotherblowncartridge]

I've seen a bit of Elite Redux, and it looks CRAZY. Definitely fun for those who really like to optimize their team builds and strategies, but I think I need a more casual Pokemon playthrough to tide me over in between my awful attempts at being good at these competitive Pokemon hacks 😅

[@anotherblowncartridge]

Also, what era did you play VGC? Also, what was your team?

[@missingnovgc]

@anotherblowncartridge I've dabbled in competitive GSC and a little ADV but what most active in XY and ORAS. Personally I always leaned towards Perish Trap and Rain strategies. Can't remember my exact teams but the last one I remember using in ORAS was in 2016 when Wolfe Glick won worlds. I was also on the Mega Gengar with Primal Kyogre and Mega Rayquaza mind set. Perish Trap when I played was Mega Gengar, Gothitelle, Politoed, Machamp, Arcanine and and I think Hydreigon 🤔 I still play everything with a competitive mind set. I follow the meta with the chance I might get in again but having a kid kinda ended that. I do help my buddy at work practice though so there is that.

[@TophDaGreat]

Yea I tried this one awhile back and was not a fan. Just way too much going on in one game. I can see why people far down the rabbit hole of competitive love it but not for me at all.

[@anotherblowncartridge]

Like I said, it's definitely fair to describe it as "content overload" 😅

[@RandomCommenter-jx6rr]

Thank you for introducing me to this hack! Super excited to try it out :)

[@anotherblowncartridge]

Happy to be the one introduce you to it!

[@lanzerat_]

Recently bought a physical cartridge of Radical Red for GBA SP. I did the same with Unbound and Gaia, but I think Radical Red will be the most played. Unbound is awesome tho.

[@anotherblowncartridge]

Physicals for Unbound, Gaia, and Radical Red are an awesome investment. Playing these games on original hardware is easily the best way to play them. Unbound especially is just a masterpiece.

[@레돌이]

I'm looking forward to seeing when Pokemon Victory Fire comes out.

[@anotherblowncartridge]

@@레돌이 I'm still working through some other ROM hacks first, but Victory Fire is still on the way!

[@j.r.1704]

Emerald Kaizo review when? 😂

[@anotherblowncartridge]

😭😭😭 Please, I don't know if my plebian brain can handle such a task 🙏