What is Pokémon Raging Ruby?

For years, Pokémon content creators have expanded beyond the normal mainline games and turned to “ROM hacks,” customized versions of the games we’re familiar with, for a fresh new experience. Fans of these Pokémon ROM hacks will know of Drayano, the creator of popular mods like SacredGold and StormSilver, which are of course based on the HeartGold and SoulSilver Gen II remakes.

Taking inspiration from the likes of Drayano, popular YouTuber aDrive began working with his team to create his own exclusive ROM hacks. Back in 2020, he did a widely successful playthrough of Pokémon Shining Sword, his mod of Gen VIII’s Sword and Shield which came with a brand new story and around a hundred different custom forms of Pokémon. 

Following that success, aDrive recently introduced the latest ROM hack created by his team—Pokémon Raging Ruby. But what exactly can fans expect from this new game?

How is Pokémon Raging Ruby different from Pokémon Ruby?

Pokémon Raging Ruby is a new ROM hack created by aDrive’s team based on Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, the Gen III remakes with epic Mega Evolutions and Primal forms. Like Shining Sword, this game will have a unique new storyline along with never-before-seen custom forms for some of our favorite Pokémon.

Unlike the original Gen III remakes, Raging Ruby’s protagonist is the newest recruit of the C.R.I, or Climate Research Institute. Your job is to investigate the cause of the unusual weather patterns in the region and find a solution. 

As a way to showcase the game, aDrive is currently doing a Nuzlocke playthrough of it on his YouTube channel. From the first episode alone, fans can already see several new Pokémon forms, including a Ground/Psychic-type Snivy and a Fairy-type Poochyena with Water Absorb. The setting is also drastically different from the original, with snowy paths and Ice-type Pokémon right off the bat on Route 101.

How to play Pokémon Raging Ruby

With aDrive featuring the first-ever playthrough of Raging Ruby on YouTube, fans might be wondering how they can play the game on their own. Luckily, aDrive answers this question right in Episode 1 of his series.

After his playthrough is completed on YouTube, fans will have access to Raging Ruby by joining his website with a paid membership. In addition to that access, the paid membership will also give you a higher chance of winning his ongoing giveaway along with early access to new videos. There’s also a free membership option, but that will not give you access to play Raging Ruby.